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Should you should be using an EMV Chip Reader?

The simple answer is yes, you should be using EMV chip readers for several different reasons. before addressing the reasons why let’s look at a couple of the myths. The first myth is that you must use be reading EMV chips as part of your POS system. That is false, there is no rule or law stating you must read chips. Second myth is that it is cheaper to read chips opposed to magnetic strips. For the most part that is also a false claim. The truth is if you are still reading cards by swiping them in your POS you have accepted 100% of the charge back liability.  The failure to use a chip reader for all intent purposes is n acceptable reason for the card holder to file a charge back it seems. While that is not an official reason the net result of the rules would indicate that it is.

You should be planning on implementing EMV readers at minimum

Standalone credit card terminals have been able to accept EMV chips now for several years. POS systems have been playing catch up for years now and making up ground.  Swiping credit cards today can result in charge backs for the full amount without reason. Yes, you heard that right. The issuing bank does not allow for any due process regarding the validity of the charge like the old charge back rules. If the card has a chip and you swiped it there is no process to prove it is a valid charge. If the customer charges back you lose. You need to get EMV chip readers

Upgrade your legacy POS to EMV readers or replace it

If you have an older POS system you may not be able to upgrade it to read EMV chips. If that is the case you should look into a system that accepts EMV chips right at the table. Heartland has several POS devices that accept EMV payments at the table. An investment is technology that allows for best practice  of EMV chips limits your liability in several areas.  In the Seattle Tacoma area contact your Heartland POS dealer National Business Systems at 253-839-9636

How credit card processors changed the POS world.

Years ago the POS landscape started to change. Back in the day POS systems and card processing stayed in their own lane. As the merchant services industry became more competitive the business model began to change. The first player to start disrupting the traditional model  was HarborTouch. Offering their POS system (white labeled DinerWare) for what they called “Free” as long as you used HarborTouch merchant services. First Data entered the fray when they brought Clover to the market.  The trend continued Heartland also entered the fray when they released restaurant 360 into the marketplace selling it directly through their credit card reps.  As this trend grew both Heartland and HarborTouch started buying more POS systems, however one of them made a major move to set them apart from the rest of the herd mentality.

Heartland learns POS Dealers make a big difference

Jump forward a number of years and you find out Heartland has bought three major POS systems. They started with the purchase of Dinerware from Seattle and Cash Register Express from NY. Not long after that they bought Menusoft the makers of Digital Dining in VA. As a dealer for Digital Dining I can say we were a little nervous having a main product of ours being bought by a very large credit card processing company. I’m sure you can imagine the thoughts going through our minds as we learned the news. Well fast forward three plus years and we can now clearly see this was the best thing that could have happened to Digital Dining and our dealership.

How about a dealer model and opening their POS open to any card processor.

Not only did Heartland buck the trend of going to direct sales they are changing the POS landscape again. They figured out that restaurants are served better by dealers in their communities. Not only did Heartland keep dealers that have made them stronger with innovative programs and partnerships with credit card representatives in the same communities.  They increased their leadership in the POS and Credit Card marketplace buy acquiring Mobilebytes a year ago and re-branding it as Heartland Restaurant POS. One of the decisions Heartland made is still not believed by many but is having a major impact. You can use any merchant services you would like with any of the Heartland POS products.  Their biggest competitors don’t allow that. In our case you can use our POS but keep your merchant services relationship with your local bank perhaps or whoever you use.

Contact your local Dealer in Seattle, National Business Systems, Inc.

We can be reached at 253-839-9636 or on the web at Seattle Heartland Dealer. We would love to set up a demo in person or online.