Merchant Credit Card Terminals | Electronic Transfer

A credit card terminal is a type of point of sale (POS) terminal that can perform transactions through credit card processing. A couple types of credit card terminals are available to merchants. Most have the same basic purpose and functions. They allow a merchant to insert, swipe, or key in manually the required credit card information and transmit such data to the merchant service provider for authorization and then later on the transfer the fund to the merchant.

With a credit card terminal, a debit or credit card is all the customer needs to pay for goods or even withdraw cash at a merchant store. Electronic credit card terminal technology has become standard in supermarket and store checkout counters, but these machines are also widely used by banks and other organizations. In order to use a credit card terminal, a store may attach an existing cash register. However, mobile and wireless credit card terminal technology is also available.

Many people now routinely use credit cards to pay for all their transactions. However, there are certain laws and regulations which might limit their use. In certain countries or regions, for instance, banks charge customers for every debit or credit card transaction. In other cases, transactions fees are applied to merchants every time the credit card terminal is used.

Nearly all stores accept credit cards and to boost your business, you should too. A credit card virtual terminal is great for many businesses and for a multitude of reasons. When a phone line is not available or unreliable, a credit card virtual terminal system is the ideal alternative choice. These machines use the internet to process credit cards and payments using your desktop, laptop, and even tablet if you’re on the go.

Credit Card Machine | Machines For Credit Card Processing

A credit card machine is a type of machine that can do credit card transactions. A couple of types of credit card machines are available to merchants. Most have the same basic purpose and functions. They allow a merchant to insert, swipe, or key in manually the required credit card information and transmit such data to the merchant service provider for authorization and then later on the transfer the fund to the merchant.

Most new models not only process credit and debit cards but can also handle gift cards, checks and so on. The majority of card machines transmit data over a standard telephone line or an Internet connection (either wired or wireless). Some also have the ability to cache transactional data and transmit the data to the gateway processor when a connection becomes available; immediate authorization is not available at the time the card was processed which can subsequently result in failed payments. Remote wireless machines can transmit card data using either cellular or satellite networks.

Retailers have largely moved to using merchant credit card terminals to directly capture swiped card information instead of manually entering card details. This provides an efficiency benefit of decreased transaction processing times. Previously, merchants could obtain lower processing costs by processing chip cards instead of magstripe cards.

Key functionality of a card machine

Modern card machines have multiple features. Depending on the needs of the merchant and the type of transactions processed by the card-issuing bank, key operations and functions include:

Acceptance of credit, charge, and debit cards (both domestic and foreign, however, foreign cards might have higher processing costs)
Key Entry (for Customer Not Present mail and telephone order)
Tips / Gratuities
Refunds and Adjustments
Settlement (including Automatic)
Pre-Authorisation
Remote Initialisation and Software update
POS Integration
Multi-merchant Capabilities
Pen or PIN authorization by the customer
Surcharge Function
Secure Password Operation

Manufacturers

Ingenico
VeriFone
Hypercom
Vivotech

What Happens At the Point of Sale

When a merchant swipes a credit card or debit card through a credit card machine at the stores the information from the magnetic stripe on the back of the card to be read. The machine will transmit the credit card data (Name, address, account number etc.) to the bank that issued the card in order to verify that the account exists. If there is enough credit or cash in the account to cover the sales transaction, the issuing bank generates an authorization code, and then places a hold on the cardholder’s account for the amount of the sale.

Hypercom T4205 Credit Card Terminal

Note: Hypercom is now EQUINOX

We now offer the Equinox Credit Card Terminals and no longer offer Hypercom Terminals.

If you have any questions about any credit card terminals or payment gateway processing feel free to call us at 1-800-757-5453.