Wireless Credit Card Terminal

Undoubtedly the biggest innovation to hit the credit card processing industry in the last 5 years has been the wireless credit card terminal.    Being able to accept a credit card and get an instant approval on-the-go was a god send to many merchants.   However the history of wireless processing did have a bit of a rocky beginning.  Early networks had spotty and unreliable converge, and some networks were taken off line due to technical and financial issues, leaving merchant’s who purchased wireless credit card terminals for those networks with nothing more than an expensive paper weight.

Fortunately today’s modern wireless credit card processing services providers like the Apriva® GPRS wireless network have solved the early problems and have given mobile merchants a great, reliable tool for doing business most anywhere they need to go.   The network actually incorporates the services of more than one wireless service and “roams” for the strongest signals from those available at the location you happen to be.   The system uses the digital networks which are also used for text messaging.  These networks often function where voice networks do not.  There are several companies that manufacture wireless credit card terminals.  The supported network is determined by a “Sims Card” installed in the unit, similar to cellular phones.

Other than the obvious advantage of being able to use your merchant account to process credit cards almost anywhere, there are some other benefits of a wireless credit card terminalincluding:

• Lower Rates and Fees – keyed-in transactions (card not present) have a higher “interchange” which is the cost of the transaction to the merchant bank.  Accordingly you will always pay higher fees for a transaction without the card being swiped, but by having the ability to slide the card through the wireless credit card processing terminal reader, you will get the lower, “qualified” rate.
• No Phone Line Needed – even if you are operating in a retail setting, you can avoid having to pay for an expensive land line phone by simply using a wireless machine along with your wireless or IP based phone system.
• Portability – most modern units, like the Nurit 8000 wireless credit card terminal furnished by Total Merchant Services, are totally self contained and are designed for hand-held use.  There is no need to carry around modems, printers or any other hardware.
• Security – Wireless transactions are secure over a modern network like the Apriva network.
• Instant Approval – The display on your terminal will let you know immediately if the transaction has been approved or declined and you avoid the risk of having to take a chance on the credit card’s validity.  Transactions normally only take 3-5 seconds.

Because the processing terminal is light is totally self-contained and light-weight, they can go anywhere that you need to do business.   At a show, convention, on a sales call, sporting event or maybe in someone's own home you can now accept credit cards quickly and reliably.  Being a standalone wireless unit might seem as though it would have its constraints but the benefits massively outweigh any limitations. Many buyers have concern over giving out their credit card info, but by swiping the card the customer knows their card information will not be copied, lost, hacked or sold.

To make sure you get equipment and services that are up-to-date and compatible, choose a reliable merchant services provider like Total Merchant Services.  Our free wireless credit card terminal program takes all the risk out of getting set up for wireless processing.   Avoid costly mistakes like buying a used terminal online that is no longer compatible with any modern wireless network.  When you are setup and receive your wireless credit card terminal, your business will now be ready to process credit cards any anytime, anywhere with all the advantages of being in a retail store environment. The best benefit of all is your bottom line.  Watch your sales increase when you customers know they can use their credit or debit card to purchase your products and services!