Any professional detailers here use Clover to process credit card payments?

[JWilliams.RadiantDetail]

I use Square, and I mostly like it, but there are some huge annoyances. Their Bluetooth reader for cards with chips, you can dip but not swipe, so I still need their stupid Lighting connector mag strip reader too. I noticed Clover's bluetooth reader you can tap, dip or swipe. Also Square's appointment app is HORRIBLE for a detailer. I have my packages set up as services, then I have my a-la carte stuff as modifiers. Services can have a time duration attached to them, modifiers can't. A basic wash is 60 minutes, a basic wash + vacuum + wax modifiers would be 2 hours. But, it'll still shows up as 1 because of how it works. Someone asked Square about this on their forums over a year ago "I passed this along to the team, we'll keep you updated" 16 months later, still no feature and not even so much as a word. This is their response to anyone about about any missing feature.

Any ways I'm hoping someone here uses Clover and can share some insight. I can't find a whole lot of stuff online about the mobile side. Just the big store POS systems. Reading a bunch of messages on the Square forums today about feature suggestions, it seems none of them ever get implemented. I know the Clover Flex has it's own OS and you can install plugins and apps to do various things. I don't need big, or fancy. I just want CC processing and access to a good appointment booking app. Oh and the ability for services and modifiers to both have durations. Booking with Square Appointment is a hassle because I have to go in afterwards and manually change the time length if they wanted anything more than a service. And Square doesn't even let customers who book an appointment add modifiers themselves anywho - This is another feature that's apparently on a list somewhere with the development team. Their mobile machine is $299, I was about to buy it a few months ago but I wanted to wait to see feedback on it. Now I'm pondering Clovers Flex.

But with all my gripes I don't know if Clover's even any better. I will call and talk to a sales person there, but if I could someone mobile with 1st hand experience would be lovely. I know sales people are trying to sell you stuff.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

I use Square, and I mostly like it, but there are some huge annoyances. Their Bluetooth reader for cards with chips, you can dip but not swipe, so I still need their stupid Lighting connector mag strip reader too. I noticed Clover's bluetooth reader you can tap, dip or swipe. Also Square's appointment app is HORRIBLE for a detailer. I have my packages set up as services, then I have my a-la carte stuff as modifiers. Services can have a time duration attached to them, modifiers can't. A basic wash is 60 minutes, a basic wash + vacuum + wax modifiers would be 2 hours. But, it'll still shows up as 1 because of how it works. Someone asked Square about this on their forums over a year ago "I passed this along to the team, we'll keep you updated" 16 months later, still no feature and not even so much as a word. This is their response to anyone about about any missing feature.

Any ways I'm hoping someone here uses Clover and can share some insight. I can't find a whole lot of stuff online about the mobile side. Just the big store POS systems. Reading a bunch of messages on the Square forums today about feature suggestions, it seems none of them ever get implemented. I know the Clover Flex has it's own OS and you can install plugins and apps to do various things. I don't need big, or fancy. I just want CC processing and access to a good appointment booking app. Oh and the ability for services and modifiers to both have durations. Booking with Square Appointment is a hassle because I have to go in afterwards and manually change the time length if they wanted anything more than a service. And Square doesn't even let customers who book an appointment add modifiers themselves anywho - This is another feature that's apparently on a list somewhere with the development team. Their mobile machine is $299, I was about to buy it a few months ago but I wanted to wait to see feedback on it. Now I'm pondering Clovers Flex.

But with all my gripes I don't know if Clover's even any better. I will call and talk to a sales person there, but if I could someone mobile with 1st hand experience would be lovely. I know sales people are trying to sell you stuff.

Square has a dual Bluetooth reader for chip and swipe

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Dan Tran]

I use Square, and I mostly like it, but there are some huge annoyances. Their Bluetooth reader for cards with chips, you can dip but not swipe, so I still need their stupid Lighting connector mag strip reader too. I noticed Clover's bluetooth reader you can tap, dip or swipe. Also Square's appointment app is HORRIBLE for a detailer. I have my packages set up as services, then I have my a-la carte stuff as modifiers. Services can have a time duration attached to them, modifiers can't. A basic wash is 60 minutes, a basic wash + vacuum + wax modifiers would be 2 hours. But, it'll still shows up as 1 because of how it works. Someone asked Square about this on their forums over a year ago "I passed this along to the team, we'll keep you updated" 16 months later, still no feature and not even so much as a word. This is their response to anyone about about any missing feature.

Any ways I'm hoping someone here uses Clover and can share some insight. I can't find a whole lot of stuff online about the mobile side. Just the big store POS systems. Reading a bunch of messages on the Square forums today about feature suggestions, it seems none of them ever get implemented. I know the Clover Flex has it's own OS and you can install plugins and apps to do various things. I don't need big, or fancy. I just want CC processing and access to a good appointment booking app. Oh and the ability for services and modifiers to both have durations. Booking with Square Appointment is a hassle because I have to go in afterwards and manually change the time length if they wanted anything more than a service. And Square doesn't even let customers who book an appointment add modifiers themselves anywho - This is another feature that's apparently on a list somewhere with the development team. Their mobile machine is $299, I was about to buy it a few months ago but I wanted to wait to see feedback on it. Now I'm pondering Clovers Flex.

But with all my gripes I don't know if Clover's even any better. I will call and talk to a sales person there, but if I could someone mobile with 1st hand experience would be lovely. I know sales people are trying to sell you stuff.

I still prefer square for accepting payments. But I switched over to Acuity Scheduling. I can integrate Square into it. So far so good. In terms of packages, I created an add-on list of that makes sense. In Square, I just offer everything individually and just offer a silver gold or platinum discount.

 

[JWilliams.RadiantDetail]

Square has a dual Bluetooth reader for chip and swipe

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Are you sure? I'm not seeing it on their page and Google isn't turning up anything. I see their Bluetooth reader which I have. That comes with a Magstrip reader for swiping cards. I find it super annoying to have to carry around 2 things. They have the Terminal which does both, is that what you're talking about? I do want that but it's $299 which is kind out of my budget at the moment.

I still prefer square for accepting payments. But I switched over to Acuity Scheduling. I can integrate Square into it. So far so good. In terms of packages, I created an add-on list of that makes sense. In Square, I just offer everything individually and just offer a silver gold or platinum discount.

I just went to their web site, Acuity looks like for the price it could be pretty good. Right now I'm setting up a Wordpress plugin for detailers called Auto Spa. It can sync with Google Calendar which can sync with Square Appointment. This one has a free level, so there's no reason not for me to try it. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Dan Tran]

Are you sure? I'm not seeing it on their page and Google isn't turning up anything. I see their Bluetooth reader which I have. That comes with a Magstrip reader for swiping cards. I find it super annoying to have to carry around 2 things. They have the Terminal which does both, is that what you're talking about? I do want that but it's $299 which is kind out of my budget at the moment.




I just went to their web site, Acuity looks like for the price it could be pretty good. Right now I'm setting up a Wordpress plugin for detailers called Auto Spa. It can sync with Google Calendar which can sync with Square Appointment. This one has a free level, so there's no reason not for me to try it. Thanks for the heads up.

The only reason why I have their $15/mo Emerging plan is because it can free with my Squarespace website. I have it synced to Google Calendar as well.

What I discovered is I can activate coupon codes and have them expire automatically. Just like any code offers in AG.

Best wishes to you!

 

[Cruzscarwash]

I use Square, and I mostly like it, but there are some huge annoyances. Their Bluetooth reader for cards with chips, you can dip but not swipe, so I still need their stupid Lighting connector mag strip reader too. I noticed Clover's bluetooth reader you can tap, dip or swipe. Also Square's appointment app is HORRIBLE for a detailer. I have my packages set up as services, then I have my a-la carte stuff as modifiers. Services can have a time duration attached to them, modifiers can't. A basic wash is 60 minutes, a basic wash + vacuum + wax modifiers would be 2 hours. But, it'll still shows up as 1 because of how it works. Someone asked Square about this on their forums over a year ago "I passed this along to the team, we'll keep you updated" 16 months later, still no feature and not even so much as a word. This is their response to anyone about about any missing feature.

Any ways I'm hoping someone here uses Clover and can share some insight. I can't find a whole lot of stuff online about the mobile side. Just the big store POS systems. Reading a bunch of messages on the Square forums today about feature suggestions, it seems none of them ever get implemented. I know the Clover Flex has it's own OS and you can install plugins and apps to do various things. I don't need big, or fancy. I just want CC processing and access to a good appointment booking app. Oh and the ability for services and modifiers to both have durations. Booking with Square Appointment is a hassle because I have to go in afterwards and manually change the time length if they wanted anything more than a service. And Square doesn't even let customers who book an appointment add modifiers themselves anywho - This is another feature that's apparently on a list somewhere with the development team. Their mobile machine is $299, I was about to buy it a few months ago but I wanted to wait to see feedback on it. Now I'm pondering Clovers Flex.

But with all my gripes I don't know if Clover's even any better. I will call and talk to a sales person there, but if I could someone mobile with 1st hand experience would be lovely. I know sales people are trying to sell you stuff.

Sorry it's not Bluetooth but takes swipe and chip in one, it looks like this and is says it on the box as well

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[JWilliams.RadiantDetail]

Sorry it's not Bluetooth but takes swipe and chip in one, it looks like this and is says it on the box as well

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

yes, I have that one. I have the Bluetooth one too, which I thought was the greatest until one day I had it but didn't have the one you posted. And the customer card didn't have a chip. Manually entering cards is a pain, cost more, and customers tend to not like it much - and I understand why. EVERYTHING I like about Square, there's a downside. Yes carrying around the small reader in your pocket or glove box isn't the end of the world. But, they could have easily added a swipe to the bluetooth one. Clover's BT doo-hickey can do both.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

yes, I have that one. I have the Bluetooth one too, which I thought was the greatest until one day I had it but didn't have the one you posted. And the customer card didn't have a chip. Manually entering cards is a pain, cost more, and customers tend to not like it much - and I understand why. EVERYTHING I like about Square, there's a downside. Yes carrying around the small reader in your pocket or glove box isn't the end of the world. But, they could have easily added a swipe to the bluetooth one. Clover's BT doo-hickey can do both.

Right but this one accepts magnetic card swipes and chip cards So if you have this I don't see why you need to carry around two separate readers when this reader reads any type of card.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[sudsmobile]

What you're seeing in that picture is the box that the BT reader comes in. It also comes with a mag stripe reader. So, the box contains the products you need to accept both but there is no single solution for mobile.

That said, I honestly do see the issue. I carry the mag stripe reader (and a spare BT reader because they're notoriously unreliable) in the center console of my rig. I carry my main BT reader in my pocket. Swipe probably accounts for one of 50 cards I take, so on the off chance that I get a card with no chip (some little shitbox credit union almost always), I just grab the mag reader from my center console. As for your other problem, leave the iphone to teenage girls and soccer moms and get a phone with a headphone jack.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

What you're seeing in that picture is the box that the BT reader comes in. It also comes with a mag stripe reader. So, the box contains the products you need to accept both but there is no single solution for mobile.

That said, I honestly do see the issue. I carry the mag stripe reader (and a spare BT reader because they're notoriously unreliable) in the center console of my rig. I carry my main BT reader in my pocket. Swipe probably accounts for one of 50 cards I take, so on the off chance that I get a card with no chip (some little shitbox credit union almost always), I just grab the mag reader from my center console. As for your other problem, leave the iphone to teenage girls and soccer moms and get a phone with a headphone jack.

No, it does both in one device. That's why in the pic I sent you it has 2 slots, one is to swipe and the other is to insert the chip.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[sudsmobile]

As to the original question about Clover (or any other processor adequate for mobile), I've looked into this quite extensively. I use Square mostly because it's easy and I've never had a single issue with them except the BT reader being unreliable. They finally relented and GAVE me a second one that I keep as a backup. I've probably warrantied 20 of them, so I've only got $49.95 into the hardware but there's still the issue of being down to one every time one takes a dump on me.

I don't know how much business you're doing, but I calculated the fees (and hidden fees) of the likes of Clover and the break even point is about $7k in processing a month. I do roughly that, my typically overall volume is $9-15k, with typically 65% of that being CC.

There's two reasons I haven't switched even though I'm a fringy candidate to do so. First, like I said, Square is easy and transparent. You know exactly what you'll pay, nothing more, nothing less. I'm not big on surprises. I've had traditional CC processing in the past with BofA and there was always hidden fees and charges. They nickel and dime you to death. Second, I know all of the equipment is likely sourced from the same vendor(s). I know that Square has replaced every dead reader at no charge, shipping the new one and then expecting me to return the defective one. Never had an issue. I file a claim and 2-3 days later my new reader is here. I box up the bad one, print the prepaid shipping label and drop it in a mailbox. Done. I can't count on Clover or anybody else to handle that issue in the same manner and those readers are going to get pricey if they don't. I'm not willing to risk it.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

Here is a review on it.


YouTube

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[sudsmobile]

I see the piece you're talking about mentioned very briefly on the internet. It doesn't appear on their site and they've never offered me one.

 

[sudsmobile]

Yeah, every mention of it on Square's website leads back to the hardware page where it is not available. Maybe it didn't work good.

 

[sudsmobile]

Yes, I can find it on the internet. Find me one in real life that I can order.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

Not sure, I love mine, it's never let me down

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[sudsmobile]

If it's not available for purchase it doesn't exist and it's not a viable alternative for the OP.

 

[JWilliams.RadiantDetail]

What you're seeing in that picture is the box that the BT reader comes in. It also comes with a mag stripe reader. So, the box contains the products you need to accept both but there is no single solution for mobile.

That said, I honestly do see the issue. I carry the mag stripe reader (and a spare BT reader because they're notoriously unreliable) in the center console of my rig. I carry my main BT reader in my pocket. Swipe probably accounts for one of 50 cards I take, so on the off chance that I get a card with no chip (some little shitbox credit union almost always), I just grab the mag reader from my center console. As for your other problem, leave the iphone to teenage girls and soccer moms and get a phone with a headphone jack.

I can't find anything on the Square site about a 3.5 jack magreader that does both. I'm not saying Cruzscarwash isn't right, he has the unit and uses it. But if it exists. Square sure doesn't tell anyone. In fact if you read all their documentation it basically says for both you'll need the mag reader + the EVwhatever Bluetooth. or the Terminal. I would love to buy it, but as you said I can't. And LOL to your iPhone dig, I use an iPhone for Square because imho their app's a bit faster and their appointment app on is better. On Android it's still missing features, and Square takes uh, forever to roll out features lol.

I haven't used my BT reader much, never had a problem myself. But you having to get so many replaced is very troubling. BestBuy has them on sale for $30 right now I should go pick up a back up. Now you got me wondering if the Terminal would give me problems too, can't exactly keep a back up $400 device around.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

I can't find anything on the Square site about a 3.5 jack magreader that does both. I'm not saying Cruzscarwash isn't right, he has the unit and uses it. But if it exists. Square sure doesn't tell anyone. In fact if you read all their documentation it basically says for both you'll need the mag reader + the EVwhatever Bluetooth. or the Terminal. I would love to buy it, but as you said I can't. And LOL to your iPhone dig, I use an iPhone for Square because imho their app's a bit faster and their appointment app on is better. On Android it's still missing features, and Square takes uh, forever to roll out features lol.

I haven't used my BT reader much, never had a problem myself. But you having to get so many replaced is very troubling. BestBuy has them on sale for $30 right now I should go pick up a back up. Now you got me wondering if the Terminal would give me problems too, can't exactly keep a back up $400 device around.

I got mine years ago, they may have stopped making them when most phones were going to no headphone jacks.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk