The motorcycle industry: a 21st-century Galápagos.
Card adoption rates… Yikes! (;・∀・)
Until now, at our shop
payment has been “bank transfer or cash only.”
Bank transfers are pretty convenient
since you can confirm them instantly with “online banking.”
The other day, while talking with Restore-san,
I heard the comment “the motorcycle industry is way too slow to adopt card payments.”
Thinking about the convenience for both sides,
“adopting card payments is inevitable.” Oh, I see!
Hmm, yeah, that makes sense… So our shop decided to introduce Square (Square). (Already implemented.)
Why Square out of all the card payment companies?
I imagined how I’d use it myself…
- Want to use it mobile
- Receipt storage
- Terminal design
- Card processing is easy
- Web tools are easy
- Payment types are decent
- Initial and maintenance costs
I prioritized these seven points.
Whether you can use it mobile
The thing is, if you need 100V power, you have to set it up in one place.
For a bike shop,
since you don’t use it every day, it’s a hassle. Mobile use is super convenient and important.
Outdoor pop-ups and food trucks work great too.
“Flea markets” and “garage sales” can use it. You could even use it at circuit events, right?
“I don’t have cash, but can I use a card?” That’s when it’s really handy.
With just the terminal and WiFi, you can “process payments anywhere.” *You can also use a smartphone with tethering.
All-in-one! What a feeling
Card reader/printer/monitor (smartphone) all in one!
By the way, Company A and others need three separate units: card reader/printer/monitor (smartphone).
Plus, the printer requires 100V power.
The card reader/monitor (smartphone) can be used mobile, but if you want to use it stationary, you’d want to power it.
With Square, you could even run it on a mobile battery in a pinch.
I think it’s a revolutionary terminal.
Really iPhone-conscious vibes?
It’s like a big smartphone arrived, you know?
Beautiful design with white as the main color.
Since we’re adopting card payments late, we want to use “the best, most improved version.”
Unboxing → The contents are simple too
Terminal/receipt/power (body and cord) ONLY
*
Maybe just a sticker or two? Very simple and easy to understand.
That’s 21st century for you.
Operation is “easy as pie”
Honestly, the hassle of old card payment systems was… unbelievable.
Actually, I used to use them back in the day.
But back then, it was still the paper era, and dealing with mail-ins and paperwork was a pain.
With that impression lingering, plus the fees involved, I decided not to handle cards.
What a good time to be alive now…
Once registration is done, you’re all set and just use it.
Lots of tools available and high expectations for the future
The above is just a receipt function screen, but…
you can also send it via email or SMS… Wow, 21st century!
No need to write or print on paper anymore.
Since we’re basically paperless, this makes things even better and more convenient.
We’ll need to use various tools and plan for the future too. Hehe (*´艸`*)
But about card payments…
If you’re unsure, I’d say “you might want to skip it.” Probably,
if you’ve stuck with cash-only up to now, that’s probably best.
But going forward, you’ll “definitely fall behind” if you don’t.
I don’t think customers choose shops based on payment methods, but “it could be a small factor in their decision.”
I think customers feel this way too.
This time, “I don’t have cash ready, but with a card I can pay next month, so I feel safe” and points add up, and…
the wife won’t find out, or something like that…
The jobs you take “get done in one go with more volume” = “save time and boost sales” is also worth considering.
Square (Square) | Cashless payments with no initial fees
- No maintenance fees (you can just keep the contract active if you want)
- No initial fees (pretty standard these days)
- Square terminal is excellent (all-in-one and mobile)
- Square web is also excellent (very simple and easy-to-read interface)
- Terminal is paid (you can get a slight discount on Amazon)
- Registration is all done online (no paperwork at all)
That’s about it~
I haven’t used it for payments yet, but my confusion is cleared up now (*´ω｀*)
If you’re on the fence, I think this year is a good time to adopt it.
There’s a chance your application could be rejected, so buy the terminal after your contract is approved!
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