The Magic Card Question, Again........

[ThePoetSuede]

I have posted this question before but now I could use more specifics. Please answer these questions in order if you have the info. Thanks in advance for your responses.
I am opening a mat with 20 washers and 20 dryers.

1) ESD Money Card is this a Mag Card?
Set O matic is this a Mag Card?
Card Concepts is this a Mag Card?
Easy Card is this a Mag Card?

2) If I am running a Mag card system, what is the average cost for 2000 cards?

3) If I am running a smart card system (not mag) what is the average cost for 2000 cards?

4) How much longer do the mag cards really last?

5) I used the easy card on some Dexter equipment - It was a little fussy reading the card but for the most part it seemed okay. Anyone have any real issues with either smart card or mag strip cards when using them in the real word?

6) Anyone know of a vending company (for soaps, bleaches) where these cards can be used?

Anyone want to add to this regarding what to look for in the magic card world?

[Harv]

Since I'm only just starting to build my first laundromat, I have no real world experience yet, but I can share some of my recent findings on the subject.

An Easy Card rep was set up at a local Dexter distributor dog & pony show recently, and I spent some time with him. Among other things, he told me that Card Concepts is basically a spin-off (and probably an improvement) of the Easy Card system. Slightly pricier, but you get your money's worth.

Yes, I found the Easy Card reader a little fussy the first couple of times, but once you learn the right movement, it's easy enough. The problem seems to be that the actual read head is immediately inside the slot, so if you hesitate as you line it up, it gets confused. I don't know if CCI has worked it out better.

Easy Card (and I assume CCI) can be used with any machine that uses MDB (Multiple Drop Bus) technology. The Vend-Rite 360 Debit is a compatible soap product dispenser. MDB is becoming more and more common in snack and soda machines. Same with arcade games.

The Easy Cards themselves look and feel like credit cards, I guess you know. It's hard to say how long they last, due to all the variables, but I'm told it's something you measure in years. Most folks I've asked say that the customers tend to lose them before they wear out.

You get 5,000 with your Easy Card system, and then the re-order price is about 60 to 65 cents per card, depending on quantity. That's for the regular cards. I'm still waiting for a price on the custom cards, where you get your logo or whatever printed on them. There's a setup fee for that, and then a minimum quantity for ordering. That's all I know so far.

Hope that helps a little.

[Howard]

Easycards last and last and last. I have had few if any customers over a four year period bring me a card that has stopped working. As far as cost, I buy my custom printed cards for under 25 cents, but I get them from some other source.

[brucehwalker]

I pay about $3 per card for smart cards from my dealer. I'd sure like to cut that down. On the other side of the card/coin,(insert rimshot) I charge my customers a $3 deposit for the cards so really the cards "don't cost me anything" other than the inventory cost. Most of the customers don't mind the deposit, but a few turn it in each time for a refund. After they use it a few times they decide to keep it for the most part.

I get my student cards printed 4 color and it costs .80 cents each. I no longer get my regular card done because it costs so dang much.

Some cards last a couple of years, some cards get corrupted after a few uses. I'm on my second generation of cards now and they perform much better than the very first batch. These aren't printed so maybe that had something to do with it.

[petefritz]

ESD has both chip, and now, mag

Set O matic chip
CCI and easy card, mag
Standard also has a chip card system
card cost, chips, $3 to $1.70
mags seem 70 cent to Howards' 20 cent

what works best? hard to say. I think look ahead at the cost of maintaining your system

[teancum]

Howard, what are you paying for cards now? Where do you buy them?

[Harper]

[ QUOTE ]
I pay about $3 per card for smart cards from my dealer. I'd sure like to cut that down. On the other side of the card/coin,(insert rimshot) I charge my customers a $3 deposit for the cards so really the cards "don't cost me anything" other than the inventory cost. Most of the customers don't mind the deposit, but a few turn it in each time for a refund. After they use it a few times they decide to keep it for the most part.

I get my student cards printed 4 color and it costs .80 cents each. I no longer get my regular card done because it costs so dang much.

Some cards last a couple of years, some cards get corrupted after a few uses. I'm on my second generation of cards now and they perform much better than the very first batch. These aren't printed so maybe that had something to do with it.



[/ QUOTE ]

I pay $3.50 a card and that's with a 500 minimum order through my dealer. (ESD smart card) I think it's $3.75 to $4.00 per card for anything less than 500. OUCH!! A few years ago I was getting them for $2.00 but those days are gone obviously.

Where are you getting them for $3.00?? Are there any other avenues to get them for less??

[Howard]

There are several places on the net, just search for magnetic card printing. One I've used is plasticsprinters.com and I think they charged me about 25 cents the last time I used them.

[Duane]

I also use plasticprinters.com and have an order in now. With all the options I have (bar code, encoded, printing both sides, UV protection) along with shipping my card cost is just about 50 cents per card.

[Harper]

My cards have a gold chip, they are not magnetic strips. I was told that only ESD makes the ones for Speed Queen Netmaster System. I think there is a code embedded into them so they will only work on my machines. Anyone know how to get these particular cards cheaper?

[brucehwalker]

Group Elite Services 214-801-7109. I just purchased 500 for 2.99 but they said the price would increase next order.

[Harper]

Thanks Bruce, Did you have to order 500 to get them for $2.99 or can you order less? Did you have to provide them with the code for your machines or how does that work? I've always ordered them from my local distributor and I'm sure he has the code. There are some numbers on the box they came in. I still think $2.99 is high, but it beats $3.50.

[brucehwalker]

You'll have to sign a document releasing the codes. Group Elite just does them at cost to me because I use them for service. I would bother them for anything less than 500.