Card or Coin???

[Paco]

Thanks for the input on the closed or open pit, but now another topic. If you were building a new store today, would you put in a card system? Keeping in mind the following:
1. You will be building from the ground up
2. You will have the chance to train your customers from the very beginning on the operation of your store
3. Cost is not an issue
4. You already have a coin store and limited on the specials you can offer

I think I understand most of the pros of the card system, but not sure I understand all the cons, except for the cost of course. Is there much hassle from the customer, e.g. "I had $X on here last week and now nothing" What happen? Or other ways the customer might try to con you?

My biggest pro is the loyalty card feature. I think if the customer knows they have a dollar and some change on the card, they will come back to you. I think I am favoring the CCI over the ESD system based on what I have read about and reliability. I understand they will becoming out with a wireless card reader soon (right now only wireless credit card reader), and everything is in the cloud. Feel free to comment on your favorite.

Thanks!

[couvsuds]

There is a ton of discussion about this topic in the archives. Search for it.

[JamesD]

I for one will not start the whole card vs.coin debate because it makes my head hurt. However, I will give you some info. Customers try everything scam at the beginning regardless of the payment system or business for that matter. It is just the element that we deal with. The CCI System has a card activity function that the attendant or manager can access that will show every detail of that customer's card activity since the beginning of time including when they tried to start a machine and didn't have enough $$ on the card.

The BS disappears pretty quickly. This is an awesome feature. Enough said. Do a search and you will literally find hundreds of posts on the pluses and minuses of every payment system in use. Good luck!