Facts and User Guide to PDQ Machines!
Haveyou ever wondered what a PDQmachineactually does? A usual shopper sees one at almost every store,always ready to take card payments. But what goes on inside thatlittle piece of technology?
ProcessData Quickly (PDQ) machines are card payment terminals that caninterpret data via the magnetic strip found on debit and creditcards. There are several steps involved in the process, though youmay not see it happening right in front of your eyes. Here’s a quickrun-through of the entire procedure:
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Thecard payment terminal captures the customer’s information throughthe card’s magnetic strip.
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Theacquirer asks the card network and issuer for authorisation.
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Theissuer authorises or declines the transaction based on thecustomer’s available balance.
However,the customer’s money isn’t immediately received by the merchant thisway. An “end of day” process is involved, taking betweenone to three days to complete. During this course of time, the issuerprocesses the data and sends out the payment to the card scheme,through the acquirer, and finally, to the merchant.
Mostmerchants prefer using PDQmachinesdue to their convenience. Unlike cash transactions, card payments arequicker, more versatile, and much safer. There are several types ofdevices, as well, depending on the merchant’s needs:
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Countertopmachines
CountertopPDQ terminals take payments next to the counter or reception point.They’re very common, usually found in retail establishments,convenience stores, and supermarkets. The countertop machine’spopularity can be attributed to its low rental price, plus itcompletes transactions fairly quickly. The only disadvantage is thatit is limited to one location since it needs to be plugged into anelectrical socket.
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Portablemachines
PortablePDQmachineswork similar to countertop terminals, except that they can be takenaway from their base unit. Since they have Bluetooth or Wi-Ficonnectivity, portable devices are perfect for restaurants and bars.Most food establishments use them to receive payments right at thecustomer’s table.
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Mobilemachines
Mobilecard terminals, like their portable counterparts, use wirelessconnectivity to function. However, these devices use a mobile phonenetwork instead of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Travelling merchants, debtcollectors, and market traders are some of this card paymentterminal’s usual users.
About the Author:
CompareCard Processing Ltd offers a platform to compare cardreaders available in the UK and finding the cheapest card machine foryour business, credit card terminal providers in the UK.
