Credit Cards Reduce Purchase Barriers Caused by Cash

Other systems come with the card reader integrated into the meter box. The meter box can be purchased with the reader already built in, or you can purchase a system with a card reader that can be installed onto your existing boxes.

Wash owners who have an autocashier for their in-bay automatic should consider whether a system offers a retrofit option for their existing autocashier to gain. Even if you already accept credit cards at your autocashier, chances are you can wind up with two merchant account providers. The retrofit will eliminate that problem and add the same fleet and gift card functionality to your autocashier.

It also is extremely important to choose a distributor that understands the product and is willing and capable enough to provide necessary service after the sale. Do not buy on price alone! Anyone can lowball a price, but can they provide the necessary support? Good documentation and manufacturer support are important here. Ask lots of questions. The good distributors will welcome them.

Typical Setup

Carwash credit card system setups typically have the card terminal connected via an Ethernet cable to a network switch or an office/equipment room that is then connected to a PC. The PC is then hooked up to high-speed Internet. In the case of many autocashiers, the PC is essentially built into the machine and connects directly to the merchant service provider via a phone line or high-speed Internet.

The difference between authorizing each transaction via a phone line or high-speed Internet is that the Internet connection approval rate is two to three seconds, whereas a phone line can take up to 45 seconds. Taking more than three seconds for approval can cost the carwash owner money. Customers tend to become impatient or even paranoid if they are forced to wait for approval.

Remember, in a carwash, time is money.

Joe Cameron is sales manager of Kim Supply, a catalog distributor of carwash equipment and supplies, and a manufacturer of self-serve carwash equipment. He can be reached at 800.444.2783.

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