Clover Epos System from First Data?

[myfairworld]

First Data rep recently gave us a demonstration of the 'Clover' system. I was quite impressed with the system or maybe I was impressed by the degree of knowledge shown by the rep and his ability to think through how the system could be adapted to our specific needs. It seems we could have the equipment for a month's trial before committing to the system.


I have no experience of Epos systems. Have often considered them but have met so many owners of small bricks and mortar shops who ended up being run by the system rather than vice versa, also owners who spent so much time on the system that they stopped looking after their shop with predictable results, that I've never taken the plunge.


At present we rely on very old fashioned but actually reliable methods for keeping track of stock and we price everything up by hand. I suppose it helps that I also have rather a good memory!


As well as selling direct to the public in the shop we also supply re-sellers of our goods who either order and are invoiced or who sell entirely on a sale or return basis and who pay for their goods through the cash register when they return unsold goods. I've also been working on an online shop, in fact the only reason it hasn't launched yet is the issue of keeping track of stock though I may be worrying about this too much as we are unlikely to rival Amazon for a while.


Having the demonstration has both given me lots of ideas of ways it could be useful to the business but at the same time I'm wondering if it isn't simply going to make life more complicated and considerably add to the costs of the business without giving any real benefit other than the fun I'll have playing with it at the start!


I really know nothing about First Data apart from looking at their website. We have a card machine obviously but that is via Streamline/Worldpay. I've no complaints about Worldpay but they don't seem to offer any complete system which would deal with my rather varied needs.


Any experience? Any comments? I've deliberated avoided another thread in this forum on Epos systems which seems to have got a little heated...

 

[BristolBiz]

I can't help much with your EPOS system dilemma, but First Data rings alarm bells - they provide us with a card terminal, and their exit charges are VERY unreasonable - I think they value the terminal at £700 for what would be an obsolete unit.

Getting out of their contract appears incredibly difficult in any circumstances.

Of course the contract they offer you may be fair & reasonable................

 

[myfairworld]

they provide us with a card terminal, and their exit charges are VERY unreasonable

Thanks BristolBiz, it is most helpful to hear from anyone with an existing relationship with First Data. By chance you've hit on one of the things which worried me most about the deal. Of course when meeting with a salesperson you are resigned to getting all the good news up front and the bad news slipped in at the end! But I was particularly worried by the length of the contract of three years (and that was slipped in very late indeed in the discussion). The salesperson admitted that if I ceased trading any time in the three years of the contract I would still be liable for the whole cost for the three years and the cost, needless to say, when I finally got it in writing was larger than had been suggested because of this and that added on with no choice in the matter.

Apparently First Data used to offer the system on a monthly payment basis without the three year contract but that option is no longer available, obviously the monthly payment was much higher...nevertheless I'd have preferred to have started on that basis with the option of switching to a contract. You can have a month's trial of the system without commitment which is a good offer but on the other hand a month is a short period of time in retail where demands tend to vary so much over the year. I'd have been happier with the option of paying full whack for say three months and then committing to a contract if the system really did work out for us and it had been possible to overcome all the potential challenges given our particular requirements.

I suppose I'm also slightly nervous of leaving WorldPay who provide our card machine. Like all retailers I think the card machine provider charges too much! On the other hand it has been a stress free arrangement, help from the Call Centre is first rate and the only time a machine went wrong they were prompt to replace even though it was just a few days before Christmas.

 

[BristolBiz]

You're welcome.

I signed up with Paymentsense for card transactions, they use First Data to supply their terminals, which you don't realise until too late.

Paymentsense have good rates, but recently have been adding on admin charges, which even they can't explain where they come from!

It appears that good rates can be misleading if you are hit with unexpected charges.

You may well be better sticking with what works.

 

[myfairworld]

Thank you BristolBiz, I think I've definitely decided against. Your responses have been very helpful. As you say, best to stick with what works.