Live data from Hacker News

Square Terminal

squareup.com

41–50 of 114 posts

Re: Square Terminal

#41
This is a nice technology, but paying this overhead on every transaction is highway robbery. Can everyone not in the credit-card/banking industry band together and negotiate a better rate?

Re: Square Terminal

#42
post #7

I hope this takes off solely so I can pay with a credit card directly at my table at restaurants instead of having them take it to back of house. Much of Europe has been doing this correctly for a long time now

I'd even be happy if the United States can go one step prior to this and actually have the customer-facing portion of the terminal (the bit with the slot, keypad, and NFC reader) actually face the customer . I'd use tap-to-pay and such far more often if I could reliably use the part of the terminal that's supposed to be for my use and if it said up front if tap and insert are supported. Instead, right now we get this…

That's exactly how it usually works everywhere here in Poland. The terminal faces me, I tap the card to it and enter the PIN. At least in my bank, PIN is needed for every transaction above 50 PLN, so I can't imagine it any different.

Re: Square Terminal

#43
post #11
post #7

I hope this takes off solely so I can pay with a credit card directly at my table at restaurants instead of having them take it to back of house. Much of Europe has been doing this correctly for a long time now

Speaking as an American, I've always found at-the-table swiping to be kind of strange, at least for higher end meals. It puts the commerce part of the evening a little too front and center for me. Or maybe I'm just not used to it.

Living in Germany: In most high-pricing restaurant situations I experience the person making the payment for the group would briefly before the last drinks are empty, approach the waiter/bar and make the payment away from the table. Also to avoid debates such as "let me pay, no let me pay, no you can't etc etc"

Re: Square Terminal

#44
post #7

I hope this takes off solely so I can pay with a credit card directly at my table at restaurants instead of having them take it to back of house. Much of Europe has been doing this correctly for a long time now

I'd even be happy if the United States can go one step prior to this and actually have the customer-facing portion of the terminal (the bit with the slot, keypad, and NFC reader) actually face the customer . I'd use tap-to-pay and such far more often if I could reliably use the part of the terminal that's supposed to be for my use and if it said up front if tap and insert are supported. Instead, right now we get this…

What you want is also how it works in Canada, pretty much universally.

Re: Square Terminal

#45

If this can always process chip cards that quickly, I'm very impressed. Usually it's at least 10 seconds, just standing there staring at the card reader, waiting.

Doesn't it depend on the speed of Internet connection?

Here in Canada, chip terminals often show 'PIN OK' - meaning that the local part of the transaction has been completed - within 1 second but then need 10+ seconds to communicate back to the payment processor.

Re: Square Terminal

#46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do I care if they skim my credit card? It’s not my money until I pay my bank. I can report a fraudulent transaction and request a new card right from my bank’s app.

..and then be forced add the new card to every service you have set to auto-pay like Amazon, Steam, Audible, Verizon, etc.

One solution is to have one card for autopay services and one for restaurants.

Re: Square Terminal

#47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I prefer the privacy of the waiter going and coming back I don't. I creates an opportunity for credit card skimming.

What do I care if they skim my credit card? It’s not my money until I pay my bank. I can report a fraudulent transaction and request a new card right from my bank’s app.

And therein lies the disjoint between a credit based culture and debit based.

Re: Square Terminal

#48
post #7

I hope this takes off solely so I can pay with a credit card directly at my table at restaurants instead of having them take it to back of house. Much of Europe has been doing this correctly for a long time now

[deleted]

Re: Square Terminal

#49
I feel like they should've future-proofed a little more by including a scanner. Scanning QR codes to pay is huge in China (Wechat Pay) and Chase has their own "Chase Pay" app that lets you pay with a QR code as well. Would also presumably enable crypto payments.

Re: Square Terminal

#50
How is this going to affect how often I get asked to tip? I want to see less tipping, not more. Square seems to be one of the primary offenders in introducing bribery to transactions where I don't really want to rate how much I was pleasured by the personal performance being put on for me. Getting coffee shouldn't be embarrassing, and don't prompt me to tip you before you give me what I'm paying for.
Post reply on HN