Now that your reader is paired and ready, it’s time to start taking payments. Because your 3rd generation card reader uses an API connection, the process is a bit like a relay race: you’ll start the transaction on your computer, and "push" it to the reader for your customer to cross the finish line.
This guide covers the step-by-step process of taking a payment, how your customers will interact with the touchscreen, and how to use Helcim Fee Saver to keep your costs down.
Processing a transaction
To start a sale, your computer acts as the control center. Ensure your reader is turned on and the status in your Helcim POS app shows as Connected.
In the Helcim POS app, open the POS window (from the bottom menu).
Enter the transaction amount or select items from your product catalog.
Click Charge.
The app will now "push" the payment to your 3rd generation reader. You’ll see a message on your computer screen saying Waiting for Reader.
Your customer’s experience
Once you’ve pushed the payment, the reader takes over. Your customer will see the total amount on the screen and be guided through the rest:
Tipping: If you have tipping enabled, the customer will be prompted to select a percentage or enter a custom amount directly on the screen.
Payment method: The reader will ask the customer to Tap at the top, or Insert at the bottom.
PIN entry: If the customer inserts a chip card, they will use the touchscreen's secure digital keypad to enter their PIN.
| Note: If a customer is using a debit card and chooses to Insert, make sure they leave the card in the reader until the screen says Remove Card. Removing it too early can cause the "Card read interrupted" error. |
Using Helcim Fee Saver
If you have Helcim Fee Saver enabled in your account settings, the 3rd generation card reader makes adding a surcharge transparent for your customers.
When the payment is pushed to the reader, has two options:
Credit: The customer pays the total plus a small surcharge.
Debit: The customer pays the original total with no added fee.
This allows the customer to choose their preferred way to pay while helping you offset the cost of credit card processing.
Sending receipts
Once the transaction is approved, you can provide a receipt to your customer. You can either do this on the card reader screen, or on the Helcim POS app on your computer.
Email: Enter the customer’s email address to send a digital copy.
SMS: Enter their phone number to text the receipt.
Print (app only): If you have a receipt printer connected to your workstation, you can print a paper receipt from the approval screen.
Next steps
If you run into any issues during a sale—like a card being declined or a connection error—head over to our Troubleshooting the Card Reader (Gen 3) guide for quick fixes.
FAQs
Can I start a sale directly on the reader?
Not yet. In its current "Paired Mode," the reader needs the Helcim POS app to start the transaction from a laptop or desktop computer.
A "Standalone Mode" that lets you type amounts directly into the reader is coming in the near future!
What if the customer wants to cancel the sale?
The customer can tap Cancel on the reader's touchscreen at any time before the card is processed. This allows you to make changes on your computer and then push the transaction to the reader again.
How close does the reader need to be to my computer?
Because of the API connection, they don't need to be right next to each other. As long as both have a solid internet connection, you could even have the reader at a separate "pickup" counter across the room.