Wireless credit card machines hold the future of credit card
processing. Wireless credit card machines offer businesses the ability to
process credit and debit card at virtually any location. There are several
common pitfalls not found with traditional credit card terminals that a
potential buyer can fall into if not careful when looking to purchase a
wireless credit card terminal. Wireless coverage availability, and outdated
equipment top the list for the most common problems found when purchasing a
wireless credit card machine.
It is often very easy to find a 'very low' priced wireless
credit card terminal on ebay or at other marketplaces. Many of these terminals
use outdated processing networks, and what was a wireless terminal, will no
longer work for wireless processing. Many Nurit 3010, and Nurit 2090 wireless
terminals use a network called the CDPD network. This wireless network is all
but abandoned for credit card processing and you will not be able to use this
terminal for wireless processing.
Make absolutely sure that the wireless terminal that you are
buying is not one made for the CDPD network. If the seller does not know, or
will not disclose what network the terminal is programmed for, then do not buy
the terminal. In general, if the offer just sounds too good to be true, then it
probably is. Also, many merchants that are selling their used terminals may
have no idea what network the terminal operates on. Whatever the case, you need
to make sure the terminal is not programmed for the CDPD network.
The ability of being able to process anywhere at any time is
a great asset for many mobile businesses. But, don't confuse the coverage area
that your cellular phone gets with what is available for wireless processing.
Wireless credit card terminals currently operate on three wireless networks;
the Motient, Mobitex, and GPRS Edge networks. All three of these networks are
considered business class networks and have much better data service, speed,
and security than traditional cellular networks. Wireless processing networks
also have a much smaller cellular coverage area than cellular phone networks.