POS CC Reader (Non Shopify-Payments)

[AlanK]

Hello All,

I have both an online store and POS, neither use Shopify-Payments. I am using Stripe and PayPal for processing sales.  I need a credit card reader for the POS system and it seems I can not use the Shopify hardware (card reader) as I am not using the the Shopify payment system (Shopify-Payments).  Is this correct?  I contacted strip about a credit card reader and it seems they only off CC Readers for their own POS system and I need payments to still go through Shopify to track them and handle inventory.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. 

Thank you for you all for your time.

-Alan

[Julie]

Hi, Alan!

Julie here from Shopify Support.

You can most definitely use the Shopify POS app with an external card reader, including Stripe’s. To do so, you’ll first need to set up an account with Stripe (or possibly upgrade your existing account to accept in-person payments), and then purchase a terminal from them. 

After you have set up your account with Stripe and you have a card reader, all you will need to do on Shopify’s end is simply enable the External terminal as a payment method in your POS settings. We have instructions on how to do so here.

Once that’s done, whenever you accept payment in person, you will just need to select “External terminal” as a payment method. The Shopify POS app will then record the transaction and mark it as paid, adjusting your inventory as necessary, but the payment is processed and collected by your external terminal provider, not Shopify.

I hope this clears things up! Let me know if you have any further questions.

[AlanK]

Gotcha, that helps!  Am I correct in thinking that I can not use Shopify Card Readers if I am not using Shopify Payments?  

I already purchased two wireless card readers and I can't return them and I couldn't get them to connect.

[Julie]

I'm glad that helps! 

That is correct. Although, there is an exemption for merchants who are using the swipe card readers (both the audio-jack and lightning models), as these particular card readers support Authorize.net and First Data Payeezy as third-party payment gateways. Unfortunately, however, they are not compatible with Stripe. Aside from those two third-party providers, all of our card readers are exclusively for Shopify Payments. 

Is there a reason why you are using Stripe as opposed to Shopify Payments? Which card readers did you purchase? 

[Timbucktew]

HI Julie, 

Very helpful, and seems to be working to a degree. We're using Authorize.net, set up our Auth.net account in Shopify and walked through steps for External Terminal. Processed a test sale using my card. However, any additional sale is processing before tapping/swiping/chipping the card. Seems to be defaulting the card account I used to test.

Also, there is a "Connect Card Reader" alert box that pops up in front the External Terminal button during the customer checkout process. 

Is there a process we missed?

Thanks

Tim

[Julie]

Hey, Tim!

Which card reader are you currently using? Because Authorize.net is a payment gateway compatible with the Shopify POS, you could use one of our own card readers. Doing so, you wouldn't need to select the "External Terminal" option and would instead be able to process the transaction by selecting the "Credit Card" option. If you are using a third-party card reader, however, then you will need to use the "External Terminal" payment option when processing a transaction. Are you able to elaborate more on the issue you are facing when using this method?

As for your question regarding the "Connect Card Reader" notification, this is intended for those who are looking to connect a card reader that was purchased through the Shopify Hardware Store. If you have a supported card reader, then you can connect it to the POS app using this option. Please let me know which card reader you're using; it sounds like it may be compatible with the Shopify POS, but it would be great to confirm whether this is the case. 

Looking forward to hearing from you!

[drama]

I'm also having a problem setting up Authorize.net with Shopify POS. Unfortunately to use a Shopify card reader in Shopify POS you have to enable Shopify Payments. I ordered a POS from Authorize.net but it doesn't seem like it can be connected to the Shopify POS either. Is there a solution that will allow me to use Authorize.net with Shopify POS?

[Julie]

Hi, @drama!

It's entirely possible to use Authorize.net with the Shopify POS. However, there are a few conditions. For example, your payment account must be based in either Canada or the United States. You also must be on the Shopify plan or higher and using a compatible card reader. The full list of requirements for using Authorize.net with the Shopify POS can be found here.

If your store does not meet those requirements, then you could use an external card reader. When you mention that you ordered a POS from Authorize.net, do you mean that you ordered a card reader? If so, you could use this card reader with the Shopify POS app. To do so, you will just need to select External terminal as a payment method when processing a transaction in the Shopify POS app. This will tell Shopify that the payment was accepted through a third-party device and Shopify will record the transaction as such. 

I hope this answers your question! Let me know if you have any further questions. 

[Casey_Samson]

But not really. If you use Authorize.net, you cannot process ANY credit/debit cards within the Shopify POS.

[Julie]

Hey, @Casey_Samson!

Thanks for reaching out. You can most definitely accept credit card payments using Authorize.net and the Shopify POS as long as you are using a supported card reader and are currently on the Shopify plan. 

As mentioned above, Shopify offers a couple of card readers that are compatible with Shopify POS, like the Swipe (audio-jack) card reader and the Swipe (Lightning) card reader, both of which are currently only available in Canada, however. Where are you located? If you aren't located in Canada, then you can still accept Authorize.net using an external card reader and the Shopify POS app. 

Are you running into any issues trying to use an external card reader with the POS app? If you need any further clarification, please let me know!

[Casey_Samson]

Let me clarify. If you use Authorize.net in the USA, you cannot process ANY credit/debit cards directly within the Shopify POS. Having to use an external credit card processor is redundant. I should be able to use the card readers we purchased from Shopify to complete a transaction. 

[Casey_Samson]

Unfortunately your reply does not seem to be accurate either. The POS does NOT give me the option to pay via an external reader. 

[Julie]

Thanks for following up, Casey. 

Testing out the order process on the Shopify POS app here on my end, I can see that "External terminal" is a payment option alongside the other payment types I've enabled, like "Cash" and "Gift card". Here's what that looks like on my end: 

Once you select "External Terminal", you'll then be presented with an option for "External debit", as well as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. The payment option you select here will then be recorded in your sales and payment reports, and will also reflect in the order details page. Here's what that looks like:

Based on the fact that you are not seeing an option to pay via an external reader, it sounds like you may not have the External terminal option enabled in your POS settings. We can confirm if this is the case by heading to Store > Payment types > External terminal. From there, you'll want to ensure that "Enable external terminal" is toggled on. Let me know if you're not seeing that option there!

That being said, I do appreciate your frustration about Authorize.net not being a compatible gateway with Shopify's card readers, and I'd be happy to pass this feedback along to our Retail team. I do hope that we can integrate with other payment types in the near future. 

[Georgeaga]

You mentioned “Authorize.net is a payment gateway compatible with the Shopify POS, you could use one of our own card readers.”

Does this mean that i can use “Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader ” on shopify pos and use Authorize.Net.net as my payment gateway?

i

[Casey_Samson]

One would think. But no, they control the payment gateway and they do not want you using their readers if you are not using Shopify Payments. Of course you can't call and ask for help either because they have zero support right now.

[Julie]

Hey, @Georgeaga!

While it is possible to use Authorize.net with Shopify POS, you will need to ensure that you are using a card reader that's compatible with this particular gateway. Currently, the only card readers compatible with Authorize.net include: 

• Swipe (audio-jack) card reader (available in Canada only)
• Swipe (Lightning) card reader (available in Canada only)
• Swipe (30 pin) card reader (discontinued)

Unfortunately, it is not possible to use Authorize.net with the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader, as this particular card reader is only compatible with Shopify Payments. If you are using Authorize.net, then you will need to source a card reader from them and enable External Terminal as a payment option in the POS app. Once that's done, you can then select External terminal as a payment method when processing a transaction. 

I also wanted to follow up regarding @Casey_Samson's concerns about our phone support. Due to an extremely high volume of support requests as of late, we are currently offering callbacks as a method of phone support. All of our other contact methods, including live chat, can be found here. If callbacks are available, you'll see an option to request one directly from that page. If you are ever needing support with Shopify POS specifically, you can also find the contact information for our Retail team, as well as their dedicated phone number directly in the POS app, under Store > Support.

I hope this clears things up!

[astaraquestions]

HI Julie,

I appreciate all of the information you are sharing here. I need some help and don't know exactly where to go for it. But it is definitely related to this thread.

We have a Shopify Pro subscription and have just discovered we cannot use Shopify Payments because we need the gateway/merchant services to accept donations. We have just recently purchased the POS option and are utilizing that for a whole new set of inventory that has just gone online. We have also purchased the Shopify chip and swipe readers from Shopify as well as the Socket mobile.

In this current climate we are not selling much in person, but we hope to not too long from now. So, almost all of our purchases occur online and the current gateway is Authorize.net.

We want to switch to a gateway/merchant services provider that can accept donations, integrate with Shopify and Shopify POS, will allow for monthly subscription plans, will process with card-present and not card-present transactions, have good customer service, and also understand what our hardware (card readers, etc) requirements are, and ideally integrate with Quickbooks online.

I see the whole list of payment providers at Shopify's site (all 50 or so of them). How do I whittle this down with you all so that I am not in the situation of the others in this thread? Who can help me answer all of these questions without having to talk to 6 different people and getting information that is integrated?

Please help! If I get a callback from Shopify, will they be able to help me?

Kellie 

[Julie]

No problem, Kellie.

I can definitely appreciate the situation that you're in at the moment. Are you a registered charity? If so, then you will be able to accept donations using Shopify Payments.

If you are not a registered charity, then you will need to continue using Authorize.net. They are a very reputable gateway and many merchants use Authorize.net as an alternative to Shopify Payments. While I am not entirely certain whether they will allow you to accept donations, this is definitely something you can check in with them on. Is there a reason why you are wanting to look at other options aside from Authorize.net? 

Regardless as to the payment gateway you choose, you will need to use an external card reader with Shopify POS, as the Chip and Swipe card reader is only compatible with Shopify Payments. When did you purchase your hardware from Shopify? If it has been less than 30 days since the card readers were shipped to you, then you may be able to request a return from our Retail Hardware team. 

To touch on your comment about integrating with Quickbooks, this is actually something that can be setup directly through Shopify. In fact, we have quite a few apps that will sync Shopify with Quickbooks here. The payment gateway you choose should have no impact on whether you can use one of these apps; any order that is placed through your online store or Shopify POS (even if you use an external card reader) will be recorded as a transaction and will be synced with Quickbooks.

If you request a callback, you can most definitely discuss this further with our Support team. Alternatively, there should be a phone number you can access directly in the Shopify POS app's Support section, which will allow you to connect with the Retail team directly. 

Please let me know when your hardware was purchased and I'd be happy to explore some options with you. If you have any further questions, feel free to follow up here!

[JessBarfield]

Julie,

I have a question for you with regard to Authorize.net and the POS. 

Currently, if our business uses Square it allows us to accept payments via the POS and all of the sales data, , order and inventory information will be in Shopify while the payment data remains in Square's database

I want to know if the same would be true if we chose to use a card reader supported by Authorize.net.

[Julie]

Hey, @JessBarfield!

Thanks for joining in on the conversation. To clarify, are you currently using the Shopify POS with a Square card reader? If so, are you using the "External terminal" option when processing payments? 

You can use whichever payment gateway you like with the Shopify POS. However, if it's a third-party payment gateway, then you will always need to select the "External terminal" option. Doing so will record the sale on Shopify's end, meaning that your sales data, order, and inventory levels will all be up-to-date.

Are you able to elaborate on what you mean when you say "the same would be true" if you choose to use a card reader supported by Authorize.net? Are you referring to one of Authorize.net's own card readers or a Shopify card reader? As mentioned above, the only Shopify card readers compatible with Authorize.net include: 

• Swipe (audio-jack) card reader (available in Canada only)
• Swipe (Lightning) card reader (available in Canada only)
• Swipe (30 pin) card reader (discontinued)

If you would like to use Authorize.net but do not have one of the supported card readers listed above, then you will just need to purchase a card reader from Authorize.net directly. 

If I've misunderstood your question, please respond here and let me know! I'd be glad to offer some further insight.