Small Business | Forum « Can Someone Recommend a Tablet (for use at a Farmers Market)?

Can Someone Recommend a Tablet (for use at a Farmers Market)? (15 posts)

Topic tags: need recommendation, registroid, tablet

Stefanie Frank said
1 year, 5 months ago:
One of my clients (he’s also my husband ) sells freshly roasted coffee at Farmers Markets.
Right now he’s using Registroid — Android Point of Sale on his Android phone to keep track of sales. He really wants to get a tablet (larger screen, easier to use).
Any suggestions for which tablet he should get?
@stefaniefrank | # | Top
Glen Gorham said
1 year, 5 months ago:
If he wants to stick to Androids go with a Galaxy tablet. The premier Android tablet. IF he wants to make “the switch” the iPad is a great tool. Both will have a lot of functionality and should suffice. Being that he is familiar with Android I would certainly suggest continuing to use one.
The Kindle Fire and the Nook tablets (I have a nook tablet) are great devices but more eReader than tablet and lack access to the android market by default. So, stick with the Samsung Galaxy.
@glengorham | # | Top
Stefanie Frank said
1 year, 5 months ago:
@glengorham thank you so much — really appreciate it!
@stefaniefrank | # | Top
Caroline Chen-Whatley said
1 year, 5 months ago:
He can also consider the Asus Eee Pad. It runs on Android and you can get a docking station keyboard/additional battery. The extended battery is nice if you are in a location where you can’t readily get to a plug. Plus, I like how the docking station clips on so it also becomes like a cover on a laptop. I wrote an article on this not that long ago if you’d like to read it.
http://www.creeksidecs.com/wordpress/2011/picking-the-right-tablet-computer-for-you/
@carolinechen-whatley | # | Top
Stefanie Frank said
1 year, 5 months ago:
@carolinechen-whatley thank you! Your article is a great resource I really appreciated reading it.
@stefaniefrank | # | Top
Lisa Schulteis said
1 year, 5 months ago:
@stefaniefrank – I just purchased the Samsung Galaxy Tablet (8.9″ screen) and love it. I am also use Square for credit card purchases (http://www.squareup.com) which works very well. You only get charged when you swipe a card… no additional merchant fees, monthly fees, nothing.
Also – I looked at the iPad, but was informed that since I use an Android phone, that the iPad and Android systems don’t always talk to each other very well. So I stayed with the Android/Android systems and couldn’t be happier (plus more of the apps are free on the Android systems!)
Hope that helps!
@lisaschulteis | # | Top
Nancy Stuckwisch said
1 year, 5 months ago:
I use and love my iPad when I’m at shows and markets.
The real killer app has been the square payment system. Fabulous system for letting small biz take credit cards without long term leases and ridiculous fees.
I have just switched from using a “conventional” credit card merchant account to Square. In fixed costs alone it’s saving me over $1000 per year and that’s before I take into account the additional fees (merchant, interchange,etc) on top of my 1.8% transaction cost.
I highly recommend that whatever tablet your hubby ends up getting, make sure it is compatible with Square.
@nancystuckwisch | # | Top
Stefanie Frank said
1 year, 5 months ago:
@nancystuckwisch you are so RIGHT!
He has been using Square (which is compatible with Registroid that he’s also using) and has influenced other vendors at the market to also use it. Shoppers get excited that he takes cards and they marvel that he does it so easily on his phone (and soon on a tablet).
Like you I just closed my merchant account and signed up with Square also. It’s going to save me a lot in additional fees.
@stefaniefrank | # | Top
Nancy Stuckwisch said
1 year, 5 months ago:
@stefaniefrank
Glad to have found another fan of Square. :~) It just blows me away by how simple, flexible and easy it is.
One thought about iPad – Square has an iPad app that allows you to input inventory along with a photo so when your customer purchases a particular item (3 pounds of extra dark roast coffee or a silver spoon) that information shows up on their receipt, not just the amount.
Super useful for inventory tracking!!
@nancystuckwisch | # | Top
Rose Fields said
1 year, 5 months ago:
I love my eee pad transformer table and I use it with my Square payment processor. I started using the eee pad without the keyboard docking station but now that I have the docking station I really love using the eee pad.
@rosehaase | # | Top
Jon Behrens said
1 year, 5 months ago:
I’d be cautious of Square personally (although a little biased I’m sure) as their device isn’t PCI compliant.
@dakotalocal | # | Top
Jon Behrens said
1 year, 5 months ago:
Found the article. http://www.mobilepaymentstoday.com/article/185225/Square-readers-still-unencrypted?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr 
@dakotalocal | # | Top
Caroline Chen-Whatley said
1 year, 5 months ago:
Square scares me. But I’ve always been more on the cautious side with anything that had to do with payment or money.
@carolinechen-whatley | # | Top
Jon Behrens said
1 year, 5 months ago:
@carolinechen-whatley being that the unit is unencrypted and the base fines for a single breach can range $25 grand and up it is a scary.
@dakotalocal | # | Top
Mark Ritter said
1 year, 5 months ago:
We have been using Square at our small Antique shop and love it. The only complaint that I have found on the Internet is that they hold your funds for 30 days if you do not swipe the card. At least in the beginning of your opening your account. It is cost effective, easy to use, fast, and our customers love it.
@markritter | # | Top