Categories: Credit Card Terminals

Chip+PIN or Chip+Signature?

This is a big question for retail merchants these days. Many merchants find themselves asking, “Do I need to accept PIN-debit?” Historically, the answer to this question depended on many factors, primarily cost differences and time saved with PIN entry. However, with the advent of EMV technology and regulations, PIN [...]

What makes a POS different from a credit card terminal?

What makes a POS different from a credit card terminal? Fundamentally, a POS system has several advanced features that credit card terminals don't have. A credit card terminal is designed with one basic premise - to process credit cards. Some terminals can also connect to a check reader or can [...]

What is a Terminal Application?

Terminal applications are closely related to MCC codes. All credit card terminals have a specific software downloaded to them, to allow for specific transaction types. Thus, having an incorrect terminal application may result in your terminal not allowing certain types of transactions. The “standard” terminal application is known as the [...]

Are terminals required? Can I use a Credit Card Imprinter?

Are terminals required? If you’re accepting credit cards in person, a credit card terminal is usually the best option – but not always!  Typically, we recommend credit card terminals for merchants who are in the following categories: Low-average-ticket merchants usually prefer terminals. This is due to the fact that terminals process [...]

What is NFC (Near Field Communication) and what is Apple Pay?

You may be asking, “How do I add Apple Pay?” or, “How do I integrate Android Pay?” NFC (Near-Field-Communication) is a technology that’s been in mobile phones/tablets for quite some time. It’s an industry standard, meaning that the technology is shared by many different firms, and isn’t unique to a [...]

What is EMV (Euro-Mastercard-Visa), or chip card acceptance?

EMV stands for Euro-Mastercard-VisaIt’s a technology also referred to as “chip cards” and is currently widely used across the globe, originating in Europe over ten years ago. Instead of using the standard, magnetic stripe card to store credit card information, EMV technology allows for the sensitive credit card data to be stored [...]

Why doesn’t Dharma lease credit card terminals?

Many providers offer to lease their equipment with low, enticing offers. Merchants will be told, “pay only a few dollars per month to lease your terminal!” and everything sounds wonderful. The problem with most leasing programs is that merchants often get stuck with equipment they either don’t want/need, or can’t afford. [...]

Do credit card terminals have a warranty?

All new First Data, Ingenico and VeriFone terminals sold by Dharma carry a 1-year manufacturer warranty. And, PAX credit card terminals sold by Dharma carry a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty for all defective hardware. You can sleep well at night knowing that your new terminal is covered.

Will my terminal become outdated?

It is possible that a terminal may no longer be supported by the processing networks. This is common on terminals that are more than a couple of years old, as most terminals have at least a 3-5 year lifespan. This can happen for a few reasons: Often times, terminals become [...]

Can I accept Apple Pay with Dharma terminals?

If you need Apple Pay terminals, yes, you can accept Apple Pay with Dharma terminals! All new terminals that Dharma sells are Apple Pay compatible, and are also compatible with other NFC (Near-Field-Communication) devices. That means Google Wallet too! This feature is turned on automatically on all new Verifone and [...]