How to Buy a Cash Register
Entry & Medium level Cash Registers
Cash registers have a basic LED display which shows the values that are being typed in as well as the purchase total before it is printed onto the receipt. The employee operates the machine by keying in the price of items individually and tax is applied to the total sale price after the purchase is tabulated. After the sale is made, the cash drawer opens so that cash, or Eftpos receipts can be stored securely under spring clips, and coins can be separated by denomination in individual compartments. The printed receipt will show the price of each item and a final total, and this document can be used for the customer’s records or for filing annual income taxes. Higher end standard registers can even be programmed with SKUs or product codes so that more detail will be printed on the receipt, and, if department codes are used, the business manager or owner can run a daily report which will show the daily sales totals for each department.
Point of Sale Systems
Point of Sale Systems are usually PC-based terminals with Software installed which have integrated components that make order processing and inventory monitoring easier for businesses that have a large product list or who complete many hundreds of transactions per day. Advanced features such as barcode scanners, touchscreens, and integrated Eftpos make it quick to process orders and move on to the next.
To complete a transaction the employee will scan each item and total the order, and the POS system will add tax. The customer pays the cashier and a detailed receipt is printed which shows information about each item purchased and its amount as well as the order total and the date on which the items were sold. The business is even able to add a promotional message at the bottom of the receipt which can consist of store information, hours, and contact information or can be used as an incentive for the customer to shop with the store again in the future. Inventory can be tracked in detail by running a nightly report that will show the quantities of each item purchased, totals for each department, and, if the inventory system is integrated into the POS, the amount remaining of each of the items sold.
Deciding on the ideal type of Cash Register
Each unique business situation needs a particular type of cash register in order to conduct sales transactions effectively. The following table outlines common business needs and gives suggestions on the proper type of cash register to purchase so that the transfer of money can be handled efficiently and recordkeeping can be kept under control.
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Selling Scenario |
Recommended Cash Register Type |
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Coffee Shop / Restaurant or Bar with a small menu |
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Craft Fair, Market, or Small Retailer |
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Retailer with Hundreds of Items in Inventory |
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Medium/Large store with hundreds of transactions per day |
Now that the different types of cash registers have been examined along with their ideal uses, it is time to shop for a register and buy the machine with confidence.
Conclusion
Whether a cash register is needed to calculate purchases for a small weekend market or for a larger store which completes hundreds of transactions per day, the process of buying this piece of equipment is made easier when the buyer knows which type of cash register will work best for his or her needs. With a bit of research and the knowledge of where to buy a cash register with confidence, the business owner will be adding up purchases in no time.
