Consumers have less cash on hand, which means that point of sale (POS) systems with integrated payments have become must-haves for merchants across all industry sectors. According to the U.S. Federal Reserve, consumers used cash for only 16% of transactions in 2023, while debit and credit card payments increased from 2022 to 2023 to account for 60% of all transactions. Most brick-and-mortar and online merchants can live with this trend. Integrated payments allow them to accept digital payments easily and securely. If you operate a pay-upon-delivery business, however, like a pizza shop, delivery service, or wholesale food sold on specific routes, the move away from cash and toward digital payments isn’t as easy to manage. That is unless you have a POS solution with integrated payments that travels with your team right to your customers’ front doors.
The Mobile POS Solution
With the right pay-at-the-door solution, you can continue to offer your customers the convenience of a pay-upon-delivery option. The solution you choose should have these features so it will work for your business:
Durable Devices
You can implement a solution faster for your pay-upon-delivery business if you choose an all-in-one system that includes the device. But make sure the device is rugged enough for your team to carry in different weather conditions, stand up to transport over rough roads, and not fail if it gets splashed with a beverage. It should also have a long-lasting battery so it doesn’t stop working when a driver needs to take a payment.
4G Connectivity
The solution needs to run on cellular networks, not just on Wi-Fi. A solution that works anywhere your team can use a smartphone will allow them to take a payment with a debit or credit card.
Contactless Payment Acceptance
Your mobile solution’s device should have near-field communication (NFC) technology so it can capture cardholder data from a contactless card or a digital wallet. This technology makes payments quick and easy. However, it also makes payments touchless so users don’t have to worry about using hand sanitizer because other people touched a payment device.
Tip Suggestions
If your delivery drivers accept tips, a solution that does the math for your customers will make the conversation at the door a little less awkward. And because you’re suggesting tips, it may also mean more cash in your driver’s pockets.
Invoice Recall
The delivery driver or route sales rep should be able to recall the customer’s invoice from your management system so they collect the correct and apply the correct amount to the customer’s account.
Data Synchronization
Your mobile solution’s software should sync data with your POS or management system in real-time to keep you updated on your drivers’ activity and the revenues coming in.
Receipt Options
If your customers require a receipt, make sure your solution can print on demand. The easiest option is a built-in printer, so drivers and field reps don’t need to carry and manage an extra device.
Benefits of Using a Pay-at-the-Door Solution
Moving to a modern pay-at-the-door process will help you boost customer satisfaction. It gives them payment method choices and makes interactions with your drivers or reps fast and efficient. Drivers spend less time fumbling with cash and counting change and more time focused on providing great service.
But mobile POS has some additional benefits for your business:
More Revenues
When customers know they aren’t limited to the cash they have in the house when they order a pizza or buy from a route sales rep, they may buy more. They can use their payment cards to buy exactly what they want. It may encourage them to stay loyal to your business because they know they can use the payment method they prefer.
Driver Security and Minimizing Losses
Delivery drivers that carry large sums of cash can become targets for theft. Accepting digital payments minimizes the cash they handle, increasing their security and minimizing your losses. A mobile POS solution will also keep an accurate account of the money your field team takes in, keeping drivers and reps accountable.
Reduces Check Processing
Some pay-upon-delivery businesses have attempted to secure payments and protect drivers by accepting checks or money orders only, not cash. However, checks require time and effort to process, and they delay getting funds into the business account. Accepting digital payments saves time and makes funds from pay-upon-delivery sales available sooner.
Customer Data Collection
Any time you move from manual to digital processes, you collect data that you can use to benefit your business. Data can help you create an easy-to-access customer history that lets you know which customers might not be a good risk for pay-upon-delivery. You can share this information with drivers so they are prepared when they get to the front door or even allow you to decide not to fill that customer’s order.
Find the Right Solution for Your Business
Moving from cash-only to modern pay-upon-delivery processes can give your business many benefits from fewer losses to happier customers. However, you need to choose a pay-at-the-door solution with the right features so your employees and customers can use it easily.
Contact us for information on a solution that’s perfect for your pay-upon-delivery business.
