What does PDQ stand for?
PDQ is an acronym, and its full form is ‘Process Data Quickly’. PDQ machines are designed to process card transactions with speed and maximum security. They are mostly used by businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors, but any type of business can use them.
What is a PDQ machine?
Any electronic device that can accept and process card payments is called a PDQ machine. PDQ machines (or card machines) include today’s card machines, card readers, and chip and pin machines. They also come in various shapes, like a countertop, mobile, and portable. Each type of PDQ machine serves one main function, “to process payments,” but also has its own specifications.
Compare PDQ Card Machine Quotes Today
How does a PDQ machine work?
The main function of a PDQ machine is to accept payments. You have the following choices for handling payments with PDQ machines:
- Contactless (Using digital wallets, debit cards, or credit cards)
- Chip & PIN
Steps to process transactions
Keep in mind the following steps so you can process payments by using the Chip and PIN or contactless method easily.
- Start by putting the total charge for the customer’s purchase into the machine and double-check the amount
- Ask the customer if they will be paying through a card or digital account. Request your customer to slide their card against the PDQ machine if they are paying through a credit or debit card. However, if your customer wants to pay with their digital account, ask them to tap their mobile instead.
- If the customer is paying via the contactless method, you don’t likely need a password to process the transaction. If it’s a card payment, the machine will ask for a PIN. Instruct your customer to enter their 4-digit PIN.
- The machine will then process the transaction. It checks the PIN with the customer’s bank and confirms there is enough money for the transaction. This step is automatic and may take a few moments.
- If a transaction goes through, the payment will be sent within 24 hours from your merchant account to the business’s bank account.
Taking payments via contactless method with a PDQ machine
To accept contactless payments through debit or credit cards, or with digital wallets, the process is:
- Your customer taps their card or mobile device against your compatible PDQ machine.
- The approval request is sent to the customer’s card provider, which checks the customer has the funds to clear the transaction.
- If the customer has the funds, the transaction is approved and the money is transferred into your merchant account.
- If the customer doesn’t have the funds, the transaction will be declined.
- For approved transactions, the funds will be transferred from your merchant account into your business’ bank account – this can be as quickly as 24 hours.
Types of PDQ machines
PDQ machines are of various types, you can select the one most suitable for your business.
- Countertop
- Mobile
- Portable
We’ve discussed the features of each type of PDQ machine, the businesses for which they work best, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Countertop PDQ machines
The most commonly used type of PDQ is a countertop machine, which is directly attached to a POS. A POS (point of sale) is a place where customers pay for products or services. It can be a computer or a cash register.
Countertop PDQ machines are connected with POS, so payments can be processed at the same place where they were made.
Ideal for: Brick-and-mortar stores like supermarkets, retail stores, hair salons, etc. that have a fixed till point.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
|
Portable PDQ machines
Portable PDQ machines are also called wireless chip and PIN machines. Portable PDQ machines are handheld devices that can process transactions via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to send data to the POS. Portable PDQ machines have a maximum range of up to 100 meters.
Ideal for: restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, bars, clubs, fine dining, or any businesses that want to offer the best service and ease for their customers.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
|
Mobile PDQ machines
Mobile PDQ machines use wireless technology, such as Wi-Fi or mobile data networks, to connect to POS. Unlike traditional PDQ machines that are fixed to a location, mobile PDQ machines can process payments anywhere. They are also not limited to a specific range. They will work efficiently even outside the business premises, as long as you have an internet connection.
Ideal for: businesses that travel a lot, like food truck businesses, delivery services, market stalls, or taxi drivers.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
|
|
Costs Related to PDQ Machines
When you’re thinking about getting a PDQ machine, it’s important to know about the related costs so you can make the right choice for your business.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what to expect:
Setup costs
The first cost to consider is the setup fee. This is a one-time fee that’s usually between £100 and £150.
Buying vs. Renting a PDQ Machine
You’ll also need to decide whether to buy or rent the PDQ machine.
- Renting can cost you around £15 a month. This is a good option if you want to keep things affordable upfront. But renting has its downsides—many providers obligate you into contracts, and upgrading your system later might be difficult.
- If you buy the machine outright, you avoid the monthly payments and have more freedom to grow and upgrade your system in the future. The purchase price can range anywhere from £19 to £230, depending on the type of machine you choose.
Monthly Fees
There are usually two main monthly costs to think about: merchant account fees and service charges.
- A merchant account is needed for processing transactions, and these fees typically start at £10 per month.
- Minimum Monthly Service Charge (MMSC) is usually around £15 a month. It’s a fixed expense that the providers charge to make sure they cover their costs, even if your business processes fewer card payments.
If your business doesn’t process many card payments, look for a provider without a minimum usage fee.
Transaction Fees
A transaction fee is applied every time your PDQ machine processes a card payment. This can either be:
- A percentage of the transaction- between 1% and 3%.
- A flat fee per transaction- around 10p to 30p.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
|
Setup Fee |
£100 - £150 |
|
Renting / Buying |
£10 - £25 per month / £19 - £230 + VAT |
|
Merchant Account fee |
Starting at £10/month |
|
MMSC |
£15/ month |
|
Transaction fee |
1%-3% of transaction value or 10p-30p per transaction |
Benefits of using a PDQ machine
There are countless benefits of using a PDQ machine for your business. By using a PDQ machine, you’ll benefit from:
Save your time with PDQ machines: You just need to enter the checkout amount and the customer’s PIN to carry out cashless payments. There is no need to count the money and calculate change, as the whole process is done digitally. So, avoid the long queues near your cash register, save time for your staff, and get a PDQ machine today for your business.
Improve your brand image: By using a PDQ machine, you can accept all types of payments, from cash to cashless. Customers feel welcomed, and they trust the business more when they can choose from various payment options.
Secure payments: PDQ machines process card payments using bank authorisation. Even after the customer puts in a 4-digit PIN for card payments, the transaction is sent to the bank to validate it. This whole process is highly secure.
Win over your customers: When customers see that your business integrates various payment options, they don’t feel the pressure of carrying cash everywhere. This gives you an advantage over your competitors, who are still accepting cash-only payments.
Reach out to more customers: More than 50% of the payments made in the UK today are cashless. If you don’t integrate cashless options for checkout, you are missing out on many potential customers. By using a PDQ machine, you’ll be able to accept a wider range of payments, not just cash.
Make the Switch to Cashless Payments with ComparedBusiness
We at ComparedBusiness are experts in saving your time and money. Just submit your business requirements for card machines & epos systems in less than 2-mins and ComparedBusiness will get back to you with detailed quotes from a list of top card machine & EPOS system providers in the UK. You can pick and choose the best option for your business.
FAQs
Yes, most PDQ machines can accept international card payments, as long as the card network is supported by your payment processor. It’s always a good idea to check with your card machine provider to confirm which international cards are accepted.
Transaction fees for PDQ machines vary depending on your provider.. Typically, fees range from 1% to 3% of the transaction amount.
Most PDQ machines require some form of internet access, it can be through Wi-Fi, mobile data (3G, 4G, 5G), or a wired connection.Mobile PDQ machines, for example, can use mobile data, making them ideal for businesses on the go.
