A POS system is the software all businesses need to operate in the digital world. The problem is that it’s not at all cheap. So how much does a POS system cost? POS can get really expensive, depending on what features you need and what size of business you have. If you’re looking to find POS systems in the USA that are entry-level systems, your options are less expensive going somewhere around $500-$1,000 per station plus additional costs for hardware and support.
If you need more advanced features, you’re looking at up to $2,500 per station plus additional costs for hardware and support. Don’t forget that you’ll also need to incur monthly software charges that range from $79-$150.
Purchasing a POS system such as a cash register or point of sale terminal is a decision that needs to be made carefully. A lot of things affect the costs, including size, electronic components, and labor rates. It’s important to do your research in order to make an informed decision on this purchase. Some of the factors that will affect the cost of the POS system include:
Cash Register
Retail prices of cash registers can vary dramatically from $100 to $400. The average retail price is about $350. Retail prices do not include any taxes and other expenses like consumable supplies, installation costs, and dealer and consultant fees. Also note that “industrial” cash registers are more expensive than retail ones due to the fact they have faster processors, bigger displays, and additional security features.
Electronic Components
The cost of electronics varies depending on the type and quality. Magnetic card readers, scanners, touch screens, and printers are all optional additions that can be tacked onto the price. The more components you add to a register, the higher the total price will be. Electronic components can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on their quality and the retailer.
Keypad / Display
Retail keypads and displays cost anywhere from $30 to $100 depending on the type and quality of the keypad or display. Also, note that “industrial” keypads are more expensive than retail ones due to the fact they have bigger displays and additional security features.
Labor Rates
The labor rates for installing cash registers can range from free to upwards of $500. The installation process usually doesn’t take more than an hour or even two if it’s a complicated POS system, although you are charged per hour for the time the retailer or consultant is present.
Remember that this is not something you should try to do yourself because of the risks involved. Installation costs cover the labor costs, taxes, and other expenses related to installing a new POS system.
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Consumable Supplies
The price of consumable supplies such as paper and ink depends on which cash register model you buy, and how many options and features it has. The more options you have, the higher the consumable supplies will cost. You can expect consumable supplies to cost anywhere from $30 to $100 per year depending on how much you use them.
What To Know Before Buying A POS
Choosing a POS shouldn’t be an afterthought. POS companies have more than one product to offer and do not all provide the same features or price points. Before you sign a contract with any company, be sure to explore your options thoroughly to ensure you’re getting the best system for your needs and budget. If you are brand new to the restaurant industry, there are several things you should learn about before choosing a POS system.
Back-office Software: First and foremost, the number of products available in the restaurant POS market is huge. The biggest differentiation is amongst POS companies that offer both points of sale devices and full back-office software.
Companies offering only point of sale devices may be geared solely towards restaurants looking for highly functional systems that offer no additional features over other versions of the same product. Shopping for an additional software package on top of the price tag for the point-of-sale device could easily push costs into hundreds of dollars.
There are also several other factors you may want to consider when shopping for a POS system. The most important factor is customer service. To ensure you can get customer support immediately for any issues that come up with the software, be sure to check what channels of communication their customer service department offers. Remember, if your system breaks down during a peak business period, you want to be able to contact someone immediately.
