What is the difference between the card readers and the terminals?
The Auctionpay card reader is an alternative to the terminals for taking credit card payments. The card reader is used in conjunction with Greater Giving Event Software at check-in and check-out, eliminating the data exchange (sync) processes and improving the efficiency and speed of guest registration and check-out. To use Auctionpay card readers, you must also have Greater Giving Event Software installed on the computer(s) used for check-in and check-out at the event.
Do I need to have my own merchant account set up already?
Greater Giving takes care of that for you. Once you have signed up for the Auctionpay service, Greater Giving will set up a merchant account for you. No need to create one on your own or use an existing account if you have one.
How many card readers do I get?
At a minimum, Greater Giving will ship 2 card readers to your event. The number of devices beyond that is based on the number of bidders you anticipate for your event.
Do I rent card readers or do I own them?
Rather than paying the cost of purchasing card reader devices, Greater Giving sends the card reader device and training materials to you before your event. Then your group can ship them back within four business days after your event.
Can I use both the card reader and terminals at my event?
Yes.
Greater Giving’s past best practice has been to advise against having PCs or laptops at check-in, yet the card reader requires that we use Event Software at the event. Why the change in policy?
Using the card reader is an alternative way of accepting payment at your event and can only be used in conjunction with a computer. If you are currently using or have thought about using computer(s) for registration, than using the card reader will work best for you. That best practice was established over five years ago, when computers were bulky, heavy, slow, and required an IT professional to network. Since that time, laptops have become more affordable, with more memory and more speed, so they won’t slow down a check-in or check-out line. In addition, setting up a network with today’s PCs and laptops is much simpler than five years ago.
How secure is the card reader and the process?
The credit card information is immediately encrypted and stored in the Greater Giving Event Software. This eliminates the chance to lose or misplace paper credit card receipts. The entire payment process using the card reader device is very secure, since Greater Giving complies with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard as a Level 1 vendor, the highest level for PCI compliance.
How is my donors’ credit card information protected?
When the credit card is run through the card reader device, the credit card number is stored in Event Software using high encryption, which means that the credit card number can no longer be accessed. Instead, the donor and credit card number are identified in Event Software with an ID number assigned by the software. The encrypted credit card information is sent when the charge is sent to the bank, but the credit card information remains hidden. That way, our clients are never put in a position where their system can be breached and donor credit card information stolen. Greater Giving follows PCI standards for every step in the process, so you never have to worry about securing your donors’ credit card information.
What happens if the guests don’t pre-register their credit card?
If a guest chooses not to pre-register their card, they can still pay via credit card at the end of the event.
Is it necessary to have a phone line or Internet connection at the event?
No. A phone line is not needed during the event. When you use credit card readers at your event, final charges are sent from the computer--used at the event in conjunction with the card readers--to the bank for processing via any Internet connection. This process takes place once you finish reconciling all charges after the event.
What if the power goes out during the event?
In the event of a power loss, if the computer(s) you are using with the card readers have stored battery power, your data is retained and saved.