Can I use Square Register for exchanges?

[thegmann]

The title of this thread has been edited from the original: Square Register Exchanges

Hello,

I am researching using the new square register for a 15 store specialty retail chain (currently using Revel).  One thing I have come across is the inability to process exchanges in the square register app.  I am wondering if this also applies to the square register hardware?  If so this would be a big issue for our stores.  We do not allow returns but only exchanges or store credit, and we need the inventory to be updated when this occurs, as well as the register to calculate the difference between the exchanged item(s) and the new item(s).  Of course anything that slows down the sales process for a cashier (usually 1 per store) is a no-go.  Would I be able to process exchanges on the new square register hardware?  Also, does the time clock work on the new hardware?

Thanks!

[Helen]

Great questions @thegmann and an important ones for your research! I'll start with the good news, you can use timecards with the new Square Register so employees can clock in/out. 

The bad news is that currently the new Square Register does not support exchanges. I don't have a timeline to share for when it will be supported, but it we know it's important for retail sellers like you. I'll share your request with the team and we'll post in this thread to let you know of any developments.

In the meantime, exchanges are available with the Square for Retail app which can be used on iPads at this time. The Square for Retail app does calculate the difference for you so you can issue a refund for the difference, collect payment for the difference, or process an 'Even Exchange'. You can also choose to restock a returned item so it's added back to your inventory. 

As I mentioned we'll post again here to let you know as soon as there are any updates! 

[thegmann]

Hi Helen!

Thanks for the response.  Sorry to hear about the exchange feature not yet being implemented in register, though I know the system is new.  Are there plans on the roadmap to add all features of square for retail to the register?  I would imagine so since it seems like a system made and priced for higher-end and higher-throughput stores.  We currently run 3 stores on revel and are purchasing another 12 that are currently using clover.  I was hoping to make a transition on all of them to square but I may just leave everything the same for a few months hoping that square implements the more important features quickly, of course I could transition the 3 iPad Revel stores to square pretty easily without needing square registers, but probably not a process I want to put myself through if square is going to take too long to implement.  I have used 10 or 12 different POS systems in my time and none of them have ever felt as "feature complete" and open to developers as Square now does.  I would love to buy new registers for all locations and transition them over!  It would make my life a heck of a lot easier.

[Helen]

Hi again @thegmann! Yes providing this feature, along with other Square for Retail features on the new Register is on our Product team's radar. I'm afraid I can't share any kind of timeline though, I wish I could! 

In the meantime it sounds like it might be worth calling our Sales Team if you haven't already? If you arrange a call they can learn more about your business and which of Square's features would be useful for you/your employees/your locations. They'll also be able to help you with any questions about moving to Square from another processor and help you decide if or when making the switch to Square is appropriate! 

In the meantime I hope you'll stay in the Seller Community! I recommend subscribing to or/bookmarking in your browser the Product Update board so you can hear about updates and new launched features.