Introducing and why we are here

[BBQ_Spike]

Hello all, Grill and Bark are a start-up BBQ Smokehouse based in the UK specialising in Festivals and larger private hire events.

Two of the business partners are experienced electrical & automotive engineers, one even specialising in product launch.   So starting our business venture for us is all about the execution of a planned plan and we are finding that we seem to be a lot more advanced in organisation than some of our experienced competitors.

AND then it came down to selecting our payment system and POS - where we are finding some frustration in the sales pitch vs reality from the various companies.  

Whilst good BBQ is done low ‘n’ slow we want our tech to be quick and efficient and so far we make a decision and then hit a brick wall because of the reality and availability of what we have chosen.

More on that as we go through this journey I’m sure but just wanted to introduce ourselves.

[Lou8]

Hi @BBQ_Spike, thanks for introducing your business.

As a moderator on this platform, I'd like to wish you a warm welcome to the Seller Community 👋🙂.

Starting a new business is an exciting adventure, but I'm sure it comes with its share of challenges especially when it comes to choosing a POS. Hopefully Square for Restaurant is the right fit for Grill and Bark !

Feel free to give me a shout if you have any questions about Square, or need help with anything.

[BBQ_Spike]

Hi Lou and thanks for the very warm welcome.

I eagerly ordered  my POS equipment during amazons prime event and decided upon terminal plus stand for iPad ensuring I went for a USB variant by ordering Gen2!

yesterday, when it arrived I found out that there are two versions of gen2 and one of them with the usb connection is not actually available yet.  So sadly I am now looking for another provider as the timing for delivery of the stand is too close to my next big event (first direct to paying customer event).  I know I can build the shop front etc and get it all working and a stand is just a stand BUT I am at risk of not having the hardware for that event which will then make it all a waste of time.  So I’m now looking at alternatives!

who makes gen3 and call it gen2??

[Lou8]

I'm sorry to hear that @BBQ_Spike !

Is the USB-C a non-negotiable for your business ? Unfortunately Square Stand USB-C is currently on preorder, even on the Square Shop. 

Would you consider renting your set-up while waiting for the Stand USB-C to be dispatched? Square has a POS rental service that caters for any type of events. This will also give you the opportunity to trial out the Stand and the POS.

You'll find more information about hardware rental on our website here, where you can also get a quote from our team. I don't know the ins and outs of hardware rental, but you can get in touch with our Event team if you have any questions !

[BBQ_Spike]

Hi and thanks for the reply (at least someone from square did on here - I still haven’t had a response to my phone call on Thursday which has annoyed me.

would I consider renting the equipment? Had that been an option suggested by the sales team when I originally called I would have used that option, but now I’ve made a purchase I don’t feel I should have to rent as I purchased what I was told and from the website was available to work with the equipment we already had.

little was I to know that Square made a Gen2 and what is really a Gen3 but called it a Gen2. That’s like Apple bringing out an iPhone on iOS and one on android and calling them the same.

however I would me more than willing to have Square lend the equipment I’d need for this event or until the new one I need comes in and then you swap out what I purchased for the USB C version.  I really don’t expect to have to pay more than I have already outplayed if I’m honest.  I actually feel quite aggrieved by this as I’ve effectively lost this last 4 days where I could have been working on this.

perhaps you could get one of the “team” to call me ?