Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice on point-of sale-systems. Anyone have something you really like? We're a DIY bike repair shop, with 1-2 employees plus sometimes volunteers on cash. We sell used bikes, new and used parts, merch, stand time, memberships, and sometimes event tickets. We've been using Square, and find it clunky and insufficient. Some specific issues we'd love to rectify:
- No option for layaways
- Cost-price inputting is not versatile
- No multiple login options (so we can recall who rang through a
particular sale)
- No easy way to remove tax for Indigenous customers (we're Canadian)
- Gift cards are a pain
Any advice much appreciated!
Molly
Molly Miksa Executive Director [image: londoncyclelink.ca] https://www.londoncyclelink.ca/
Lightspeed is sort-of industry standard. We’re happy with it.
Peter Van Tilburg (he, him) Executive Director Bike Clark County
Community Bike Shop:
1604 Main St., Vancouver, WA. 98660
Wed-Sat 11am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
c. 503.572.9894 peter@bikeclarkcounty.org http://www.linkedin.com/in/petervantilburg http://www.bikeclarkcounty.org/ www.bikeclarkcounty.org Bike Clark County is equipping, empowering, and connecting youth to our community.

On Oct 18, 2023, at 11:00 AM, Molly Miksa via TheThinkTank thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org wrote:
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice on point-of sale-systems. Anyone have something you really like? We're a DIY bike repair shop, with 1-2 employees plus sometimes volunteers on cash. We sell used bikes, new and used parts, merch, stand time, memberships, and sometimes event tickets. We've been using Square, and find it clunky and insufficient. Some specific issues we'd love to rectify: No option for layaways Cost-price inputting is not versatile No multiple login options (so we can recall who rang through a particular sale) No easy way to remove tax for Indigenous customers (we're Canadian) Gift cards are a pain Any advice much appreciated!
Molly
Molly Miksa Executive Director https://www.londoncyclelink.ca/ _______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
We've used Vend since 2014. Vend was bought by Lightspeed and is now Lightspeed. The monthly subscription fee went up and we were initially told that we would no longer receive a nonprofit discount, but then we started getting a discount, but it's still $100 per month after discount. We've just started using Square because there is no monthly fee for the free version, but yeah we are realizing that it has those issues you mention, plus it's harder to enter returns (seems to only allow returns from a specific prior purchase).
Lightspeed has been good, aside from the fees. Layaways and returns are easy, you can turn off sales tax for a transaction, gift cards are straightforward, you can set up different users (though we don't really do that so can't comment on ease of use with that). I'm thinking we might just go back to using Lightspeed despite the fee since it works and so much of our sales data is still found there. It seems we can maybe downgrade to the Lean plan without losing features that we use. I look forward to hearing other peoples' recommendations.
Paul Nagel *The Bicycle Tree* shop: (714) 760-4681 702 W. 17th St. Unit C Santa Ana, CA 92706 info@thebicycletree.org www.thebicycletree.org on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bicycle-Tree/107619955928496/ on instagram http://instagram.com/bicycletree/ / on twitter https://twitter.com/thebicycletree
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 11:01 AM Molly Miksa via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice on point-of sale-systems. Anyone have something you really like? We're a DIY bike repair shop, with 1-2 employees plus sometimes volunteers on cash. We sell used bikes, new and used parts, merch, stand time, memberships, and sometimes event tickets. We've been using Square, and find it clunky and insufficient. Some specific issues we'd love to rectify:
- No option for layaways
- Cost-price inputting is not versatile
- No multiple login options (so we can recall who rang through a
particular sale)
- No easy way to remove tax for Indigenous customers (we're Canadian)
- Gift cards are a pain
Any advice much appreciated!
Molly
Molly Miksa Executive Director [image: londoncyclelink.ca] https://www.londoncyclelink.ca/ _______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
We also use Lightspeed and have been happy with it. It is pricey, but it gives us all of the functionality we need. We also transitioned to using Lightspeed as a payment processor (they partner with Stripe), which actually saved us some on merchant processing fees from what we had before with Sekure Merchant.
[image: Phoenix Bikes] https://www.phoenixbikes.org/ *Emily Gage* Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes
www.phoenixbikes.org | emily@phoenixbikes.org
[image: icon] 909 S. Dinwiddie St. Arlington, VA 22204 https://maps.google.com/?q=909%20S.%20Dinwiddie%20St.%20Arlington,%20VA%2022204
[image: icon] (703) 346-0035
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 2:33 PM Paul Nagel via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
We've used Vend since 2014. Vend was bought by Lightspeed and is now Lightspeed. The monthly subscription fee went up and we were initially told that we would no longer receive a nonprofit discount, but then we started getting a discount, but it's still $100 per month after discount. We've just started using Square because there is no monthly fee for the free version, but yeah we are realizing that it has those issues you mention, plus it's harder to enter returns (seems to only allow returns from a specific prior purchase).
Lightspeed has been good, aside from the fees. Layaways and returns are easy, you can turn off sales tax for a transaction, gift cards are straightforward, you can set up different users (though we don't really do that so can't comment on ease of use with that). I'm thinking we might just go back to using Lightspeed despite the fee since it works and so much of our sales data is still found there. It seems we can maybe downgrade to the Lean plan without losing features that we use. I look forward to hearing other peoples' recommendations.
Paul Nagel *The Bicycle Tree* shop: (714) 760-4681 702 W. 17th St. Unit C Santa Ana, CA 92706 info@thebicycletree.org www.thebicycletree.org on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bicycle-Tree/107619955928496/ on instagram http://instagram.com/bicycletree/ / on twitter https://twitter.com/thebicycletree
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 11:01 AM Molly Miksa via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice on point-of sale-systems. Anyone have something you really like? We're a DIY bike repair shop, with 1-2 employees plus sometimes volunteers on cash. We sell used bikes, new and used parts, merch, stand time, memberships, and sometimes event tickets. We've been using Square, and find it clunky and insufficient. Some specific issues we'd love to rectify:
- No option for layaways
- Cost-price inputting is not versatile
- No multiple login options (so we can recall who rang through a
particular sale)
- No easy way to remove tax for Indigenous customers (we're Canadian)
- Gift cards are a pain
Any advice much appreciated!
Molly
Molly Miksa Executive Director [image: londoncyclelink.ca] https://www.londoncyclelink.ca/ _______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
We have 3 employees and do about $1,500 on average a day in sales and we've been using square for years (we are open three days a week for retail). The transaction fees were a pain but we have started utilizing the tip option and now that makes up for it. We have a script that volunteers can use that lets customers know that the tip is a donation to the organization. In 2023 we've made roughly 6K in donations through the tip option. For reference, we do not charge for our "rent-a-bench" service so lots of the tips are given because people had a good experience and could give for using tools and bench space.
I would be interested in learning more about Lightspeed for our shop. Our organization is growing and I imagine there are more functionalities and I would especially be interested to know if it is good for keeping track of donors--donors of bikes and cash. Does anyone use LightSpeed as a CRM too?
Peace & grease,
*Audrey Wiedemeier* (She/her/hers) Iowa City Bike Library, Director
1222 S. Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA *Hours: Wednesdays & Friday 12 - 5 and SATURDAYS 10 - 3* Want to donate? Drop off anytime during these hours. Thank you!
BikeLibrary.org C: (515) 450-1651
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 3:21 PM Emily Gage via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
We also use Lightspeed and have been happy with it. It is pricey, but it gives us all of the functionality we need. We also transitioned to using Lightspeed as a payment processor (they partner with Stripe), which actually saved us some on merchant processing fees from what we had before with Sekure Merchant.
[image: Phoenix Bikes] https://www.phoenixbikes.org/ *Emily Gage* Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes
www.phoenixbikes.org | emily@phoenixbikes.org
[image: icon] 909 S. Dinwiddie St. Arlington, VA 22204 https://maps.google.com/?q=909%20S.%20Dinwiddie%20St.%20Arlington,%20VA%2022204
[image: icon] (703) 346-0035
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 2:33 PM Paul Nagel via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
We've used Vend since 2014. Vend was bought by Lightspeed and is now Lightspeed. The monthly subscription fee went up and we were initially told that we would no longer receive a nonprofit discount, but then we started getting a discount, but it's still $100 per month after discount. We've just started using Square because there is no monthly fee for the free version, but yeah we are realizing that it has those issues you mention, plus it's harder to enter returns (seems to only allow returns from a specific prior purchase).
Lightspeed has been good, aside from the fees. Layaways and returns are easy, you can turn off sales tax for a transaction, gift cards are straightforward, you can set up different users (though we don't really do that so can't comment on ease of use with that). I'm thinking we might just go back to using Lightspeed despite the fee since it works and so much of our sales data is still found there. It seems we can maybe downgrade to the Lean plan without losing features that we use. I look forward to hearing other peoples' recommendations.
Paul Nagel *The Bicycle Tree* shop: (714) 760-4681 702 W. 17th St. Unit C Santa Ana, CA 92706 info@thebicycletree.org www.thebicycletree.org on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bicycle-Tree/107619955928496/ on instagram http://instagram.com/bicycletree/ / on twitter https://twitter.com/thebicycletree
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 11:01 AM Molly Miksa via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice on point-of sale-systems. Anyone have something you really like? We're a DIY bike repair shop, with 1-2 employees plus sometimes volunteers on cash. We sell used bikes, new and used parts, merch, stand time, memberships, and sometimes event tickets. We've been using Square, and find it clunky and insufficient. Some specific issues we'd love to rectify:
- No option for layaways
- Cost-price inputting is not versatile
- No multiple login options (so we can recall who rang through a
particular sale)
- No easy way to remove tax for Indigenous customers (we're Canadian)
- Gift cards are a pain
Any advice much appreciated!
Molly
Molly Miksa Executive Director [image: londoncyclelink.ca] https://www.londoncyclelink.ca/ _______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
We use Square (and I think one can log in various cashiers). I am curious about the script used by the Iowa Bike Library to go with the "tip" option
- I really wanted to make that say "donation" but it is not an option.
Kristin Kristin Kinnamon Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop, board member McClinchy Mile Camano Climb, coordinator 2023 B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County, member 425-923-7868 (personal cell)
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 3:01 PM Audrey Wiedemeier via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
We have 3 employees and do about $1,500 on average a day in sales and we've been using square for years (we are open three days a week for retail). The transaction fees were a pain but we have started utilizing the tip option and now that makes up for it. We have a script that volunteers can use that lets customers know that the tip is a donation to the organization. In 2023 we've made roughly 6K in donations through the tip option. For reference, we do not charge for our "rent-a-bench" service so lots of the tips are given because people had a good experience and could give for using tools and bench space.
I would be interested in learning more about Lightspeed for our shop. Our organization is growing and I imagine there are more functionalities and I would especially be interested to know if it is good for keeping track of donors--donors of bikes and cash. Does anyone use LightSpeed as a CRM too?
Peace & grease,
*Audrey Wiedemeier* (She/her/hers) Iowa City Bike Library, Director
1222 S. Gilbert Court, Iowa City, IA *Hours: Wednesdays & Friday 12 - 5 and SATURDAYS 10 - 3* Want to donate? Drop off anytime during these hours. Thank you!
BikeLibrary.org C: (515) 450-1651
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 3:21 PM Emily Gage via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
We also use Lightspeed and have been happy with it. It is pricey, but it gives us all of the functionality we need. We also transitioned to using Lightspeed as a payment processor (they partner with Stripe), which actually saved us some on merchant processing fees from what we had before with Sekure Merchant.
[image: Phoenix Bikes] https://www.phoenixbikes.org/ *Emily Gage* Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes
www.phoenixbikes.org | emily@phoenixbikes.org
[image: icon] 909 S. Dinwiddie St. Arlington, VA 22204 https://maps.google.com/?q=909%20S.%20Dinwiddie%20St.%20Arlington,%20VA%2022204
[image: icon] (703) 346-0035
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 2:33 PM Paul Nagel via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
We've used Vend since 2014. Vend was bought by Lightspeed and is now Lightspeed. The monthly subscription fee went up and we were initially told that we would no longer receive a nonprofit discount, but then we started getting a discount, but it's still $100 per month after discount. We've just started using Square because there is no monthly fee for the free version, but yeah we are realizing that it has those issues you mention, plus it's harder to enter returns (seems to only allow returns from a specific prior purchase).
Lightspeed has been good, aside from the fees. Layaways and returns are easy, you can turn off sales tax for a transaction, gift cards are straightforward, you can set up different users (though we don't really do that so can't comment on ease of use with that). I'm thinking we might just go back to using Lightspeed despite the fee since it works and so much of our sales data is still found there. It seems we can maybe downgrade to the Lean plan without losing features that we use. I look forward to hearing other peoples' recommendations.
Paul Nagel *The Bicycle Tree* shop: (714) 760-4681 702 W. 17th St. Unit C Santa Ana, CA 92706 info@thebicycletree.org www.thebicycletree.org on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bicycle-Tree/107619955928496/ on instagram http://instagram.com/bicycletree/ / on twitter https://twitter.com/thebicycletree
On Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 11:01 AM Molly Miksa via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice on point-of sale-systems. Anyone have something you really like? We're a DIY bike repair shop, with 1-2 employees plus sometimes volunteers on cash. We sell used bikes, new and used parts, merch, stand time, memberships, and sometimes event tickets. We've been using Square, and find it clunky and insufficient. Some specific issues we'd love to rectify:
- No option for layaways
- Cost-price inputting is not versatile
- No multiple login options (so we can recall who rang through a
particular sale)
- No easy way to remove tax for Indigenous customers (we're
Canadian)
- Gift cards are a pain
Any advice much appreciated!
Molly
Molly Miksa Executive Director [image: londoncyclelink.ca] https://www.londoncyclelink.ca/ _______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
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participants (6)
-
Audrey Wiedemeier -
Emily Gage -
Kristin Kinnamon -
Molly Miksa -
Paul Nagel -
Peter Van Tilburg