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Clover is a new point-of-sale (POS) terminal that was designed specifically for the cannabis industry. They claim to be able to integrate all of your dispensaries and grow shops into one seamless system, while also providing you with upsell opportunities and live customer support. Let’s find out if this product really has what it takes to take over the market!
Many companies are drawn to the Clover POS system because resellers generally allow users to preserve their current merchant accounts. Overall, the system is adaptive, simple to use, and very versatile, making it a good fit for a wide range of users.
Best For:
- Businesses that use a reputable merchant services provider include: Clover may be a cost-effective and strong alternative with the correct merchant account.
- Clover is one of our top picks for mobile POS solutions for businesses in need of a POS app. In our review of the top iPhone card readers with payment applications, it also received good reviews.
- Retailers searching for an alternative to Square can consider the following: Clover and Square are often compared as two of the most popular point-of-sale systems on the market. Clover is one of our favorite Square alternatives because of its setup and feature versatility.
Clover is also offered by a large number of resellers that use their own merchant accounts. As a result, you can wind up with a payment processing account that you don’t like—and Clover can’t be reprogrammed to work with a different processor. As a result, be cautious about who you get this program from if you decide to use it.
Clover is an economical and user-friendly POS system, but the price, contracts, and overall experience are inconsistent, preventing Clover from becoming one of our top-recommended POS systems. However, if you do thorough investigation, you may discover that it is the best method for you.
When Clover POS Isn’t the Right Fit
- Businesses that do not have a preferred merchant account include: Clover systems, unlike other POS technology, can’t be modified to operate with a different payment processor. Changing your merchant account necessitates the purchase of new hardware, including new Clover hardware.
- Indie retailers or very small businesses: Clover is not suitable for informal enterprises such as amateurs selling at craft fairs since it requires a merchant account. For a suitable alternative, check out these free POS software or mobile payment applications.
- Clover lacks low-inventory notifications and vendor management for businesses with fast-moving merchandise. This inventory-focused POS software may be useful if you rely on having certain things in stock or if you have a large selection of items that sell out rapidly.
Overview of Clover POS
Pricing
Unlike other POS systems, which provide a variety of hardware alternatives, Clover POS software requires Clover-specific hardware. As a result, the cost of your system will be a mix of hardware and software. The prices shown below are from Clover’s website; however, prices may differ if you buy via a reseller.
In-person and online payments, contactless payments, personalized invoicing, and a virtual terminal are all included in all subscriptions.
Clover Point-of-Sale (POS) Payments
- Credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and contactless payments are all accepted.
- If you buy from a third-party reseller, you’re bound by their conditions.
- Clover offers its products via Fiserv, which also serves as a payment processor.
Other merchant services, on the other hand, are able to resell the POS system. On its website, it names 65 authorized resellers, although Clover systems are also available elsewhere, including on Amazon. They all utilize Fiserv as their backend payment processor, but they have complete control over their terms and prices.
This implies you could be able to discover more equitably priced payment processing and lower-cost hardware—or you can end up with a terrible bargain. Fiserv provides a list of trustworthy resellers, although not all of them are monitored. Find the most reliable merchant service by doing some research.
Regardless, the program is unchanged. You may take credit, debit, gift cards, and contactless payments like Apple Pay as long as your reseller can handle the payments.
Point of Sale Hardware
- The design is sleek and contemporary.
- Competitive prices and a wide range of resellers
- Retailers to choose from
Clover hardware is available through Fiserv, Amazon, and over 3,000 resellers, who may be able to offer you a better deal. Some may even lease the equipment, which we do not advise.
But watch out! Clover does not set lease terms or rates for third-party sellers, so read reviews to ensure you’re working with a trustworthy company. The majority of Clover concerns, for example, are about merchant account fees or termination costs.
Furthermore, you are bound to the merchant account from where you bought the hardware. Clover cannot be reset if your merchant account is changed as of 2019. If you bought your Clover system from Dharma Merchant Services, for example, it will only function with Dharma.
Features:
- Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay are examples of chip, dip, or tap payments.
- Connects to Wi-Fi and cellular networks, but also accepts payments over the counter.
- It synchronizes with the Clover online dashboard.
- Create orders, handle transactions, manage personnel, update inventory, and more using this application.
- Tokenization and encryption
- View all of your open, pending, and finished transactions in one place.
Features:
- Accepts a variety of payment methods, including contactless payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
- Receipt printer built-in
- Camera and barcode scanner built-in
- Up to 50 distinct fingerprints may be used to log in.
- Mobile in every way
- Complete point-of-sale, terminal, and business management: Use on its own or in conjunction with other Clover systems.
- LTE and Wi-Fi connection
- Lithium-ion batteries
Clover Mini
Features:
- Display with a small footprint
- Clover software of your choice comes pre-installed.
- Payments may be made using a swipe, a chip, or a touch.
- Syncs with the Clover web app
- Cash drawers, barcode scanners, and printers may all be connected to.
- Accepts both conventional and contactless ways of payment.
- Sends out electronic receipts
- Process payments even if you’re not connected to the internet.
Clover Station
Features
- Signatures may be accepted on a 14″ touch screen with a swivel display.
- Clover software of your choice comes pre-installed.
- Barcode scanner built-in
- Two cash drawer ports and four USB 2.0 ports
- Login with your fingerprints
- A standalone receipt printer with a 4.3′′ customer-facing visual display is included.
- Barcode scanners, scales, kitchen printers, and other devices are all compatible.
- Accepts both standard and contactless payments (NFC).
- Option to upgrade the Clover Station full-service restaurant setup to Flex (+$350).
Clover Station Pro
Features
- Swivel display with 14″ HD touch screen
- 7″ touch screen in front of the consumer
- Zebra scanning software and dual 5MP cameras
- Clover software of your choice comes pre-installed.
- Barcode scanner built-in
- Two cash drawer ports and four USB 2.0 ports
- Login with your fingerprints
- Touch screen with swipe, high-speed receipt printer, and cash drawer are all included.
- Barcode scanners, scales, kitchen printers, and other devices are all compatible.
Features of Clover POS
Clover is a flexible, feature-rich system with a variety of configurations and add-ons that make it suitable for businesses of all sizes and needs, however, more specialized businesses, such as liquor shops or petrol stations, should choose systems tailored to their specific needs.
Sales
With the easy system, you can automatically ring up sales, run taxes, enter (or propose) tips, program discounts by the hour or day (e.g., Happy Hour), and apply service or delivery costs. Clover allows you to print or email receipts, as well as include a QR code to enable clients to pay with their phones using Scan and Pay. You may also provide feedback vouchers.
Clover also allows you to create a virtual terminal, take online orders via your website or delivery locations, and interface with eCommerce platforms such as Shopify. (Some apps may demand separate accounts.)
Furthermore, you may take payments without an internet connection since any Clover device will save payments and process them when you get back online. The Clover Mini and Flex, on the other hand, accept cellular payments with an optional LTE service package.
Management of Customers
Clover’s customer management capabilities allow you to create customer profiles from credit card sales automatically. It allows you to collect sales histories, names, and birthdays, as well as preserve images of clients, so that your personnel can identify and welcome them by name. It’s also simple to keep track of contacts and marketing choices.
Make data-driven rewards and loyalty programs that you can advertise to your consumers and on social media. Promotions may be sent by email, SMS, or social media. Create segmented lists to concentrate on client preferences, keep track of consumers who haven’t visited in a while, and entice them back with a unique offer. Finally, on receipts, ask for consumer comments and provide a voucher as an incentive. A reply feature is also available for following up on client comments.
Management of Employees
Clover enables you to manage an infinite number of workers from a single dashboard, with permissions limiting access to just what each person needs for their job. It also integrates with applications to assist you to manage personnel, some of which are free and others that need a fee.
Shifts is a Clover-integrated software for clocking in and out as well as announcing tips. Clover provides the free app Homebase for scheduling, team messaging, and recruiting tools. You can track performance, obtain health and safety screening, job pricing, and even specialist HR advisors with a premium Homebase account.
Restaurant features
You may customize orders with things like “ketchup on the side” or customer remarks. Clover offers a table management feature, as well as the ability to make reservations and keep track of bar expenses. You may also use the system to set tip suggestions and pay at the table or at the counter.
You must be able to take online orders and arrange for delivery or pickup these days. Clover allows you to provide these choices by allowing you to use:
- A unique setup that combines online ordering via a restaurant-specific website.
- Customers may purchase straight from Google Search or Google Maps using the Ordering app.
- Chowly, which connects your restaurant’s POS to a third-party online ordering platform.
- It has its own curbside collection service.
Reporting
Clover offers basic sales, tax, and payroll reporting, as well as the ability to monitor sales down to the item level. You can also run reports by employees to determine who your best seller is and import the information into QuickBooks or Xero. It also provides end-of-day reports, of course.
Integrations
Clover integrates with over 200 third-party apps to satisfy your unique requirements. Although virtually all of these applications feature a free version for basic usage, the majority of them need a separate account.
Ease of Use
- Customer service is available via phone or email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Personalized setup assistance
- There’s even a concierge-level setup available.
One of the benefits of the Clover system is that it comes with all of the tools you’ll need, and you can add features from its app store as you expand. You may also obtain help with starting your company, including concierge-level services.
The program itself receives great scores for its usability. The user interface is straightforward: choose what you need to accomplish from the menu bar, then follow the instructions. You may generate inventory for both online ordering and the console when entering it. Instead of adding things one by one, you may import inventory from a spreadsheet.
The absence of photos, which may help you discover an item quicker, and the lack of low-inventory notifications, which means you have to keep track of when to restock products, detract from its convenience of use.
The instructions in the Help Center are straightforward and tailored to the individual system as required. (Photo courtesy of Clover)
Simple articles with straightforward directions, some with drawings, are available in the Help Center. Clover’s blog and seminars also give industry knowledge. There are also several how-to videos on the YouTube channel.
What Users Have to Say About Clover POS
We looked for real-world user reviews of the product on reputable review sites online. Users appreciate this POS system in general, yet many have experienced issues with the merchant accounts that come with it. Clover was praised for being simple to use and adaptable. Employees felt the interface was straightforward, and owners had little problem teaching them.
Customer service issues, such as lengthy wait times and unhelpful employees, were mentioned in some of the negative reviews, however, some of these issues may have been with the merchant service, not Clover. The system was criticized for its lack of product photos, restricted reporting and inventory features, and reliance on third-party applications for many operations. (Some third-party applications are either paid or offer a very restricted set of free features.)
The app shops have received mostly good feedback. Clover’s app received 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 Google Play users, and 4.7 out of 5 stars from 5,600 Apple App Store users. Furthermore, the program has a 99 percent user satisfaction rating from Finances Online’s Customer Satisfaction Algorithm, which collects reviews, comments, and opinions from Clover users.
Conclusion
Clover is a very adaptable POS system with many stations, bespoke software installed for you, and a large variety of third-party applications. It is, however, simple to use and receives excellent marks for its user interface. It’s worth looking at if you’re a small retailer or restaurant, but be cautious! Clover is available from tens of thousands of resellers, and it cannot be reprogrammed.
