A mobile credit card reader is only useful as long as you have the proper supplies on hand to keep it running. Most units require paper, ink and cleaning supplies, at a bare minimum, to keep them running.

Before ordering supplies for portable credit card reader units, run through the following checklist and make sure you've got enough supplies on hand to complete each item. If you're running low or are unsure of how long it'll take to replenish your supply stocks, order right away:

1. Keep portable credit card scanners printing with extra paper rolls;

2. Make sure you've got plenty of the proper ink on hand, too;

3. Maintain a stock of cleaning supplies to de-gum your portable magnetic stripe credit card reader.

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Get the right paper for your mobile credit card reader and printer units

If your portable credit card processor has a printer component, you're going to need rolls of paper to keep it going. The biggest concern here is making sure you get the right width of paper; the packaging from your last purchase probably gives you the exact dimensions of the paper rolls you typically buy, and most vendors of supplies for portable credit card reader units will subdivide their merchandise by unit and model to make finding the right paper easy for you.

I recommend: Business Supply offers a wide range of thermal paper rolls for use in portable credit card readers, while POS Supply Solutions offers the conventional range of paper rolls in addition to a line of environmentally friendly recycled papers for your credit card machines.

Re-ink your portable credit card scanner

Again, if your portable credit card processing machine has a printer component, you'll need to refill it with the right ink ribbons or cartridges. Most suppliers have their inventory conveniently subdivided by unit manufacturer and model to make locating the right parts easy.

I recommend: Shopping with large vendors, like POSPaper.com or 1st National Processing, that carry a wide selection of replacement ribbons and other parts and accessories, will make it easier to locate the right supplies for your portable credit card machines.

Keep your portable credit card processing equipment clean

While you may not need ink and ribbon for every portable credit card swiper--since not all of them include a printer component--you do need some sort of cleaning supplies to help swipe away the grime, oil and other contaminants that will accumulate with repeated use.

I recommend: Waffletechnology explains in detail why portable magnetic credit card readers and other types of card reading machines need to be cleaned, and how the right supplies can do the job. You can purchase card reader cleaning supplies, along with a wide range of accessories including decals and replacement parts, from USA Merchant Solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You never know when a delay or error in product shipping will mean you can't receive replacement supplies for your mobile credit card reader right away. Make sure to order well in advance--say, before you open your last two rolls of paper or your last ink ribbon--of running out of supplies. If you're preparing for a busy retail season you might also order even further in advance to avert potential disaster.

Numerous types of portable credit card readers, from portable proximity credit card readers to portable magnetic credit card readers, are available to help business owners make transactions more convenient for both themselves and their customers. In the current technological age, it is crucial, whatever the size or focus of your company, to be able to process credit cards. Otherwise, you may wind up losing business.

When choosing a portable credit card scanner:

1. Consider your situation—if you are self-employed or are in a mobile business that requires you to travel to other locations to make sales, a portable credit card machine allows your customers much more flexibility. Also, keep in mind that credit cards make it easier for people to make large, expensive purchases or to buy something on impulse.

2. Because there are many credit card portable readers available, you should carefully research which type of machine to purchase, and consider factors such as your type of business and your personal level of comfort with new technologies and equipment.

3. Think about what makes the most sense for you and your customer base—if you do business completely or almost completely online, consider skipping the machine altogether and installing software on your computer to do the job instead.

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Decide on the features that matter to you before buying any mobile credit card reader

There are many kinds of machines (digital, wireless, etc.), and there are equally as many websites where you can find information on the pros and cons of various machines, as well as their cost. Do you want a machine that's simple and easy to use, or are you willing to take some time to learn the latest applications? Do your research and make sure you are getting what matters most to you.

I recommend: Visiting a website such as ProposalPortal.com, MerchantWarehouse, or Bar Codes Inc., where you can find quotes on portable credit card machines from different vendors and compare them.

Search for reviews of the portable credit card reader you're considering purchasing

When you think you have decided on a portable credit card reader, see what others have to say about it. The product that is right for another business may not be right for yours. Hearing what consumers who have already used that product have to say about it can help inform your decision.

I recommend: Visiting websites that allow customers to rate or review products, as these are great places to search for a good machine and see what real people who have used portable credit card processors for their own businesses think of their choices.

Recognizing consumer concerns about identity theft and consider how your portable credit card readers may prevent this.

Once you've found a portable credit card swiper, find the right merchant to process transactions

You've bought the perfect machine, but now what? You still need to find the perfect middleman--a company to process all the transactions completed on your new portable credit card scanner.

I recommend: Finding a company that allows you to sign up for an account without paying large additional fees, and which will give you technical support and programming help when you need it.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider how easy various machines are to use, and how much time you're willing to invest in learning new equipment and software.
• •  Consider your business and the type of customer you are targeting before investing in a machine--will your customers be making large, expensive purchases? Will your portable credit card readers need to process large volumes of transactions quickly?

Portable credit card machines are a great option for businesses on the go. Whether you operate your business at traveling craft fair booths, or you need a portable credit card reader in your taxicab, learning which reader works for your specific needs is important. There are many types of portable credit card machines, including portable magnetic credit card readers, portable proximity credit card readers, portable credit card scanner types, portable credit card processors and portable digital credit card readers, all of which help both customers and business owners have convenient transactions.

Many customers prefer to pay with credit cards and debit cards, and businesses need the proper way to process those payments. Business owners need to become familiar with the many different types of credit card processors, readers and software to find the one that works best for the business. Use portable credit card reader education and training to help you:

1. Purchase the right portable magnetic credit card readers for your business.

2. Use software for your portable credit card machines.

3. Clean and maintain your portable credit card swiper.

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Find information to help you purchase the right portable credit card machines

Learning which portable magnetic credit card readers work best for your business takes a fair amount of education and training. There are thousands of options available, and each one has its own perks and pitfalls. Use online buyers' guides to help you sort through the different features that you may or may not need for your business.

I recommend: Find valuable buyers guides to provide educational information about credit card readers online at BuyerZone.com and Merchant Products.

Learn to use software that can turn your laptop into a portable credit card swiper

Add a portable magnetic stripe credit card reader to your laptop and, with the right software, you have a portable credit card processing center. Look to the software manufacturer for education and training so you optimize the use of the portable credit card machines' software.

I recommend: Use the ProPay tutorial to learn how this software can help turn your laptop into a portable credit card reader. Take advantage of the Paynet Systems 24-Hour Customer Service and Technical Support line, where you can find information about portable credit card reader software.

Follow directions to properly clean your mobile credit card reader

Even credit card readers in an office can get dirty, so portable proximity credit card readers in your business may require cleaning even more often. If your portable credit card reader needs cleaning and maintenance, doing so properly is key.

I recommend: Waffletechnology offers instructions to help you clean a portable credit card reader. The Credit Card Machine Operation & User Guides at The Merchant Equipment Store offers user guides that explain cleaning and maintenance procedures for a variety of portable credit card machines.

Portable credit card readers allow small merchants, home-based businesses and traveling salespeople to conduct safe and secure transactions in the blink of an eye. While in years past a portable credit card reader may have been nothing more than an imprinter, with the transaction actually being processed later, modern magnetic stripe readers allow near-instant processing and confirmation of transactions, helping to cut down on identity theft and refused charges. Use the following list of key terms to help educate yourself about portable credit card readers.

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Demagnetization

One of the most common reasons a credit card reader will fail to read a credit card is if the magnetic stripe or magstripe on the back of the credit card has become demagnetized. Because the magstripe is in fact a series of tiny magnets, it is vulnerable to the influence of other magnets and magnetic fields, including that from some cell phones and other electronic devices.

I recommend: WiseGEEK gives a detailed explanation of why demagnetization may cause your portable credit card reader to fail.

Magstripe reader

A credit card reader is in fact a magstripe reader. The only thing that keeps it from decoding information from other non-credit magnetized cards is the software or services provided.

I recommend: TechTarget gives the history of magstripe readers and explains how modern credit card readers work.

Tracks

A credit or debit card's mag stripe is encoded with data in three tracks. The data stored in the first two tracks is standardized, while the data in the third track is not.

I recommend: Tech-FAQ explains the layout and content of the tracks in a plastic card's mag stripe.

Bit density

Did you know that the magnetic stripe on your credit card is basically a tiny hard drive? The information stored on it is measured and organized just as on a hard drive, and the gauge for how much information can be stored in a credit card's magnetic stripe is called bit, information or areal density.

I recommend: StorageReview.com explains how information density on a hard drive or magnetic stripe track works.

Wireless

As the name suggests, wireless credit card processing technology allows your portable credit card reader to communicate with the processing company without having to plug into a phone line or cable connection.

I recommend: The Merchant Equipment Store offers a tutorial on wireless credit card processing, with information on both the positive and negative aspects of this relatively new service.

ESD

Electrostatic Discharge, or ESD, can cause errors or even failure in portable credit card readers. Frequent cleaning is one way of reducing this problem.

I recommend: SiliconFarEast gives a detailed explanation of how electrostatic discharge happens.