Feature Request: Test Transactions (Training Mode)

[Michael_L]

I've run into some very odd issues with my Square transactions and now, despite processing refunds I still have a mathematical error in my accounting and it cannot be reconciled.  (Help call confirmed this on Jan 7, 2019.)

REQUEST: Could you please implement a 'Testing' mode where people can just turn off the data and see how things work?  

In another thread, you suggested a workaround of just processing transactions and then refunding them.  This doesn't work well for a few really valid reasons:

• Square still records the transaction as a sale; a refund will adjust the final 'net' dollar amounts but it doesn't clear out the sales counts such as item and category sales (throwing off the actual sales numbers).  The dollar amounts also remain in the 'gross sales' totals and activity reports.

• Due to inexplicable mathematical errors in your software, tips are not removed from sales totals even if the full transaction is refunded.  Hopefully this will be fixed; but now all my 'test' tips are still showing as income and my tax report shows that I owe tax on the tips even though I didn't actually take any in.

ALTERNATE REQUEST: a way to delete 100% of all sales data from an account.  This would allow a new user to do testing on the way their products show up in various sales reports, play with the system, and then start fresh when they go 'live' with real clients.

I spent a fair bit of time setting up the products and all the account settings and the idea of just starting a new account 'because it is free' seems pretty daunting time-wise.  My first week or so will be a total mess and I will have to find a way to reassure my accountant that most if it should be ignored.

[#2]

I've run into some very odd issues with my Square transactions and now, despite processing refunds I still have a mathematical error in my accounting and it cannot be reconciled.  (Help call confirmed this on Jan 7, 2019.)

REQUEST: Could you please implement a 'Testing' mode where people can just turn off the data and see how things work?  

In another thread, you suggested a workaround of just processing transactions and then refunding them.  This doesn't work well for a few really valid reasons:

• Square still records the transaction as a sale; a refund will adjust the final 'net' dollar amounts but it doesn't clear out the sales counts such as item and category sales (throwing off the actual sales numbers).  The dollar amounts also remain in the 'gross sales' totals and activity reports.

• Due to inexplicable mathematical errors in your software, tips are not removed from sales totals even if the full transaction is refunded.  Hopefully this will be fixed; but now all my 'test' tips are still showing as income and my tax report shows that I owe tax on the tips even though I didn't actually take any in.

ALTERNATE REQUEST: a way to delete 100% of all sales data from an account.  This would allow a new user to do testing on the way their products show up in various sales reports, play with the system, and then start fresh when they go 'live' with real clients.

I spent a fair bit of time setting up the products and all the account settings and the idea of just starting a new account 'because it is free' seems pretty daunting time-wise.  My first week or so will be a total mess and I will have to find a way to reassure my accountant that most if it should be ignored.

[BAPS]

I'm new with Square, and want to put the app in test mode so I can play with it and view how the reporting works.  Outside of creating a fake account however, I don't see an option to do so.

im trying to figure out for example, if I want to make 2 different menu items for one of my food menu items (Italian Rice Balls, 5 for $7 vs buy a dish and get 3 Italian Rice Balls for $3), or if I want to make it a sub option under a category called rice balls.  Seeing how the reporting and inventory is managed would make a big difference In that decision.

Also, when it comes to your inventory control stuff, if I have food waste, like a plate gets dropped, is there a way to mark it as loss, rather than having to create a transaction for it and then discount the transaction 100%, so that inventory tracks properly?

[VanKalkerFarms]

 Unfortunately there is no testimode. That is something I have asked about for a couple years also. Or the ability to delete transactions either done in error or In training mode. 

 You are correct and the best way to do it would be to create another account and do all your practicing in there so that it doesn't affect the real square account 

[Kelly]

Great question @BAPS. @VanKalkerFarms is correct, we don't currently have a test mode. 

As for a "loss" attribute for items, that is not something that we currently have but you are able to manually adjust your inventory to help track these types of inventory loss. I absolutely agree that this would be a very useful tool and I'll pass this request along to our Product team. 

Thanks for taking the time to post! 😊

[grechnitz]

How are people removing transactions that new employees enter during training?  With a large menu or inventory we can have scores of trial entries for each new trainee.

Are businesses just creating dummy accounts for practice that they then abandon?

Thanks for any new ideas beside the old "just issue refunds" against those entries.

[Sean]

Hi @grechnitz. I've definitely heard this request before, but I don't have an update to offer right now on it's availability. As for a workaround, I've definitely seen sellers create a separate Square account for testing and training, especially since accounts are free to set up. Thanks for taking the time to post! I'll pass along the feedback. 

[grechnitz]

Thanks for the update, Sean.  Good to know even if it's unfortunate.

[RPSpizza]

Has a test mode been implemented yet?

[perkits]

sorry, still no test mode. Seems silly to open a dumby account for training but that may be your only option. 

[Potatoes]

New equipment as well as new users should be able to test both sale and refunds without incurring a charge for the transactions from Square. 

We invest a lot of time and expense into new equipment as well as the new readers. We need to be able to train our users with hands on training and not lectures that will be forgotten 

[VanKalkerFarms]

I agree that having the ability to practice would be helpful, but you will receive a refund for fees paid if you refund a sale. Running a test credit card transaction then doesn't actually cost you anything in the end.