Questions for Square Kiosks users

[kmmba]

I signed up for a Kiosk demo/phone with a Square rep but they never showed up. Then I tried reaching out to Square but the rep knew less than I did about their Kiosk. I watched the Kiosk webinar/demo from October 2024 on YouTube, and was hoping to make some headway here re answers to additional questions and updates they may or may not have made since last year.

I currently use another Kiosk solution for my food truck kiosk but would like to consider other options.

Does Square Kiosk have:

1) option to skip the payment process so we have the versatility to use the kiosk at pre-paid events- where guests order at the kiosk but do not pay
2) option to pause order taking with a customizable message e.g. "we're catching up and will be right back with you!" (I realize this is a good problem to have, and currently have to switch off our printer to prompt an error screen- which is not ideal)
3) automatic switching to offline mode if internet becomes unavailable during service (this is the main reason I'm considering Square kiosk and a make or break; hoping they've added this ability in the months since the October 2024 webinar)
4) dependable hardware; I'm constantly tossing my pricey square readers in the garbage and reordering. This Square Kiosk is a bigger cash outlay and I need convincing that the card reading hardware is more dependable than what Square's produced in the past.
5) ability to pay with cash; and if so, a customizable checkout flow/message (e.g. if cash is selected a customizable message pops up e.g. "please pay at the window")
6) ability to test the software flow and customizability without an upfront purchase commitment of the $149 Square kiosk hardware (I have the iPad already)
7) ability to print to a tablet-compatible wireless printer (currently use a Star Micronics over Bluetooth w/iPad)
Eight) configurable printed ticket options (toggle on/off price, print size, etc.)
9) easy/free/unlimited transfer of kiosk subscription to other iPads as needed (e.g. if one iPad is malfunctioning) without paying the unlimited device premium

[Donnie-M · Accepted solution]

1. No, not an option with square kiosk.  No pay no go.

2.  Don't think you can have the customized message, but if you put a smart plug on the cord, if you turn off the power the kiosk won't work, so you could do it from an app (This is known as a Donnie Workaround).

3.  TBD, I will have to check into this.

4.  I have had no problem, but I will say this.  If the reader goes out, it would need replaced.  The kiosk is a version of the new square stand with different mounting options.

5.  No cash, See number 1. The kiosk is made for credit only.  Personally, I would like the option to place an order and pay at the counter.  But I also, don't mind keeping an order person there for that.  In reality, cash is only about 15%-20% of what I do now.  So you won't miss much.

6.  I don't know if they have a sandbox version, but the flow is Your logo--->Tap---> enter phone #---->place order (looks like a website with a cart) ---> Go to checkout.  The checkout screen is just like if you spin the stand around for the customer to finish on the 2nd gen stand.

7.  It is a sales channel, so when an order is placed you can have it printed via order manager or the kds.

8 or is it 9.  You can move it around quick.  It is just a device code, so you can generate a new one and disable one in just a few clicks.

[kmmba]

Thank you so much taking the time to share your Square Kiosk expertise with me. Very helpful!

[frances_a]

Hello @kmmba 👋

You got great insight here. We appreciate it, @Donnie-M !

I went ahead and asked our team about these features and got some answers. 

For questions 1, 2, 3, 5, 8: This is not currently a feature we offer with Square Kiosk. 

Now for some of the features we have available or can find workarounds for:

4: Yes, Kiosk is pretty dependable since it's not wireless. However, as mentioned above in this Thread, if you add a Reader so your customers can swipe cards and the Reader stops working, you will need to replace that Reader. Keep in mind we offer limited warranties for all of our devices. 
6. No, but if you have an AM, we can coordinate a demo through them. 
7. Tickets can print to wireless printers, but not directly from Kiosk. They must be printed from a Square POS app that takes Kiosk orders at the same location.
9. Yes

Hope this helps! 

Thank you ✨

[kmmba]

Thank you!