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PDQ Machines – What are they?

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Quite simply put, a PDQ machine (also more commonly known as a card machine) allows businesses to take payments quickly and easily from its customers. In todays’ world more and more shoppers are carrying less cash and more plastic meaning that the demand for merchants to accept card payments is at an all-time high.

It was only a decade ago believe it or not that retail transactions with cards were seen as tedious, with signatures being required and the back & forth of receipt signing. Todays’ machines however can process payments in seconds and this is convenient for both shoppers and merchants alike.

Just what is a PDQ Machine though?

PDQ stands for ‘Process Data Quickly’ – it’s fundamentally just a machine that accepts our credit cards and bank cards – the chances are you’ve probably used one in the last week.

Most people in the modern world today won’t wait around for their transactions to complete and that’s why the demand and evolution of the PDQ machine was an absolutely pivotal one.

PDQ machines approve payments quickly and securely by reading the information relayed to it from a chip embedded in the card and importantly, can work both in person or indeed over the phone by disclosing your card information and manually inputting this into the machine.

Just how to does it work? 

PDQ machines can vary somewhat from device to device and some may have slightly different features, but the foundation of the machine works as follows:

1 – the chip and pin – customer enters their debit or credit card into the machine and inputs their pin

2 – An authorisation is requested – the machine triggers a request for payment approval from whoever the customers’ issuer is (I.E HSBC, Lloyds etc)

3 – Authorisation is granted or denied – Once the terminal gets the all clear the credit processor (someone like WorldPay for example) would then begin moving funds

4 – Fund are transferred – money received.

Here’s a visual of that process: 

How much do PDQ Machines cost?

The average PDQ machine price varies and is typically based on your monthly sales and individual requirements – but typically from £30 – £300.

However, as well as the initial cost for the PDQ machine itself, there are other ongoing costs that you can expect when taking payments – these include:

  • Till roll (for receipts)
  • Monthly fees (not all payment processors will do this)
  • Transaction fees

Entirely dependent on your cashflow and circumstances, some small businesses opt to rent / hire PDQ machines instead of just buying them outright. This could be a better option for you in the long term if you don’t want to part with lump sums at the beginning.

Rounding up 

Customers today thrive on convenience and the expectation for small businesses (and large businesses alike) to offer simple, swift payment solutions is extraordinarily high. Businesses need to go the extra mile to ensure that they keep customers happy and that the purchase experience is a positive one.

Not taking a variety of payment methods leaves you vulnerable to losing out on custom which is why a PDQ machine is becoming almost essential in all retail environments of today.

The idea of Bigtime Daily landed this engineer cum journalist from a multi-national company to the digital avenue. Matthew brought life to this idea and rendered all that was necessary to create an interactive and attractive platform for the readers. Apart from managing the platform, he also contributes his expertise in business niche.

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Business

How Buttonwood Property Management Navigates the Challenges of Property Management in a Thriving Market

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A thriving real estate market is full of new opportunities for investment, but it is also rife with significant challenges. One perfect example of this is Toronto’s real estate market, which is bursting with activity due to Toronto’s status as the fastest-growing city in all of North America. Part of Toronto’s fast growth can be attributed to its status as a highly transient city, as 50% of Toronto residents were not born there, but are more recent immigrants or transfers from other nearby cities. As a result, there is a pressing need for more and more residential properties, as well as commercial properties, for companies seeking to take advantage of increased foot traffic. 

The challenges of investing in real estate in an urban hub such as Toronto include managing a supply of properties that may not be able to keep up with the demand, as well as keeping property values high in an ever-competitive market. Also, real estate investors struggling to keep up with a highly-demanding market may also experience difficulties with the day-to-day operations of physically maintaining a residential or commercial property.

For these reasons, property management companies have sprung up to address the needs of real estate investors who want to save themselves the time, effort, and stress of tending to all of their properties’ needs. A good property management company should also be capable of paying attention to details and addressing the specifics of relevant regulatory requirements and providing clear communication and dialogue with tenants. 

While all of these traits are necessary for property management in Toronto, Buttonwood Property Management has gone above and beyond the call of duty by adding another element to its core ethos. In addition to careful consideration of clients’ needs, Buttonwood Property Management puts people at the heart of everything they do. 

“Clients trust us with their most valuable assets because we never compromise on our ethical standards,” Buttonwood Property Management’s [insert name and role of representative here] says. “We specialize in helping owners enjoy peace of mind while ensuring tenants feel right at home.”

In its 14 years of existence, Buttonwood Property Management has built its reputation on long-term relationships with clients and tenants. By thoroughly screening potential tenants, the company has cultivated a spotless reputation, ensuring that rent is always paid to clients on time. Buttonwood Property Management has also provided residential and commercial property management and rental services in the Greater Toronto Area, such as bookkeeping, paying bills, rent collection, initial property inspections, and major renovations.

To date, Buttonwood Property Management has spread its ethos to neighborhoods in Toronto and other nearby areas such as North York, East York, Scarborough, and Mississauga. Through its continuous service, the company has demonstrated that any organization can navigate the challenges of Toronto residential property management by prioritizing quality over quantity and combining expertise with integrity. This has resulted in the company receiving industry awards from organizations such as Kingsway Real Estate Brokerage and iPro Realty Ltd., including the organization’s Platinum Award in 2020.

In the case of property owners, Buttonwood Property Management provides customized solutions to maximize returns while minimizing stress. The company’s experts and specialists take care of everything from tenant screening to maintenance coordination. In the case of tenants, the company seeks to make them feel at home by maintaining properties to the best standards and addressing their concerns promptly. This dual focus has not only strengthened the company’s reputation but also helped create thriving, harmonious communities. Combining professionalism with that personal touch has made Buttonwood Property Management stand out in the very competitive real estate market in Toronto, proving that it is through trust and relationships that sustainable success is realized.

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