I do know that Square and ShopKeep both support users in Canada. You’ll have to check on any other specific app you’re interested in. Any Canadian retailers have experiences to share? Tell us about the through the contact form.

Isolde, I never could make myself pay those huge costs for old traditional POS, but $49 per month is well worth it in my business.
You make a great point about the many cloud-based systems: they are easy to leave if you don’t like them. The big decision is getting off paper and getting real about your system.

Sharon, I don’t use QuickBooks, so I don’t know the answer. Definitely something you’d have to check at the ShopKeep website. You can also check other tablet POS sites, because I’m sure I’ve heard that some are QuickBooks compatible. If you look around, I’m sure you’ll find one that fits your business.
Update: ShopKeep is in fact able to integrate to QuickBooks.

Janet, thanks for sharing your experience with Clover. It’s exciting that there are so many POS systems now.

Hi Brie and Becky. I love all the info. I live in FL and have several retail stores. After having tried NCR I am now using Clover from Bank of America and absolutely love it. Every time I had an issue they would say it was the ipad and apple would say it was not. Apple did tell me that the ipad was not designed for commercial use to begin with.I have a local rep, Diana who is amazing and understands our needs and is always available. She helped us organize our inventory on a spreadsheet and once that was done she uploaded it to dashboard and there it was on the tablet! Complete with description, cost, price, sku, qty. I am with Becky if you can’t speak to someone that is not a good sign. Clover does have bar code scanner, pin pad for pin debit, scale and they have an app that integrates with the system to print barcodes. I just added the app that integrates with Quickbooks. They have and android based tablet and it is sold all together you get the tablet with integrated swiper, printer and cash drawer.

Thanks for sharing your story, Jerry. Sadly, many different merchant services and many equipment lease companies act just like you described: greedy, unfair, and uncaring. And just like you, I made a decision on my initial provider way too quickly. Now I know better, having learned the hard way. I’m still in dispute with the equipment leasing firm.

Enjoy and look forward to SBS. A note of warning to fellow small business owners, stay away from FirstData credit card processing like the plague. Unless you done business with them, you have no idea how many hidden fees they can stick you with. I went through my bank, who hooked me up with FirstData. I didn’t do my homework, nor did I say let me cipher over this for a day or 2. So, really no one to blame but me. As you advise, I bought their wireless terminal – which cost me $800.00. You can purchase the same terminal from another company, that I believe is a subsidiary, for $399.00. Used the terminal at one craft fair, received about a 15 page invoice with nickle and dime fees for a sack full of head scratching charges. Then they hit my bank account without any prior notification for over $1,000. Was not past due, no explanation other than your contract gives them that right. Paid a fee to cancel the contract and they continued to debit my account for a fee. Had to close my bank account to stop their intrusion.

Many thanks for you are doing to help and promote small businesses.

Jerry Snow – Pop’s Handcrafted Creations, Bella Vista, AR