Hardware for Consignment Software

Consignment Software and Cash Drawers

A cash drawer (or 'till') is part of a cash register. It's the 'drawer' that pops open when a sale is rung up and it's the place where currency, checks, papers and valuables can be stored.

A cash register is a cash drawer plus a receipt printer plus sales processing and end-of-day reconciliation of sales with the total of money collected in the drawer.

A register typically prints a receipt on 3-inch-wide receipt paper. The receipt includes the date, name of store (and address), invoice or transaction number, items purchased and quantity of each, sales tax, discounts, notes about the purchase and slogans like "Thank you for shopping with us".

Registers can be connected to barcode scanners, scales, check stands and credit-card/debit-card terminals. They can calculate sales tax and discounts, record details of transactions and record payment methods.

Registers can be used in conjunction with BCSS but that does require some additional double entry (unless the register is only being used as a cash drawer).

Best Consignment Software combined with a receipt printer and cash drawer supplant a cash register and perform the same functions including printing sales receipts.

The Cash-Drawer-Balance feature in Diamond or Virtual tracks each salesperson's balance in real time and determines how much cash should be in the till at any time. Multiple employees can transact from the same POS station or on the same network by logging in and out and maintaining separate drawers.

The Apex Pro Cash Drawer ($133 or $183) attaches to the receipt printer and opens when a sales receipt is printed. (There's an option to only open the drawer for cash and check transactions.) The drawer can connect directly to the PC if a receipt printer is not used ($183). The drawer includes a key for locking it.

Cash Drawer

A cash drawer is a secure compartment used to store cash, coins, and other financial documents. It is typically used in retail environments and is part of the larger POS system.

Functionality: It simply holds money and does not perform any additional functions like calculations or record-keeping.

Activation: Often connected to and triggered by a cash register or POS system to open automatically when a transaction is completed.

Components: Includes compartments for bills, coins, checks, and sometimes receipts or other documents.

Cash Register

Definition: A cash register is a mechanical or electronic device used for calculating and recording sales transactions. It includes a keypad or touchscreen for input, a display for the cashier and customer, a printer for receipts, and often a built-in cash drawer.

Functionality: Performs various functions including calculating total sales, applying taxes, providing change, printing receipts, and maintaining a record of transactions.

Integration: Serves as the central component of the POS system, often connected to peripherals like barcode scanners, card readers, and cash drawers.

Components: Includes a user interface (keypad or touchscreen), display screens, a receipt printer, and a cash drawer, among other features.

Consignment Software and Thermal Receipt Printers

A receipt printer prints sales receipts, not price labels and tags.

A receipt printer prints on 3-inch-wide roll paper with the details of the sale: date, items, quantity, price, subtotal, tax, total amount.

The ION Thermal 2 Receipt Printer (5 x 6 x 6, $284) is a 'silent' jam-free thermal printer which prints 1 or more copies of 1-ply RECEIPTS (not price labels). Font size and density can be changed. Messages and logos can be printed.

The TSC Label Printer can be substituted for the Receipt Printer for $100 more.

The following receipt printers work with BCSS to varying degrees. They are not supported (for free) or recommended: EASYSET A9 MiniPrinter (some odd characters possible), Epson M-188A, TM6000II, TM-T88, TM-T88IV and TM-U220, Samsung SRP350, SNBC BTP-2002NP, Star SP212, TSP600/700, TSP 613 and DP8340, and all refurbished printers.

Is a Receipt Printer Necessary?

Consignment store customers understand that items are used and mostly sold 'as is'. They typically accept (if not expect) a 'no-return policy' so in many cases, it is not necessary to print a receipt (for return purposes). Moreover, many customers are satisfied with the credit-card transaction receipt. Of course hand-written receipts would also be acceptable for purchases with few items.

Every edition of BCSS has a built-in receipt that can be printed in the Excel Invoice format with any laser-style printer on a full sheet of paper, which may be sufficient for an occasional receipt.

For these reasons a thermal receipt printer ($284) and rolls of receipt paper ($$) may be unnecessary.

What Is a Receipt Printer?

A receipt printer is a device used in retail and hospitality environments to print customer receipts. It is an essential component of the point-of-sale (POS) system and can also print other types of documents, such as order tickets in restaurants or end-of-day reports for businesses. Here are some key details about receipt printers:

Types of Receipt Printers

Thermal Printers

Function: Use heat to print on specially coated thermal paper.

Advantages: Fast, quiet, and do not require ink or toner.

Usage: Commonly used in most modern POS systems.

Impact (Dot Matrix) Printers

Function: Use a print head that strikes an ink ribbon to produce text and images on paper.

Advantages: Can print on multi-part forms (e.g., carbon copies).

Usage: Often used in environments where receipts need to be more durable, such as in kitchens for order tickets.

Inkjet Printers

Function: Use ink cartridges to spray ink onto the paper.

Advantages: Can print high-quality graphics and text.

Usage: Less common in POS environments but used where color printing is needed.

Key Features

Connectivity: Can be connected to the POS system via USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, or wireless connections.

Paper Size: Commonly uses rolls of paper, typically 80mm wide for most retail applications.

Speed: The printing speed is important for efficiency, especially in high-volume environments.

Durability: Designed to withstand frequent use and often feature robust construction for reliability.

Functions of a Receipt Printer

Printing Receipts: Provides customers with a record of their purchase, including details like items bought, prices, taxes, and total amount.

Order Tickets: In restaurants, prints orders for the kitchen or bar staff.

Reports: Prints daily reports, sales summaries, or other business documents.

Advantages

Customer Service: Enhances the customer experience by providing a clear and professional receipt.

Record Keeping: Helps businesses keep accurate records of transactions.

Efficiency: Speeds up the checkout process and reduces errors.

Thermal Label Printers

Direct thermal printers use a thermal printhead that applies heat to chemically-treated paper, creating the print on labels. A black line (adhesive) or gap (non-adhesive) across the back forces the printer to print before moving forward, so there is less waste.

BCSS prints 2" to 4"-wide horizontal thermal labels (adhesive labels and non-adhesive hang tags) - from 1" to 4" high using the TSC TDP-244/246/247/DA210 or 2" horizontal labels with the TSC TDP-225. Bar codes may be printed on labels (or not).

There are 3 options with sheet labels: Adhesive 2 5/8 x 1 (with bar code) and 1 3/4 x 1/2 (too small for bar codes); Non-adhesive 4 x 1 'hang tag' (with bar codes).

There are 16 varieties and sizes of thermal labels, all with optional bar codes, ranging from a 2.25 x .5 jewelry label to a 2-part tear-off hang tag to 4 x 4 adhesive label.

The TSC DA210 printer (9 x 6 x 11) is $349, and 2550 2" x 1" labels are $8.60 (as of 5/11/2024). Printing cost is less than printing sheet labels because labels are cheaper, there's no ink or ribbon and fewer labels are wasted (from paper jams, out-of-ink runs, smeared labels, etc). It is also considerably easier to print one or several labels.

Used/refurbished printers and Zebra printers are compatible but they are neither recommended or supported, however, (paid) support for any hardware is available: 888-427-5779 or email.

BCSS System Requirements

Best Consignment Shop Software is a Windows program. Apple says Windows programs can run on a MAC with Windows and their Basecamp software installed.

Windows

The following are the MINIMUM requirements for Windows alone:

• Processor = 2 GHz or faster
• RAM = 4 GB
• Disc Space = 16 GB 32 bit; 20 GB 64 bit
• Video = DirectX 9 capable device with WDDM 1.0 or higher
• Clean installation suggested with no bloatware.

For BCSS purposes, RAM should be at least 4GB (8-16GB for larger stores) and the computer processor should have a clock speed of 3.0 GHz or more.

Touchscreen Monitors

BCSS supports touchscreen technology. In the program go to File > Program Setup > Sales and check 'Use Touchscreen for Sales'.