Otter POS: Accepting Payments

Overview

Otter POS: Payments Made Easy! From cash to credit cards, tipping, split or mixed payments - we've got you covered.

This article will guide you through the different types of payment methods and how to process payments for Otter POS orders. 

Payment Processing Screen

 

 

Payment Types

Click on each payment type below to learn more about how it works with Otter POS.

1. Cash and credit card


Cash and credit card payments are accepted through Otter POS using a card reader (for credit cards) and a cash drawer (for cash transactions).

For Cash Payments, make sure you have connected your cash drawer before attempting a cash transaction.

Otter POS customers can also set up cash discounts to reward eaters that paid by cash!

For Otter POS v2 users, you can enable cash tipping for add gratuity for cash payment orders. 
Cash Discount Percentage

For Credit Card Payments, make sure you connect your Stripe account and card reader first. The card reader gives customers the ability to tap, swipe, or scan their credit card as shown in the image.

Stripe must be added as a payout method in Otter Dashboard before the card reader is connected and credit card transactions can be processed.

 Card Reader for Credit Card Transactions
Manual Card Entry is a valuable feature that allows you to input a customer's credit card number manually through our POS system. This can be especially useful when taking payments over the phone or when the customer is not physically present to swipe or insert their card.
Manual Card Entry.png

2. Tipping

 

When using Otter POS v2, you have access to POS settings in the Otter Dashboard that will allow you to enable tipping before and after the payment has been processed for an order, cash tipping, and configure the terminal tip display.

If you're using the Otter POS v1 interface, tips still need to be entered before the payment is processed. Cash tipping, tips on receipts, and terminal tip display settings are not available on Otter POS v1.
Add a Tip.png

Tip before payment

Tip after payment.png

Tip after payment

3. Split payments

 

Step Process Image
1 If your restaurant offers split payments, you can do so by tapping [Split Check] once on the payment method screen. 8c7b7944-2d37-4e95-ae72-1df6d88519ee.png
2 Enter the specific payment amount or split evenly among multiple guests. b36d888e-72c9-43e6-a792-c9df86697e2f.png
3

Select [Done] to complete the payment flow.

You can still select the payment method after splitting the payment.

PLEASE NOTE: Cash discount only applies to the orders that paid fully by cash without split payment. If the customer chooses the split payment method, the cash discount will not apply to each payment even if the payment is by cash.

4. Mixed payments


If one customer wants to split payment across different payment methods, you can also use the split payment function to do so.

Step Process Image
1

Select the number of payment methods when prompted.

For example, for a customer to split payment via cash and card, you would select 2.

 b36d888e-72c9-43e6-a792-c9df86697e2f.png
2 Select [Done] and select the payment method accordingly before completing the checkout. 7b49c9c0-6eb1-4f52-9b21-00852a3a6b69.png

5. Other Payments (Manual Card Entry, Mark as Paid, and Void Check)

 

Other Payment Method | More Options.png
[Other] payment method options
Manual Card Entry is a valuable feature that allows you to input a customer's credit card number manually through our POS system. This can be especially useful when taking payments over the phone or when the customer is not physically present to swipe or insert their card.
Manual Card Entry.png
Mark as Paid will place the order, send it to the kitchen for preparation, and mark the payment as complete without ever taking a credit card or cash payment from the customer [prepaid].
Marked as paid.png
Void Check can be used to void (cancel) an order for one of the following reasons:
  • Created by mistake
  • Customer changed their mind
  • Testing or training
  • Out of stock
Void Check.png

 

 

Open Tabs and Pay Later

If a customer places an order over the phone or through the drive-thru, this feature will allow you to send the order to the kitchen and have the customer pay later once they are in front of the register. Learn more on how to complete an Open Tab/Pay Later order by clicking the section below!

How to: Complete a Pay Later Order in Otter POS

 

Step Process Image
1 From the home screen, navigate to the [Orders] app.
Select [Orders] App.png
2 Select the [+ New Order] button in the top right corner.
Click on [+ New Order].png
3 Select the [car icon] to assign the correct fulfillment mode to the order (Dine-in, Pickup, Drive Through, or Delivery).
Confirm the order fulfillment mode.png
4 Select the correct fulfillment mode, add the order details, and then click [Save].
If a fulfillment mode is not selected, the order will default to the fulfillment mode used on the last order.
Order Details for Fulfillment Modes.png
5 Add menu items to the order.
Add menu items to the order.png
6 Once all the items are listed on the order, select [Pay].
Select [Pay].png
7

To leave the order/tab open for the customer to pay later, select [Pay later].

The order will be sent to the kitchen so they can begin the cooking/preparing the order for the customer.
Select [Pay later].png
8 Once the customer is ready to pay, select the order from the order list view.
"Pay later" orders in the Order List view.png
9

The menu items listed on the order will now show the items sent to the kitchen for preparation.

Select [Pay] to move to the payments screen.
Complete the order payment.png
10 Select the customer's preferred payment method to complete the order.
Select a payment method to complete the order.png

 

 

Taking Payments on Otter POS

Once all items have been completely added to a check, it’s time to process payment. Otter POS accepts a variety of different payments depending on your POS configuration.

Cannot accept credit card payment if Stripe is not connected
If Stripe has not been added as a payout method in the Otter Dashboard, a credit card processor cannot be connected and payment cannot be processed at the point of sale. 
Learn more: Otter POS: Guide to Connecting Stripe

How to: Take Payments on Otter POS

 

Step Process Image
1 Select [Pay].
Select [Pay].png
2 Select a Payment Option:
  • Card - use when a customer is paying with a debit/credit card.
  • Cash - use when a cash drawer has been connected for cash transactions.
  • Pay Later - use to create an open check when an eater wants to pay later.
  • Other - use to manually enter credit card number, mark an order as paid, or void check.
  • Split Check - use to split a payment between more than one customer or split a customers payment across different payment methods.
Payment Processing Screen
Other Payment Method | More Options.png
Split Payment.png
3 Select Tip Amount:
  • Dual Screen - the customer-facing display will prompt the customer to enter a tip amount.
  • Single Screen - cashier enters a tip based on customer prompt.
Add a Tip.png
4 Accept Payment
  • Eater swipes a card, taps a card, or cash is tendered based on the prompts observed on screen.
Cash Amount Tendered.png
5 Print Receipt
  • Select whether or not to print a customer receipt.
Receipt Type | Print or No Receipt.png

 

 

Still need help? Reach out to our team:

Chat Icon in Otter Dashboard Live Chat   Text bubble Text/SMS Message
Chat with support by clicking the chat icon in the bottom right corner of the Otter Dashboard.  

+1 (888) 681-8837

Send us a text to the number above for assistance over text message.

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