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Choosing the right consignment software will make your life easier. But how do you know which one is right for you? Can you use the same retail software your boutique-owner friend recommended? While one size may fit most, the right software varies for consignment, resale, buy-outright, stores, and vendor malls. Retail software may work for the basics, but when it comes to behind-the-scenes, such as consignment splits, you will find yourself doing a lot of manual work.
Save time researching with these ten questions to ask before buying your resale store software.
1. Do you get unlimited support?
Within this question, there are many questions. When it comes to support, there are several factors to consider.
- Do they provide support during night and weekend hours?
- What is their average response time?
- Do they have email and phone support available?
It's also important to know the quality of their service team, which may require reading reviews. Support is crucial as any issues with the software during business hours could result in lost sales and a negative customer experience.
2. What kind of training is available?
Mastering new software can be challenging, especially if you need proper training. This challenge can be compounded when you're running a store and need to train multiple team members on the system.
- Is live training with a representative available?
- Can I access training videos afterward?
- Is there a time limit on training?
- Will they train my entire team?
- How do they handle onboarding new hires?
- What about training for new features?
3. What are the terms of your contract?
Many software companies offer better rates for extended contract periods. What happens if you decide the software isn't right for you? What if an emergency happens, and you ultimately have to close? Weigh the pros and cons of long-term commitments and what obligation you may have should you need to cancel.
4. What are the initial costs?
Owning a business is expensive at any point but especially starting. Startup cost is one of the most significant barriers to entry for entrepreneurship. You need to know if your potential software comes with a considerable upfront expense or if you will pay monthly.
5. How much is the hardware?
Your software will likely require computers, barcode scanners, label printers, and more. These costs can quickly add up and must be considered.
6. Do you pay per location or terminal?
Having multiple terminals is not only smart, but it’s more efficient. Best practices is to run multiple point-of-sale terminals for efficiency. However, some software companies charge an additional fee for each additional terminal. Perhaps you intend to start with just one, but what if you grow later? How will that cost add up? Understanding your larger financial picture is imperative for success.
7. Is your data being backed up?
When the inevitable happens, such as a natural disaster, a computer virus, or any technical difficulty, you’ll want that data to be backed up. Be sure to ask how your data is stored.
8. Do they have all the features you need?
Create a checklist of the essential features you require for your business, such as an online store, a communication gateway with vendors or consignors, and dealer remote item entry. Consider which features are necessary and which you may want to have. This list will identify which POS providers are a good fit for you and which are not.
9. Is your POS software installed or cloud-based?
It may seem confusing, but the main distinction between installed and cloud-based software is the location where your data is stored. Installed software is saved on your company's computers and servers, so you can only access your information if you are on-site. In contrast, cloud software is hosted on the vendor's server and accessed via a web browser. Therefore, it's accessible anywhere.
This is a significant factor to consider as it will impact your business's operations. Opting for cloud software offers various advantages as your business expands, such as accessing your store from any computer and location and quickly incorporating additional terminals. Once considered a premium feature, cloud access is now standard in the industry.
10. Why have people stopped using their software?
Our top advice would be always to read reviews. You have to do your own research! Of course, no place is going to have perfect reviews. I’m sure if you look up your favorite restaurant, there will be some bad reviews. So, take each review with a grain of salt, but notice some of the red flags. These reviews may even help you come up with more questions for your potential software company. You can also join Facebook groups and hear directly from people in the same situation.
Top Consignment Software Solution
SimpleConsign is a resale-specific point-of-sale solution designed for you.
The fact of the matter is that you need a POS system that is tailored to your business's specific needs. That's where SimpleConsign comes in. Our cloud-based system offers unlimited POS terminals, so you can easily manage multiple locations or staff members. You'll have real-time access to your sales data, inventory levels, and the training you need to onboard your staff. With SimpleConsign's premier POS system, you can streamline your business operations, save time, and increase profits.
