WisePOS E card readers
Before you start
This article is for the WisePOS E card reader. If you’re part of the M2 reader beta program or want to learn more about the program, visit our article on the Live Events Mobile App + M2 Card Readers.
To use a WisePOS E card reader, you must:
- Be a GoFundMe Pro Pay customer
- Have a reliable and private Wi-Fi network with password protection at the event location Learn more about the network requirements.
Card readers let admins quickly add a payment method on file for your event’s attendees. This can greatly help speed up the check-in process for your next auction event.
Stripe’s BBPOS WisePOS E device ordered through Live Events is the only compatible card reader for Live Events. We plan to expand our offering to include more cost-effective devices in the coming months.
Note: Card readers can only be used to add payment methods and will not charge cards.
Ordering card readers
To order card readers:
- Go to your Live Events organization dashboard and select Billing
- Under Card Reader Orders, select Place Order
- Add the BBPOS WisePOS E to your cart
Note: The dock is an optional accessory if you plan to connect the device via ethernet. You can learn more about the dock by visiting Stripe’s documentation.
- Enter your shipping information and choose a shipping method
- Enter your card information
- Select Process Order
That’s it! Your shipping point of contact will receive updates from Stripe about your order.
How long until I receive my card reader(s)?
When choosing a shipping method, you’ll have three options:
- Standard (about six business days)
- Express (about four business days)
- Priority (about two business days)
Orders placed after 1 PM Pacific Time will ship the following business day. If there is a problem with your order, please reach out to our Care team.
Setting up card readers
When using the card reader for the first time:
- Unbox the card reader
- Insert the rechargeable battery and turn on
- Connect the device to your WiFi network
- Run any updates offered
This could take 5-10 minutes to complete.
Generate a pairing code
If this is the first time you’re using the card reader, you’ll be offered a code to use for registration. Save this for now because you'll need it to register your device with your event.
If you need a new pairing code:
- On the device, swipe right to pull out the settings sidebar
- Tap Settings
- Enter the admin pin
07139 - Tap Generate a pairing code
You’ll use this code to register your device with your Live Event.
Add device location
We recommend entering the physical address of your event. This ensures you download the proper regional settings. However, if you are not at your event’s location and want to test the device, you do not need to adjust the location settings.
- Go to your Live Event
- In the top navigation, select Onsite Tools
- Select Devices
- Select + Add Location
- Complete the form that appears
You’ll select this location’s Display Name when you register the device on Live Events.
Register the card reader
Once you have a pairing code and add the event’s location, you can register the card reader with your Live Event.
- In Live Events, select Onsite Tools and Devices
- Under Card Reader Devices, select + Register Device
- Name the device, enter the pairing code, and choose the location
Now your device is ready to use during check-in or anytime during your event to add payment methods on file.
If you have multiple devices, they can share the same location, but they’ll need separate pairing codes to use when you register each.
Tip: If you plan to have multiple card readers at your event, label them to make it easier to select the correct reader when you need to use them.
Using the card reader
Once the card reader is registered with your event, you can add a payment method on file at check-in or anytime during your event. Just ensure the card reader and your laptop, tablet, or phone use the same WiFi network.
Check-in
A pop-up modal will appear when you check in attendees via the QR code or Attendees menu. To add a payment method with the card reader:
- In the pop-up, select Add a Payment Method
- Select the Device tab
- Under Select a Device, select your card reader from the dropdown
- Select Prompt attendee to tap, swipe, or insert card
- Tap, swipe, or insert the attendee's credit card to the card reader
Once the card reader captures the credit card information, you’ll receive a notification that the card has been successfully added!
Note: If you can’t capture the card’s information via tap, try to insert or swipe the credit card. If all three fail to capture the card’s information, you may need to enter it manually.
Attendees menu
If you are not using check-in and want to add a payment method with the card reader, you can also go to the Attendees menu and select the Yes/No value under the Card on File column next to the attendee’s name.
Troubleshooting card readers
If you run into any issues with the card reader, check out our troubleshooting article.
Frequently asked questions
What are the WiFi network requirements for card readers?
Card readers require a reliable, private Wi-Fi network with password protection. These are networks that use WPA or WPA2-Personal encryption. The card reader does not support public networks without password protection, enterprise networks, and IPV6 networks.
Note: If you won’t have a reliable Wi-Fi connection at your event, you can purchase a docking station for the card reader that will let you connect via ethernet.
Can I use this card reader on my GoFundMe Pro campaign?
No, the card reader is only available for use in Live Events.
Can I use the card reader to charge attendee’s cards?
Not at this time. Right now, the card swiper can be used to add a payment method. However, you can charge the card on file in Live Events once added. Learn how to charge a card on file.
I already have a card reader. Can I use it with Live Events?
Only card readers purchased through Live Events are available to connect to events. Card readers purchased separately are not able to add payment methods on Live Events.
The card reader won't read one of my attendees' credit cards, any troubleshooting tips?
If the card reader won't read a card or is stuck on "Waiting for input", we recommend you try to insert or swipe the card. If all else fails, you may need to enter the card information manually.
Does the card reader accept American Express cards?
Yes, however, you may need to insert the card rather than tap or swipe.
Do card readers capture attendees' billing addresses?
They do not. If you want to collect all attendees' address information, we recommend you turn on the address fields in the connected campaigns attendee questions. Learn how to add and edit custom questions.
What is the return policy for card readers?
You can return the readers within 30 days of ordering, and all readers have a 1-year defect warranty. If your order status is still pending or you have a problem with your card reader, please contact our Care team.
Can multiple admins use the same card reader?
Yes, once the device is registered to your Live Event, any admin can use it to add payment methods on file.
How many card readers should I have for my event?
For check-in, we recommend one staff member for every 50-75 expected attendees. We recommend one card reader for each check-in staff member, or you can have two staff members share one card reader for a more cost-effective option.
How often should I charge the device's battery?
We recommend charging the battery and turning off the card reader whenever it is not in use. The battery can last up to several hours but may lose charge quickly when in constant use.