Pogo

Author: Jenna Vasquez

• Launch the Pogo app
• Plug in your free card reader
• Swipe a card, enter the amount and have your customer sign for it on your phone
• You can then send an electronic receipt to your customer by text or email

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The Good

• Customization
• Security
• Alerts

Pogo offers debit and credit card processing, barcode scanning, digital receipts, email and other alerts that can be customized, an online merchant portal and an address verification service for the retail and mobile industries.  These are all very convenient, easy to use services that you can take with you wherever you go, which is important and will help you grow your business.

Customization

Pogo has a custom register control option that allows you to customize the checkout experience by uploading pictures, adding descriptions of the things you sell and as mentioned above you can even scan barcodes from your mobile device.

Security

Pogo helps keep your customers data safe with advanced security features, such as a password-protected mobile app, an encrypted card reader that encrypts the customer's card data upon swiping; therefore, it's never stored on your phone or tablet.  They also offer security code support, an address verification service and SSL encryption.  Your most important responsibility is keeping your customers personal data safe; therefore, these advanced security features are virtually priceless!

Alerts And Other Online Account Management Tools

Pogo will send you convenient emails that summarize your daily transactions and provide you with details about account funding so you will know at all times what is going on with your account. Once your Pogo application has been approved, you will automatically be enrolled in the Business Track website.  This is your online account management tool that will allow you to access your statements and your processing agreement.  You will also be able to manage your alerts, refer to any support materials you might need and much more. The Pogo portal gives you the ability to view your reports, manage inventory and track performance all in real-time.  Additionally, you can add, delete or update and then sync between cloud and mobile devices.  And that's not all as you can also enable your sales  force to accept payments on your behalf and other convenience features that will make managing and growing your business a simple pleasure.

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The Bad

• Resellers
• Lack of information

Unfortunately, First Data offers Pogo through their websites and is just one of many other services they offer.  The problem being First Data currently uses resellers, which are independent sales agents who market these services as their own.  More often than not, when a company of this size uses independent resellers, the complaints they receive are regarding the actions of the resellers and not the company itself, which could be the case here. Pogo's website is lacking in important information.  It does state, however, that there is no monthly minimum fee and that the service can be canceled at any time without an early termination fee.  We were not able to find out whether or not they charge PCI compliance fees, though.

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The Bottom Line

Pogo's rates seem to be in line with the industry standards; however, they are part of First Data who has been known to be very expensive at times.  So you have to shop around and know exactly what the current industry offerings are so you can effectively negotiate better terms if need be.  Just remember that this assumption is based on the performance of First Data and that we were not able to find anything negative regarding Pogo; therefore, this might be a moot point. For a business on the go, Pogo, for all intents and purposes, appears to be consistent with their service and has plenty of good things to offer, such as the free card reader and their detailed account management tools.  That coupled with the fact that they don't have an early termination fee or any monthly minimum fees make them a good choice if you thoroughly read the contract before you sign it to make sure nothing slips past you that wasn't mentioned in the sales presentation.  Especially if you are receiving your services from one of their independent resellers.