How do I charge custom amount on Square?

Beyond the Buttons: Mastering Custom Amounts with Square

Square is a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes, offering a streamlined way to accept payments. While its pre-programmed item lists and button-based pricing are convenient for many transactions, sometimes you need the flexibility to charge a specific, customized amount. Thankfully, Square makes it incredibly easy to bypass those pre-sets and directly input the exact figure you need.

Whether you’re calculating a bespoke service fee, offering a unique discount, or ringing up a one-off item with a fluctuating price, knowing how to manually input a custom amount is essential for maximizing Square’s potential.

Here’s how to take control of your transactions:

Instead of navigating through your item library or relying on pre-defined pricing, simply focus on the sales field. This is where you’ll directly enter the total charge.

1. Open the Square app (or log in to your Square dashboard on a computer).
2. Navigate to the “Charge” or “Checkout” screen. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your Square device or app version.
3. Focus on the number pad or the total field. Instead of selecting an item, ignore the pre-set buttons.
4. Enter the exact amount you wish to charge. Use the number pad to carefully input the value, including any necessary decimal points. Double-check the figure for accuracy before proceeding.
5. Once you’re certain the amount is correct, initiate the payment. Tap the “Charge” button or select the desired payment method (card, cash, etc.).
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the transaction. This might involve swiping or inserting a card, tapping for contactless payment, or entering the cash amount received.

Why is this functionality so valuable?

The ability to charge custom amounts unlocks a whole new level of flexibility for your business:

• Handling complex calculations: Perfect for situations where the price depends on factors like time spent, materials used, or customized specifications.
• Applying discounts and promotions on the fly: Easily deduct a specific dollar amount or percentage discount without having to create a new item in your inventory.
• Selling unique or one-off items: For items that aren’t frequently sold or whose prices fluctuate, manually entering the amount is the quickest and most efficient solution.
• Adjusting for tips or service charges: Seamlessly add a pre-calculated tip or service charge to the total bill.
• Streamlining transactions in fast-paced environments: Bypass menu navigation and quickly enter the total amount for rapid checkout.

In conclusion, don’t limit yourself to Square’s pre-set pricing. Mastering the art of manually entering custom amounts empowers you to handle a wider range of transactions with greater accuracy and flexibility. By taking advantage of this simple yet powerful feature, you can truly customize your sales process to fit the unique needs of your business. This ensures smoother transactions and a more positive customer experience. So, go ahead, bypass those buttons and take control of your pricing with Square!