Choosing the right POS (Point of Sale) system may seem simple, but many business owners make mistakes that cost money and nerves. In this article, we’ll review the 5 most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Looking only at the initial price
Problem
Many business owners choose the cheapest cash register without evaluating all long-term costs.
Example:
“I bought a cash register for 300 EUR, and a year later found out it’s not compatible with i.EKA. Had to buy a new one for 800 EUR.”
Real costs
Calculate all costs over 3 years:
| Costs | Cheap cash register | Quality solution |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | 300 EUR | 0 EUR (virtual POS) |
| Monthly fee | 0 EUR | 1,260 EUR (35x36 months) |
| Technical maintenance | 300 EUR | 0 EUR |
| Updates | 200 EUR | 0 EUR (automatic) |
| TOTAL | 800 EUR | 1,260 EUR |
How to avoid?
- Calculate TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) - all costs over 3-5 years
- Include: technical maintenance, updates, card commissions
- Don’t forget the value of employee training time
Mistake #2: Not checking i.EKA compatibility
Problem
Since 2025, all cash registers in Lithuania must be connected to VMI’s i.EKA system. Some business owners find out too late.
Fines:
- Unconnected cash register: 200-3000 EUR
- Unregistered sales: 300-5000 EUR
What to check?
- Does the device have VMI approval?
- Does the provider guarantee i.EKA integration?
- Is there offline mode (when there’s no internet)?
How to avoid?
- Require written confirmation of i.EKA compatibility
- Check the VMI list of approved cash registers
- Choose a provider that specializes in the Lithuanian market
Paysera POS automatically meets all VMI requirements and is regularly updated according to the latest legislative changes.
Mistake #3: Ignoring card payments
Problem
Some business owners think: “My customers pay with cash.” Statistics show otherwise:
- 73% of all payments in Lithuania - by cards
- 85% of 18-35 year olds prefer cards
- Average purchase value by card is 40% higher than cash
Lost revenue
If you don’t accept cards, you may lose:
- Customers who don’t have cash
- Impulse purchases (larger amounts)
- Tourism sector customers
How to avoid?
- Choose a system with integrated card payments
- Compare commissions (they vary a lot!)
- Make sure the terminal supports contactless payments
Paysera POS card commissions start from 1.0% - one of the lowest in the market.
Mistake #4: Wrong solution for business type
Problem
A cafe and a store have different needs. A universal solution often doesn’t fit anyone.
Examples:
| Business type | Required features |
|---|---|
| Cafe | Table management, dish modifiers |
| Store | Inventory management, barcodes |
| Beauty salon | Customer database, reservations |
Consequences of wrong choice
- Slower service
- Additional software and fees
- Employee dissatisfaction
How to avoid?
- Define your business specifics
- Create a list of essential features
- Test the system before committing
Paysera POS offers different solutions:
- HoReCa mode - for cafes and restaurants
- Retail mode - for stores
- Service mode - for beauty salons and service centers
Mistake #5: Underestimating support quality
Problem
When something doesn’t work, every minute = lost money and unhappy customers.
Real scenario:
“On Friday evening the cash register froze. Support only works during business hours. Lost 500 EUR in turnover.”
What to ask before choosing?
- Is support in your language?
- What are the working hours? (24/7?)
- Is there phone support, or only email?
- What’s the average response time?
How to avoid?
- Check support quality before buying (call them!)
- Read other customers’ reviews
- Make sure there’s an SLA (Service Level Agreement)
Paysera POS support:
- 24/7 availability
- Lithuanian, English, Russian languages
- Average response time: < 5 min
Bonus: How to test before buying?
Many of these mistakes can be avoided simply by testing the system.
What to check during trial period?
- Simplicity - do employees learn quickly?
- Speed - does the system lag during peak hours?
- Features - does it really have everything you need?
- Support - try contacting them and evaluate
Paysera POS trial period
- No long-term contracts
- All features without restrictions
- No commitment
Conclusions
5 mistakes to avoid:
- Don’t evaluate price alone - calculate all costs
- Check i.EKA - it’s mandatory!
- Don’t forget cards - you’re losing revenue
- Choose by business type - universal = doesn’t fit
- Evaluate support - when something breaks, time = money
Best way to avoid mistakes - test the system before committing. Paysera POS is available with no long-term contracts.
Tags:
