Beating a Dead Horse but it needs to be: Preauthorization

[FarmAndBar]

We need to be able to preauthorize credit cards when running a tab. Period.  We really enjoyed the low buy in and easy menu development and a couple of the other features, but a bar/restaurant needs to be able to run a tab and preauthorize a credit card.  I've gone back and looked at conversations about it and it appears that this has been a CONSTANT request by users that has gone ignored.

I'd like to know why it isn't available.

[#2]

Pre-Authorization for Bar Tabs Update ⭐
Hi everyone - I'm Hadley, from the F&B product team. First of all, thank you SO MUCH for continuing to share all the feedback here over the years, we know how important the Bar Tabs feature is. For anyone who is not aware, this feature is currently in beta in the US for both Square Point of Sale as well as Square for Restaurants POS. 

➡️ If you use Square POS, here are instructions on how to get started beta testing. 

➡️ If you use RST POS, you can join the beta community here and our beta team will enable feature to your account. You can find the support article for getting set up on RST POS here. 

As a reminder, when a feature is in beta, there is still some engineering work happening to iron out the smaller bugs and optimizing the experience for our sellers and their customers. If you choose to participate in the beta testing, please share any feedback (good or bad 😄) to our beta team at betafeedback@squareup.com so we can learn how it is working for you and your staff.  

Thank you!

[Deuces]

Amen!!

[Deuces]

You don’t understand what it’s like in a busy bar. It’s not laziness, it’s practicality. 

[Deuces]

Unfortunately we are going to jump ship!

We did not realize that this was not a feature of open tickets when we bought our hardware. In fact, it’s more shocking that the Square team members responding to this thread - FOR FOUR YEARS!! - are so clueless as to why their bar customers even want this!?!

We have not yet opened and are glad we figured this out in time to save our customers great inconvenience, and ourselves potential revenue loss.  

That said, we learned this after our return window closed, so if anyone wants a discounted brand new (never used other than some testing) square stand kit, case of receipt paper, and handheld terminal, we have them to sell! Fortunately we will be able to return the second kit we just ordered. 

[Deuces]

We actually moved to Toast ... they do support open tab / store card info / card preauth funtionality. Also have live people to talk with vs relying on seller community for all the support. 

[Deuces]

Toast!

[collabman]

We didn't need this when we switched to Square, but is very important now.  Not a deal breaker yet, but if this feature is not implemented soon, we to will be moving to Toast.

[Tball]

Hello, I have a rental business .. can I put a hold on a credit card as a damage deposit ?

If so than if the vehicle comes back damage free can you just deduct the total from the deposit?

Thanks

[Joe]

Hi there, @Tball - thanks for taking the time to reach out to us and join here on the Seller Community! Welcome!

Good question. I've gone ahead and merged your post into an existing thread of Sellers who were also looking for information regarding pre-authorizing customers cards for purchases. Take a look at this Best Answer for more info and some helpful workarounds. 

Feel free to reach back out if you have any questions!

[Megan_SDC]

We want to pre-auth a card and eventually cancel the pre-auth or eventually charge the card. We are using the square reader. Is this possible to do?

[AshleyK]

Hi @Megan_SDC Thanks for reaching out and welcome to the Seller Community! I've merged your post to an existing thread where other sellers have also requested pre authorization on their cards. I want to keep all the feedback in one place, but always let me know if you have any other questions. 

Have a nice day! 🙂