An online debit card transaction is a less costly way to process point of sale transactions. When using an online debit card transaction, the debit card needs to be swiped through a PIN (Personal Identified Numbers) equipped computer terminal located near the cash register. After swiping their card, the consumer will be asked to enter their PIN information instead of signing an actual receipt for the sale. The computer terminal will automatically and electronically transmit this information to the financial institution to be verified. The business will be reimbursed for the transaction in the exact way and in the same amount of time as they are paid for credit card transactions.

There are many benefits to business in permitting the use of an online debit card and using a PIN pad device. Businesses are charged a flat fee amount for all transaction of this type versus being charged a percentage of the purchase amount in addition to a transaction fee. This will result in a large savings to a business each and every month. For example, if a business accepts 200 debit cards per month (which amounts to about 6 cards per day) and each sale is about $85, the business will save over $1800 a year. When a business uses an online debit card system, it will consistently pay the same flat fee amount if the customer uses their PIN to complete the transaction.

Another benefit of an online debit card transaction is that a business will notice a marked improvement in quick check out times. It takes a lot of time to hand a receipt and pen to a customer, wait for them to sign the receipt, and then hand it back to the cashier. In addition, an online debit card transaction is both easy and speedy to complete at a self checkout station. Because so many people are using debit cards for all of their purchases, many prefer to save time and use the self checkout stations and bag their own merchandise. A shorter checkout time guarantees a happy customer.