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Processing Your First Sale

Step-by-step guide to completing your first transaction in Point Plus POS

📍 Location: Process sales at /sales

Before You Start

Prerequisites

  • ✅ Point Plus POS account created
  • ✅ Merchant onboarding completed (setup wizard sent via email)
  • ✅ NMI payment processing configured (see NMI Setup Guide)
  • ✅ At least one product in inventory
  • ✅ Cash drawer opened (for cash sales) - see Cash Drawer Guide
  • ✅ Card reader connected (for card sales) - see Card Reader Setup

💡 Pro Tip: Run a test sale first to familiarize yourself with the process. Use a low-value item and real payment method to see full workflow.

Step-by-Step: Your First Sale

1Login to POS

  1. Go to /login
  2. Enter your email and password
  3. You'll be redirected to /sales terminal

2Add Products to Cart

You have 3 ways to add products:

  • Scan Barcode: Use barcode scanner or camera to scan product UPC/SKU
  • Search by Name: Type product name in search box, select from results
  • Browse Catalog: Click product cards on screen to add to cart

3Adjust Quantities

  • Use + and - buttons to adjust item quantities
  • Or click quantity field and type number directly
  • Click trash icon to remove item completely
  • Cart updates automatically with totals

4Add Customer (Optional)

  • Click "Add Customer" button
  • Search for existing customer by name, email, or phone
  • Or click "New Customer" to create profile
  • Enter name, email, phone, address
  • Customer linked to sale for purchase history

5Apply Discount (Optional)

  • Click "Apply Discount" button
  • Choose discount type:
    • Percentage (e.g., 10% off)
    • Fixed amount (e.g., $5 off)
  • Enter discount value
  • Optionally add discount reason/code
  • Subtotal adjusts automatically

6Select Payment Method

Click payment method button:

💳 Credit/Debit

💵 Cash

✅ Check

🎁 Gift Card

7Process Payment

For Credit/Debit Card:

  1. Prompt customer to insert/swipe/tap card
  2. Card reader captures card data securely
  3. Payment processed via NMI (secure direct processing)
  4. Wait for "APPROVED" message
  5. Customer removes card

For Cash:

  1. Enter amount customer gave you
  2. System calculates change due
  3. Give customer change
  4. Cash added to drawer automatically

Sale Complete!

After payment approved:

  • ✅ Receipt prints automatically (if printer connected)
  • ✅ Inventory levels decrement
  • ✅ Sale recorded in system
  • ✅ Journal entry created for accounting
  • ✅ Cart clears for next customer
  • ✅ Success message displays

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up checkout with these shortcuts:

F1 - Focus search box

F2 - Add customer

F3 - Apply discount

F4 - Open cash drawer (no sale)

Troubleshooting First Sale

Card payment declined?

Ask customer for different card. Common reasons: insufficient funds, card expired, incorrect PIN, daily limit reached. System shows decline reason.

Can't find product?

Verify product exists at /inventory. Check SKU/barcode matches. If new product, add to inventory first before selling.

Cash drawer won't open?

Check cash drawer is plugged into receipt printer (not computer). Press F4 for no-sale open. If still stuck, use key to manually open drawer.

Receipt didn't print?

Check printer is turned on, connected, and has paper. You can reprint receipt by going to completed sale and clicking "Print Receipt".

Need Help with Your First Sale?

Contact our support team for live assistance

Contact Sales