Update on Meetings with Goodwill Stores and Retail POS Systems for Thrift Store

As many of you know, I've worked with multiple Goodwill stores over the last 12+ years specific to helping them source POS systems and/or selling and supporting their POS systems. Over the last couple of months, I've had the pleasure of meeting with a couple more Goodwills and wanted to share some feedback specific to what they are using, or moving to, when it comes to thrift store retail point of sale systems. My notes from the meetings are below:

• Many are still using Microsoft Dynamics RMS/HQ as well as NCR CounterPoint (both of these programs have Goodwill/Thrift Store specific modifications like round up buttons and production tracking).
• Budgets are still tight so many of you are holding on to current POS systems as long as possible.
• When looking for a new, or replacement POS system, many of you are concerned about costs related to the replacement of existing hardware as well as aging servers.
• Justification to spend money on a new POS system comes from newer features and functions, reducing costs specific to manual processes, and eliminating the need for expensive servers.
• Your next POS system must handle the unique requirements of Goodwills but also be as automated as possible to eliminate cashier errors and cashier decision making for unique situations like double discounting.
• The POS system must be easily trainable due to staff turn-over but also provide data needed by the organizations leadership.
• On the solution side, we have eliminated all of the iPad systems like Shopkeep, Lavu, Revel, Clover, Silver and Bindo due to lack of depth and feature/functions. We've also eliminated Retail Management Hero since it is only (for now) a single store product. Possible solutions include: Staying with NCR CounterPoint, NetSuite, Dynamics 365, Lightspeed, and Cloud Retailer. We also discussed the pro's and con's of using a custom designed POS system and agreed that that was not a viable option as you would end up being a beta tester and could be orphaned if the programmer moved on to other projects (which I've seen happen a couple of times within Goodwill).

Those are just a few bullet points. If you are part of Goodwill, or a similar organization, I do offer unbiased consulting as well as the sales and service of POS systems designed for thrift stores.

Oh, and we are happy to provide RMS/HQ support as well (we have 10 support techs).

If I can help, the first step is a conversation via phone, email, or in person. Please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com. As always, non-profit organizations enjoy a 10% discount off of any consulting fees and/or towards the cost of new software and hardware!

10% Discount for Non-Profit Organizations

I am pleased to announce that effective today, all non-profit organizations qualify for a 10% discount towards point of sale software and/or consulting fees. The 10 % discount applies to the total cost and is sent via a tithe or donation to your organization within 45 days of when all invoices are paid in full.

Whether you are looking to spend $1500 or $1500000, this is a great way to save money when it comes to utilizing my consulting services and/or purchasing a point of sale system!

Only stipulation is that your organization must be located in the United States and I must be the one providing the consulting and/or point of sale software (limited to Retail Management Hero, Cloud Retailer, Card Defender, Microsoft Dynamics RMS, Microsoft Dynamics HQ, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Retail).

This is great for thrift stores, church stores, and similar organizations like Goodwill Easter Seals, The Salvation Army, etc that are located in the Western and Southern United States. Organizations in the Midwest and Eastern US can contact me to see if they qualify for the 10% discount (there is a great deal of flexibility here depending on your specific situation).

Interested in learning more?  You can reach me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Best Point of Sale Systems for Thrift Stores: 2017 Edition

Wow - I've had around 8 thrift stores contact me over the last couple of months based on an older post. Now seemed like a good time to update with more current information when it comes to the best point of sale systems for thrift stores. Note that this applies whether you have 1 location or 500 locations.  Below is a matrix that also notes costs and some other basic details.

Please note that that first steps in searching for a thrift store point of sale system are documenting processes, coming up with a budget, and interviewing staff and leadership to come up with a feature/function wish list. The matrix is only designed to give a high level view of whats on the market today and a few details about each system.

Here is the matrix:

Thrift Store Point of Sale Overview – 2017

Type	Examples	Strengths	Weaknesses	Costs	Kevin Antosh can demo or provide free trial
Cloud – low end	Shopkeep, Lavu, Silver, Clover, Revel	Super easy to learn and use	Weak for multi-location operations, limited reporting. Some systems lock you into contracts with specific credit card processing companies	$3000 - $4000 for typical 2 lane store for hardware + $120 - $200 a month per location for software subscription	Yes on Silver
Cloud – mid level	Bindo Lightspeed	Easy to use and better designed for multi-location operations	Mixed reviews – somewhat pricey	$3000 - $4000 for typical 2 lane store for hardware + $200 - $300 a month per location for software subscription	Yes on Bindo
Cloud/Windows – high end	Microsoft Dynamics 365	Complete ERP software for entire organization	Fairly new (2017) and expensive	Easily $1000000 to $2000000 across the organization or around $60,000/month just for licensing	Yes – can be arranged
Mixed	Cloud Retailer	Part cloud/part Windows, well designed for multi-location. Latest in payment processing security while still being processor agnostic.	Might need some minor adjustments to handle round ups if needed.	$5000 - $8000 up front for a single store with 2 check out lanes + $70/month per store for software subscription and support.	Yes + can provide your organization with a full access to Cloud Retailer for up to 60 days.
Windows – Low end	Retail Management Hero	Designed for all types of retail – fairly low cost – flexible	Multi-location version will not be available until Q1 2018	$8000 - $10000 for typical 2 lane store . No mandatory on-going fees	Yes – have full copy.
Windows – mid level	Retail Pro	Stable system	Not truly for thrift, fairly outdated	$12000 - $16000 for typical 2 lane store . No mandatory on-going fees	No
Windows – customized for thrift	NCR Counterpoint SQL	Lots of thrift store customizations – in use already at multiple thrift stores (of which many I have met with in person)	Amazingly expensive	$12000 - $18000 for typical 2 lane store . No mandatory on-going fees	Have full copy of the basic software – general information on thrift store enhancements
Windows – discontinued (but in use at a lot of chain thrift stores)	Microsoft RMS, Microsoft RMS HQ, Microsoft POS 2009, Microsoft POS 2.0, Microsoft Dynamics AX	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Software in bold means that it is use at thrift stores and/or well designed for thrift stores.

Contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com with any questions or if you have interest in the onsite consultancy services that I offer.

NCR CounterPoint for Goodwill

A quick reminder that I have worked with a lot of Goodwill and similar thrift stores over the years and have gotten the chance to learn more about a special version of NCR CounterPoint made specifically for Goodwill store or similar thrift shops.

I've even been able to meet in person with a couple of Goodwill stores using NCR CounterPoint for Goodwill to gain valuable insights and feedback.

If you want some unbiased advice and information, please get in touch with me by visiting my contact page. I have brochures and information on who to contact should you want detailed information. I can also offer advice related to costs to help you understand what size of thrift store would best be suited to use NCR CounterPoint for Goodwill.

Unbiased Consulting for Goodwill Stores

***2018 Update***

I started offering a 10% discount to all non-profit organizations plus some very large software license discounts if you happen to be using the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software. You can reach me at 2208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com for more information (and references as well).


A quick note that I have a great deal of experience providing in depth (but unbiased) point of sale consulting services for Goodwill stores. This also applies to thrift stores in general. As this normally involves some travel, there are some fees involved (unless you are only in need of some general advice which is free) but the outcome is solid recommendation of the next steps your organization should take.

Here are some videos that highlight my processes for in depth consulting. As always, visit my contact page to learn more and to see whether I can help you chart the best course for point of sale, warehouse management and/or inventory control software and systems.

Process Overview:

Cost of Using an Outdated POS System or No POS System:

Advantages of Using an Unbiased Consultant:

Goodwill Easter Seals of Minnesota

Just wrapped up a week of meetings at Goodwill Easter Seals of Minnesota related to their search for new retail, warehouse, and e-commerce technology.  I had a great time meeting with them and making some final recommendations which they will hopefully be moving forward on.

Upcoming Events and Speaking Engagements

A quick update on my upcoming speaking engagements specific point of sale and EMV workshops:

Boise State University location of the Idaho Small Business Development Center.  September 22nd, 2015, 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Registration link and more details: https://business.idahosbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=40350090

Envision Retail Conference - Denver, CO. September 17th and 18th at the Denver Marriott City Center.  I will likely have a workshop designed for businesses searching for a new point of sale system or wanting to replace and older system on both days. Time and further details to follow. Link to more information about the Envision Retail Conference can be found here: https://www.retailcontrolsystems.com/envision-conference/

I'll post more details  on other events as they become available.  

Are you  in the US and in need of no cost retail point of sale advice?  I'm happy to help and can be reached on my cell at 208-340-5632 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

Best Point of Sale Systems for Thrift Stores Like Goodwill

Update 7/12/2017: More updated version of this post (new solutions/options and multiple discount offers for non-profit organizations) can be found here: http://www.pospondering.com/2017/07/best-point-of-sale-systems-for-thrift.html

I've received calls and emails from several thrift shops and second hard stores over the last month or so.  Because thrift shops and second hand stores tend to only track inventory at a department or category level (version tracking inventory at an item level), the current generation of mobile point of sale solutions works quite well.  Bindo Point of Sale (www.bindopos.com) is one great solution for the following reasons:

• Designed solely for retail unlike Revel POS and NCR Silver which are also designed for use in food service business as well as retail stores.
• Bindo has multi-location options.
• Timeclock function.
• Easy to train your staff and volunteers on how to use Bindo.
• Unlike Clover, Intuit, and HarborTouch, Bindo lets you "pick, choose, and change" who handles your merchant services - no costly long term merchant services commitment.

Another route many Goodwill stores have taken is to use a special version of NCR CounterPoint SQL which has been modified to use in the thrift shop/store environment (using iPads at donation sites, able to sell by category/department color, etc) To learn more about this special version of NCR CounterPoint SQL, please get in touch with me so I can connect you with the correct contact.

A third route is moving to Cloud Retailer which has proven to be very popular with Microsoft Dynamics RMS users due to large discounts as well as thrift stores in general.

Be sure to contact me if you are in need of unbiased point of sale advice or even paid onsite consulting as I have worked with several Goodwills and am listed with Goodwill HQ as a point of sale consultant that is completely vendor neutral.

Are you  in the US and in need of no cost retail point of sale advice?  I'm happy to help and can be reached on my cell at 208-340-5632 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.