Groupon is testing its own mobile payment terminal.

Now many Internet companies have started promoting their own mobile terminals (or rather, the idea itself has already been implemented quite a while, and most Internet companies simply use the idea). Among other companies that distribute their mobile terminals are PayPal , Square (this company was one of the first to offer this idea), verifone and some others. In order to get users of its system (sellers and buyers), Groupon reduces the percentage of payments made.

So, if Square takes 2,75%, and PayPal - 2,7%, then Groupon set only 1.8% from each payment + 15 cents. In general, with a sufficiently large number of participants in the system, this can be a solid addition to the company's revenues. But just the income of Groupon's not so much - almost all the money received by the company is immediately spent. Spending goes mainly on advertising and promotion in general.
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In addition, Groupon offers sellers free mobile terminals / card readers and iPod Touch. I wonder how many sellers the system will get thanks to the last option? As far as can be judged, there will be some selection criteria for sellers, otherwise a free iPod Touch will attract so many people. It is known that such a package will be offered, first of all, to businessmen and shop owners.

By the way, similar terminals already exist in Ukraine, Privatbank introduced them several months ago. Probably, the number of companies offering this service will only increase with time. Accordingly, the percentage of the transaction will decrease, plus such companies will offer additional conditions for attracting sellers.

PS Announcement picture - terminal from Square, photo of the terminal from Groupon yet.

Via venturebeat