If you’re using QuickBooks Point of Sale, support and updates for the service will soon be discontinued! The maker of QuickBooks, Intuit, recommends that users choose another system as quickly as possible. This is the busy time of year for pool and spa businesses, so making a quick decision about something as important as your POS system might seem daunting. We know this industry inside and out, so we’re producing content to help businesses like yours make the switch quickly and easily. Check out our other blogs about the POS by QuickBooks discontinuing: Everything You Need to Know About QuickBooks POS Being Discontinued and 5 Tips for Pool and Spa Retailers Replacing QuickBooks POS.
You probably have questions, and we have answers. Below are some frequently asked questions about the discontinuation.
POS by QuickBooks Discontinuation FAQ
When will the POS by QuickBooks be discontinued?
The discontinuation will take effect on October 3, 2023.
Which POS services will this impact?
- License purchasing: No more licenses will be available to purchase.
- Updates, patches, and new features: There will be no more updates, patches, or new features, so the solution will quickly become outdated and error-prone.
- Payment Processing: You’ll need a new payment processing solution if you use Intuit Merchant Services with QuickBooks POS.
- Gift Card Service: Givex Gift Cards are tied to QuickBooks POS Merchant Accounts, so you’ll need a new gift card solution.
- Mobile Sync and GoPayment: These “line buster” features will no longer be available, which can directly impact customer experience by causing longer lines and waiting times at check-out.
- Store Exchange: The Store Exchange feature allows you to transfer data between your headquarters and other stores, so you will need to set up an alternative communication method.
- E-Commerce Integration with Webgility: Inventory, customers, and sales from connected shopping carts and online marketplaces will no longer sync.
- Live Support: As the software becomes more outdated, errors and glitches will arise, but users won’t be able to get help.
- Vendor Lookup Service: There will no longer be a connection to the database with vendor contact information.
- Constant Contact Email Campaigns: Users will be able to export the customer list to an Excel file for easy uploading but will lose access to the full integration.
Can I keep using QuickBooks POS after October 3?
Continuing use of the software after October 3 would introduce unnecessary risk to your business and is not recommended. Not only will the value and usefulness of the program diminish to cause disruptions, but without essential security patches, your IT systems could eventually become vulnerable to data theft and cyberattacks. Both can cause severe problems for your business and your customers. You also won’t have the option of accessing new features that allow businesses to compete effectively, and you won’t be able to get any support for technical issues that will likely arise as the technology becomes outdated.
What are my options for replacing QuickBooks POS?
Many POS options are available, but we recommend that businesses choose solutions tailored to their industry. QuickBooks POS was a generic solution intended for a variety of business types, so support was primarily self-service. Pool and spa businesses would benefit from a boutique partner like RB that understands their unique challenges and opportunities and has created software to address those exact needs, taking feedback from clients along the way to make constant improvements.
What will happen to my annual support plan?
The annual support plan will be prorated for the time used, with any unused portion refunded. You can contact Intuit support with more specific questions about the phase-out of the annual support plan.
Will my POS by QuickBooks PIN Pad keep working?
The PIN pad is configured for QuickBooks Desktop POS only and will not work with other POS systems.
What do I do if a customer wants to redeem a gift card?
Any gift card used after October 3, 2023, will need to be manually redeemed in QuickBooks Point of Sale using the Reports feature to confirm the balance on the card.
Choose a POS Solution Designed Just for You
RB’s pool and spa POS software was designed by experts with decades of experience in the industry. Over the years, we’ve worked closely with our customers to develop new features and ensure that our solution provides everything needed to run pool and spa businesses successfully from end to end.
We’re committed to providing our clients with software that doesn’t just meet their expectations but exceeds them — and our one-on-one customer service and tech support are unmatched. With the time and money saved using our bespoke pool and spa business software, you’re guaranteed to make your investment back. Learn how in our eBook, 4 Ways to Save Money and Boost Sales with RB Pool Business Software. If you’re ready to see the software in action, schedule a no-strings-attached demo with us today.
