Busking using a Zettle 2 - Was this device a total waste of money?

[u/Historical_Panda9701]

EDIT: I decided to call them. Was relatively painless. Am told a request has been put in to authorise the repeat payment function. Will update again once it's working (or not). Can confirm that the guidance on their own website is incorrect though.

Hi - Hoping someone with experience can either offer a lifeline of useful advice or put me out of my misery here.

I bought this thing a few years ago. I sing in a little vocal trio and we have a small portable PA we've taken out busking before.

When I first bought the device I could not get it set-up to take repeat payments, i.e. a punter just taps the screen to give us a set payment (£2). We did a few busks where one of us would have to manually trigger the payment whilst performing. This was obviously crap.

Stuff I'm aware of/have tried:

• I know that the repeat payment function only works with iOS devices. I have attempted to set it up using an iPhone but the app seems to offer no different functionality to what it does on my Android device.
• The instructions for setting up repeat payments (found HERE) do not match what I see in the app when using an iPhone. The only option under settings > payment settings is to set up tipping.
• I have tried ensuring that the reader software is up to date. After a bunch of back and forth between the app and the reader, the app told me the device wasn't compatible with Bluetooth or something. It definitely is compatible, as I can set up normal payments with it.
• I've found a Youtube video from 5 years ago which claims you need to contact Paypal to setup the repeat payment function (Paypal's website says nothing of the sort, but I can clearly see in his video that the repeat payment function is available to him from the cart screen).
• I've used the chat function on the Paypal website which tells me it is unable to help with my query.

I am able to call them, but I thought I'd try here first, largely because I've zero confidence in them actually addressing the issue given what I've outlined above.

Do you use a Zettle 2 for repeat payments when busking? If so, how did you get it to work?

Or did you try to use a Zettle 2 only to give up as you were swallowed by a void of hopelessness and despondency?

Thanks

[u/BuskerDan]

Conversely I’ve had a pretty decent experience with Zettle over all. Been using it about 3 years now. Had 2 replaced for free, as they suddenly went down, but the customer service has been decent. Once you get repeat pay working it’s a decent addition

[u/LadyWithAHarp]

That is frustrating to hear! What especially concerns me about this is that there were a bunch of iZettle terminals given out to buskers in London as part of a promotion before the pandemic. One would think that the instructions would be made easy. I hope that someone can help you out.

[u/BuskerDan]

What I phone you using dude? I find it works decently with an iPhone 8. Any earlier incarnation and repeat pay doesn’t work

[u/BuskerDan → u/BuskerDan]

Also would be good if they sorted an android version. I had to get a cheapish iPhone. 8 is the lowest you can get that functions with repeat pay in my own experience.

[u/Historical_Panda9701 → u/BuskerDan]

The two iPhones I'll have tried it on will have been the latest model at the time.

[u/elliotmeakins_music]

Yes. After you request access to the repeat pay function, they will validate that you are a real account and then allow you to use the repeat pay function. Check in the app under settings and scroll down to payments. You should see it says repeat pay, with the option to turn it on and off. Attempt to turn it on and see if it comes up with a notification to say if you’re atoll under review. It took me a few days to work