Configure Tipping Settings

Molo supports tipping directly on the screen of your desktop card reader. Details and how to configure these settings are explained below.

Devices Supported

Tipping is currently only supported with the WisePOS E reader pictured below. If you have an older reader that does not match this one shown here, a newer reader is available at a discount. Please contact [email protected] or touch the Question Mark at the top of Molo to learn more.

A Note on the Reader's Location

Credit card regulations already require that the reader always be facing the customer. You must not handle the customer's credit card, smartphone, or smartwatch physically.
 
On-Reader Tipping only works if you ensure your reader is facing the customer as the customer will be prompted to select the tip amount a moment before inserting their chip card or tapping their smart device.

Settings Explained

Note: Regardless of the mode selected, customers are always presented with an option for Custom or No Tip to comply with various card rules. This behavior cannot be removed.

1. Configure the following settings:
   • In the Molo Admin portal, navigate to Admin Settings → Accounting → Settings. 
   • Enable On-Reader Tipping – ensure the check box is selected.
   • Tip Item – Create a new inventory item (e.g., “Tip”) with these properties:
     • Sales Price = 1
     • Item Charge Method = Flat Fee
     • Quantity Can Be Decimal = True
     • How to Create an Inventory Item
   • Tipping Mode – Choose one of three modes:
     • Smart – Uses a threshold: below the threshold shows fixed amounts, above shows percentages.
     • Percentage – Always displays up to 3 percentage options.
     • Amounts – Always displays up to 3 fixed-amount options.
   • Smart Threshold – If using Smart mode, set an amount that determines when to switch between fixed and percentage tip options.
   • Ignore Tax Amount for Tip Basis – If enabled, tipping is calculated on the subtotal before tax rather than the total after tax.
   • Tip Amount (1-3) & Tip Percent (1-3) – Define the number values or percentage values to display to the customer.
   • Verify that you are using a supported device. On-reader tipping is currently supported only with the WisePOS E reader. 
   • Ensure the reader is physically positioned so the customer interacts with it directly (the reader must face the customer).
     
2. Save your settings and test a transaction on the reader to confirm that tip prompts appear correctly and that the customer sees both “Custom Tip” and “No Tip” options. 

Verification: Create a test invoice on the POS to see if the reader will populate the tipping options.