Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.

Abstract: A payment service is configured to support purchase transactions generated by merchant point-of-sale (POS) devices. As transactions are conducted, the payment service evaluates, for each transaction, the risk of subsequent chargeback. The payment service then notifies the merchant that expedited payment is available for transactions having low risks of chargeback. The merchant can select a user interface element to initiate expedited payment of the transactions via a debit card linked to the merchant's bank account. Other transactions are settled in a non-expedited manner, using a batch funds transfer.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for personalizing gift cards based, in part, on exchanging personalized messages between a customer that buys a gift card and a customer that receives and uses the gift card. A point-of-sale (POS) device of a merchant may receive a personalized message from the customer buying the gift card at the time of the purchase. The POS device may then present the personalized message to the customer receiving the gift card when the customer uses the gift card to satisfy a cost of a transaction between the merchant and the customer. During or after the transaction, the POS device may further receive feedback from the recipient customer of the gift card. The POS device may then send the feedback to the customer that originally bought the gift card.

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for providing payment protection to merchants who utilize point-of-sale (POS) devices that are configured to conduct transactions in both online and offline modes. In an offline mode, a POS device of a merchant stores information regarding a payment instrument used in a transaction between the merchant and a customer, for later sending of the information to a payment service for authorization of the payment instrument when the POS device is in the online mode. The described techniques protect the merchant in a situation where a payment instrument used in an offline transaction is later declined, by providing payment to the merchant for at least a portion of the cost associated with the transaction.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for determining a recommended number gift cards for a merchant to order and for determining values for the merchant to associate with those gift cards, based, in part, on comparing a business profile generated for the merchant with collected business profiles. The business profiles may include geographical locations of the merchants, a class of items offered by the merchants, and transactional information for the merchants.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for transitioning point-of-sale (POS) devices between online and offline modes. In some instances, the techniques instruct a POS device to transition from an online mode to an offline mode based on a volume of transactions on the POS device within a certain time period, based on an increase in the rate of transactions occurring on the POS device, or based on anticipating a rise in the number of transactions on the POS device for other reasons.

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for replicating behavior of a point-of-sale (POS) device operating in an offline mode with behavior of the POS device operating in an online mode. For instance, the techniques may insert an artificial delay into an offline transaction, thus causing an end-to-end processing time of an offline transaction to more closely match an end-to-end processing time of an online transaction.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for transitioning point-of-sale (POS) devices between online and offline modes. In some instances, the techniques instruct a POS device to transition from an online mode to an offline mode based on a volume of transactions on the POS device within a certain time period, based on an increase in the rate of transactions occurring on the POS device, or based on anticipating a rise in the number of transactions on the POS device for other reasons.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for personalizing gift cards based, in part, on exchanging personalized messages between a customer that buys a gift card and a customer that receives and uses the gift card. A point-of-sale (POS) device of a merchant may receive a personalized message from the customer buying the gift card at the time of the purchase. The POS device may then present the personalized message to the customer receiving the gift card when the customer uses the gift card to satisfy a cost of a transaction between the merchant and the customer. During or after the transaction, the POS device may further receive feedback from the recipient customer of the gift card. The POS device may then send the feedback to the customer that originally bought the gift card.

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for capturing payments in cases involving a failed authorization. In some instances, a point-of-sale (POS) device may process a transaction while operating in an offline mode, and then send information regarding the transaction to a remote service after transitioning to an online mode. The remote service may attempt to authorize a payment instrument tendered to satisfy a cost of the transaction. In instances in which the payment instrument is declined, one or multiple payment-capture techniques may be utilized to capture a payment that satisfies at least a portion of the cost of the transaction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses related to linking a monetary value card with a payment card. In some embodiments, a payer uses a gift card to pay for a purchase. The gift card is swiped by a point of sale (POS) system, and a computer system processes a payment. The computer system causes the POS system to display a message prompting the payer to provide an email address for an electronic receipt. The payer provides the email address, which the computer system uses to determine that the payer has a payment card. The computer system sends a message to the payer asking if he would like to link the gift card with the payment card, to which the payer responds affirmatively. The payer later uses the payment card to initiate a payment, and the computer system processes the payment based on the gift card that is linked with the payment card.

Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of a transaction. The payment handling system may receive first information associated with a first payment instrument, receive second information associated with a second payment instrument, and cause a display to update the UI to indicate that an unallocated portion of the cost of the transaction is to be approximately split between the first payment instrument and the second payment instrument.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for capturing payments in cases involving a failed authorization. In some instances, a point-of-sale (POS) device may process a transaction while operating in an offline mode, and then send information regarding the transaction to a remote service after transitioning to an online mode. The remote service may attempt to authorize a payment instrument tendered to satisfy a cost of the transaction. In instances in which the payment instrument is declined, one or multiple payment-capture techniques may be utilized to capture a payment that satisfies at least a portion of the cost of the transaction.

Abstract: A payment service is configured to support purchase transactions generated by merchant point-of-sale (POS) devices. As transactions are conducted, the payment service evaluates, for each transaction, the risk of subsequent chargeback. The payment service then notifies the merchant that expedited payment is available for transactions having low risks of chargeback. The merchant can select a user interface element to initiate expedited payment of the transactions via a debit card linked to the merchant's bank account. Other transactions are settled in a non-expedited manner, using a batch funds transfer.

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.

Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.