The machines will be on 24/7, so no need to turn power on.  If the screen is blank, just press the touchscreen to activate it.

To make a selection, just press the touchscreen with the numbers matching the item cards they wish to donate.

Giving Machines accept debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express) via tap or swipe (chip readers do not work) and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, and so on). Upon checkout, donors have the opportunity to cover credit card fees (3%) if they desire. Otherwise, the Church will cover those fees.

Patrons must select their items, then they can pay. If someone needs help, you can help them check out, but confirm the donation amount before checking out and let donors handle their payment to avoid liability.

If someone wants to purchase multiples of any item, they can adjust quantity on checkout screen. Patrons can also select one of each item quickly by keying in “777”.

After a transaction is complete, a summary will appear on the screen. Donors can choose to receive a receipt via text, email, or by scanning a code on the screen. If a donor wants a receipt, they can use the on-screen keyboard to enter a mobile number or email address.

Whether it’s from a user or a machine error, occasionally people want a receipt after it’s too late to request one. With the user’s information (date, time, amount) we can look up the transaction and send a receipt manually. Collect this information and email a receipt request to service@givingmachine.org with the subject line “Receipt Request.” A receipt will be sent as soon as possible.

If a patron is having difficulty with the credit card reader, they are usually not swiping their card fast or solid enough. Advise them to insert the card squarely and swipe with some speed or use tap to pay.

If you notice multiple users having abnormal trouble with swiping cards or accepting mobile pay, open the Giving Machine door and toggle the power switch on and off (leaving it off for about 5 seconds before turning it back on). Once the machine reboots and after the screen becomes active again, you’ll want to watch the credit card reader and make sure it says “ready” before allowing people to use the Giving Machine again. This reboot process should only take about 2 minutes.​

If cards are loaded sloppily, rows will jam up and will not vend correctly. Take extra care to angle each card slightly backward and ensure everything is in neat rows before closing the rows. Even if lines are long and you feel pressured to rush, take your time! Troubleshooting an error caused by chaotic restocking will take more time than restocking things correctly.