[holman]

Really stoked about this. I wish they had more details on the process, though.

At first exposure, the idea sounds really, really cool. But it sounds like they're breaking the normal purchase loop. Imagine lunch, for example (assuming you've already set up your tab, which is a lengthier first-run experience). You go up to pay, and then... what? TC explains it as:

> So once you press that button within two blocks of the merchant, you’ll be able to tell the cashier your name and your card will be charged on the merchant’s backend Square register.

So do you pay in advance? Afterwards? (In which case, can I just walk out and screw the retailer?) Do I as the user set up the bill, or does the merchant and I have to review it? Does either party have to wait for the other to confirm something? I've already been at Square retailers that have skipped Square during times of high customer peaks (opting for cash, which was much quicker).

These are probably just early questions that will look obvious and boring once it's all figured out and public, but right now I'm scratching my head a little.

[puls]

When you open a tab, your name just shows up next to the "charge a card" button. You pay when you normally would. It's not really breaking the normal purchase loop so much as removing all of the crap from it.

[holman]

So you open a tab prior to going to a place, and then the retailer sees all of the customers with recently-opened tabs?

[puls]

Yep.

[holman]

Cool, that makes more sense. I'm satiated!

[wccrawford]

I'm assuming that the initial contact (from up to 2 blocks away) just tells the restaurant that you're coming and primes their register with your info.

At the restaurant, you order and eat as usual. When it's time to pay (before or after, as per normal at the restuarant) you just give your name instead of cash or credit card, and it's put on your tab. (Which you have to pay later, of course.)

Again, those are assumptions based on what little I've read... Which is probably the same or less than you've read.

[jes5199]

It actually charges your credit card right then - the card is kept on file with Square. Just at the moment when the vendor would normally swipe your card, they pick your name and user icon from a list instead.

[goatforce5]

I assume that means when you're near your merchant you can order and pay for things before you get to the store. Makes sense for a coffee shop as they can have your coffee and bagel waiting for you when you walk in the door. Doesn't make as much sense if your merchant is a hair salon.