Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about TORO POS for your tobacco shop
๐ฐ Pricing & Cost
How much does TORO POS cost?
TORO POS costs $5,000 one-time upfront plus $119/month for software and support. This includes unlimited support from tobacco retail experts, all software updates, and access to all features. Hardware (touchscreen, printer, scanner) is additional if needed.
What about monthly fees?
The $119/month covers your software license, unlimited support from people who actually know tobacco retail, and all updates. Unlike Square or Clover where you also pay per-user fees and higher processing rates, TORO’s monthly fee is flat and fair.
What about credit card processing fees?
TORO integrates with Premium Tobacco Processing – the #1 credit card processor in the tobacco industry. The same processor used by major tobacco brands. Rates: 1.8-2.2% with an average of 2%.
Here’s what sets this apart: When you have a credit card processing issue, you WhatsApp message directly to their top executives. No 800 numbers. No hold times. No explaining what “tobacco retail” is to tier-1 support. Square and Clover? Good luck reaching anyone who knows your business.
Best part: Fee passthrough is available, meaning you pass processing costs to customers and pay $0 in transaction fees. (You can use your own processor if you prefer, but it won’t be integrated with TORO.)
How much will I save vs Square or Clover?
For a shop doing $50,000/month in sales, Square charges 2.6% + 10ยข per transaction (about $1,300/month) plus software fees. Over 3 years, that’s $46,800 in processing alone. TORO with fee passthrough costs you only $119/month + $5,000 upfront = $9,284 over 3 years. You save $37,516. Check our pricing comparison for details.
Do you offer financing or payment plans?
Yes. Payment plans are available for qualified businesses. Contact us to discuss options that fit your budget.
Is support included or extra?
Unlimited support is included free forever. Phone, email, remote assistance – all free with no limits. No tiered support plans or premium charges.
โ๏ธ Features & Capabilities
Can I sell cigars by the stick, pack, and box?
Yes! TORO’s multi-pack management lets you buy by the case and sell at any level – stick, 5-pack, box, or carton. Inventory automatically adjusts at all levels. This is a key feature built specifically for tobacco retailers that generic POS systems struggle with.
Does TORO work with barcode scanners?
Yes. TORO supports USB and Bluetooth barcode scanners. Scan products for checkout, receiving inventory, and physical counts. We can recommend specific scanner models that work well.
Can I track humidor inventory separately?
Yes. Organize cigars by manufacturer, size, strength, wrapper, and country of origin. Search and filter to find any cigar quickly. Track aging inventory and premium selections separately from regular stock.
Can I run an online store with TORO?
Yes. TORO integrates with WooCommerce for e-commerce. Unified inventory across in-store and online sales. Process online orders, manage shipping, handle curbside pickup. Real-time stock sync prevents overselling.
What reports are included?
Comprehensive reporting: sales by hour/day/week/month, profit analysis, inventory valuation, employee performance, customer insights, top sellers, slow movers, compliance reports, and more. Export to Excel for custom analysis.
๐ Setup & Installation
How long does setup take?
Most stores are up and running in 1-3 days. Timeline depends on inventory size and data migration needs. We handle installation, configuration, data import, and training. You can start using the system immediately after training.
Can you import my existing inventory?
Yes. We import inventory and customer data from your current system. We accept Excel, CSV, or direct database export from most major POS systems. We’ll clean and format the data during import.
What hardware do I need?
You need a Windows PC or touchscreen terminal, receipt printer, cash drawer, and optionally a barcode scanner. We can provide all hardware or you can use your existing equipment if compatible. Typical all-in-one touchscreen setup costs $800-1,500.
Does TORO work on Mac or iPad?
TORO is Windows-based software. It runs on any Windows PC, touchscreen terminal, or Windows tablet. We recommend Windows for reliability and hardware compatibility in a retail environment.
Do I need internet to run TORO?
No. TORO runs locally on your computer and works without internet. Internet is only needed for credit card processing, online store integration, and cloud backup. If internet goes down, you can still ring sales and process them later.
Is training included?
Yes. Comprehensive training for you and your staff is included. We offer remote training via screen share or on-site training for larger installations. Training typically takes 2-4 hours.
๐ง Support & Updates
What kind of support do you offer?
Unlimited phone, email, and remote support at no charge. Our team knows tobacco retail and can help with any question – from basic operations to advanced reporting. No ticket limits, no premium tiers.
What are your support hours?
Phone support: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm EST. Email support: 24/7 with response within 24 hours. Emergency support available for critical issues. Remote assistance available during business hours.
How often do you release updates?
We release updates every 4-6 weeks with new features and improvements. All updates are free. We notify you when updates are available and help with installation if needed.
Can you customize features for my shop?
Yes. We regularly add features based on customer requests. If you need something specific, let us know. Many of TORO’s best features came from customer suggestions.
What if something breaks?
We provide remote troubleshooting and can often fix software issues within hours. For hardware problems, we can overnight replacement parts. We also help you set up automatic backups so your data is always safe.
โ Compliance & Regulations
Does TORO enforce age verification?
Yes. TORO prompts for ID verification on every tobacco transaction. You can set minimum age requirements (18, 19, 21+) based on your local laws. The prompt is mandatory – staff cannot bypass it. This protects your license.
Can TORO handle tobacco taxes?
Yes. TORO calculates tobacco taxes automatically by product type – OTP, cigars, cigarettes, etc. State-specific tax rules are built-in. Generate tax reports for compliance reporting.
What compliance reports are available?
Track all tobacco sales with timestamps and employee IDs. Generate audit reports for regulators. Document age verifications. Track tax collected by product type and jurisdiction.
Does TORO support FDA compliance?
TORO tracks required information for tobacco sales. We stay current with regulatory changes and update the system as needed. Contact us about specific compliance requirements in your jurisdiction.
Can I restrict employee access to certain functions?
Yes. Role-based permissions let you control who can discount, void, refund, view reports, edit inventory, etc. Track who made what changes and when. Prevent unauthorized actions.
โ General Questions
Can I try TORO before buying?
Yes. Schedule a live demo where we’ll show you TORO with your actual inventory. We can also set up a trial period so you can test it in your store before committing.
How many tobacco shops use TORO?
80+ tobacco shops, cigar lounges, and smoke shops across the United States use TORO POS. We’ve been serving tobacco retailers for over 10 years.
Can I switch from Square/Clover to TORO?
Absolutely. We help you export data from your current POS and import it into TORO. Most shops switch over a weekend to minimize disruption. We’ll handle the technical details.
What makes TORO different from other POS systems?
TORO was built by tobacco retailers for tobacco retailers – not by a tech company trying to profit from your credit card fees. Features like multi-pack selling, humidor management, and compliance tracking are native. Plus our support team actually knows tobacco retail. Try the “Support Test” – call other POS companies and ask “how do I handle a cigar in cello with no barcode?” Then call us.
Still have questions?
Call us at (555) 123-4567 or email sales@toropos.com. We’re happy to answer any questions and schedule a demo.
Ready to See TORO in Action?
Schedule a personalized demo and see why 80+ tobacco shops trust TORO POS.
