Make the demo work for your shop.

1. Start at the counter

Create a fictional customer, enter a sample item and complete a pawn. Then renew, partially pay if your workflow needs it, redeem and reprint the documents. Ask the vendor to correct a deliberate data-entry mistake and show the audit history.

2. Follow the inventory

Locate the item, change its status through the relevant workflow, move it to a sale and process a return. Print the exact tags you need. If you sell online, ask how listings, returns and quantities reconcile with the shop.

Illustrative camera packed in a protective box beside a label printer on a shop counter — Illustrative shop scene

3. Close the day

Balance a cash drawer and review exceptions. Ask to compare a report total with the underlying transactions. Check staff roles, restricted actions, exports and the record of who made a change.

4. Interrupt the routine

Ask what happens when the internet, a printer or a payment device fails. Have the provider explain recovery, support escalation and any work that must wait. Do not accept a general uptime promise as an explanation of your workflow.

5. Turn the demo into a written scope

List the modules, locations, users, hardware, conversion, training and support that you discussed. Ask for the final quote and exclusions in writing. Retain a copy of the agreement and your completed checklist.

Your working checklist

Checkmarks stay on this device. They do not submit a response.

Use the same sample customer and item with each vendor.Demonstrate pawn, renewal, redemption and a correction.Print a receipt, ticket and each label type.Demonstrate a sale, return and stock reconciliation.Review permissions, audit trails and end-of-day totals.Explain internet failure and urgent support.Document conversion scope and full costs.

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