Registration (RSVP), Ticketing

How to Register or Sell Tickets Onsite Using Point of Sales

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Timely’s POS system allows organizers to manage in-person event registrations and ticket sales and accept cash, check, and card payments directly from their dashboard. Whether you are registering attendees for a free program, or selling tickets for a paid activity at the door,  our POS system provides an easy way to track participation, process registrations, and issue confirmations. In this guide we will explain step-by-step how to register and sell tickets onsite using Timely’s Point of Sales system.  

1. Benefits of Using Timely’s POS System for In-Person Registrations and Ticket Sales

Timely’s POS system streamlines onsite registration and ticketing process, allowing your team to manage payments efficiently while delivering a smooth, professional attendee experience. It integrates seamlessly with Timely’s online registration and ticketing tools. Key benefits include:

  • Fast, Seamless Onsite Transactions: Process registrations and ticket sales instantly, reducing wait times and improving event flow. Easily accommodate last-minute or walk-in attendees. 
  • Accept Multiple Payment Methods: Use your Timely account to securely collect cash, checks, and card payments on the spot. For card transactions, use either manual entries or Stripe or Square readers.
  • Print Tickets and Receipts Onsite: Quickly generate printed tickets for entry at the door and provide attendees with receipts for their transactions, ensuring a smooth check-in and clear payment records.
  • Real-Time Attendance Tracking: Automatically update your attendee list and event reports with every onsite order.
  • Unified Online and Onsite Sales: Track registrations and revenue from both online and in-person transactions in a single dashboard. No need for spreadsheets or external tools.
  • Improved Staff Efficiency: Equip your team with an intuitive interface that simplifies both online and onsite operations.

2. Register and Sell Tickets to Events Using the POS System

2.1 Set Up Accounts Receivable to Enable Credit Card Payments

If you are planning to accept credit card payments through the POS, you must first configure your Accounts Receivable payment account. This setup ensures that all onsite card transactions are properly processed, recorded, and reconciled within your Timely system.

Once your Accounts Receivable account is active, the POS will automatically offer credit card as a payment option during onsite registrations and ticket sales.

If you will not accept credit card payments or have already completed this step, you can move ahead to Section 2.2.

2.2 Process In-Person Registration and Ticket Sales

To begin processing onsite registrations and ticket sales using Timely’s Point of Sales tool, follow the steps below.

  1. Log in to your Timely dashboard.
  2. On the left-side menu, go to Ticketing/RSVP. Then go to Point of Sales.
Timely ticketing POS dashboard overview.
  1. A list of published events scheduled for a future date with at least one active ticket block will appear. Additionally, events that have already ended will also be available for processing ticket sales and registrations through the POS.
  2. Next, select the event for which you want to process sales. The orders details panel will appear on the screen.
Point of sales event order creation overview.
  1. On the Order Details panel, enter the purchaser’s email address. If you have the Contacts Management module enabled in your account, the system will identify any existing contact and autofill the purchaser’s information. For new ticket purchasers, add their first and last name.

After entering the purchaser’s information, go to Ticket Details and select the ticket type and quantity. For paid events, you can also type any applicable promotional code.  

Promotional code section for Point of Sales.

7. Then, enter the attendee details or copy the purchaser’s information to the tickets if they are the same person.

Copy info to tickets button.

8. For free programs, click on the Confirm Registration button to complete the registration. For paid activities, click on the Proceed to Checkout button, and continue to the next step to process the payment.

2.3 Process Onsite Payments (Paid Events Only)

For paid events, Timely’s POS system provides a streamlined checkout experience that allows your team to collect payments quickly and accurately. It supports multiple payment methods, giving you the flexibility to accommodate different attendee preferences and onsite needs. Follow the steps below to process onsite payments with Timely:

  1. Enter the purchaser’s billing address, including their postal code. 
Billing details within POS.
  1. Next, select one of the available payment options:
    • Credit Card (Manual Entry) – Manually enter the credit card details.
Point of Sales payment method.
  • Payment Terminal – Use a connected reader for a contactless, tap, swipe, or insert payment.
Payment method reader option.
  • Cash – Record a cash payment received in person. Add notes, if desired.
  • Check – Record a check payment received in person. Add notes, if desired.
Cash and check payment methods.
  1. Then, click on the Complete Purchase button. 

2.4 What to Do If a Payment or Registration Is Not Completed

If a payment attempt fails or remains incomplete, Timely’s POS system clearly guides you through the available options so you can manage the order and keep ticket availability accurate.

When you create an order and begin payment, the system temporarily marks the order as Reserved. The system holds this reservation for 40 minutes, or until you complete or cancel the payment.

If a payment attempt fails, the system will display two action buttons:

  • Change Payment Data: Returns you to the previous step so you can update the payment details, select a different payment method, or switch to another connected payment terminal (Stripe or Square). The order remains in Reserved status while you make these changes.
  • Cancel Reservation: Cancels the sale and returns you to the event selection screen. Once canceled, the order is marked as Incomplete and cannot be reused.
Order reserved, waiting for payment message.

Important Notes:

  • If the payment is successfully completed within the 40-minute window, the order status changes to Purchased, and the ticket is issued.
  • If the payment is not completed within 40 minutes, the order’s status automatically changes to Expired and cannot be recovered. A new order must be created to complete the sale.
  • Incomplete orders (from canceled payments or abandoned RSVPs) are not valid for reattempting payment. If the attendee wishes to repurchase a ticket or complete an RSVP, a new POS transaction must be started.

This process ensures accurate ticket availability, prevents stalled reservations from blocking sales, and keeps your onsite transactions organized and reliable.

2.5 Event Tickets and Receipts

Once the customer finalizes onsite registration and completes payment, the system automatically generates the event ticket and payment receipt and immediately emails them for easy access and recordkeeping.

Customers can choose to print their tickets for entry at the door or simply present the QR code on their mobile device. The QR code can be scanned using Timely’s check-in tools, ensuring a fast, seamless, and secure check-in experience—just like any other in-person event.

3. Track Onsite Sales and Manage Orders

After completing onsite registrations or ticket sales, it’s important to monitor transactions and track revenue in real time. Timely’s POS system automatically records every sale within your Timely dashboard, allowing you to easily review orders, verify payment statuses, and maintain accurate financial records. Manage your onsite orders by following these steps:

  1. Log in to your Timely dashboard.
  2. On the left-side menu, go to Ticketing/RSVP. 
  3. Navigate to Orders to view entire purchases by order or Tickets to view single tickets purchased.
Orders tab within Ticketing.
  1. Use the Advanced Filters to identify sales made through the POS system. Orders paid with Cash or Check appear alongside credit card transactions. Use the filters available to report by payment method or team member.
Point of sales filter within orders.
  1. POS transactions will be labeled “Sold by [User Name]”,  making it easier to filter by team member.
Sold by section within order.
  1. If needed, export RSVP or ticket sales data as a CSV file for reporting and attendee management.
Bulk action options for orders.

By leveraging these built-in sales tracking tools, event organizers can maintain accurate financial records, monitor attendance, and adjust ticketing strategies as needed. 

Need Additional Help?

For further guidance and support, please visit our Help Center. Additionally, if you have any inquiries or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our customer success team by opening a support ticket from your Timely account’s dashboard.

Moreover, in case you require additional assistance in implementing and using Timely event management system, we are happy to assist. Explore all the professional services we offer, and feel free to get in touch with us today!