Cannabis retailers face stiff competition, and regulations aren’t getting any more relaxed. In crowded markets with strict marketing restrictions, boosting profit is challenging, so many retailers are looking for ways to cut costs and improve efficiency.
Good dispensary tech helps, but the dispensary software space is also highly competitive. Some providers prioritize winning new business over solving problems for retailers, making big promises of lower prices and better features that they don’t keep.
Why Retailers Choose Cova Software
Cova Software is a well-known and trusted software provider in the cannabis industry. Its commitment to compliance and reputation for reliability and integrity have made it the POS of choice for many cannabis retailers across North America. Cova powers thousands of retail locations from coast to coast in Canada and the U.S. The company has seen dispensary clients come and go... and come back again.
When retailers leave Cova, it's often because they've closed or sold their business. When they switch to another POS, it’s usually due to a lower price or a bundle of products and features they believe will better suit their needs. Sometimes this works out, as different solutions fit different needs. However, in 2024, more retailers are returning to Cova—sometimes quickly—because they didn't find the solution they were looking for... Or, more bluntly, didn’t get what they were promised.
Why Retailers Come Back to Cova
There are common and concerning reasons why dispensary clients return to the software they trust:
1. Performance & Reliability Issues
A poorly built POS system can cost retailers more than the monthly fee and setup costs. If the features you’re sold on, or the core functionality of the system, let you down, it costs you sales.
Pacificanna's owner, Darren Saunders, switched from Cova to another POS system, but quickly returned. "We faced numerous challenges, from poor e-commerce functionality to slow in-store processing. We recognized the importance of a seamless POS system for operational efficiency and switched back to Cova in just 2 days."
2. Unfinished Features
Some software companies lure retailers with features they know their competitors don’t have. However, sometimes these features are barely developed.
"We felt we were sold an unfinished product," said Mike Burd from Harvest Moon Cannabis. "Many features we were told were a part of the system in 2023 were in beta and only released in 2024. We don't think there was honesty or transparency."
3. Important Functionality Missing or Lacking
When focusing on new features, critical ones can be overlooked. Retailers have switched back to Cova after discovering they traded essential features for something less important.
Michelle, the general manager of Smokal Dispensary, explained, “With the alternate POS, the integration with Biotrack was ridiculous and had several glitches that messed up our inventory. It made us realize that Cova POS handled inventory and compliance flawlessly and saved us crucial time.”
4. Failure to Launch
Sometimes, the issues are so obvious that retailers don’t complete the transition to another system. This can be due to the provider's inexperience.
Recently, one retailer pulled the plug just hours before the switch to another POS provider was to begin, because their questions were going unanswered, while their important sales data was in limbo.
"We were concerned about their ability to transfer our analytics and sales data. For us, and our investors, visibility to that historical data is critical. They couldn’t give us a straight answer, and that was enough for us to turn back to a company that always does."
5. Instant Regret
The worst offenders raise red flags from the moment retailers give them the green light. Deficiencies become obvious quickly to experienced retail operators.
Jan from the Canadian Cannabis Store, sums up the frustration experienced by many...
"After multiple calls from another provider offering a cheaper POS, I thought I would switch to save money, but it was a mistake! The staff were completely incompetent and lacked the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure a smooth transition, or even get the transition completed at all! Luckily, Cova got me back up and running within an hour. Thanks to the Cova team, I didn't lose a single sale."
Tips to Spot Red Flags When Shopping for Cannabis Retail Software
- Search Beneath the Surface
Part of any business’s job is to manage their search engine results, so don’t just search a company name. Add keywords like “outages,” “crash,” “complaints,” “lawsuit,” etc., and scroll to uncover any red flags beyond the first page. This can help you identify recurring issues that might not be immediately visible and give you a better idea of the company’s reputation. - Take a Closer Look at Reviews
Don’t be swayed by star ratings alone. Read the reviews to ensure positive endorsements are substantive and credible. Be wary if one company has significantly more reviews than others, especially if the reviews are vague or come from unverifiable users. Some companies have been known to post fake reviews or solicit positive reviews for individual support calls. - Make Sure the Price Adds Up
When you get demos and quotes from various software vendors (and you should), you’ll have a good idea of the average price range. Be cautious of offers that are significantly lower than others. Check if the low price is an introductory offer and what the long-term cost will be. Sometimes a low price reflects the quality of the software, and you might get what you pay for. Additionally, ensure there are no hidden costs, or obligations to use other services, like payments or insurance, especially if those come at inflated prices to make up for the great deal you think you're getting. - Confirm Timelines on New Features
If you are switching providers because of new features, make sure they are fully developed and not just in beta. Ask for data or customer testimonials to support their claims. Verify the provider’s reputation for delivering new features on time and meeting their promises. Also, check with your current provider; they might have similar features in development or already available. - Talk to Cova
Cova knows cannabis software and can help you find what you’re looking for in retail solutions. By understanding your needs, Cova can help you avoid risky tech choices and find the right fit for your business. Your best option might be Cova, and even if it isn't, we can provide valuable recommendations and insights to ensure your business’s success.