Card machine rental: what to check before you sign

Rent or buy?

Buying a card machine means a one-off cost and usually a flat rate per transaction. Renting means a monthly fee, but rates can often be personalised, and the provider usually repairs or replaces the terminal if it breaks. For businesses taking regular card payments, renting is the most common choice.

What monthly rental should include

• The card machine itself, set up and ready to use.
• A charging dock or base.
• A SIM card for 4G, if it's a mobile terminal.
• Repair or replacement if it develops a fault.
• Support when something goes wrong.

Contract terms to check

• Contract length: how long you're committed for, and whether it renews automatically.
• Exit fees: what it costs to leave early. Some contracts charge the remaining rental months.
• Price changes: whether the provider can raise fees during the contract.
• Who you're contracting with: the terminal rental and the card processing can be separate agreements.

Hidden charges to look for

• PCI compliance fees, and extra charges for not completing a yearly questionnaire.
• Minimum monthly service charges.
• Separate SIM, data or "connectivity" fees.
• Charges for paper rolls or replacement chargers.

Stuck in a contract you're unhappy with?

Send us your current statement and contract details and we'll look into it. In some cases, subject to approval, we can help with the exit fee. If you're already on a great deal, we'll tell you straight.

Related

• Card machine fees explained
• PayZu pricing
• Our card terminals