Frequently asked questions

It really does depend on how your business operates - there's no one 'best solution' for all, as a Fine Dining restaurant in Covent Garden has completely different operational requirements to a Market Trader in Glasgow's bustling Barras, or a Cardiff Arms Park pub. We make the effort to truly understand how your business actually operates - before recommending the best solution from a range of providers, not just one.

It varies by provider and model. With some providers, your first card machine comes with no upfront cost, no monthly rental, and no per-transaction fees - so your only cost is the processing rate on each sale you make. Additional terminals - or those from other providers - may well carry rental or per-transaction fees. The exact cost depends on your terminal type, provider, and monthly card turnover. Because uno works across multiple providers, we compare the real-world, overall costs and then find the most competitive deal for your specific situation.

We know for many UK independent buinesses cashflow is a daily struggle. We can offer various options, with settlement times ranging from just a few hours, to the full three days it takes providers to actually receive your customers money. Whatever your working requirements are, we'll find the ideal solution to match those needs.

Yes. Every payment terminal we recommend accepts contactless payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and standard contactless cards. Contactless is now the default way most customers pay in the UK.

For most merchant-types this will be offered as a default payment option, available on-screen along with contactless and Chip'n'Pin. There are a small number of exceptional businesess operational-types where this is not the case - but for most, 'over-the-phone' payments will be offered as standard.

Any terminal uno suggests would allow you to easily identify the original transaction. If still within the same day as the sale, then the transaction could then be 'voided'(aka 'reversed'). Voids/Reverses are typically instantaneous. However, if that trading day's 'banking window' had closed (typically at Midnight) then it would technically be classed as a 'refund' - which would be subject to the bank's standard 3-5 processing timeframe to complete.

The great news for you is none of the providers uno works with have complicated anything! For those that require PCI of any sort atall, it really is a simple, painless process that just takes a few minutes per year!

Not with every provider. Several of the solutions we offer have no long-term contract - you can switch or cancel without penalty. We'll always be upfront about contract terms before suggesting you commit to anything.

Most businesses are up and running within a few days. We handle the supply, installation, and configuration so you can focus on serving your customers. We walk you through everything on-site - so you're confident from day one.

Going direct means you only see a single provider's products, at a single provider's prices. Because uno works across multiple providers, we can genuinely compare options and recommend the solution that suits your business - not just the only one we happen to sell! You also get a dedicated point of contact for ongoing support.

Taking card payments doesn't necessarily have to cost any more than banking cash - but it's crucial that your business is using the best card machine for your transactional profile. A business whose typical transaction values are modest is often best served by a solution where no 'per transaction fee' is applied - instead a small percentage is levied against the cost of the sale - typically around 1%.

Yes. Any terminal we'd recommend will work wherever you trade. It can connect via WiFi too but for most traders it's all about having a reliable mobile connection to the 4G data networks - so it works at any market. All card machines that we recommend have been fully tested in the field - often, quite literally in a field!

We'd need to analyses your trading in details to offer a definitive comparison but based on that basket size and the transaction volumes that our supermarket customers handle, we'd recommend 'split' rates that offer a particularly low debit card rate - that's the card type used for 85+% of such transactions.

For a busy store doing hundreds of transactions each day its critical to do a full comparison of the true TOTAL cost - accounting for all 'per transaction' fees and additional monthly charges that often get missed when only focusing on the lowest possible transaction rate.

We have providers that offer a single 'blended' rate that includes rental and all card types - including foreign - so you always know precisely what each transaction has cost you. For a business where most sales are lower value, this would be cheaper than deals offering low headline rates, but add separate fees and charges.

Whenever we check for signal quality, we find most UK markets have 4G cover from a few of the mobile networks - even if our customer's own phone can't get a signal there. Any solution we'd recommend would work on any UK network, and in practice we've rarely had an issue when setting up traders at indoor or outdoor markets, car boot sales, and livestock markets across the country. If you trade at a specific market with known signal problems, we're the experts to advise on the best option!

In essence every option is a compromise - those offering a single, all-encompassing 'blended rate' (often with no rental or other monthly fees) can be the cheapest for lower value transactions, but can work out more expensive for higher value items. For higher-value items deals offering lower transaction rates often prove cheaper. So it's a balancing act - which is why uno comparing each provider offer with this in mind is so valuable.

We wouldn't recommend it as an optimal solution for a supermarket, as it's a hospitality-first POS system - hence it's recent renaming to 'Shift4 Dine'. Many uno customers find the combination of Dojo card machines expertly integrated with a Supermarket-focussed POS offers the best balance of price vs performance

We'd need to know exactly which POS system you're runnning to be sure, but there's a very high liklihood that we'd be able to offer a solution - such as Dojo's Pax A920's - that would seamlessly integrate with your existing POS and till's.

Both the Pax A800 and A920 are built for sustained high-volume use, so a busy processing 300–400 transactions daily won't see any slowdown = they're designed with this kind of constant use in mind.

Minimum spend policies aren't illegal, but card schemes like Visa and Mastercard prohibit them in their merchant agreements - meaning you could risk losing your card acceptance if a provider enforces the rules. But the better question is why you'd need a 'minimum spend' policy when there are solutions that charge a tiny percentage of the sale - typically around 1%. A refused card doesn't just lose that sale - research consistently shows that customer won't come back.

Yes. The portable terminals we recommend are rated for a full day's trading. A market trader making a few hundred transactions over a 10-hour day will have no issue with battery life. Charge it overnight and it's ready for the next market day.

All the terminals we supply are built for sustained high-volume use. Doubling your normal transaction count won't cause any performance issues atall, as each transaction takes a couple of seconds to process, then the terminal is ready for the next one - significantly quicker than counting cash and change.

As ever, a discovery call is the starting point to ensuring we fully understand your specific situation, so we can then speak with certainty about the best solution. However, we certainly offer options such as Dojo, that integrate with the majority of tills and POS systems typically found in Corner Shops. It's therefore highly likely we can integrate with your existing ePOS and till.

As ever, a discovery call is the starting point to ensuring we fully understand your exact operation, so we can then speak with certainty about the best solution. But we certainly can offer options such as Dojo, that integrate with many of the POS systems typically found in Retail. It's therefore highly likely we can integrate with your existing ePOS and till.

None of the solutions that uno recommends require you to do an 'End-Of-Day', as modern machines run an overnight batch settlement - which happens automatically without any user involvment. But of course you can do your own End-Of-Day report on each machine, anytime you wish - in addition to having instant access to all of your transactional data at any time, from anywhere.

Yes. Whether it's a farmer buying a tonne of feed or a walker buying a pair of wellies, the same terminal processes both transactions. There's no distinction between trade and retail from the card machine's perspective.

No. There's no upper limit on card payments through a standard merchant account. A £3,000 antique desk processes the same way as a £30 trinket. For very high-value items, some card issuers may require the customer to authorise the payment with their bank, but that's between the customer and their card issuer - not something that affects your terminal.

Contactless payments process in a few seconds - faster than counting change on a £2.80 loaf. During the Saturday morning rush, that speed keeps the queue moving. The terminals we supply handle high-frequency, low-value transactions without any slowdown.

Yes. The terminals we supply support on-screen tipping - the customer sees a prompt to add a tip before they complete payment. Percentage-based or custom amounts. Useful for barbers where tipping is common but increasingly awkward with cash becoming rare.

Yes. Whether it's a £10 puncture repair, a £150 service, or a £1,500 new bike, the same terminal handles all transactions. One terminal for the shop floor and the workshop, one account, one rate.

If you're running a small B&B with a few rooms, a buy-outright terminal like the SumUp Solo makes sense - £79 upfront, no monthly fees, no contract. You pay 1.69% only when you take a payment. For a £120 room booking, that's £2.03. If you're processing more regularly, a lower-rate terminal saves money over time. We'll compare the options for your booking volume.

No limit. A £3,000 respray processes the same way as a £150 scratch repair. For body shops doing regular high-value work, the transaction rate directly affects your margin. We compare providers to find the best rate for your typical invoice values.

The average book is £8–£14. At 1.25%, that's 10p–18p per sale. The value isn't just the single book - it's the customer who comes back. Bookshops thrive on repeat visits and word-of-mouth. Offering card payment is basic retail hygiene now; not offering it feels noticeably out of step.

At that transaction range, a blended rate under 1.25% saves you meaningfully compared to a flat 1.69% rate. On a £25 sale, the difference is around 11p per transaction - and across a busy week, that adds up. We'll compare the total cost across providers based on your typical daily takings.

Yes. A portable terminal at the reception or the gate handles check-in payments - pitch fees, hook-up charges, deposits for keys or barriers. Over-the-phone payments cover advance bookings too.

That's exactly why we suggest 4G terminals for caterers. The modern card machines that we recommend connect to all of the mobile data networks without needing the venue's Wi-Fi atall. Whether you're in a marquee, a village hall, or a private garden, as long as there's mobile signal, you can take card payments.

Yes. The terminal processes any amount - a £2 purchased item or a £20 donation. You simply enter the amount and the customer taps to pay. Some charity shops set up a separate 'donation' button on their till flow, but the card machine itself handles it as a standard transaction.

Even at an all-in belded rate of 1.25%, on a £7 heel repair the fee is under 9p. The question is whether you'd rather keep that 9p or lose the customer who hasn't got coins. High-street cobblers and shoe repair shops serve busy commuters and shoppers - people who expect to tap and pay without thinking about it.

Yes. Process the class fee as a standard card transaction — at the counter when they book, over the phone, or on the day. If you run a regular programme of classes, the terminal handles booking payments alongside your normal retail sales.

There's no default upper limit on a standard card payment through the terminal. However, very high-value transactions may be flagged by the customer's card issuer for additional verification. This is a fraud-prevention measure on the issuer's side, not a limitation of the terminal. For deposit payments and part-exchanges with a balance, the terminal handles any amount.

Of course. The terminal sits on or beside the counter - customers tap to pay as they collect. On a busy lunchtime with 30 sandwich orders in an hour, contactless processing in under a second is the difference between a queue that moves and a queue that puts people off coming back.

On a £500 veneer job, the difference between a 1.0% rate and 1.69% is £3.45. For a practice doing several high-value cosmetic cases a month, that adds up. We compare providers specifically for your mix of routine and cosmetic work to find the most competitive rate across your full range of invoice values.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G processes payments at the customer's door or at the van. Many mobile groomers carry a SumUp Solo — £79, no monthly fees, fits in your pocket. For groomers doing 6–8 appointments a day, a lower-rate terminal saves money over time.

Yes. The terminal sits at the counter. Customer gives their ticket, you retrieve their items, they tap to pay. For dry cleaners where customers are often in a rush - before work, during lunch - the speed of contactless makes the collection process quicker than handling cash and change.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G works at the yard, the school, the feed store - anywhere on the premises. Many equestrian businesses don't have a formal shop counter. The terminal goes wherever you need to take payment.

A full charge lasts a day's trading. For multi-day events, charge overnight - you're done by morning. If your event runs long shifts, a countertop terminal on mains power at a fixed point (registration desk, bar) is a reliable alternative. We can supply both types for one event.

A blended percentage rate with no per-transaction fee works well for farm shops with a wide spread of basket sizes. You pay the same percentage whether it's a jar of chutney or a Christmas hamper. We'll model the total monthly cost against your typical sales mix to find the most competitive deal.

Contactless payments take under one second. In a fast food environment where you're serving a customer every 30–45 seconds during peak, the card machine isn't the bottleneck - food prep is. The terminal keeps pace with however fast you can serve.

4G terminal coverage depends on the location. Most UK festival sites have adequate mobile signal - we've set up traders at festivals across the country. For known low-signal sites, we check coverage before you commit. Some festival organisers provide Wi-Fi for traders, but we wouldn't rely on it as the sole connection method.

One terminal handles the processing speed easily - contactless is under a second. The question is whether one terminal creates a bottleneck in your service flow. If you're running a queue at the counter and a separate collection point, a second terminal at collection can speed things up. We can set up both on the same account.

A fishmonger selling a single fillet for £4 and a whole side of salmon for £40 in the same morning needs a rate that works across both. A blended percentage rate (no per-transaction fee) protects your margins on small sales while keeping costs fair on larger orders. We'll model the numbers against your typical daily mix.

Yes. Over-the-phone (MOTO) payments are built into the terminals we supply. A customer calling to order a £40 bouquet for delivery can pay by card over the phone. Paid before you arrange the flowers, no invoicing needed. This is essential for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and funeral orders.

At a blended rate of 1.25% on a £2 sale, you're paying 2.5p per transaction. The question isn't whether 2.5p is worth it - it's whether losing the customers who don't carry cash is worth it. Contactless has become the default way people pay for small purchases. The fee is a cost of doing business; turning away customers is a cost of not doing business.

At those values, the transaction rate matters significantly. On a £500 service, the difference between 1.25% (£6.25) and 1.69% (£8.45) is £2.20. Over a week of jobs, that's £10+ saved. For garages doing consistent mid-to-high-value work, a lower blended rate makes a measurable difference to the bottom line.

A portable terminal handles both. Staff carry it from the indoor till to the outdoor plant area as needed. If both areas are busy simultaneously (spring weekends), a second terminal on the same account covers both zones without a queue at one end while the other sits idle.

Each membership payment would be a separate card transaction processed at the point of collection. The terminals we supply don't manage recurring billing or direct debits - those need a separate system. For gyms that collect monthly fees at the desk when members visit, the terminal handles each payment individually.

Yes. Many hotels run multiple terminals - one at the front desk for check-in payments, one in the bar, one in the restaurant. We'll set each up so its optimised for its specific role. Each terminal operates independently, so you can take payments simultaneously across the building.

Increasingly, yes. Parents give children a contactless card or phone to buy ice cream. Families at the beach, at a park, or at an event often don't carry cash. The customer you turn away because they can't pay by card is a customer you never see. It's a quiet loss, but it's real.

Contactless payment takes a couple of seconds. The card transaction is literally the fastest part of the entire service. Cut the key, hand it over, customer taps, done.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G connectivity fits in your work bag, toolbox, or vehicle. Process payment at the customer's home, office, or wherever the job is. No need for their Wi-Fi - the terminal connects independently via mobile data.

It makes every visit smoother. Regular hobbyists popping in for a pot of paint or a new kit don't always carry the right cash. Card payment removes that friction. And when a regular customer sees a £60 kit they weren't planning to buy, card makes that impulse purchase more likely.

Yes. Trade customers increasingly prefer card over cash or invoice. A mechanic picking up a part between jobs wants to tap and go, not manage an invoice. Card payment speeds up your counter service and improves your cash flow - no 30-day payment terms, no chasing invoices.

Yes. A £30 pair of gloves and a £12,000 motorcycle process through the same terminal. One device, one rate, one account. For dealers selling high-value bikes alongside smaller accessories, the blended rate across all transactions determines your total cost.

Yes. No minimum, no maximum. A £20 set of strings and a £2,000 guitar process through the same terminal. On the high-value sales, the rate difference between providers is significant — at 1.25% vs 1.69% on a £2,000 guitar, you're saving £8.80 per transaction.

The terminals we supply are designed for sustained high-frequency use. A busy off-licence processing a transaction every 30 seconds for three hours straight won't see any slowdown. Contactless processing in under a second keeps the queue moving even when every customer in the neighbourhood arrives between 6pm and 9pm.

There's no upper or lower limit on transaction values. Whether a customer is buying a £50 pair of reading glasses or a £500 designer frame with premium lenses, the same terminal processes both. On higher-value sales, the transaction rate directly affects your margin - which is where comparing providers matters.

Yes. A £3 bag of treats and a £60 dog bed process through the same terminal at the same rate. For pet shops where customers often buy multiple items per visit, the total basket value is what matters — and it's usually higher than each individual item suggests.

The card machine handles over-the-counter sales and prescription charges - the customer's payment to you. It doesn't interact with the NHS dispensing system or reimbursement. You process prescription charges and retail purchases through the terminal as standard card transactions.

Yes. Process the deposit as a standard card transaction - in person, or over the phone using the MOTO function. Session fee on booking, remaining balance on delivery of prints or digital files. No invoicing, no chasing bank transfers.

No. We set up both terminals on the same merchant account at the same rate. One bill, one settlement, one point of contact for support. The countertop PAX A800 handles the shop, the portable PAX A920 goes with your driver.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G connectivity fits in your treatment bag. After each home visit, the patient taps their card or enters their PIN, payment processes in seconds, and they get a receipt. Far more professional than asking a 78-year-old to set up a bank transfer.

No. The SumUp Solo is £79 outright with no contract and no monthly fees. Use it for your pop-up, and if you don't trade again for months, it costs you nothing. It's yours to keep and use whenever you need it. For traders who do regular pop-ups, a lower-rate terminal may save more over time.

Even committed buyers expect card payment. Record collectors ordering a £30 limited pressing or a £50 Japanese import won't always carry cash. And the casual browser who discovers something on your shelves is more likely to buy on impulse if they can tap to pay. Removing friction from the purchase decision is always good for sales.

Yes. The payment terminals we supply support on-screen tipping, so customers can add a tip when they pay by card. This works for both percentage-based and custom tip amounts - handy for restaurants, pubs, cafés, and anywhere tipping is common.

Not if you choose the right option. The SumUp Solo has zero monthly fees - in the off-season, it costs you nothing. For providers with monthly fees, we calculate whether the lower transaction rate during your trading season offsets the dormant months. For most seasonal businesses, the no-monthly-fee option wins.

Integration depends on your kiosk hardware and software. The Shift4 PAX A800 integrates with Shift4's POS system, which supports self-service workflows. For bespoke kiosk setups, integration requires specific API compatibility. We'll assess your current kiosk system and advise on what's possible.

A card machine, a bank account for settlements, and about five minutes to learn how to use it. We handle the supply, setup, and configuration. You don't need special infrastructure, a dedicated phone line, or technical knowledge. We'll walk you through everything on-site.

Yes. New businesses are eligible for card machines from all the providers we work with. You don't need months of trading history or bank statements. Some providers approve new businesses within a day. We'll match you with the right provider for your situation.

Yes. 4G connectivity means the terminal works at festivals, markets, roadside pitches, industrial estates, car parks - anywhere with mobile signal. You don't need venue Wi-Fi or a fixed broadband connection. Pull up, trade, take payments.

Increasingly, yes. Children carry their parents' contactless cards or phones, and parents send them in expecting card payment to be available. Even at an all-in blended rate of 1.25%, 50p of sweets costs you less than a penny in fees. The real question is whether you'd rather lose the sale entirely.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G connectivity goes with the driver - they tap the customer's card at the doorstep, payment processes in seconds, and both parties get a receipt. It's safer than drivers carrying cash and faster than asking customers to transfer.

Yes. Process a deposit of whatever amount you set - £50, £100, however you structure your bookings. The terminal processes it as a standard card payment. When the customer returns for the session, you process the remaining balance. Over-the-phone deposits are also possible for bookings made by phone.

Yes. A compact portable terminal fits in the centre console, door pocket, or wherever is convenient. Process payment when the fare ends - the customer taps or inserts their card, and you're both done. 4G connectivity means it works anywhere you're driving, not just near Wi-Fi hotspots.

Most tyre and exhaust centres take payment at a reception desk or counter rather than in the bay. A countertop terminal at the desk handles this. If you prefer taking payment at the vehicle, a portable terminal with 4G works in the bay area too.

No. The age check is enforced by UK regulations - it's part of your retail process, not the payment process. Once the sale is approved, contactless payment takes around a second. The card machine doesn't add any time to an age-verified sale.

There's no upper limit on transaction values through a standard merchant account. A £2,000 emergency surgery payment processes the same way as a £45 consultation. On higher-value transactions, the rate difference between providers is significant - at 1.25% vs 1.69% on £1,000, you're saving £4.40 per transaction.

On a £150 vintage coat, the difference between 1.25% (£1.88) and 1.69% (£2.54) is 66p per sale. For a vintage shop regularly selling higher-value items, that adds up over a month. We compare providers to find the rate that works best for your typical transaction values.

Yes. The portable PAX A920 connects via 4G - take payment at the door, in the driveway, or wherever the customer is. Job finished, card tapped, payment done. No invoicing, no chasing transfers, no 'the cheque is in the post'.

The 4G terminals work on mobile data networks. Rural coverage has improved significantly, but we check your specific location before recommending a solution. If 4G is marginal, a Wi-Fi-connected terminal on your shop's broadband is the fallback. Most agricultural merchants we've set up have had no signal issues.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G works at fairs, shows, markets, and in the shop. One terminal, wherever you trade. Many antiques dealers split their week between a shop and various fairs - the terminal moves with them.

Yes. You can process any amount through the terminal - there's no upper limit on card payments for a standard merchant account. For advance orders, you can take a deposit when the customer places the order and the balance on collection. Over-the-phone payments are also available for orders placed by phone.

At £15 per haircut, you're in the range where a blended rate under 1.25% saves money compared to a flat 1.69% rate - about 7p per cut. If you're doing 20 haircuts a day, that's £1.40 saved daily, or roughly £30 a month. Whether that justifies a monthly fee depends on your volume - we'll model the numbers for you.

For most beauty salons, a single terminal at the reception desk handles everything. Clients pay as they leave after their appointment. If you also sell retail products, the same terminal processes those sales. One machine, one location, one simple workflow.

On a £2,000 bike, the difference between 1.25% (£25) and 1.69% (£33.80) is £8.80 per sale. If you sell several high-end bikes a month, that adds up to hundreds of pounds in savings over a year. We compare providers specifically for your mix of accessory sales and big-ticket items.

Yes. The terminals we supply print a customer receipt automatically. For guests who need an expense receipt - business travellers, contractors, anyone booking through their company - a printed card receipt plus your own booking confirmation covers what they need.

Insurance work is typically settled between the insurer and the garage. But excess payments from the customer, private (non-insurance) work, and retail paint or accessory sales all need a card machine. Very few body shops survive on insurance work alone - the private work is where a card machine earns its keep.

Yes. A portable terminal lets you take payment at a signing table, at a reading event, or anywhere in the shop. It connects via 4G or Wi-Fi and doesn't need to be tethered to the counter.

The terminals we supply handle sustained high-volume periods without any performance drop. Christmas week for a butcher can mean three or four times the normal transaction count - the hardware is built for it. If you need a second terminal for the rush, we can set one up on the same account.

Contactless transactions take literally a few seconds. When you've got a queue of commuters at 8am all buying a flat white and a pastry, every one of those seconds at the till adds up. The terminals we'd recommend would be optimal for exactly this kind of sustained, rapid-fire processing.

A portable terminal can move between the office and the shop. If both are staffed simultaneously, you may want two terminals - one at each location, both on the same account. For many smaller campsites, a single portable terminal that moves with whoever is on duty works perfectly.

Yes. Process whatever deposit you deem appropriate. The terminal handles it as a standard card payment. You can also take deposits over the phone using the MOTO function if the client books by phone. Then typically you'd settle the balance with a second transaction on the day of the event.

The terminals are designed for simplicity. A contactless payment is literally: enter the amount, customer taps, done. We walk your team through the process during setup, and it takes about five minutes to learn. Most volunteers are comfortable with it after two or three transactions.

Yes. A £4 key cut and a £25 resole go through the same terminal at the same rate. For shops offering multiple quick services, the terminal handles the variety without any configuration changes between different job types.

At 1.25% on a £4 ball of wool, the fee is 5p. Many craft shop customers buy multiple items per visit - their basket often totals £15–£25 even when individual items are small. The fee on the total transaction is what matters, not the fee on each item. And customers who don't carry cash need card payment to buy at all.

Yes. We can recommend providers that wouold let you process whatever deposit you agree - usually a percentage of the sale price. The terminal handles it as a standard transaction. Then the customer collects the vehicle and pays the balance. Over-the-phone deposits work for customers who can't visit immediately.

Yes. Over-the-phone (MOTO) payments would be easily accessible on-screen for any terminals we'd supply to a food-based business. A corporate office ordering a £150 platter for a meeting can pay by card over the phone when they place the order - no chasing for payment afterward - up-front payment taken before you prepare their order!

For most dental practices, a single countertop terminal at reception is all you need. Patient pays after treatment, receives a receipt, and leaves. If you run multiple surgeries with staggered appointment times, one terminal at the front desk handles the flow without queuing issues.

For a fixed salon, a countertop terminal at reception makes most sense - customers pay when they collect their dog. If you also offer mobile grooming or occasionally attend pet events, a portable terminal gives you the flexibility to do both from one device.

Regular customers value convenience above everything. A weekly suit clean at £12 paid by contactless takes seconds. No scrabbling for cash, no 'I'll pay next time'. Card payment makes the routine seamless - and customers who find your service seamless keep coming back.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G fits in your van. After shoeing, the client taps to pay on the spot. No invoicing, no chasing, no 'I'll transfer you later'. At £80–£120 per horse, getting paid before you drive to the next yard makes a real difference to cash flow.

Yes. Multiple terminals on one merchant account, all at the same rate. Each terminal operates independently, so the gate, bar, and stalls all take payments simultaneously. We'll set up as many as you need for the event.

This is exactly why 4G connectivity matters so much. The portable terminals we recommend connect to multiple mobile data networks independently of your shop's Wi-Fi. As long as you have some kind of mobile signal from any of the UK's mobile networks, you'll be able to take reliable card payments. Setting up businesses in rural locations - including Farm Shops - is an uno speciality!

We position the terminal at the counter, not in the kitchen. The customer-facing side of a fast food shop is a standard retail environment. The terminals are touchscreen devices used in thousands of food businesses daily. Contactless means neither staff nor customers need to physically handle the device during most transactions.

High-volume trading over a short period is exactly where rate differences matter. A festival vendor processing 500 transactions in three days at an average of £8 will save around £18 over the weekend by using a 1.25% rate instead of 1.69%. We find the rate that works for your volume.

Yes. Over-the-phone payments are supported on the terminals we supply. A customer calling in a £12 fish supper order can pay by card on the phone and collect when it's ready. Saves time for them and eliminates the risk of no-shows.

If you trade from both a shop and a market stall, a portable terminal with 4G works at both locations. Take it to the market in the morning, bring it back to the shop in the afternoon. One terminal, one account, one rate.

Yes. The terminals are built for sustained high-volume use. On your busiest days, you'll be processing a transaction every minute for hours - the terminal handles it without any slowdown. If you need two terminals for peak days (shop floor plus delivery prep), we can set up both on the same account.

No payment terminals are truly IP-rated for extreme use, but traders use them in outdoor markets across the country every day - without issues. Any portable terminals we recommend will be suitable for real-world use - including in less-than-ideal circumstances. In practice most greengrocers and market stall operators keep the terminal under their canopy or awning - the same way as you'd protect your scales or till.

Yes. Over-the-phone (MOTO) payments are built into the terminals we supply. A customer calls to check if their car is ready, pays by card over the phone, and collects at their convenience. No waiting around, no chasing, no 'I'll pop in later'.

Yes. We can set up additional terminals on the same account for your peak seasons. Whether it's the spring rush for bedding plants or the Christmas period for trees and gifts, extra terminals mean shorter queues and more sales.

Yes. A customer paying £8 for a drop-in yoga class or £12 for a dance session taps to pay at reception. The terminal handles any amount, any number of transactions per day. For studios running multiple classes daily, the speed of contactless processing keeps the reception desk moving between sessions.

Typically one terminal at reception handles all three. Clients pay at the desk after their appointment, regardless of which stylist they saw. If you want individual tills per stylist (for rent-a-chair arrangements, for example), we can set up multiple terminals on the same account.

Pre-authorisation functionality depends on the terminal and provider. Some terminals support holding a pre-auth amount on a guest's card at check-in, then adjusting and completing the charge at checkout. We'll confirm whether the terminal we recommend supports this workflow for your hotel.

With some providers, no. The SumUp Solo has no monthly fees - you pay only when you transact. Park it in the van over winter and it costs you nothing. For providers with a monthly fee, we'll calculate whether the lower transaction rate saves enough during summer to offset the winter cost.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G fits in your tool bag. After letting someone into their locked house at 11pm, the last thing you want is to invoice them and chase a bank transfer. Take card payment on the spot, job done.

Yes. The SumUp Solo at £79 has no monthly fees and no contract. You only pay the 1.69% transaction rate when you actually take a payment. In a quiet week with zero card transactions, it costs you zero. For mobile businesses with variable income, this eliminates the fixed cost risk.

Yes. Process any deposit amount through the terminal. When the customer collects their special order, process the balance. Over-the-phone deposits work too for orders placed by phone or email.

The opposite. Contactless payment is faster than counting cash or writing an invoice. Tap, done, next customer. On a busy morning when garages are sending runners for parts, the speed of contactless keeps your counter moving.

Yes. Service invoices, MOT fees, parts sales, and new bike sales all go through the same terminal. A portable terminal can move between the shop floor and the workshop counter if needed.

Yes. Process whatever deposit amount you agree - £50 to hold a guitar, £200 on a custom order, whatever your policy. When the customer collects or you deliver, process the balance. The terminal handles each as a standard card transaction.

No. Age verification is your responsibility as the retailer - it happens before you ring up the sale, not at the payment stage. The card machine processes the payment once you've completed the sale. Think 25, Challenge 25, or whatever policy you operate is entirely unaffected by the payment method.

Yes. Process whatever deposit amount you set - 50%, a fixed amount, whatever your policy is. When the customer collects their completed glasses, process the balance as a separate transaction. Over-the-phone deposits are also available for orders placed by phone.

Repeat customers are your core business. Offering card payment removes the 'I've only got a twenty' friction on a £15 bag of dog food. It also means they can buy the extras - a new lead, a packet of treats - without worrying about having enough cash. Card payment doesn't just serve existing customers better; it increases what they spend per visit.

Yes. The same terminal handles a £1.50 box of plasters and a £30 skincare purchase. One terminal, one rate, one reconciliation. For pharmacies with a retail counter and a dispensary counter, a portable terminal can move between both.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G fits in your camera bag. If a client wants to pay the balance on the day, or someone at an event wants to book you on the spot, you can take payment wherever you are.

The countertop terminal runs from mains power and doesn't have a battery to exhaust. For the delivery terminal, the PAX A920 battery lasts a full shift — charge it during the day when deliveries are quiet and it'll last through the late-night rush.

Yes. The terminals we supply print a customer receipt after every transaction. For patients claiming through private health insurance or workplace health schemes, the receipt shows the amount paid, the date, and your business name — everything they need for their claim.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G connectivity works anywhere with mobile signal - shopping centres, markets, event spaces, gallery pop-ups, pub gardens. You don't need to connect to each venue's Wi-Fi or arrange anything in advance.

Many pubs and bars we've helped had this intrinsic problem, but it was resolved by careful setup of the right machines - so that they seamlessly switched between indoor WiFi and outdoor Mobile signal - allowing reliable operation wherever they're needed

Yes. The card machine handles your in-store transactions - walk-in customers, record fair sales, in-shop purchases. Your online sales through Discogs or other platforms have their own payment processing. The two are completely separate.

Yes. One of our portable terminals can easily handle tableside payments, counter walk-ins, and over-the-phone orders. For restaurants doing high volume at both table and counter, we may recommend a terminal at the till plus another for the floor - but each individual restaurant warrants a bespoke solution.

No. The terminal stays active whether you use it or not. At the start of the season, switch it on, let it connect, and you're taking payments immediately. No reactivation process, no waiting for approval, no setup fees.

In a self-service context, the terminal can be presented to the customer as part of the ordering flow. The customer enters their selection on the kiosk, the amount is sent to the terminal, and they tap to pay. The terminal doesn't require a staff member to operate it for each transaction.

With some providers, the card machine itself is free — no upfront cost, no monthly rental. Your only cost is the processing rate on each sale. If you take even a few card payments a week, the terminal costs you very little. The cost of NOT having a card machine - the customers who walk away — is almost certainly higher.

The SumUp Solo at £79 outright - no monthly fees, no contract. You pay 1.69% per transaction and nothing else. If you do zero card sales in a month, you pay zero. It's the lowest-risk way to start. If your business grows and card volume increases, we can move you to a lower-rate terminal that saves more over time.

Contactless processes in under a second. At a busy festival or event where you're serving a customer every 30 seconds, the card machine isn't the bottleneck. The speed of serving food is what sets your pace - the payment keeps up.

Yes. We can recommend terminals that can accept Visa, Mastercard, and contactless payments from any country. Foreign cards are generally charged at a higher rate, though we can offer solutions where they're included at the same rate as domestic cards. That's why a full understanding of precisely what ratio of card types your business transacts is crucial before uno can make an informed recommendation.

Yes. A countertop PAX A800 at the till for walk-ins and collection, and a portable PAX A920 for delivery drivers - both on the same account, same rate. No managing two separate contracts.

On a £500 session, the difference between 1.25% (£6.25) and 1.69% (£8.45) is £2.20. Over a month of full-day sessions, that adds up quickly. For tattoo studios doing regular high-value work, a lower blended rate makes a significant difference. We compare providers to find the best rate for your typical session values.

The card machines we supply are standalone payment terminals - you key in the fare amount from your meter and the customer pays. They don't integrate directly with taxi meter systems. In practice, this is how most independent taxi drivers operate: read the meter, enter the amount, take the payment.

On a £400 set of tyres, the difference between 1.25% (£5) and 1.69% (£6.76) is £1.76. On 10 sets a week, that's nearly £18 saved. For a busy tyre centre, comparing providers for the best rate on your typical job values makes a real difference over a month.

At 1.25% on a £10 purchase, the fee is 12.5p. Vape customers buy frequently - often weekly. Offering card payment keeps them coming to your shop rather than ordering online. The fee per transaction is negligible; the customer retention is invaluable.

Yes. The terminal processes transactions 24/7, 365 days a year. There's no downtime, no maintenance window, and no out-of-hours restriction. A pet owner paying a £500 emergency bill at 2am on a Sunday is processed the same as a Tuesday afternoon consultation.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G goes to fairs, markets, car boot sales, and back to the shop. One terminal, one account, one rate. No need for different equipment at different locations.

Yes. Process the deposit at the customer's home during the sales visit, or over the phone after they've confirmed. Stage payments during the installation and the final balance on completion - all through the same terminal.

On a £500 order, the difference between 1.25% (£6.25) and 1.69% (£8.45) is £2.20. For agricultural merchants regularly processing higher-value orders, a lower blended rate saves significant money over a month. We compare providers specifically for your typical order values.

Yes. Every terminal we supply accepts Visa and Mastercard from any country, including contactless. International card transactions may carry a slightly different rate to domestic ones, but they process seamlessly. For antiques dealers in tourist areas or at major fairs with international visitors, this is essential.

The countertop PAX A800 runs from mains power and operates continuously - it doesn't care if your day starts at 4am. If you use a portable terminal, the battery comfortably lasts a full trading day from dawn to close.

Yes. The terminals we supply are built for sustained use - they'll process hundreds of transactions through a busy evening and into the early hours without slowing down. Battery-powered portables last a full shift, and countertop models can run continuously from mains power.

Yes. The SumUp Solo is £79 outright with no contract and no monthly fees - you own the terminal. For a sole-trader barber doing a handful of card payments a day, this keeps fixed costs at zero. If your card volume grows, we can compare whether moving to a lower-rate terminal saves more money.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G connectivity fits in your kit bag and processes payments at the client's home, a wedding venue, or wherever you're working. The SumUp Solo at £79 with no monthly fees suits mobile therapists with variable booking volumes. If you're fully booked most weeks, a lower-rate terminal saves more over time.

Cycle to Work purchases are typically processed through the scheme's own voucher or payment mechanism, not your card machine. The card machine handles your standard retail transactions - accessories, servicing, parts, and bikes purchased directly. How the Cycle to Work payment reaches you depends on which scheme the customer's employer uses.

Yes. A deposit secures the booking and gives you cash flow certainty. Process any amount through the terminal - in person at your workshop or over the phone. Balance payment when the customer collects their vehicle.

Yes. The terminals we supply support over-the-phone (MOTO) payments. Customer calls, orders a book, pays by card over the phone. You post or they collect. No invoicing, no chasing.

The terminals are touchscreen devices, not open electronics - they're designed for retail environments including food counters. Contactless means neither you nor the customer needs to physically touch the terminal during payment. We position it where it's accessible to customers but away from the prep area.

Yes - because the alternative is losing customers entirely. Fewer and fewer people carry cash, and a customer who walks past because you're cash-only is a sale you never see again. On a £4 coffee at a blended rate of 1.25%, you're paying 5p per transaction. The cost of turning away card-paying customers is far higher than the processing fee.

Each payment is an independent card transaction - there's no limit on how many you process for the same customer. Weekly pitch fees, top-ups for electricity, shop purchases - the same terminal handles all of it. Each transaction settles to your bank independently.

With some providers, there's no monthly fee - you only pay the processing rate when you transact. In a quiet January or February, the terminal costs you nothing. We specifically compare options that suit seasonal trading patterns, so you're not paying through the months when the phone doesn't ring.

On a £3 sale at 1.25%, the fee is under 4p. The revenue from customers who would otherwise walk away because they can't pay by card far exceeds that. Cash usage is declining year on year, and charity shops - like all retail - need to meet customers where they are. The card machine pays for itself quickly.

Yes. The terminal sits at the counter. Customer hands over the ticket, you retrieve the shoes, they tap to pay. Quick, simple, and more convenient than making sure they've brought the right cash.

The card machine handles in-store and phone order transactions. Your online shop has its own payment gateway. The two are separate systems. For phone orders - customers calling to order specific yarns or materials - the terminal's over-the-phone payment function covers that.

Yes. Vehicle sales, servicing invoices, parts counter purchases, MOTs - can be all put through the same terminal at the same rate. One device, one merchant account, one reconciliation.

Contactless: literally a few short seconds. That's faster than your customer can put their wallet back in their pocket. On a busy lunch service where you're turning over 50–80 customers in a two-hour window, that speed is essential. The terminals don't slow down under sustained use either.

Each stage payment is processed as a separate card transaction - there's no limit on how many payments a patient makes over time. For a £2,000 treatment plan split across four appointments, you simply process £500 at each visit. The terminal handles each payment independently.

Card machines don't store customer card details — that would be a PCI compliance issue. Each appointment is a separate transaction, processed fresh. For regular clients, the tap-to-pay process is so quick it's not a friction point. What matters more is having the terminal ready when they arrive to collect.

Yes. A £7 shirt clean and a £50 dress alteration process through the same terminal at the same rate. One device covers your entire service range - dry cleaning, alterations, repairs, and any retail items you sell.

Yes. One terminal handles retail sales (feed, tack, riding wear), livery payments, and lesson fees. A £6 bag of treats and a £300 saddle process through the same device at the same rate.

If you only need card payments a few times a year, the SumUp Solo at £79 with no monthly fees is ideal. Use it at your events, then put it in a drawer until the next one. You pay nothing between events. If your events are high-volume, the cost savings of a lower-rate terminal may justify the monthly fee.

It depends on the provider. With some providers, there's no monthly fee — you only pay the processing rate when you transact. In a quiet January, your card machine costs you nothing. With others, there may be a small monthly fee regardless of volume. We'll find the option that matches your seasonal trading pattern.

At a blended rate of 1.25%, a £6 order costs you 7.5p in processing. The question isn't the 7.5p - it's the growing number of customers who won't queue if they can't pay by card. Fast food customers expect speed and convenience. Contactless is part of that expectation now.

Yes. You don't need a shop or a permanent address to get a card machine. Festival traders, market vendors, and temporary operators are all eligible. The SumUp Solo needs no contract and no monthly fees - ideal for traders who only work event weekends.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G connectivity works at a serving hatch, at a seaside counter, or at a festival pitch. It doesn't need to be connected to your shop's Wi-Fi - the 4G handles the connection independently.

Yes. Process whatever deposit you agree — 30%, 50%, a fixed amount. When the final balance is due, process the remaining amount as a separate transaction. Over-the-phone deposits work for bookings confirmed by phone. Most florists take a deposit at consultation and the balance before the wedding.

The proportion of cash payments is falling every year, and it's happening faster than most traders realise. Even if cash is still dominant today, the customers you're losing - the ones who walk past because they don't carry coins - are invisible to you. Getting a card machine isn't replacing cash; it's capturing the sales you're currently missing.

We've set up hundreds of garages; the environment has never been an issue, as modern card machines are built tough - at least any that uno provides will be more than up to the job.

Yes. Multiple terminals on one merchant account, all at the same rate. A terminal at the garden centre till and a terminal at the café counter — both settle to the same bank account with a single reconciliation.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G works in the park, on the beach, in a car park - anywhere with mobile signal. Process payment before or after the session. For personal trainers and bootcamp operators who don't have a fixed studio, the portable terminal goes wherever the session is.

There's no upper limit on card payments through a standard merchant account. Whether it's a £15 trim or a £200 colour and treatment, the terminal processes it the same way. On higher-value services, the difference in transaction rate between providers becomes more significant - which is exactly where our comparisons save you money.

Yes. Any terminals we recommend for a hotel would of course support over-the-phone (MOTO) payments, allowing the processing of bookings and deposits without the guest being present. This is standard functionality on both the Pax A800 and Pax A920.

At 1.25% on a £3 sale, the fee is 3.75p. At 1.69%, it's 5p. On a busy summer day with 150 transactions, you're paying between £5.63 and £7.50 in total fees. The alternative - turning away 30 or 40 customers who don't have cash - costs you far more than £7.50.

If any of your customers ever ask 'do you take card?' then yes. Every customer who walks out because you're cash-only is a sale you don't see in your takings - you only see the customers who stayed and paid cash. Independent retailers who add a card machine typically see an increase in average basket value too, because customers spend more freely on card.

On an £80 emergency callout charged at an all-ecompassing rate (no monthly or other charges) of 1.25%, the fee would be less than £1. On a £150 callout, it would be £1.88. Getting paid on the spot via card eliminates having to chase up unpaid invoices - which is a far bigger cost than the processing fee. For locksmiths, card payment turns every callout into guaranteed revenue.

Dramatically faster. Instead of sending an invoice, waiting for a transfer, and following up when it doesn't arrive, you take card payment on the spot. Job done, payment done, move on. Most mobile businesses that switch to card payment see their average time-to-payment drop from days to seconds.

Yes. No minimum or maximum transaction value. The same terminal processes a £5 oil filter and a £300 turbo. On higher-value parts, the rate difference between providers becomes more significant - which is where our comparison saves you money.

Yes. Finance covers the bike, but accessories, servicing, parts, and deposit payments still need a card machine. A customer collecting their financed bike might buy a helmet, jacket, and gloves on the spot - that's a card transaction. Service bills, MOTs, and parts sales are your ongoing card revenue.

Yes. Customer drops off a guitar for a setup, you agree the price, they pay by card when they collect. Simple. No invoicing, no chasing. The terminal is right there at the counter.

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G connectivity lets your delivery driver take card payment on the doorstep. Safer than carrying cash, faster than invoicing, and the customer gets a receipt on the spot. You'll need to handle age verification at the door as you would for any alcohol delivery.

The card machine processes the card payment portion of the transaction - whatever the customer pays after their NHS voucher is applied. It doesn't interact with the voucher system itself. You apply the voucher value at your till as normal, then the customer pays any remaining balance by card.

No. The card machine processes the transaction amount regardless of what's being sold. A purchase for a hamster processes the exact same way as a hamster cage. The value and type of goods are your retail concern - the terminal simply handles the payment.

Yes, for any payable items. A portable terminal with 4G goes with your delivery driver. Patients who owe prescription charges or have ordered over-the-counter items can pay by card at the door. Safer and more convenient for vulnerable patients than handling cash.

On a £2,000 wedding package, the difference between 1.25% (£25) and 1.69% (£33.80) is £8.80. Over a season of weddings, that's hundreds of pounds. We find the rate that works for your typical package values.

Not necessarily. The SumUp Solo at £79 with no monthly fees suits practitioners with lower volumes. At 1.69% on a £40 appointment, you're paying 68p per visit. With 20 patients a week, that's under £14 total. No fixed costs when you're on holiday or have a quiet week. If your volume grows, we can compare whether a lower-rate terminal saves more.

The SumUp Solo at £79 with no monthly fees is designed for exactly this. You pay 1.69% per transaction and nothing else. If your pop-up succeeds and you move to a permanent location with higher volume, we can upgrade to a lower-rate terminal at that point.

Yes. Portable terminals with 4G connectivity work anywhere on your premises - beer garden, patio, function room, or car park. You don't need to rely on your pub's Wi-Fi reaching the garden. We've set up plenty of pubs where the garden does more trade than the bar on a sunny weekend.

It depends on which POS you're running. The Dojo Pax A920 can integrate with many third-party POS systems, wherreas the Shift4 Pax A800 integrates exclusively with Shift4's own POS platform (Dine & Delivery) which handles orders (including those from third-party food-ordering companies), table management, and payments all within in one system. We'll check compatibility with your existing setup before recommending the best solution for your business.

Self-service kiosk integration depends on your POS and checkout hardware. The Shift4 PAX A800 can integrate with Shift4's POS system, which supports self-service workflows. For bespoke self-checkout setups, the integration requirements are more specific. We'll assess your setup and advise on what's possible.

The countertop PAX A800 runs from mains power and processes continuously without restarts, resets, or maintenance. It's designed for sustained commercial use. In a self-service environment, reliability is non-negotiable — and the hardware is built for exactly that.

Yes. You don't need a limited company to get a card machine. Sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies are all eligible. The setup process is straightforward - we'll handle the application and guide you through the merchant account setup.

The terminal is designed for regular retail use, not rated for submersion or extreme conditions. In practice, thousands of food truck and van operators use them daily in British weather. Keep it under your serving hatch or canopy - the same way you protect your till - and it handles normal outdoor trading conditions without issues.

You key in whatever amount the scales show — £1.37, £2.84, any amount. The terminal handles any value. There's no minimum transaction amount required, so even a small bag of cola bottles gets processed instantly.

Yes, for walk-ins, phone orders, and your own delivery service. Platform orders are paid through the platform. But walk-in customers, phone-ahead collection, and your own delivery runs all need a card machine. Many takeaways find that their own delivery service - without platform commission - is more profitable when they can take card payment at the door.

Yes. Whether it's a £25 walk-in ear piercing or a £400 booked sleeve session, the same terminal handles both. No separate equipment needed for different transaction types or values.

At a 1.69% rate on a £7 fare, the fee is 12p. The question is whether you'd rather keep that 12p or lose the fare entirely when a passenger has no cash. More and more passengers expect card payment - especially airport runs, station pickups, and anyone under 30. The terminal pays for itself in fares you'd otherwise lose.

A puncture repair at £20–£30 is a quick job and a quick payment. At 1.25% on £25, the fee is 31p. Many walk-in puncture customers won't have planned the visit or the cash. Offering card payment captures every walk-in instead of losing the ones without cash to the centre down the road.

Starter kits and mod purchases are where transaction rates start to matter. At 1.25% on a £50 kit, you're paying 63p. At 1.69%, it's 85p. Over a month of kit sales, the rate difference adds up. We compare providers to find the best rate for your mix of small consumables and larger hardware sales.

Each instalment is a separate card transaction - there's no limit on frequency. For a £600 treatment split across three visits, you process £200 each time. The terminal doesn't manage the instalment plan; that's between you and the client. But the payment processing is straightforward.

Yes. Vintage shoppers often don't plan what they'll find or what they'll spend. A customer who discovers a perfect £80 jacket is more likely to buy if they can pay by card rather than finding a cashpoint. Removing payment friction in an impulse-driven market directly increases your conversion rate.

On a £5,000 installation, the difference between 1.25% (£62.50) and 1.69% (£84.50) is £22. On one job. Over a month of installations, the rate difference adds up to hundreds of pounds. For window fitters doing regular high-value work, choosing the right provider rate is one of the easiest ways to protect your margin.

The terminals we supply are compact by design and can sit neatly beside a till or on a narrow counter. Many of the card machines we recommend are handheld and doesn't need counter space at all - they can charge on a cradle placed anywhere, and work wherever they're needed.

Contactless payments process in a few seconds. On a busy night with four deep at the bar, that speed matters. The terminals we supply are built for sustained high-volume use - they won't slow down or overheat after processing hundreds of transactions in a shift.

Settlement times vary by provider. Many providers offer next-day settlement, whilst others take two to three business days. For many businesses managing tight cash flow around supplier deliveries and weekly wages, faster settlement can make a real difference. We'll ensure whichever solution we recommend, this vital aspect is considered.