Frequently asked questions

The right card machine depends on how the business trades. A fine-dining restaurant in Covent Garden, a market trader at Glasgow's Barras and a pub beside Cardiff Arms Park take payments in completely different ways, and no single machine suits all three. uno starts by understanding how a business actually operates, and only then recommends - from a range of providers rather than from 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.

The card machines uno recommends all feature next-working-day payouts to ease the cash-flow struggles of many independent UK businesses. For merchants that need payouts over weekends too, uno can also offer a 7-day payout option at extra cost, with the Component billing model. Any card machine uno recommends also has automatic end-of-day settlement, so the day’s card takings are batched overnight without any manual action needed by the merchant. End-of-day ‘Z reports’ can easily be generated for businesses that require them, but they are purely optional - automatic batching occurs with or without them.

Yes, every one of them. Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards are accepted as standard on every machine uno recommends; contactless is how most UK customers now pay, and every machine features it as standard.

For most merchants, yes - available on-screen along with contactless and Chip & Pin. The small minority of high-risk business-types that are not offered over-the-phone payments by default are the exception - for the vast majority, 'over-the-phone' payments will be offered as standard.

From the card machine, in a few taps. Refund a sale on the same day and it is cancelled outright, with the money never leaving the customer's account; refund it after the provider's daily cut-off and the customer's bank typically takes 3-5 days to return it. Every machine uno recommends handles both, and the difference is only in how quickly the customer sees the money.

With several of the providers uno works with the merchant does nothing at all, because the provider handles PCI on their behalf; with the others it is a few minutes once a year. Nobody uno works with makes it complicated, and uno tells a merchant which they are getting before anything is signed.

Whether a merchant is locked into a contract depends on the billing model. The Component and Hybrid billing models do carry a 12-month contract commitment. uno always clarifies the contract terms before a merchant commits to anything.

Most businesses are up and running within a few days. uno handles the installation and configuration, then walks the merchant and their staff through everything.

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.

Ice cream sellers get next-working-day payouts with the card machines uno recommends, so the weekend’s takings are deposited on Monday morning. For merchants that need payouts over weekends too, uno can also offer an extra-cost, 7-day payout option. Next-working-day payouts ease the cash-flow worries many UK merchants face compared to the standard 3-day settlement times of other providers.

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 based on your basket sizes and the transaction volumes.

With modern card machines the merchant is no longer forced to choose between countertop or portable designs - all-day battery life means any terminal can either be sat on a counter, or used handheld. Every card machine uno recommends connects via Wi-Fi and built-in 4G multi-network SIM, so nothing anchors it to a till or counter. The choice that does still matter is between a card machine and a card reader - which tethers to a phone and has no connection of its own.

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.

Many providers charge monthly fees for PCI compliance, and some even fine merchants they decide are ‘non-PCI compliant’. None of the providers uno recommends issue PCI fines, so, no - an ice cream seller would not be fined.

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.

Supermarkets need a retail-focused POS built for multiple checkouts, barcode scanning, weighed goods and stock control. A hospitality-first POS is designed around table service and order management, and handles none of those well whatever card machine sits alongside it. uno matches supermarkets to a retail POS and to card machines that integrate with it.

The answer depends on which POS system runs at each checkout. The PAX A920 integrates with the majority of tills and POS systems found in supermarkets. uno confirms compatibility against the specific system in use before recommending anything.

The PAX models are built for sustained high-volume use, so a busy processing 300–400 transactions daily won't see any slowdown, as 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. A refused card doesn't just lose that sale - research consistently shows that customer won't come back.

A card reader has no connection of its own - it tethers to the operator’s phone, sharing its single network vulnerability and battery life, and means the phone can’t leave the pitch. A card machine connects independently through its own built-in multi-network 4G SIM and keeps working even if one route fails. The hardware that decides the success or failure of a day’s trading should not be a candidate for economising.

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 at all, 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.

uno offers card machines that integrate with the majority of tills and POS systems typically found in Corner Shops.

A discovery call establishes exactly how the operation runs, so a recommendation can be made with certainty. uno offers card machines that integrate with many of the POS systems typically found in retail, so an existing POS and till setup can usually be kept.

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 involvement. 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.

The no-use, no-fee card machines uno recommends for Seasonal traders cost £0 throughout any off-season. So it's much better for Seasonal traders to keep their machine at no cost, ready for when they restart trading.

A sweet shop pays for PCI only on the Component billing model, where it is one of the monthly charges. The Blended and Hybrid billing models carry no PCI charge, and none of the providers uno recommends would fine a sweet shop for PCI non-compliance.

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.

Contactless payments process in a few seconds - faster than counting change on a 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, uno would suggest a card machine under a 'no-use, no-fee' contract that has no monthly fees. Matched correctly to the right card machine, you'd just pay a simple flat rate only when you take a payment. e.

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 at all. 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.

A card reader has no connection of its own - it tethers to the operator's phone, sharing its single network vulnerability and battery life, and means the phone can't leave the pitch. A card machine connects independently through its own built-in 4G multi-network SIM and keeps working even if one route fails. The hardware that decides the success or failure of a day's trading should not be a candidate for economising.

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.

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. uno would recommend a Blended rate billing model with no 'per-transaction' fees, to protect 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Integration depends on the kiosk hardware and software in use. The PAX A800 integrates with its provider's own POS system, which supports self-service workflows. Bespoke kiosk setups require specific API compatibility. uno assesses the existing kiosk system and advises on what is 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.

Yes. Children can be sent in with a parent’s card or phone, and a sweet shop that turns away a 50p card transaction loses that sale - and that customer. With one simple rate and no ‘per-transaction’ fee, the total cost of that sale would be less than a penny - hardly worth losing a customer over.

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.

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.

Yes. Modern, portable card machines can connect 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.

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.

uno would recommend use of a Blended rate billing model for such purchases.

Yes. We can recommend providers that would 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.

Modern card machines have made the choice largely immaterial - choose instead on the most suitablly shaped billing model for your trading pattern.

Regular customers value convenience above everything. Payments are transacted within 3 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.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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 models have 'all-day battery life' to last 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.

Contactless processes within 3 seconds. 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.

No. With the Pay-As-You-Go billing uno recommends for sweet shops, even international and business cards are charged at one simple rate. For sweet shops in seaside resorts and tourist towns, a foreign visitor’s card costs the same to transact as any other.

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

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.

Vape customers buy using card 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. 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 with some providers, but not others. For antiques dealers in tourist areas or at major fairs with international visitors, this is essential.

Any card machine uno would recommend for a bakery will comfortably last a full trading day with its 'all-day battery life'.

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, we can offer various options for this circumstance. For a sole-trader barber doing a handful of card payments a day, a card machine based on the 'no-use, no-fee' Blended rate billing model would be uno's recommendation.

Yes. A portable card machine based on the 'no-use, no-fee' Blended rate billing model would be uno's recommendation.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For such situations uno would recommend a Blended rate billing model, and then the question isn't the few pence each transaction costs - 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. uno would recommend a 'no-use, no-fee' basis with no monthly fees as 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 an ideal solution for this situation found on uno's 'compare' page.

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 PAX models.

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.

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. 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.

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.

We'd recommend a card machine under a 'no-use, no-fee contract that offers a Blended rate billing model.

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 a restaurant is running. The PAX A920 integrates with many third-party POS systems. The PAX A800 integrates with a proprietary POS platform only - one system handling orders, including those from third-party food-ordering companies, table management and payments together.

Self-service kiosk integration depends on the POS and checkout hardware in use. The PAX A800 integrates with its provider's own POS system, which supports self-service workflows. Bespoke self-checkout setups carry more specific integration requirements. uno assesses the setup and advises on what is 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.

The shopkeeper keys in whatever the scales show - £1.37, £2.84, any amount - and the customer taps. The card machines uno recommends for sweet shops take any keyed amount to the penny, so pick and mix sold by weight needs no rounding, and no special setup.

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.

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.

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.

Individual payment providers only offer their own preferred billing model, whereas uno values offering all three, so each merchant’s trading pattern can be matched to the right billing model.