Card machine for your cobbler and shoe repair

Fast card payments at the counter for repairs, key cutting, and engraving - competitive rates on smaller transaction values.

Common challenges

Most repair jobs are under £15 so per-transaction fees eat into margins
Customers expect to tap and go — cash-only loses you work
Small shop footprint means the terminal needs to be compact
Want something simple that staff can use without training
Don't want a long contract for a small business

Why cobblers choose uno

Cobblers, heel bars, and shoe repair shops handle a steady stream of small-value transactions - a heel repair here, a key cut there, a watch battery swap. When the average job is under £15, every penny on transaction fees matters.

We compare providers to find the terminal and rate that make sense for your volume and ticket size.

Fast counter payments

The Shift4 PAX A800 sits on the counter and processes contactless in under a second. Customers drop off shoes, collect repairs, and pay - no hold-ups.

Low-cost option for quieter shops

If your daily card volume is modest, the SumUp Solo at £79 with no monthly fees keeps costs to zero when you’re not transacting. The 1.69% rate is competitive for businesses doing a handful of card payments a day.

Key cutting and extras

Many cobblers offer key cutting, engraving, watch repairs, and other quick services. Multiple small transactions per day add up - a lower per-transaction rate saves real money over a month.

Compact and counter-friendly

Shoe repair shops aren’t big spaces. A compact terminal that sits neatly on or beside the counter is essential. No bulky equipment, no trailing cables.

What you get from uno

A compact terminal that suits a small shop counter
Rates compared across providers for your transaction size
Options from zero monthly fees to lower per-transaction rates
Simple setup and UK-based support

Common questions from cobbler and shoe repair owners

Most of my repair jobs are under £10 - are card fees practical?

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.

We do key cutting and engraving as well as shoe repairs - one terminal for everything?

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.

Customers drop off shoes and collect later - can they pay on collection?

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.

General questions about uno

Which card machine is right for my business?

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.

How much does a card machine cost?

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.

How long will it take for me to receive my takings?

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.

Do all uno card machines accept contactless payments?

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.

Will I be able to take 'over-the-phone' payments?

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.

How can we process refunds?

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.

Will we need to do complicated PCI compliance like we do with our current provider?

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!

Am I locked into a contract?

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.

How long does it take to get set up?

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.

Why go through uno instead of going direct to a provider?

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.

Ready to find the right card machine?

We make the effort to your business, understand how you take payments, and recommend the solution that genuinely fits - not the one with the biggest commission.

Call 07395 451520 Get in touch