Card machines for key cutting and locksmiths

Quick, simple card payments at the counter or on a callout. Competitive rates and no unnecessary complexity.

Common challenges

  • Many quick transactions at low values
  • Callout locksmiths need portable payment on-site
  • Don't want high monthly fees for a small operation
  • Need contactless for speed
  • Want something reliable and simple

Recommended solutions

SumUp

Solo

Compact, buy-outright card reader with Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity. No monthly fees, no contract — just a one-off hardware cost and a simple flat transaction rate. Ideal for low-volume merchants, micros and seasonal trading.

  • Touchscreen display
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Contactless
  • No monthly fees
  • No contract
  • Buy outright — yours to keep
Hardware
£79
Monthly
£0
Debit
1.69% +
Credit
1.69% +
Commercial
1.69% +
International
1.69% +
Per transaction
0p
Contract
No contract

Shift4

Pax A800

Portable/countertop Android 10 terminal with 5.7-inch touchscreen and Payment & POS functionality. Built-in thermal printer along with Wi-Fi & 4g connectivity. Latest model from Pax includes on-screen merchant branding, intuitive over-the-phone payment flow, on-board POS features, as well as being configurable for full Shift4 POS integration (Dine & Delivery)

  • 5.7-inch HD touchscreen
  • Built-in printer
  • Wi-Fi & 4G
  • Contactless, chip & PIN, over-the-phone
  • Queue-Busting Fast Transacting
  • Only integrated with Shift4 POS
  • Latest Android POS & Payments
Hardware
£0
Monthly
Free for 1st machine
Debit
< 1.25% blended
Credit
< 1.25% blended
Commercial
< 1.25% blended
International
< 1.25% blended
Per transaction
0p
Contract
negotiable

Why key cutters choose uno

Key cutting and locksmith businesses handle a mix of quick counter transactions and higher-value callout work. Your card machine needs to handle both - and for locksmiths, it needs to go where the job is.

Counter payments

The Shift4 PAX A800 is free for your first machine and processes contactless fast at the counter. Perfect for quick key-cutting transactions.

Callout work

Locksmiths on callout need payment on-site. The Dojo PAX A920 connects over 4G so you can take card payment at the customer’s door - no invoicing, no chasing.

Low-cost option

The SumUp Solo at £79 outright suits sole-trader locksmiths watching overheads. No monthly fees, just 1.69% per transaction.

What you get from uno

  • Counter or portable terminal options
  • Rates compared across providers
  • Simple setup - we handle everything
  • UK-based support

Common questions from key cutting and locksmiths owners

Key cutting takes two minutes - is the card payment just as fast?

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.

I do locksmith callouts - can I take card payment at the customer's door?

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.

Emergency locksmith rates are £80 to £150 - are the card rates reasonable?

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.

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