Card machines for market traders

Mobile, battery-powered, and 4G connected - card machines that go wherever your stall does.

Common challenges

No reliable Wi-Fi at your market pitch
Losing sales because you can only take cash
Current card machine battery doesn't last a full market day
Expensive monthly fees that don't make sense for your turnover
Need something robust that survives a market environment

Why market traders choose uno

Market traders need card machines that work without mains power or Wi-Fi. You’re outdoors, you move between locations, and you need a terminal that keeps up with a busy market day from start to finish.

We understand the market trader’s setup because we’ve worked with hundreds of pitches across the country and seen what actually works in the field.

4g connectivity

Any solution we recommend will work relliably over 4G - so you don’t have to depend on market Wi-Fi that may not exist, or may be unreliable. Wherever there’s a mobile signal from any of the multiple UK networks, you’ll be able to dependably take card payments.

Battery life

The Pax models runs on a rechargeable batteries designed for a full trading day - particularly the A800, which has the best battery life of all.

Tough enough for markets

These terminals are built for real-world market trader use. Compact, portable, and robust enough to handle the knocks of a typical market setup. Built-in printer means instant receipts without extra equipment.

Accepting every payment type

Contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay, chip and PIN - your customers can pay however they prefer. Accepting cards means bigger average sales and no lost transactions from customers who don’t carry cash.

What you get from uno

Advice on the best portable terminal for your specific market setup
Competitive rates compared across multiple providers
A terminal that works on 4G — no Wi-Fi dependency
Ongoing UK-based human support

Common questions from market trader owners

Will it work anywhere as I trade at three different markets during the week?

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!

What if there's no phone signal at the market?

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!

I trade from 6am to 4pm at the market - will the battery last?

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.

I trade from an outdoor stall - will the card machine work in the rain?

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.

Most of my customers still pay cash - should I bother with a card machine?

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.

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