Card machine for your model shop

Reliable card payments for your model shop - competitive rates for specialist hobby retail, simple and straightforward.

Common challenges

  • Mix of small purchases (paints, tools) and larger kits
  • Loyal customers expect modern payment options
  • Independent shop margins need protecting
  • Don't want overcomplicated technology
  • Need reliability — small team can't afford downtime

Recommended solutions

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 model shops choose uno

Model shops serve dedicated hobbyists who value expertise and personal service. Your card machine should match that - reliable, professional, and never getting in the way of the customer experience.

Handles every transaction size

From a £3 pot of paint to a £200 radio-controlled kit, one terminal handles it all with competitive rates across the range.

Simple for small teams

Most model shops have a small team. The terminal needs to be straightforward - no training manuals, no IT support needed.

Reliable and low-maintenance

You’re a specialist retailer, not a tech company. We supply terminals that work every day without fuss.

What you get from uno

  • A terminal suited to specialist hobby retail
  • Competitive rates compared across providers
  • On-site setup and walkthrough
  • Ongoing support from people who answer the phone

Common questions from model shop owners

My customers are hobbyists who buy regularly - does a card machine change anything?

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.

I do special orders for customers - can I take a deposit by card?

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.

Customers sometimes order books by phone - can I take payment over the phone?

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.

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