9 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Card Machine

Here’s what you need to know about finding the right card machine

If you take card payments, choosing the right card machine for your business is critical.

You’ll rely on it for secure, fast, cashless payments and require fast settlements that support healthy cash flow.

As some providers lock you into long contracts with expensive exit fees, knowing what to look for is key.

This guide will help you find a next-generation card machine that accepts modern payment methods, processes payments quickly, settles funds into your business account fast, and looks good on your countertop.

Keep reading to discover the nine questions to consider when comparing card machines.

1. Do I understand the fees?

Many business owners don’t realise they are agreeing to hidden fees until it’s too late. Sign the wrong contract and you could end up paying more than expected for your card machine. And worse, long-term contracts often come with high fees for early cancellation.

These fees are usually disclosed in the terms and conditions, but not always clearly. Make sure to review the details carefully and avoid relying solely on a verbal quote.

Pro tip: you can use AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude to review any unclear small print and fee structures in a few seconds.

If you already use a card machine, check your statements to understand the processing and additional fees you’re currently paying.

Renting a card machine can seem affordable at first, but it often results in paying more over time than the device is worth. As you typically won’t own the device at the end of the contract.

Zeller Terminals are yours to own, clearly priced and with no hidden subscription or transaction fees. Starting at £99, our premium terminals are affordable and with clear transaction fees.

2. Will it be easy to use?

Taking a payment is often the final interaction a member of your team has with a customer.

How easily staff can process a payment has a direct impact on the customer experience.

Your card machine should be simple for all staff to use, with minimal training required. This is especially important if you run a retail store that hires seasonal staff during busy periods, or any business that regularly brings in new team members.

Time spent training staff on a complex system is time that could be better used elsewhere in the business, and complex card machines can add friction at point of payment, and result in losses, as, according to our recent research, almost half of UK adults abandon purchases if they encounter payment issues.

When choosing a card machine, consider whether it has been designed with your business in mind. Are the prompts clear? Is the user journey intuitive? The device should feel simple and natural to use. If it does, your team will save time on every transaction, and you’ll spend less time training them.

3. Can I customise it to suit my business?

Some card machine providers require you to adapt your processes to fit their system. Choosing a provider that understands your business means you won’t need to change how you operate. Your card machine should work the way your business does.

When selecting a provider, consider how well it fits with your existing processes. For example, you might want the ability to:

• Restrict refunds to selected staff, such as managers.

• Enable or disable tipping.

• Customise your receipts.

Choose a provider that gives you control over how you accept and manage payments, and you’ll avoid having to adjust your processes to fit the technology.

4. What happens if your internet is down?

Your business should be able to continue accepting card payments even if your internet connection drops. You don’t want to turn customers away or rely on cash.

Short periods of downtime can happen, whether due to network issues, maintenance, or power outages. When this happens, your card machine needs a reliable backup.

Modern card machines, such as Zeller Terminal, offer multiple connectivity options. If your Wi-Fi goes down, you can switch to mobile data using the built-in SIM and continue taking payments.

5. How often will I need to charge it?

A portable card machine is essential to businesses need to take payments on the go. Cafés and restaurants taking payments at the table rely on a long-lasting battery to get through the day. For retail, it gives you the flexibility to take payments wherever is most convenient for the customer. Mobile businesses such as trades or beauty professionals, can take payment on the spot without needing to send an invoice later.

It’s important to choose a card machine with reliable battery life, so you can take payments throughout the day without interruption.

6. How quickly can I access my funds?

Settlement speed directly impacts your cash flow. Slower settlements make it harder to manage day-to-day expenses, especially for growing businesses.

Depending on your payment provider, you may receive funds the same day, or wait several business days for them to arrive.

With Zeller Terminal, funds are settled to your Zeller Business Account overnight, giving you fast access to your money. If you choose to settle into an external business account, funds should arrive the next business day.

7. Are the setup and ongoing support straightforward?

Complicated setup, unclear instructions, and hard-to-reach support teams are issues you don’t need.

Some card machine providers are simple to set up out of the box, while others require lengthy instructions or even an on-site technician.

Once you’re up and running, it’s important to have access to support when you need it. If your business operates in the evenings or at weekends, look for a provider that offers extended support hours. If something goes wrong, you need to know help is available quickly.

8. Will it protect my business?

Fraud is a risk for businesses of any size, and chargebacks can be costly if not managed properly. When choosing a payment provider, it’s important to understand how your transactions are protected. You’re trusting them to handle your money securely.

Zeller monitors transactions around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help prevent fraud before it occurs. Backed by real-time, machine-based monitoring and a dedicated team, Zeller works to identify and respond to suspicious activity as it happens.

9. How soon can I get it?

If you’re ready to start selling, waiting weeks for a card machine to arrive can slow you down. The sooner you have your device, the sooner you can start accepting payments.

Look for a provider that offers fast delivery, so you can get set up quickly. Even if you’re not ready to take payments immediately, having your card machine early gives you time to get familiar with its features and customise it for your business.

Zeller Terminal can be ordered online, with free next-day delivery across the UK. You can sign up in minutes and get started without delays.

Once you’ve considered these nine questions, you should have a clear idea of what to look for in a card machine provider. Always read the terms carefully and make sure you understand exactly what you’re paying for before committing.