Most businesses in the United Kingdom prefer the Chip & PIN card machine (also known as a PDQ machine or card payment machine) for face-to-face credit card transactions.
These are the hand-held gadgets you find in restaurants and retail stores. They have a slot in which a credit card is inserted and a keypad for typing in the PIN number.
Types of Card Machines
Here are the card machine options available on the market:
1- Card Machine
This is the ultimate machine for the merchant looking to accepting card payments in different spots within the business premise. The machine comes complete with a charging system and uses Bluetooth to communicate with a central hub that’s linked to your broadband line or smartphone.
A restaurant where one needs to collect payments from table to table will find a Portable card machine handy.
2-Countertop Card Machine
Unlike a portable one, a Countertop Card Machine (Also called a static card machine) is designed to be placed on top of the counter, most times near a till where customers make payments.
It is the perfect pick for a company owner looking to buy a one-place card machine on a tight budget. To use a countertop card machine, you’ll need a power source and a phone or broadband connection.
3-Mobile/GSM/GPRS Card Machine
If your business entails taking card payments while on the move, then a mobile card machine is an excellent choice for you. This type of card machine is linked to the mobile phone network which allows you accept payments anywhere within in the United Kingdom—without the help of a landline. It is also known as a GSM/GPRS card machine.
How Do I Start Using Credit Card Machine?
To start using a credit card machine as a means of taking payments, you should start by opening a merchant account. It is through the merchant account that you process payments, but you’ll need the card machine to initiate every transaction. You can get both from one service provider like BPP.
What’s the Cost of renting a Card Machine?
You’ll pay around £15 to £28 per month, plus Value Added Tax (VAT) to rent a card machine. But prices may vary depending on the following factors:
- Type of machine
- Where you rent from
- Length of the contract
Merchant services companies have a fair amount of flexibility in the prices they’re able to offer, so it can be well worthwhile to shop around and negotiate.
Author Bio: Payment industry expert Taylor Cole is a passionate merchant account expert who understands the complicated world of accepting credit and debit cards at your business. His understanding of the industry has helped thousands of business owners get a start taking payments.
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