Card terminals

Card payments, without the small print

Most businesses don't actually know what they're paying for card payments — and that's not an accident. Between rental fees, transaction rates, PCI charges and contract terms, it's built to be hard to compare.

We go through the full picture with you, then match you to a provider and pricing structure that actually fits how you trade.

Ask a question on WhatsApp Send us your statement

Where the cost actually hides

01 Confusing pricing Rental, rate, PCI fee and authorisation fee — quoted separately or bundled together so you can't see the real cost.

02 Hidden extras Statement fees, chargeback fees, callout charges. Small individually, real over a year.

03 Long contracts 12–48 month lock-ins with exit penalties if your business changes direction.

04 Paying for quiet months Minimum charges that apply whether you had a slow month or a seasonal close.

We compare the full fee schedule, not just the headline rate — and if a pay-as-you-go reader would genuinely cost you less than a rental agreement, we'll tell you that.

Which setup

How do you take payments?

Pick the closest match and we'll show what to watch for on that kind of setup.

FIXED COUNTER

Countertop terminal at a till point

A wired or wifi terminal that lives by the till. The most common setup for shops, takeaways and counter-service cafés — and the one where rental agreements are most often overpriced.

WHAT WE CHECK FIRST

· Whether the rental fee matches the hardware's actual value · Your blended rate across debit, credit and business cards · Whether the terminal can talk to your till or sits separate

Ask about this setup

How we work

Send us one statement. That's usually enough.

A single recent merchant statement tells us your real blended cost, your card mix and every line item you're being charged for. From there we can say plainly whether you're being treated well or not.

If your current deal is genuinely competitive, we'll say so and leave you alone. That happens more often than you'd expect.

1 You send a statementWhatsApp a photo or PDF. No forms to fill in.

2 We break down the real costEvery line item, your blended rate, and what your contract actually commits you to.

3 You see the options side by sideFull fee schedules from the providers that suit your volume — not just headline rates.

4 You decide, we handle the switchIncluding checking your existing exit terms before you commit to anything.

Common questions

Card machine questions we get asked

What's the best card machine for a small business? It depends almost entirely on your monthly card volume and average transaction size. Below roughly £1,500 a month, a pay-as-you-go reader with no contract usually wins. Above that, a rental agreement with a lower transaction rate normally works out cheaper — but only if the rate is genuinely competitive.

Can I get a card machine with no contract? Yes. Pay-as-you-go readers are bought outright with no monthly commitment. You pay more per transaction, which is why they suit lower or seasonal volumes.

What is a PCI fee and do I have to pay it? PCI compliance is a card-industry security requirement. Providers usually charge a monthly fee for it, and a non-compliance fee if you don't complete the annual self-assessment. Completing it is free and takes minutes — many businesses pay the penalty simply because nobody told them.

How quickly do I get my money? Standard settlement is next working day for most providers, with same-day available on some. It settles into whichever business account you nominate. See business banking →

I'm mid-contract. Is it worth talking? Usually yes. We'll check your exit terms and notice period, and work out whether switching now still saves money net of any penalty — or whether it's better to wait and time it properly.

Get in touch

Find out what you're really paying

Send a recent statement and we'll come back with the real numbers — your blended cost, every fee you're being charged, and whether better exists for a business your size.

Send a statement on WhatsApp

Or email tavonpartners@gmail.com

Thanks — that's with us.

We'll be in touch shortly. If you can, WhatsApp us a recent statement — it makes the review far more accurate.