For shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, the till and card machine are some of the most-used systems in the business. They also come with several different charges, which makes the true cost hard to see. Here’s how to check yours.
1. Find every charge
Till and payment costs are often split across several bills. Look for:
- a monthly fee for the till software, sometimes per till;
- monthly charges for extra features or add-ons;
- card machine rental or lease payments;
- fees on each card payment;
- any other monthly or minimum charges on your payments statement.
2. Add it up over a year
Add all of those together for a full year. Seeing the yearly total, rather than lots of small monthly charges, makes it much easier to compare options.
3. Check your contract terms
Find out how long you’re signed up for, when it renews, the notice period, and whether there’s a fee for leaving early. Some agreements run month to month; others last several years.
4. Check what you actually use
Are you paying for tills or card machines you don’t use, such as one in a closed area or a spare kept in a drawer? Are you paying for add-ons nobody uses?
5. Compare the whole cost, not just one fee
A lower fee on card payments isn’t a saving if the monthly charges or contract terms are worse. Compare the yearly total, including any cost of switching, before deciding.
Want us to look at it?
We can go through your till and payment costs as part of a free savings check, explain them in plain English, and tell you honestly whether changing is worth it.
