Free Credit Card Terminals

A credit card terminal is a device for completing transactions with a credit card, charge card, or debit card. The credit card information is entered—either by swiping the card or keying in the information, a method used for card details receive through mail order or telephone orders (MOTO credit card sales)—and sent to the merchant service provider for acceptance or denial. The credit card terminal may operate over a standard telephone line, over the Internet, or wirelessly. Some credit card terminals have the ability to handle specialized functions, such as tips, refunds or adjustments, and preauthorization, or even to handle multiple businesses.

What Is a Free Credit Card Terminal?

Free credit card terminals are a perk offered by merchant account providers. Merchant account providers offer a variety of packages, and the combination of rental for components plus the transaction fees. Merchants fine-tune the appeal of their packages with different pricing configurations, offering some elements at no charge, and setting the charges on other elements of the package to cover their costs and create income.

The task of comparing merchant account services, some of which offer free credit card terminals and some of which don’t is similar to the task of comparing web hosts, some of whom offer various products or services for free, and others of which offer different products or services for free. Looking at the overall cost to you for present and projected needs—rather than focusing on what is “free” is the best way to come to a decision.

Choosing a Merchant Account Service with Free Credit Card Terminals

Merchant account providers offer a range of elements in the merchant account service, and to make a choice, you should look over the entire product range and cost to you. Here are some of the merchant account elements to check:

• Is there a monthly merchant account fee, or only a transaction charge?

• Are transaction charges different for different types of card?

• Are there set-up or activation fees?

• Is there an extra charge for accepting certain cards, for example, American Express, gift cards, debit cards, or Discover Card?

• Is there a charge for Payment Gateway software?

• Is there a  charge for the credit card terminal(s) you will need?

• Is there a check guarantee program?

You may also wish to consider the alternative of using a computer or smartphone with appropriate software to conduct credit card transactions using a credit card terminal software application. Apple stores began using this method in 2010, and there are currently several iPhone apps available to allow the phone to function as a POS Credit Card Terminal.