Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I take cards?

A large proportion of the population in the UK carries debit or credit cards and more than half of them use these cards regularly.  Our card acceptance service offers your customers another way to pay for goods in your shop or for them to pay their bills or top up their mobile phone - especially useful if they don't have a lot of cash on them.   Our research has found that the average purchase on cards is higher than with cash - £15 on average compared to £3 for cash - adding value to your store.

In addition there is a cashback capability which can also help with your cash-handling charges by reducing the amount of money you have to bank regularly.

What are the benefits of the Payzone card acceptance offer?

  • Full acceptance of Visa and MasterCard debit and credit cards

  • Cash back facility

  • No extra charge for your terminal which is fully chip and pin capable

  • No additional phone-line required

  • Increased footfall to your store attracted by the ability to pay by card as well as cash

  • A higher purchase value of more than £15 per customer compared to £3 on cash

  • The most competitive all-in price in the market - on average more than £100-200 per year cheaper than the next best offer depending on your transaction levels.

Why choose Payzone over another card company?

  • We process all major Visa and MasterCard cards

  • We are backed by a world class card acquirer

  • We are unique in offering you a Pay As You Go service which means you can try the service without having to commit upfront to large fees every month

  • There is no need for an additional terminal and if you already have one then you can send it back at the end of your contract and save some money every month.

How much will I pay?

We offer several types of pricing but our most popular offer is a Pay As You Go tariff which for Payzone customer has no additional terminal charge for Chip and PIN transactions.  This means you can sign up and try the service, only paying for the transactions you actually take across your counters.

The types of transaction charge are also very simple with a price for debit cards per transaction and a % price for credit card transactions.

There is no monthly charge or set-up fee for the service, nor any additional charge for accessing the service through your Payzone terminal.

Are your rates competitive?

Yes, very competitive.   On average we calculate that a Payzone customer is close to £100 better off per year than if they were with a different card acceptance provider, depending on transaction levels.   In fact the more transactions you have the more you save.

How do I set up the service?

Phone our sales team on 01606 338205 and they can help to fill out the application form and then send it to you for signature.  Then about two weeks later we should be able to have you set up for cards.

How can you help me to promote card acceptance in my store?

We can send you a free set of Visa and MasterCard store window and point of sale display material.  These decals should be placed in your window and next to your Payzone terminal as they show potential customers that you can accept cards and as such should help to attract them into your store or to make card payments - meaning more, higher value purchases for you.

How quickly will I receive the card payments into my account?

Generally we will credit your business account with the card transactions value two days after they are processed - a fast and convenient way to receive payment.

How will you charge me?

Every 4 weeks we will send you a bill detailing the card transactions you have taken and we will then direct debit you shortly afterwards.

Are some cards better to accept than others?

For larger value transactions it is better to ask the customer for a debit card as its cost is fixed, whereas a credit card transaction cost will vary with the value of the purchase and can be expensive for high value transactions.

I am concerned about fraud, how can you help?

Our terminals are fully Chip and PIN capable, offering you excellent fraud protection.  However, there are some best practice guidelines it is worth following:

Card fraud affects all parties within the payment chain. It is important that the cardholder feels comfortable using payment cards at your premises. Cardholders often learn very quickly where a merchant has been compromised and avoid using that location again.

Point of Sale security checklist

  • Record the make, model, serial number and how many POS terminals you have at your merchant location

  • Record the location of each terminal in the store (unless the terminals are removed and secured when the store is closed)

  • Check and record if each terminal has any security labels

  • Check the state and location of the label. Look carefully to see if these labels appear to have been removed or replaced

  • For PIN pads and POS Pin Entry Devices (PED) connected to an electronic cash register, or separate host system, note how each terminal is connected to the device

  • Note how many connections (leads, plugs, aerials, etc) are connected to the terminal

  • Note the area around the PED to see what display items are placed near the PED (these could be used to house cameras)

  • Look at the ceiling above the PED (especially if this is a false ceiling). Is the tile clean, does it look as though it has been disturbed?

  • Check the area underneath the sales desk to see if there is any new electronic equipment that has suddenly appeared without reason

  • Depending on how your outlet transmits data to another location, check the connection system (telephone port, network connector) for signs of tampering or additional unknown equipment being added

  • Challenge and check anyone entering your outlet claiming to represent:

The terminal manufacturer
Maintenance company
Network or telecommunications company
MasterCard or Visa
The Police.

I have received a chargeback - what can I do?

A chargeback occurs when a card holder disputes a transaction i.e. claims that they did not buy the goods or that they were not of the standard expected.   Our customers have very few such transactions as our Chip and PIN terminal will protect against fraud.  However, if a problem does arise then our helpdesk can assist you in challenging the chargeback.

My terminal doesn't seem to be working - what should I do?

Call our helpdesk on 0844 2090 555 and we will try and resolve the problem as quickly as possible and get your terminal working again.   If we cannot resolve it quickly then we will send you a replacement terminal.

I have run out of till roll

We pledge to always offer the cheapest possible price to our merchants and run a price match guarantee. Call our Helpdesk on 0844 2090 555 to get the latest price.  We won't be beaten on price!  If you have found till rolls cheaper elsewhere we will match that price.*

*Subject to proof of cheaper price being offered.