Choosing a low-rate EFTPOS provider: the questions that matter

Card fees are one of the few costs a venue pays on every single sale, so small rate differences compound fast. But comparing EFTPOS providers on the headline rate alone is how venues end up disappointed.

Ask these five questions

1. Is the rate flat or blended? A “from 0.9%” blended rate can average out well above a flat 1.4% once premium cards and international cards hit the mix. A flat rate is a rate you can hold the provider to.

2. What are the fixed costs? Terminal rental, monthly “participation” fees, PCI compliance fees — a low rate with $60/month of fixed charges beats nobody at low volume.

3. Is there a lock-in? Twelve to thirty-six month contracts with exit fees are common. Month-to-month keeps providers honest.

4. Does it integrate with your POS? Standalone terminals mean staff re-typing amounts all day — and end-of-day mismatches you get to hunt down at 11pm. POS-integrated terminals remove the whole error class.

5. Can you surcharge? If you plan to pass on card costs, check the terminal and POS support compliant surcharging per payment method.

The integration dividend

Integrated EFTPOS is the sleeper benefit: refunds go back to the same card from the register, every transaction reconciles against an order automatically, and settlement reports stop being detective work.

KokiPOS pairs low flat-rate EFTPOS terminals directly with the register — one low rate confirmed at signup, no terminal rental on standard plans, no lock-in, surcharging built in.