Why "buy outright" is the only honest answer
Terminal leasing is the single most-detected pattern in our audits. The pitch is convenient: a "free" terminal in exchange for a small monthly fee. The reality:
- A typical "free" terminal costs $39–$79/month on a 36 to 48-month non-cancellable lease.
- That terminal — Verifone VX520, PAX A920, Ingenico Move 5000 — retails for $250–$450 outright.
- Over the lease term, you pay $1,400–$3,800. After the lease, the terminal goes back. You never owned it.
- Many lease contracts auto-renew if you don't cancel in writing within a narrow window. Some merchants pay for the same terminal for 8+ years.
If you're currently on a terminal lease, tell us when you signed it and we'll find your cancellation clause for free, even if you don't switch processors with us. We've yet to find a lease that didn't have an exit, though sometimes the math says wait it out.
What we sell — and what it costs
Countertop terminals
Verifone VX520, PAX A80, Ingenico Desk 5000. EMV chip + magstripe + NFC contactless. $250–$400 outright. Free shipping, programmed when it arrives.
Wireless / dual-comm
PAX A920, Verifone V200c, Ingenico Move 5000. Wi-Fi + 4G LTE backup. For mobile services, food trucks, line-busting. $350–$650 outright.
Mobile readers
Bluetooth chip/tap readers that pair with iOS or Android phones. For field service, market vendors, in-home services. $50–$150 outright.
PIN pads & accessories
Standalone PIN pads, USB and Ethernet cables, integrated printers, signature capture devices. Compatible with most countertop POS systems. $50–$200.
What about my current terminal?
Most modern EMV terminals can be re-programmed to point at a different processor, even if you bought them through someone else. We check three things:
- Is the terminal still under warranty? If yes, re-programming usually voids it — sometimes worth it, sometimes not. We'll tell you.
- Is the terminal "locked" to its original processor? Some terminals (especially newer Clover and Square hardware) are. Others (most Verifone, PAX, Ingenico) aren't.
- Is the software current? EMV requires periodic software updates. If yours hasn't been updated in 18+ months, re-programming may not work and you need new hardware.
If your current terminal is fine, we don't sell you a new one. The audit tells you what's worth keeping.
FAQ — terminals & equipment
Why is hardware sold separately from processing?
Bundling them is what enables the lease scam. When the terminal is a separate purchase, you can see exactly what it costs — and what the processing costs — without one hiding the other.
Does the terminal include software for inventory / reporting?
A countertop terminal just processes payments and prints receipts. For inventory, reporting, and operations, you need a POS — see our point-of-sale page.
What if I want to keep my existing terminal?
Great. If it's unlocked and current, we re-program it for free as part of switching processors. If it's not, we'll tell you what new hardware is required and what it costs.
How long does shipping and setup take?
Hardware ships next business day. Setup is plug-and-play — most merchants are up in 15 minutes with a phone call to David or Ohad if anything's confusing.