Card machine for your butcher

Reliable card payments at the counter, competitive rates for your volume, and no unnecessary complexity.

Common challenges

Losing sales from customers who don't carry cash
Current card machine is slow during Saturday morning rush
Transaction fees feel too high for your margins
Want something simple that just works
Worried about being locked into a long contract

Why butchers choose uno

Independent butchers are seeing more and more card payments, especially from younger customers. A reliable countertop terminal means you never lose a sale because someone didn’t bring cash - and Saturday morning queues move faster.

Counter payments

The PAX A800 is built for exactly this: fast contactless at the counter, wired for reliability, and simple to use. No fancy features you don’t need, just solid card payments all day.

Competitive rates

Butchers typically have a mix of smaller and larger transactions. We compare rates across multiple providers to find the deal that makes the most sense for your specific volume and transaction sizes.

Keep it simple

You’re a butcher, not a technologist. We set the terminal up, show you how it works, and it runs in the background while you focus on what you do best.

What you get from uno

A simple countertop terminal matched to your shop
Rates compared across providers for your volume
On-site installation — we handle everything
UK-based support when you need it

Common questions from butcher owners

My average sale is £15–£30 - which card machine rate suits a butcher?

At that transaction range, a blended rate under 1.25% saves you meaningfully compared to a flat 1.69% rate. On a £25 sale, the difference is around 11p per transaction - and across a busy week, that adds up. We'll compare the total cost across providers based on your typical daily takings.

Can I take card payment for large pre-orders like birthday cakes or Christmas orders?

Yes. You can process any amount through the terminal - there's no upper limit on card payments for a standard merchant account. For advance orders, you can take a deposit when the customer places the order and the balance on collection. Over-the-phone payments are also available for orders placed by phone.

Can I handle the Christmas rush when my card transaction volume spikes?

The terminals we supply handle sustained high-volume periods without any performance drop. Christmas week for a butcher can mean three or four times the normal transaction count - the hardware is built for it. If you need a second terminal for the rush, we can set one up on the same account.

I've got a wet counter and handle raw meat - is the card machine going to cope?

The terminals are touchscreen devices, not open electronics - they're designed for retail environments including food counters. Contactless means neither you nor the customer needs to physically touch the terminal during payment. We position it where it's accessible to customers but away from the prep area.

General questions about uno

Which card machine is right for my business?

It really does depend on how your business operates - there's no one 'best solution' for all, as a Fine Dining restaurant in Covent Garden has completely different operational requirements to a Market Trader in Glasgow's bustling Barras, or a Cardiff Arms Park pub. We make the effort to truly understand how your business actually operates - before recommending the best solution from a range of providers, not just one.

How much does a card machine cost?

It varies by provider and model. With some providers, your first card machine comes with no upfront cost, no monthly rental, and no per-transaction fees - so your only cost is the processing rate on each sale you make. Additional terminals - or those from other providers - may well carry rental or per-transaction fees. The exact cost depends on your terminal type, provider, and monthly card turnover. Because uno works across multiple providers, we compare the real-world, overall costs and then find the most competitive deal for your specific situation.

How long will it take for me to receive my takings?

We know for many UK independent buinesses cashflow is a daily struggle. We can offer various options, with settlement times ranging from just a few hours, to the full three days it takes providers to actually receive your customers money. Whatever your working requirements are, we'll find the ideal solution to match those needs.

Do all uno card machines accept contactless payments?

Yes. Every payment terminal we recommend accepts contactless payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and standard contactless cards. Contactless is now the default way most customers pay in the UK.

Will I be able to take 'over-the-phone' payments?

For most merchant-types this will be offered as a default payment option, available on-screen along with contactless and Chip'n'Pin. There are a small number of exceptional businesess operational-types where this is not the case - but for most, 'over-the-phone' payments will be offered as standard.

How can we process refunds?

Any terminal uno suggests would allow you to easily identify the original transaction. If still within the same day as the sale, then the transaction could then be 'voided'(aka 'reversed'). Voids/Reverses are typically instantaneous. However, if that trading day's 'banking window' had closed (typically at Midnight) then it would technically be classed as a 'refund' - which would be subject to the bank's standard 3-5 processing timeframe to complete.

Will we need to do complicated PCI compliance like we do with our current provider?

The great news for you is none of the providers uno works with have complicated anything! For those that require PCI of any sort atall, it really is a simple, painless process that just takes a few minutes per year!

Am I locked into a contract?

Not with every provider. Several of the solutions we offer have no long-term contract - you can switch or cancel without penalty. We'll always be upfront about contract terms before suggesting you commit to anything.

How long does it take to get set up?

Most businesses are up and running within a few days. We handle the supply, installation, and configuration so you can focus on serving your customers. We walk you through everything on-site - so you're confident from day one.

Why go through uno instead of going direct to a provider?

Going direct means you only see a single provider's products, at a single provider's prices. Because uno works across multiple providers, we can genuinely compare options and recommend the solution that suits your business - not just the only one we happen to sell! You also get a dedicated point of contact for ongoing support.

Ready to find the right card machine?

We make the effort to your business, understand how you take payments, and recommend the solution that genuinely fits - not the one with the biggest commission.

Call 07395 451520 Get in touch