Card machines for music shops

From a set of strings to a new guitar - reliable card payments at competitive rates for your full range of transaction values.

Common challenges

  • Wide range of transaction values from accessories to instruments
  • Want competitive rates on higher-value instrument sales
  • Current terminal is outdated or unreliable
  • Don't want to be locked into a long contract
  • Customers expect contactless and Apple Pay

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Recommended solutions

Dojo

Pax A920

Portable/countertop Android terminal with 4.9-inch touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi & 4G connectivity, and thermal printing. Its form-factor means it's ideal when payments need to be taken away from the counter. Easily handles over-the-phone payments, and is configurable for full POS integration with many third-party POS systems.

  • 4.9-inch HD touchscreen
  • Built-in printer
  • Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity
  • Contactless, Chip & Pin, over-the-phone
  • Can be integrated with multiple POS systems
  • Android payment-only terminal
Contract
negotiable

Shift4

Pax A800

Portable/countertop Android terminal with 5.7-inch touchscreen and Payment & POS functionality. Built-in Wi-Fi & 4G connectivity, along with thermal printing. Includes merchant branding on-screen, an intuitive over-the-phone payment flow, on-board POS features, and is configurable for full POS integration.

  • 5.7-inch HD touchscreen
  • Built-in printer
  • Wi-Fi & 4G
  • Contactless, Chip & Pin, over-the-phone
  • Fast contactless transacting
  • Integrates with its provider's own POS only
  • Android POS and payments
Contract
negotiable

Why music shops choose uno

Music shops have an unusual transaction profile - a mix of small accessory sales and high-value instrument purchases. Your card machine needs to handle both, and your rates need to work across the full range.

Counter payments

The Dojo PAX A920 handles everything from a £5 set of picks to a £2,000 guitar at the counter. Contactless for quick sales, Chip & Pin for larger purchases.

Rates across the range

On a high-value instrument sale, a lower transaction rate saves real money. We compare providers to find the deal that works across your full mix of transaction values.

What you get from uno

  • A terminal suited to your mix of small and large transactions
  • Rates compared across providers
  • On-site installation and setup
  • UK-based support

Common questions from music owners

We sell instruments from £20 guitar strings to £2,000 guitars - one terminal handles all of it?

Yes. No minimum, no maximum. A £20 set of strings and a £2,000 guitar process through the same terminal. On the high-value sales, the rate difference between providers is significant — at 1.25% vs 1.69% on a £2,000 guitar, you're saving £8.80 per transaction.

Can I take a deposit on a guitar a customer wants to reserve?

Yes. Process whatever deposit amount you agree - £50 to hold a guitar, £200 on a custom order, whatever your policy. When the customer collects or you deliver, process the balance. The terminal handles each as a standard card transaction.

We do instrument repairs and setups - can I take payment when the customer collects?

Yes. Customer drops off a guitar for a setup, you agree the price, they pay by card when they collect. Simple. No invoicing, no chasing. The terminal is right there at the counter.

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 businesses cashflow is a daily struggle. We can offer various options, with settlement times ranging next morning, 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 & Pin. There are a small number of exceptional businesses 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 then be subject to the bank's standard 3-5 day 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 at all, 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 understand how your business works, and only then recommend the solution that genuinely fits - not the one with the biggest commission.

Get Started 07395 451520