Hire vs. buy vs. bundled
Monthly rental
Most common with traditional acquirers. Convenient, but often locked into a long, separate contract.
One-off purchase
Common with pay-as-you-go providers. Lower lifetime cost but you own the hardware.
Bundled
Some providers include terminal hardware in a software subscription. Always check the term and exit conditions.
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Start free reviewWhy terminal contracts matter so much
Terminal hire agreements often run longer than the merchant agreement. It is not uncommon for businesses to cancel their merchant account, switch acquirer, and continue paying for an old terminal for another year or more.
Always check both contracts before making any switching decision.
Key takeaways
- ●Treat the terminal contract as seriously as the merchant contract.
- ●Note the end date of both contracts and align them where possible.