Card machine pricing in Ireland: how to read a quote
A headline rate tells you very little on its own. This page sets out the lines that actually make up an Irish card machine bill and how to compare two quotes fairly.
The lines on the bill
A merchant statement typically separates interchange, scheme fees and the acquirer margin, then adds authorisation fees, terminal rental, PCI charges, minimum monthly charges and any gateway or software fees.
Why the headline rate moves
The rate you pay depends on card mix. Consumer debit, consumer credit, commercial cards, and cards issued outside the EEA carry different interchange and scheme costs, so two businesses on identical contracts can pay different effective rates.
Effective cost
Effective cost is total card-related cost divided by card turnover for the same period. It is the only number that lets you compare quotes with different structures side by side.
What to ask for in writing
Ask for every recurring charge, the term, the notice period, what happens to rates after any introductory period, and what the terminal costs to replace or return.
Work through it with us
Bring your statements and current setup and we will model the cost and the options against them.