Payment mix
Ask whether keyed, online, invoice, card-on-file, rewards, and international cards use different rates.
Business buying worksheet
Put two POS quotes on the same receipt.
A lower processing percentage can lose once transaction fees, software, add-ons, hardware, setup, and cancellation costs are counted. Enter both offers using the same sales.
Your entries stay in this browser · estimates are not merchant-services quotes
Use one sales scenario
Normalize both quotes before judging the rate.
Lower estimated 36-month costQuote A
$4,637 less across the term
Estimated transactions714
per month at a $35 average ticket
| Cost view | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Processing / month | $721 | $732 |
| Recurring total / month | $810 | $921 |
| Upfront + exit costs | $799 | $1,450 |
| Monthly equivalent | $833 | $961 |
| Effective cost vs. sales | 3.33% | 3.85% |
| 36-month estimated total | $29,974 | $34,611 |
Planning estimate only. This does not model every interchange category, chargeback, PCI, gateway, tax, financing, hardware replacement, gift-card liability, or negotiated rate. Ask each vendor to confirm the complete quote in writing.
Before the demo ends
Six costs and risks that rarely fit in the headline rate.
Attach the written answers to the quote. If a seller will not document a material term, leave it unresolved rather than assuming the favorable answer.
Contract
Record the term, automatic renewal, cancellation window, early termination fee, and equipment return rules.
Hardware
Confirm whether every register, printer, scanner, kitchen display, router, and payment terminal is bought, financed, leased, or loaned.
Software
Price the exact inventory, staff, loyalty, online ordering, reporting, payroll, accounting, and multi-location features you need.
Support
Get support hours, escalation path, replacement-device policy, offline behavior, and expected response during an outage.
Data exit
Require a sample export for products, variants, customers, gift cards, sales, taxes, and order history before signing.