The payment notebook
Short, practical notes for business owners trying to make better decisions about card payments.
Check your card processing costs in around two minutes with Card Fee Check. No sign-up, no personal details and no sales call, just enter the figures from your merchant statement to see what you're really paying.
Read more
If you run a business, your card processing costs may not be as simple as the rate shown on your original quote.Your monthly statement can include transaction charges, terminal rental,…
Read more
You don't always need a traditional card machine to accept card payments. Tap to Pay on iPhone (now with a new minimum monthly charge of ONLY £24.99) allows eligible UK businesses to…
Read more
I had a phone call yesterday that perfectly illustrates why so many business owners are inadvertently overpaying for their merchant services.A potential client phoned me to discuss…
Read more
If you are asking, “Where can I get assistance with optimising merchant fees for card transactions?”, the most practical answer is an merchant services adviser who can…
Read more
Choosing the best card machine for a retail store in the UK depends on how your shop operates. A fixed high street checkout has different needs from a clothing shop where staff take…
Read more
Finding a reliable card payment solution for your small business is about more than choosing the cheapest card machine.Your payment system needs to work when customers are ready to pay.…
Read more
Choosing a card machine provider is about more than finding the lowest advertised transaction rate.The right provider should give you a reliable way to take payments, clear pricing, fast…
Read more
If you want personalised support installing a card payment system in the UK, your best option is usually a local merchant services adviser or regional payment…
Read more
If you have opened your post recently to find a letter from your payment provider, you are likely already aware of the news. Visa and Mastercard have increased their fees again.For many…
Read more
If you run a small business, you probably have a mental list of things you’ll "get around to" when you have a spare afternoon. Usually, reviewing your card machine rates is at the bottom…
Read more
I am delighted to announce that That Card Machine Guy has officially become a partner supplier for the Independent Motor Dealers Association (IMDA).If you operate in the independent…
Read more
For many UK business owners, the word "funding" often conjures images of endless paperwork, rigid repayment schedules, and the frustration of waiting weeks for a bank's decision. If you…
Read more
It was Tuesday evening, 23 June 2026. Pubs across the country were packed to the rafters. England was taking on Ghana in a crucial World Cup group game. The atmosphere was electric, the…
Read more
Running a business often feels like a constant battle against "death by a thousand cuts." Every transaction, every utility bill, and every supplier invoice comes with a small fee…
Read more
In the world of business, time is the only commodity you can’t buy back. If you are running a busy restaurant, a high-volume retail store, or a car dealership, you know that every second…
Read more
Running a business in the UK today often feels like being nibbled to death by ducks. Every service has a subscription, every transaction has a fee, and every supplier has a price…
Read more
If you have noticed your monthly merchant statement creeping up lately, you are not alone. For many UK business owners in 2026, the cost of accepting card payments has quietly shifted.…
Read more
Walk down any local high street in the UK lately, and you’ll likely see them. Taped to the windows of pubs, hairdressers, and takeaways are handwritten signs that read: "Cash Only - Card…
Read more
If you have spent any time on Facebook or Instagram over the last few weeks, you have likely seen the trend. A local pub posts a photo of a handwritten sign: "Card machine down. Cash…
Read more
Running a business in the local community isn't just about transaction fees and hardware setups. For me, That Card Machine Guy is more than just a brand name; it is a commitment to the…
Read more
The payment landscape in 2026 has moved fast. If you are still using the same card machine you signed up for three years ago, you are likely overpaying. For a small business owner in the…
Read more
If you are running a business in the UK today, you are likely working harder than ever to protect your margins. From rising energy costs to supply chain fluctuations, every pound counts.…
Read more
It happens at least once a week. You’ve finished a haircut, cleaned the windows, or completed a repair. You tell the customer the price, and they give you that specific, awkward…
Read more