Cash is king? This £30 gadget gives customers a much easier option
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You can still take cash, but what happens when your customer hasn’t brought any? This £30 card reader offers another way to get paid, without a monthly subscription on pay-as-you-go
As we move closer and closer to what feels like a cashless society, it's becoming easier and easier to take card payments.
Whether you have a small-time side hustle, or you run a large company, you're going to need to move with the times and invest in a card reader at some point - and they're cheaper than you might think.
If you're selling at a car boot, running a craft stall, or trying to get a side hustle going, a bargain card reader should be the first thing you pack.
We've found a deal on the SumUp Solo Lite card reader, listed for just £30 including VAT, so accepting cards might be a much smaller step than you think.
Delivery of the card reader is free, and the best bit is there's no monthly subscription if you pick the pay-as-you-go option - although you pay a fee when you take a card payment.
The Solo Lite gives occasional sellers a way to offer that choice without buying a full till system or signing up for a monthly payment plan.
It pairs with a compatible smartphone through Bluetooth and uses the free SumUp Business app. You need an internet connection through your phone’s data or Wi-Fi, so checking reception at your selling spot is important.
Customers can pay using contactless cards, chip and PIN, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
You can still take cash. Nobody is confiscating your biscuit tin. But adding a card reader to the table means the person who turns up with a phone and no wallet has another way to buy something.
SumUp’s standard pay-as-you-go fee is 1.69% per card transaction. That’s about 17p on a £10 payment, or 34p on a £20 payment.
The app also lets you enter prices, organise products, track sales and issue refunds. You’ll need to register with SumUp and complete its account checks before accepting payments.
The basic £25 excluding VAT reader comes with a USB-C charging cable. There’s also a charging-station bundle for £35 excluding VAT, or £42 including VAT.
You can check the Solo Lite’s features, compatibility and current price by clicking here.
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