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EFTPOS Offers
Not sure if that EFTPOS offer stacks up?
We translate fine print into plain English, so you don't get caught out by hidden costs
We translate fine print into plain English, so you don't get caught out by hidden costs
| Annual Turnover | Extra fees on scheme debit | Lost sales from no magstripe | Total Annual Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300K | $870 | $60K | $60,870 |
| $750K | $2,175 | $150K | $152,175 |
| Feature | Your Bank | 'Low Cost' EFTPOS |
|---|---|---|
| Visa & Mastercard debit chip cards (inserted) |
Free | Fixed rate fee |
| Magstripe | Accepted | Not supported |
| Hidden fees | No minimum turnover | $120/month fee if MSF not met |
| Surcharging | Supported | Not supported |
| Interchange cap savings | Yes | No |
| Term | No fixed term | Locked in |
Inserted Visa and Mastercard debit transactions are free with your bank. On one Low Cost EFTPOS bundle, they’ll cost you — adding $650 – $870 a year on $300K turnover.
Some “free” plans block surcharging entirely, meaning you cover every card fee instead of passing it on to customers.
Around 20% of all card transactions in NZ still use magstripe cards. Some Low Cost EFTPOS terminals don’t support magstripe — that’s potentially $5K a month in lost sales on $300K turnover, or the added cost and hassle of running a second terminal.
From December 2025, interchange caps will reduce the cost of most card transactions - but only if your pricing model allows it. Flat-rate plans stay the same no matter what. For many small transactions, that means paying more than you should.
Full-touch Android EFTPOS terminals can exclude customers who rely on tactile keys or audio prompts. Accessibility isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Not usually. “Free” often means you’ll pay more per transaction overall than you do with your bank - and those small fees add up fast
Every time a customer pays by credit or with a contactless debit card, the card-issuing bank charges an interchange fee. Your merchant services provider passes that cost to you through the Merchant Service Fee (MSF). These fees vary by card type — credit, debit, and premium cards all have different rates. Some providers advertise “free EFTPOS” devices, but recover their costs through higher per-transaction MSFs.
Despite the rise of chip and tap-to-pay, around one in five NZ transactions still use magstripe. If your terminal doesn’t support magstripe, you can’t process those payments. The result? Lost sales, frustrated customers, or the expense of carrying an additional terminal just to process magstripe.
Look for: a provider that supports all card types — chip, contactless, and magstripe — without hidden limitations.
Your bank can give you a full breakdown.
No. Inserted Visa and Mastercard debit cards are free with banks.
Yes — but check for cancellation fees before switching