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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

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Hidden Costs

“Low Cost” EFTPOS bundles aren't always what they seem

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

Transparent pricing starts with seeing the full picture

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Compare Costs

See how a “Free” or “Low Cost” EFTPOS stacks up against a bank-backed plan

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

When you factor in Merchant Service Fees, turnover minimums and hidden add-ons, “free” can quickly become the most expensive option

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We've read the fine print so you don't have to

New fees

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.

No surcharging

Some “free” plans block surcharging entirely, meaning you cover every card fee instead of passing it on to customers.

No magstripe

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.

Locked out of savings

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.

Accessibility issues

Full-touch Android EFTPOS terminals can exclude customers who rely on tactile keys or audio prompts. Accessibility isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Get a free review

What you’ll get:
We’ll help you see what’s really included — no gimmicks, no sales pitch.

  • A clear breakdown of your EFTPOS costs
  • Expert advice from real payment specialists
  • Transparent side-by-side comparison with no pressure to switch
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Why banks are better

EFTPOS is just part of the picture — it’s connected to your wider banking relationship. With a bank-backed solution, you get:
  •  
  • ✔ No fixed-terms
  • ✔ Lending, cashflow tools and business insights
  • ✔ Regulated service standards
  • ✔ Freedom to choose the EFTPOS partner that best fits your business
  •  

Get advice from an EFTPOS expert

Upload EFTPOS quotes and we’ll help you unpack them line by linearrow-15

FAQs

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.

Depends on your provider. Some newer terminals don't support surcharging.

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