A POS quote: eight things worth checking before you sign
The monthly price is rarely what surprises you. The surprises are in the contract term, the minimum billing and what happens when you want to leave. This list applies to us as much as to our competitors — put it to every supplier.
Eight questions
Ask for the answers in writing. If something is not in the quote, it is usually in the general terms.
- Contract term: is it fixed, how long, and what is the notice period?
- Setup fee: what does onboarding cost as a one-off, training included?
- Minimum billing: is a minimum charged if sales come in lower than expected? This is not always in the price list.
- Price per till: does the price rise linearly if you add a second point of sale?
- Hardware ownership: do the terminal and tablet stay with you, or go back when the contract ends?
- Card acquirer: does the system tie you to one acquirer, and can you switch acquirer without switching till?
- Transaction fees: what is the per-transaction price, and does the supplier or the acquirer bill it?
- Getting data out: can you export sales history and product data in a machine-readable form if you change supplier?
Why the last one matters most
Finnish accounting law requires records for an accounting period to be kept for years after that period ends. If the sales data stays locked in the old system, the retention duty is still yours.
So ask concretely: in what format does the data come out, does it cover the whole history or only the last year, and is the export charged separately.
How we answer these
Our own answers, so the list can be used directly for comparison.
| Question | Cashm8 |
|---|---|
| Contract term | open-ended, no fixed period |
| Setup fee | no |
| Minimum billing | no |
| Price per till | €9 / mo per card terminal |
| Terminal can be bought outright | yes |
| Tied to one card acquirer | no |
| You can bring your own terminal | yes |
What the list does not tell you
This is a contract checklist, not a quality comparison. It does not tell you which system is faster at the counter or whose reports suit you better. Those come out only by trying it and by asking current customers.
We also do not claim to be the best for everyone. If you need deep inventory management or chain control, the larger suppliers will serve you better.
Frequently asked
Is it worth asking several suppliers for a quote?
Yes. Without a reference point it is hard to judge whether a contract term or a setup fee is normal for the industry or unusual.
Where do I find the minimum billing?
It is often in the general terms rather than the price list. Ask about it separately and get the answer in writing.
Can a contract be paused outside the season?
It depends on the supplier. For seasonal businesses this is worth asking before signing.
Sources
The Cashm8 figures come from our own price list and terms. Check other suppliers’ terms with them directly — do not assume them from this list.