A card reader arrives unpaired and useless. Charge it, install the provider's app, sign in, pair the device and run a small test sale that you refund immediately. That test is the only way to know the account, the reader and the settlement are all connected before a customer is standing in front of you.
Pairing, and the one thing that catches people out
Bluetooth readers pair to a specific phone or tablet through the provider's app, and most will only hold one pairing at a time. Swapping the reader between two staff phones means unpairing and repairing, which is slow at a counter. If two people need to take payments, most providers expect two readers or a shared device rather than a shared reader.
Why a reader from elsewhere will not work
Readers are certified to a particular acquirer's platform, so a device bought with one provider's account cannot be moved to another. Second hand hardware is therefore only useful within the same provider, and a free terminal is also a reason to stay. Ask what happens to the hardware if you leave, because that is a switching cost the pricing page never shows.
Charities and clubs
Charities take card donations on the same readers and the same accounts as businesses, with the same identity checks applied to trustees rather than directors. A few providers publish charity specific terms; most do not, and the rate you pay is whatever plan you sign. Donation specific features, such as adding Gift Aid capture, are usually a separate product rather than part of the reader.
Questions people ask about how to use a card reader
Can I use any card reader with my account?
No. Readers are certified to a specific provider's platform, so a reader only works with the account it was sold for. This is one of the practical switching costs of changing provider.
How do I get a card reader?
Open an account with the provider you have chosen, pass identity checks and order the hardware from them. Most post it within a few days; traditional acquirers may install a terminal instead.
Can a charity use a card reader for donations?
Yes, on the same hardware and usually on the same commercial terms. Check whether the provider offers anything specific for donations, and whether Gift Aid capture is included or a separate product.