Card readers for market and pop-up vendors

Market stalls, food trucks, craft sellers and event organizers who need card payments for a season or a single event.

Margin on terminal sales, short-term rental fees for event vendors, setup fees, and a share of processing fees from your processor partner.

• Comfortable with simple tech and troubleshooting
• Clear, patient explaining
• Keeping track of stock and rentals

• Check your processor's rules on reselling or renting terminals, and who handles merchant approval
• Track rented equipment carefully and set clear deposit and return terms
• Check city or county business license rules and sales tax registration for selling equipment
• General liability insurance and a plan for lost or damaged terminals are worth checking
• Be clear on fees and contract terms so vendors are not surprised

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many terminals and readers you stock and your processor arrangements. These are estimates, and a plan for lost or damaged terminals is worth making.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many vendors you serve and whether they rent or buy. Clear deposit and return terms help you keep track of rented equipment.

Check your processor's rules on reselling or renting terminals and who handles merchant approval. Also check your city or county business license, sales tax registration for equipment sales, and general liability insurance.