Payment terminal sales agent for local shops

Small business owners such as cafes, salons, food trucks, farm stands and retail shops. In most agent deals, the processor pays you commission, not the merchant.

Usually a signup bonus or hardware margin, plus an ongoing share of the processing fees from the merchants you sign. Terms vary a lot between companies, so compare several.

• Friendly, honest selling
• Explaining fees in plain language
• Following up and staying organized

• Read the agent agreement carefully: residual terms, who owns the merchant relationship, and early termination or equipment lease terms
• Avoid pushing long equipment leases or hidden fees; they can harm your reputation and may raise legal issues, so check consumer and business protection rules in your state
• Check whether your state or city requires a business license, and set up an LLC or sole proprietorship with an EIN if needed
• Merchants must follow card network and PCI security rules; make sure you only promote compliant, registered providers
• Commissions can take months to build and may change if the processor changes its terms

Startup costs are typically around $200 to $1,500, depending on your business setup, sales materials and travel. Your own figure will vary with whether you form an LLC and how many shops you plan to visit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $4,000, depending on how many accounts you sign and the commission terms. Commissions can take months to build and may change if the processor changes its terms.

Read the agent agreement for residual terms, who owns the merchant relationship, and early termination or equipment lease terms. Check whether your state or city requires a business license, and only promote providers that follow card network and PCI security rules.