Picture this: you’re in the middle of the lunch rush, your staff is juggling orders, and suddenly your point-of-sale system glitches, or it hits you with a surprise hardware update. That’s a nightmare that, sadly, many of us have experienced.
Maybe your POS trauma was a forced hardware upgrade that you had to pay for, or dealing with a clunky, generic interface that isn’t specified to your e-commerce business, espresso bar, or mobile dog groomer.
Too many merchants put up with POS systems that don’t serve their needs, either because they’re locked into a contract or just don’t realize how much better things could be. But your POS provider should be helping your business run smoother, not creating more friction.
Here are five non-negotiables your provider should meet. If they’re missing the mark, it might be time to make a move.
1. Transparent, Flat-Rate Pricing — No Games
Your POS provider should offer clear, competitive, flat-rate pricing. If you’re still deciphering tiered rates, “non-qualified” transactions, or random surcharges, you’re getting played.
Even worse: hidden installation fees or forced hardware upgrades that only appear after you’ve signed. A good provider lays it all out — no surprises, no sudden lock-ins. You should know exactly how much your fees will be based on your volume, with no guesswork involved.
If your statement is longer than your phone bill and harder to read than your lease, it’s time to shop around.
2. Volume-Based Rewards That Actually Reward You
Processing fees are one thing, but where’s the upside?
Your processor should offer a rewards program that recognizes your loyalty and growing volume. That’s why COCARD partnered with Tuzo — a simple but real way to give something back.
For every dollar processed, merchants earn points to redeem things like travel, tech, or gift cards. Our philosophy is that if you’re hitting higher volume goals, we should both enjoy the benefits! Our merchants agree and highly recommend finding a provider with a rewards system in place.
Let’s be honest: not many providers are offering this in 2025, and we’re proud to be one of the few that do.
3. A System That Fits Your Business, Not Just Any Business
A coffee shop doesn’t run like a hotel. A bike repair shop doesn’t need what a restaurant does. Your digital storefront needs new solutions to attract customers and serve their payment needs.
Your POS setup should be tailored, not a generic off-the-shelf platform. Whether you run a multi-location restaurant, a franchise network, or an online-offline hybrid, your POS should reflect the real flow of your business.
If you’re constantly creating workarounds or adding extra apps to make the system usable, it’s the wrong system.
4. Serious About Security and CRM
Payment security isn’t optional — it’s the bare minimum. A security breach can put a major dent in your financial performance, from direct costs to lost customers and brand reputation.
Your provider should offer up-to-date encryption, tokenization, and PCI compliance, with zero excuses.
But a modern POS should go further, integrating CRM tools that let you track customer behavior, offer loyalty rewards, and build repeat business. Every time a customer engages with us, they speak volumes about what works and what doesn’t. If your system only collects payments and nothing else, it’s missing half the job.
5. No Surprise Fees — Ever
We said it already, but it bears repeating because POS providers never stop inventing new fees: if your POS provider is sneaking in line items for “terminal reprogramming,” “annual compliance,” or “monthly account maintenance” without clear justification, that’s not a provider — that’s a trap.
Make the switch when:
– You can’t get a straight answer from support
– You find charges that don’t match your contract
– You’re offered a “free upgrade” — with a three-year lock-in
Additionally, no POS service provider should be charging you when they upgrade their hardware. They’re lucky to have you processing your payment through their system in the first place!
If you’re paying to upgrade the hardware that the POS system is built on, why are you paying for the volume they process?
COCARD: Make your Second Choice Your Best Decision
A great POS system enhances your business— it works, it grows with you, and it doesn’t create drama. If you’re spending more time fixing issues than serving customers, it’s not you. It’s them.
As our partner MiCamp says, “To compete, you need a payments partner with experience, reliability, and unrivaled industry acumen.”
At COCARD, we’ve built a reputation not by locking people in, but by earning long-term loyalty through superior price and performance. Our merchants stick with us because we keep delivering transparent pricing, purpose-built systems, top-tier security, and real rewards. That’s how we support growth: by providing tools that make daily operations easier, not harder.
If your current provider can’t say the same, we’re ready when you are