USEFUL INFO
Welcome to the Merchant Compare Knowledge Hub — your go-to resource for practical, jargon-free advice on everything to do with card payments, PDQ machines, online transactions, telephone payments, and merchant services.
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The Different Ways to Take Card Payments in the UK: A Simple Guide for Businesses
Here’s a simple guide to the main ways of taking card payments — no jargon, just the facts.
Here’s a simple guide to the main ways of taking card payments — no jargon, just the facts.
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Choosing the Right Card Payment Solution for Your Business: What to Consider & How to Avoid Overpaying
This guide breaks down the most important things to consider — in plain English — including what costs to expect, and how to make sure you're not paying more than you need to.
This guide breaks down the most important things to consider — in plain English — including what costs to expect, and how to make sure you're not paying more than you need to.
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Smart vs Standard PDQ Terminals – What’s the Difference?
This guide explains the differences, what features are included with each, the associated costs, and how to choose the right solution for your business.
This guide explains the differences, what features are included with each, the associated costs, and how to choose the right solution for your business.
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What Is EPOS and How Do Card Payments Work With It?
In this guide, we break down what EPOS is, how much it costs, how it connects with PDQ machines, and what to consider when choosing a solution for your business.
In this guide, we break down what EPOS is, how much it costs, how it connects with PDQ machines, and what to consider when choosing a solution for your business.
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Online Payments Made Simple: What Is a Payment Gateway and How Does It Work?
This guide explains in simple terms what a payment gateway is, how it fits into your online checkout, what to consider when setting it up, and how to avoid paying more than you need to.
This guide explains in simple terms what a payment gateway is, how it fits into your online checkout, what to consider when setting it up, and how to avoid paying more than you need to.
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High-Risk Merchant Accounts: How to Get Approved in the UK
This guide explains what makes a business’ card payments high-risk, how acquirers assess risk, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting approved — with or without security terms.
This guide explains what makes a business’ card payments high-risk, how acquirers assess risk, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting approved — with or without security terms.
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Understanding Card Payment Fees: What You're Really Paying For
This guide breaks down the different fees involved in taking card payments in the UK, what to look out for, and how to ensure you're not paying more than you need to.
This guide breaks down the different fees involved in taking card payments in the UK, what to look out for, and how to ensure you're not paying more than you need to.
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Can I Get Out of My Merchant Services Contract?
This guide explains your options, your rights, and how UK contract law applies differently depending on your business structure.
This guide explains your options, your rights, and how UK contract law applies differently depending on your business structure.
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What Is 3D Secure and Why Does It Matter?
In this guide we explore what 3D Secure is, and why it’s important for your business.
In this guide we explore what 3D Secure is, and why it’s important for your business.
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What is PCI DSS and Why Is It So Important for Your Business?
This guide explains what PCI DSS is, what’s expected of you as a business owner, and what can go wrong if you don’t comply. We’ll also show you how to avoid hidden fees and serious risks by getting it right from the start.
This guide explains what PCI DSS is, what’s expected of you as a business owner, and what can go wrong if you don’t comply. We’ll also show you how to avoid hidden fees and serious risks by getting it right from the start.
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Chargebacks Explained: How to Reduce and Respond to Them
This guide explains what chargebacks are, why they happen, how to reduce the risk, and what you can do to fight them if they occur.
This guide explains what chargebacks are, why they happen, how to reduce the risk, and what you can do to fight them if they occur.
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How Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) Really Works – UK Guide
In this article, we break down what SCA is, when it's required, how it works in the UK, and how you can make sure your business stays compliant without losing sales.
In this article, we break down what SCA is, when it's required, how it works in the UK, and how you can make sure your business stays compliant without losing sales.
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The Real Cost of Card-Not-Present (CNP) Transactions – UK Guide
In this guide, we explain what CNP payments are, why they cost more, what risks are involved, and how to reduce your exposure to CNP fraud and unnecessary fees.
In this guide, we explain what CNP payments are, why they cost more, what risks are involved, and how to reduce your exposure to CNP fraud and unnecessary fees.
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What Is Tokenisation in Card Payments? (UK Guide)
In this guide, we explain what tokenisation is, how it works in the UK payments industry, and why it matters for PCI DSS compliance, online security, and customer trust.
In this guide, we explain what tokenisation is, how it works in the UK payments industry, and why it matters for PCI DSS compliance, online security, and customer trust.
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Liability Shift Explained: How to Protect Your Business from Chargebacks and Fraud
In this guide, we explain what liability shift is, how it works across in-person, online, and telephone payments, and what steps you can take to make sure you're fully protected.
In this guide, we explain what liability shift is, how it works across in-person, online, and telephone payments, and what steps you can take to make sure you're fully protected.
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Understanding Merchant Account Types, PDQ Terminal Connections & Compatibility
This guide breaks down the various types of merchant account and connection methods available in the UK, helping you make informed decisions for your business.
This guide breaks down the various types of merchant account and connection methods available in the UK, helping you make informed decisions for your business.
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What Is Pre-Authorisation? – A Guide for UK Businesses
This article explains what pre-authorisation is, how it works, the pros and cons, and when it’s appropriate to use it.
This article explains what pre-authorisation is, how it works, the pros and cons, and when it’s appropriate to use it.
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What Is Interchange? (And How It Affects Your Card Fees)
In this article, we break down what interchange really means, who charges it, how much it typically costs in the UK, and what you can do to avoid paying more than you need to.
In this article, we break down what interchange really means, who charges it, how much it typically costs in the UK, and what you can do to avoid paying more than you need to.
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How Settlement Works: From Transaction to Bank Account (UK Guide)
In this guide, we explain how transactions move from your terminal to your bank account, how long it usually takes, and what factors can affect merchant settlement times.
In this guide, we explain how transactions move from your terminal to your bank account, how long it usually takes, and what factors can affect merchant settlement times.
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Understanding BINs and Card Scheme Routing (UK Guide)
In this article, we break down what a BIN (Bank Identification Number) is, how scheme routing works, and why it matters to your business when it comes to fees, speed, and customer experience.
In this article, we break down what a BIN (Bank Identification Number) is, how scheme routing works, and why it matters to your business when it comes to fees, speed, and customer experience.
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Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): Should You Enable It? (UK Guide)
In this article, we explain what DCC is, how it works on UK terminals, and the pros and cons of offering it. We also help you decide whether it’s right for your business and your customers.
In this article, we explain what DCC is, how it works on UK terminals, and the pros and cons of offering it. We also help you decide whether it’s right for your business and your customers.
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Meet your instructor…our founder, Tim Ede.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
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NAME : Tim Ede
AGE : 40
QUALIFICATIONS : CeMAP (2002), CeRGI (2003), CSP (2003).
GCSE’s : 4 X A*’s, 4 X A’s, 3 X B’s
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20+ Years in Banking and Payments
Including 7+ years in Payments Leadership
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Given Tim’s background in banking/credit risk he specialises in helping businesses with complex needs or those which operate in higher risk sectors obtain preferable security terms with their card payment providers.
Tim pride’s himself on finding simple but effective solutions to help merchants avoid inherent risks associated with taking card payments and remain compliant with all rules and regulations pertaining to accepting cards - including PCI DSS & PSD2.
This tends to be most useful for larger SME or Mid/Large Corp customers, but can be relevant for any business which operates in high risk sectors (such as gambling, travel, hotels, tobacco etc.).
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Founder
Senior Payments Expert
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Head of Business Introducer Growth & Development @ Barclaycard Payments (aged 37-40)
Regional Manager (East and London) @ Barclaycard Payments (aged 33-37) *Promoted
Senior Payment Specialist @ Barclaycard Payments (aged 31-33) *Promoted
Payment Specialist @ Barclaycard Payments (aged 29-31) *Promoted
Senior Business Manager @ Barclays Bank (aged 28-29)
Business Manager @ Barclays Bank (aged 27-28) *Promoted
Mortgage Adviser & Owner @ Mill-House Mortgage Solutions (aged 22-27)
Area Sales Manager @ RBS Intermediary Partners (aged 21-24)
Business Partnerships Manager @ RBS Intermediary Partners (aged 19-21) *Promoted
Senior Insurance Adviser @ Swinton Insurance (aged 18-19)
Insurance Adviser @ Swinton Insurance (aged 17-18) *Promoted
Owner @ T Ede Cleaning Services (aged 12-17)
FAQs
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We use our wealth of knowledge and experience of Payments to help UK businesses find the most suitable and cost-effective card payment solutions.
This includes comparing providers for PDQ machines, EPOS systems, payment gateways, and merchant accounts.
We offer online resources, online tools, remote consultations, and expert advice — all designed to help you avoid hidden fees, stay compliant and make informed decisions.
Please see our Services and Useful Info pages to find out more!
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Yes. We are 100% independent and not tied to any single provider.
Our goal is to help you choose the right solution for your business, not to sell you a specific product or service.
Unlike many of our competitors, we work for you — not the payment companies!
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We offer three levels of support:
Free 15 minute Chat - to confirm if we can help you or answer simple queries
Free Online Comparison – search and compare providers yourself
Assisted Comparison (£50/hr) – get tailored advice from an expert remotely
In-Person Specialist Support (from £350/day) – for larger or more complex needs
You’re always in control, and there are no hidden charges.
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Absolutely. Many businesses struggle to make sense of confusing fee breakdowns.
With our Assisted Comparison service, we review your merchant statement line-by-line, explain all charges in plain English, and identify where you may be overpaying or misinformed.
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Yes. We provide clear, simple guidance on PCI DSS requirements.
Whether you take payments in person, online, or by phone, we can help you understand what you need to do, how to stay compliant, and how to avoid PCI-related fees or penalties.
Please just Book In for a 15 minute chat, 1 hour Assisted Review or Contact Us to see how we can help.
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We can review your contract and help you understand your cancellation terms, exit fees, and whether switching is financially worthwhile.
If needs be, we can help you negotiate better rates with your current provider or help plan a switch at the right time.
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We work with businesses of all sizes — from independent retailers, cafés, and salons, to hotels, online shops, tradespeople, and multi-site operators.
We specialise in supporting larger SME, Mid/Large Corp customers and/or those who operate in high risk trade sectors (such as travel, gamling and gaming, software, hotels, business taking high amounts of advanced payments).
If you accept card payments in the UK, we can help.
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Yes. We can help you choose and integrate a payment gateway, explain how 3D Secure and SCA work, and make sure your checkout is fast, secure, and mobile-friendly.
PLEASE NOTE : We are not web developers, so will likely need to work alongside & collaboratively with your own Web Developer or in-house development team.
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In some cases, if a business chooses to be introduced to a provider through us, we may receive either a referral fee, ongoing commission or a combination of both.
This does not affect the price you pay and we will always be transparent about this.
Our advice remains independent and unbiased - with our focus on being able to inform you well enough to make your own informed decision.
We also regularly promote and work with providers who do not pay us anything - it all depends on what’s best for you.
Where any bounty payment or commission is receivable for actions taken on your behalf, we will disclose this to you - and we may even be able to share some of this with you in certain circumstances!
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Just choose the level of support you need:
Use our free online comparison tools
Book a face-to-face site visit
Or simply contact us — we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.