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Payments guide

Switching card payment providers: a UK business checklist

Switching is a small operational project, not just ordering another terminal. Check the old contract, the new payment journey and the handover of records before choosing a launch date.

Sources checked

Commercial disclosure: Time Consulting is an independent Dojo introducer and consultant, not Dojo and not a whole-market broker. We may receive an introducer fee if you take a product through us. Our commercial relationship should be considered when reading this guide.

In brief

Do not cancel the old service until you understand exit costs and have verified the replacement setup. A new provider’s cancellation contribution is conditional, not proof that every existing obligation is covered.

Understand what you already have

  • Identify the legal provider and each separate agreement: acquiring, terminal rental, EPOS, software and online payments may not end together.
  • Find the minimum term, renewal date, notice process and equipment-return requirements.
  • Request a dated exit-cost calculation and keep the provider’s response.
  • Check how you will access historic reports, deal with refunds and respond to disputes after closure.

Use your actual contract, not a competitor’s description of it. If a clause is unclear or disputed, take appropriate advice before acting on it.

Verify the new offer

Dojo advertises a potential contribution towards cancellation fees on its pricing page. Before relying on any contribution, get eligibility, evidence requirements, exclusions, amount and payment timing confirmed in writing. Do not deduct a maximum advertised contribution from your budget as though it were approved.

Read the Dojo fees and contracts guide for a complete-cost checklist. Compare the recurring cost on your own trading figures and include overlap during the changeover. Time Consulting cannot promise approval, a particular rate or savings.

Prepare a controlled launch

  1. Confirm approval and delivery.

    A submitted application is not an active merchant account. Agree device requirements and the provider’s activation process.

  2. Confirm compatibility.

    Ask the EPOS or website supplier to verify the exact software version and required functions. Use the EPOS compatibility checklist.

  3. Test with permission.

    Use approved test facilities where available. For any authorised live test, check payment status, receipt, refund and reconciliation rather than repeatedly charging a card.

  4. Train the team.

    Explain the new process, which support route to use and the agreed fallback. Schedule the change outside a critical service if practicable.

Close the old service deliberately

Verify the first transfer against the new provider’s schedule. Preserve the reports needed for accounting and disputes, using appropriate access controls. A refund relating to the old account may still need the old provider’s process: do not assume it can be moved to a new terminal.

Once the replacement is working and contractual timing is clear, send notice using the required method, obtain confirmation, and return equipment with evidence. Do not simply cancel a direct debit while charges are unresolved.

What we can and cannot do

We can discuss a Dojo introduction and help you organise questions. We are not your existing provider, cannot cancel a contract on your behalf without a separately agreed process, and cannot guarantee a seamless migration or uninterrupted service.

If the present provider is working well, the sensible result may be to stay. Compare evidence and operational effort, not pressure to switch. See Dojo settlement timing before planning cash flow around the change.

Sources and method

Author: Time Consulting editorial team. Checked: .

We checked the public primary sources below and separated published product information from our practical planning suggestions. This is desk research, not a hands-on product test or a whole-market recommendation. Features, eligibility and terms can change; confirm your own written offer before committing.

We may receive an introducer fee. Provider approval, pricing and contractual decisions remain with the relevant provider. Ask about a source, correction or our commercial relationship.

Plan your switch before giving notice

Bring the contract dates, payment requirements and integration questions you need to resolve.

Discuss switching to Dojo