Use this quick checklist before choosing or changing a card reader for a mobile or appointment based small business.
☐ The customer knows whether payment is due before, during, or after the visit.
☐ The business can take payment by card, link, invoice, or another agreed route.
☐ Deposit and cancellation rules are clear where they apply.
☐ The payment is matched to the appointment, customer, and service.
☐ The fee, refund, tip, or partial payment is easy to explain later.
☐ The receipt or payment confirmation is stored with the job record.
☐ Paid jobs, unpaid jobs, refunds, and deposits are reviewed together.
☐ Payment gaps are chased before they become month end detective work.
☐ Bookkeeping records include enough context to support tax and cash flow decisions.