You like your processor well enough. What bothers you is the feeling that if you ever wanted to leave, you would have to replace the terminals, the software and your staff's habits all at once.
Fiserv is one of the payment processors you can connect to ShelfPerks, and Clover is Fiserv's own cloud-based point of sale solution, sold with Clover devices. With ShelfPerks and Fiserv, Fiserv handles the card payments while ShelfPerks runs your store: inventory, purchasing, e-commerce, staff roles and reports. The main difference from an all-in-one bundle is choice: you can keep Fiserv, or switch to another supported processor later without changing your store system.
Key takeaways
- ShelfPerks works with several payment processors, including Fiserv, Stripe, Helcim and Stax, and lets you change processors without replacing your store system.
- ShelfPerks' Fiserv partner page lists integrated in-person and online payments, streamlined onboarding with automated underwriting, multi-location support and device management through Fiserv's CoPilot.
- An all-in-one POS and processing bundle is simple to start, but the processor, hardware and software are usually tied together, so read the contract terms before you sign.
- Your effective processing rate (total fees divided by total card sales) is the number to compare, not the headline rate in a sales quote.
- ShelfPerks runs on PCs, Macs, Android and iOS phones and tablets, so you may be able to use devices you already own.
What is the difference between ShelfPerks + Fiserv and Clover?
The difference is whether your payment processor and your store software come as one package or as two separate choices.
An all-in-one bundle like Clover puts processing, terminals and POS software with one company. Fiserv describes Clover as its cloud-based point-of-sale solution, with point-of-sale devices available through Clover. You sign up once, get one bill and call one support line. That simplicity is real, and plenty of stores are happy with it.
ShelfPerks with Fiserv splits the two jobs. Fiserv processes the payment: it authorizes the card and moves the money to your bank account. ShelfPerks is the Store Operating System that records the sale, updates inventory, applies taxes and feeds your reports. Because the two are separate, you can change one without touching the other.
| Question | All-in-one bundle (such as Clover) | ShelfPerks + Fiserv |
|---|---|---|
| Who processes payments? | The bundle's processor | Fiserv, or another supported processor you choose |
| Who provides the POS software? | The same company | ShelfPerks |
| What devices can you use? | Usually the bundle's own hardware | PC, Mac, Android and iOS phones and tablets, plus supported printers, scanners and cash drawers |
| Can you change processors later? | Check your agreement and whether your hardware works with other processors | Yes, ShelfPerks supports Stripe, Fiserv, Helcim and Stax |
| Where do inventory, purchasing and e-commerce live? | Built in or added through apps, depending on the plan | Built into the ShelfPerks plan you choose |
What does the ShelfPerks and Fiserv partnership include?
ShelfPerks' Fiserv partner page describes the partnership as integrated in-person and online payment solutions. It lists:
- Streamlined merchant onboarding with automated underwriting.
- Multi-location support.
- Flexible pricing structures.
- Device management through Fiserv's CoPilot.
Fiserv's processing rates are not published on the ShelfPerks partner page, so ask for a written quote that shows the pricing model, the rates by card type and every monthly fee. On the ShelfPerks side, each connected payment provider carries an integration fee of $20 per provider account, per location, per month.
What does ShelfPerks add on top of payment processing?
Payment processing is the plumbing. Running the store is everything else. ShelfPerks combines point of sale, inventory, purchasing and the rest of your back office in one setup:
- Real-time inventory with unlimited products on every plan, including Free.
- Supplier management and purchase orders, with AI-based and suggested purchase orders and expiration reports and alerts on Plus and Premium.
- Built-in e-commerce on Plus and Premium, with one inventory for your store and your website.
- Roles and permissions so each staff member sees only what they need.
- Sales tax by location, customer management, promotions and gift cards, and expense management.
- Offline point of sale for up to 24 hours on Plus and above, which then syncs when you are back online.
- Self checkout included on Premium, or as a $100 a month add-on on Standard and Plus.
- Uber Direct delivery from your own online store, through the delivery app integration on Premium.
With some processors, ShelfPerks also supports Tap to Pay on iPhone through the ShelfPerks iPhone app.
What should you ask before signing any payment processing agreement?
Whether you choose a bundle or a separate processor, these questions protect you. Get the answers in writing.
- What pricing model is this? Flat rate, tiered, or interchange-plus. Tiered pricing groups cards into buckets such as "qualified" and "non-qualified," which can make the true cost harder to see.
- What is the contract length, and is there an early termination fee? Ask for the exact amount and how it is calculated.
- Do I own the hardware, lease it or rent it? If you lease, how many payments are left if you leave early?
- Will this hardware work with another processor? If not, factor replacement costs into any future switch.
- What monthly fees apply? Statement fees, PCI compliance fees, software fees and minimum processing fees all add up.
- Which features cost extra? Inventory, online ordering, loyalty and staff scheduling are sometimes add-ons rather than included.
How do you work out what you are really paying for card processing?
Your effective rate tells you what card processing actually costs you. Here is how to calculate it:
- Pull your last three monthly processing statements.
- Add up every fee on them, including monthly and per-transaction fees.
- Add up your total card sales for the same three months.
- Divide total fees by total card sales and multiply by 100.
As a hypothetical example, a store with $75,000 in card sales over three months and $2,100 in total fees has an effective rate of 2.8%. Compare that number, not the rate on the sales sheet, with any new quote. If you can, ask a new processor to price your actual statement so the comparison uses your real card mix.
How much does ShelfPerks cost alongside Fiserv?
ShelfPerks pricing is separate from your processing costs, so you always see both. These are the listed ShelfPerks plan prices in US dollars, excluding taxes:
| ShelfPerks plan | Billed annually | Billed monthly | Users and locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 1 user, 1 location, turnover limit $4,999 a month |
| Standard | $29.95/mo | $34.99/mo | 1 user, 1 location, no revenue limit |
| Plus | $99.95/mo | $119.99/mo | Up to 5 users, 2 locations, 2 terminals per location |
| Premium | $199.95/mo | $249.99/mo | Up to 8 users, 2 locations, 3 terminals per location |
Add the $20 per provider account, per location, per month integration fee and your processor's own fees to get your full cost. If you need hardware, ShelfPerks lists Epson and Star Micronics as hardware partners and sells ready-made kits, such as the POS Essential kit for $729.99. Full details are on the pricing page.
Which setup is right for your store?
An all-in-one bundle can suit a store that wants one vendor for everything and is comfortable with that vendor's hardware and terms. ShelfPerks with Fiserv suits a store that wants Fiserv's processing but also wants a full back office, a built-in online store on Plus and Premium, and the freedom to change processors later.
If you are weighing the two, our comparison of Clover, Square and ShelfPerks and our guide to ShelfPerks payment processing go deeper. You can also see every supported processor on the ShelfPerks payments page.
ShelfPerks also says you do not have to change your current payment provider to start using it. Try it with a 14-day free trial of Premium features, no credit card required.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Fiserv payments with ShelfPerks?
Yes. Fiserv is one of the payment processors ShelfPerks supports, along with Stripe, Helcim and Stax. ShelfPerks' Fiserv partner page lists integrated in-person and online payments, streamlined onboarding and multi-location support.
What is the main difference between ShelfPerks + Fiserv and Clover?
Clover is Fiserv's own all-in-one point of sale, with Clover software and devices from one company. With ShelfPerks and Fiserv, the processor and the store system are separate, so you can change processors later without replacing your store system.
How do I know if I am paying too much for card processing?
Divide your total processing fees by your total card sales over the same period to get your effective rate. Compare that figure, not a headline rate, with any new quote, and ask the new processor to price your actual statement.
Does ShelfPerks charge a fee to connect a payment processor?
Yes. ShelfPerks lists a payment provider integration fee of $20 per provider account, per location, per month. Your processor's own fees are separate.
