If you're looking to buy a used Clover POS system, the pitfalls are numerous. There are better ways to find a new Clover machine.
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Can you buy a used Clover POS? Yes. Should you buy a used Clover machine? No.
Keep reading for why you shouldn’t buy a used Clover POS, how to avoid Clover merchant account scams, and some alternatives to Clover if you decide purchasing a new Clover POS is not right for you.
Can I Buy A Used Clover POS?
You can buy a used Clover POS, but you shouldn’t.
Clover machines are sold with a merchant account contract which can’t be separated from the machine itself. If you buy a used Clover POS from someone who doesn’t give you the merchant account details, the machine is useless. If you buy one from Amazon, you’ll probably get a bad contract.
But can’t you just reprogram a used Clover like you factory reset a phone? That’s not possible, and here’s why.
Why You Can’t Reprogram A Clover Machine
Many merchant services providers can reprogram terminals so you can reuse equipment from a previous provider. Clover doesn’t allow that. Your device is locked to whatever merchant services provider you got the machine from. This means you can’t buy a used Clover POS and have your MSP reprogram it.
The problem with an unreprogrammable system is that you will be stuck with whichever merchant services provider you buy your Clover from. And not all merchant service providers are created equal. Some of them have good customer service; some have terrible customer service. Some charge lots of hidden fees, while others are fair and straightforward about the fees they charge. Some require years-long service contracts, while others are month-to-month.
As you might imagine, being stuck with a poor-quality merchant services provider is a nightmare for any small business.
Common Clover Equipment For Sale: Pricing Guide
Clover POS is sold by many different banks, merchant services providers, and even retail stores such as Sam’s Club. The pricing for your Clover equipment may vary depending on where you purchase it from. The following are Clover POS costs if you purchase your POS equipment from Clover.com.
Clover Equipment Costs
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Clover Station Solo |
Clover Station Duo |
Clover Mini |
Clover Flex |
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Pricing |
$1,699 |
$1,799 |
$799 |
$599 |
Hardware Included |
Station, cash drawer, receipt printer |
Station, customer-facing display, cash drawer, receipt printer |
Clover Mini with built-in receipt printer and scanner (cash drawer sold separately) |
Clover Flex with built-in receipt printer and scanner (cash drawer sold separately) |
Compatible Software Plans |
Register, Table Service, Counter Service |
Register, Table Service, Counter Service |
Essentials, Register, Table Service, Counter Service |
Essentials, Register, Table Service, Counter Service |
Monthly Hardware Payment Plan (If you can’t purchase in full) |
$125-$160/month |
$135-$140/month |
$35-$85/month |
$45-$100/month |
Common Used Clover POS Scams & Tactics
There are two very common Clover POS scams out there. The first is that merchant services providers will sell a low-priced Clover POS system on places like Amazon with a predatory long-term merchant services contract that charges you excessive fees and has substantial early termination fees. The second is that people will sell used Clover machines on places like eBay without mentioning that the hardware is unusable because it can’t be reprogrammed.
What To Know Before Buying On eBay
It is not difficult to find a Clover machine for sale on eBay. Some used Clover POS systems on eBay are sold “untested” or “as-is,” which usually means the system is unusable and can only be junked “for parts.” New Clover systems are also sold on eBay with a merchant services account.
The main issue with Clover POS systems sold on eBay is that a merchant services contract is not something you should enter into lightly and certainly not something you should enter into on eBay. Most merchant service providers who sell Clover on eBay are not providing a fair deal, as they can easily sneak hidden fees and long-term commitments into their contracts.
What To Know About Buying On Amazon
Like eBay, Amazon’s marketplace allows merchant service providers to sell Clover POS hardware with merchant service contracts. The concern with buying a Clover POS on Amazon is that you can’t trust a random Amazon seller to provide a good merchant services contract.
Most merchant service providers selling Clover hardware on Amazon are fly-by-night companies you’ve never heard of. Even though a company may be selling for less than normal and advertise low processing rates, you have no idea what level of customer service they offer, their hardware warranty policy, or what added fees they may charge.
Where To Buy A Clover Machine
So where should you buy a Clover machine online? We recommend purchasing your Clover POS machine from one of our best Clover resellers. Find one that offers transparent payment processing rates and fair contract requirements.
If you prefer to use a payment processing model such as interchange-plus payment processing or a cash discount program, you have options. Dharma Merchant Services and VizyPay are great merchant service providers to look into.
After you find a solid merchant services provider, you’ll need to learn how to negotiate a merchant agreement to get the best contract terms for your business. A merchant services provider will give you a quote on payment processing fees depending on your business’s size, time in business, products you’re selling, your personal credit history, the size of each transaction, and the mix of online/in-person sales.
How To Choose The Right Clover Machine For Your Business
To get the right Clover machine for your business, you have to consider the hardware, software, and merchant services aspects of your POS system. You have to find a Clover machine that’s compatible with the software plan you want to use, the size and weight you want, and a merchant services provider that offers the Clover machine you want.
These are some things to consider when looking for the right Clover hardware:
- How portable do you want your Clover machine to be?
- How large do you want your POS screen to be?
- How much space do you have on your counters (if any) for a POS machine?
- Do you want customers to be able to verify their orders?
- Do you accept large volumes of cash?
- How much do you want to spend on your Clover POS?
Here are some of the options Clover offers right now and some of the best use cases for each.
Clover Flex

Clover Flex handheld POS terminal.
The Clover Flex handheld POS system is one of the best handheld POS systems, especially for service-based businesses such as contracting companies and salons. That’s because this handheld POS allows business owners to accept chip-and-tap card payments, as well as digital wallet payments, on the go. You can also accept invoice payments and send invoice payment receipts by email so customers can monitor their payments.
Clover Mini

Clover Mini 3rd generation countertop POS system.
The Clover Mini is a small countertop POS system that’s a good middle ground between the handheld POS terminal and the full Clover Station register. The register has a built-in card reader, digital wallet reader, and receipt printer. You can mount your mini register to a countertop or a swivel that allows you to swivel the screen towards customers.
We placed the Clover Mini on our list of the best coffee shop POS systems and the best food truck POS systems. This is because it is a compact system that doesn’t take up a lot of counter space. It also allows you to turn the screen towards customers so they can choose tipping amounts, enter loyalty member information, and choose whether they’d like a receipt printed, emailed, or don’t want a receipt at all.
The Clover Mini attaches to accessories like cash drawers and barcode scanners, which also makes the Clover Mini a good option for retail-focused businesses.
We also like that the Clover Mini has a big enough screen that you can take full advantage of the Clover App market. For example, we consider the Clover Mini one of the best salon POS systems because of its appointment scheduling and loyalty program apps available.
Clover Station Solo

Clover Station Solo screen, cash drawer, and receipt printer.
The Clover Station Solo is a complete countertop POS solution that includes a 14″ high-definition display, built-in camera/barcode scanner, thumbprint log-on reader for added security, swipe/tap/digital wallet card reader, receipt printer, and a cash drawer.
We believe Clover is one of the best POS systems for bars because you can use the camera to scan IDs if you pair the Station Solo with an ID scanner app. We also believe that Clover is one of the best convenience store POS systems because the thumbprint log-on reader provides extra security features.
Clover Station Duo

Clover Station Duo register with Clover Mini customer-facing display, cash drawer, and receipt printer.
The Clover Station Duo is similar to the Station Solo, except that you get a Clover Mini touch screen for guests to pay via chip, tap, or digital wallet payment.
It’s a strong upgrade from the Station Solo because you can’t take chip payments with the Solo, plus employees can continue entering information on their screen while customers enter things like loyalty information on a secondary screen.
Clover Not For You? Here Are Some Good POS Alternatives
Clover is one of the best POS systems, but many merchants want a more flexible system that allows them to purchase pre-owned POS equipment. Or, you may want POS equipment that you can reprogram for use with a different POS software or merchant account down the road.
The following are a few alternatives that provide more flexibility than Clover when it comes to POS equipment. For a more comprehensive look at available Clover competitors, read our post on the best Clover alternatives for small businesses.
Square POS: Can Be Purchased New Or Used

Square Terminal handheld POS system, Square Register, and Square iPad stand.
Why We Recommend Square
Square is a free POS app with no long-term contract that can be used on just about any iPad as well as some tablets and smartphones when you pair the Square POS app with a Square card reader. We believe Square is one of the best free POS systems because you can use it for just about any type of small business and all you have to do is pay a flat-rate payment processing fee.
You do have proprietary Square hardware options, but you can purchase Square hardware from places like Amazon and easily reprogram devices to add your own Square account. As a bonus, Square will even honor hardware warranties for hardware you’ve purchased somewhere other than Square.com.
You can use Square with an iPad and the $149 Square Stand, which includes a built-in card reader and swiveling iPad stand. If you like the Clover Mini, this could be a good alternative.
There’s also the $299 handheld Square Terminal, which is relatively close in design and function to the Clover Flex, and the $799 Square Register, which is similar to the Clover Station Solo register screen.
You can purchase Square hardware kits that are similar to the full Clover Station Solo and Duo setups.
Toast POS: Can Be Purchased New Or Used

Toast online ordering on a smartphone, Toast admin dashboard on PC, Toast KDS, Toast Go 2 handheld POS, Toast countertop POS.
Why We Recommend Toast
Unlike Clover, Toast POS is specifically designed for restaurants. As one of the best restaurant POS systems, the software offers numerous restaurant-specific features with built-in payment processing. Toast’s Android-based hardware is designed specifically to withstand heat and spills.
Toast currently offers the $627 Toast Go 2, one of the best handheld restaurant POS systems, which is close to (or better than) the Clover Flex when the Flex is used with restaurant-specific software plans. The $875 countertop POS mirrors the Clover Station Solo register screen, while the $629 kitchen display system is similar to (or better than) Clover’s newly released kitchen display screens.
Toast recommends purchasing your proprietary POS equipment from the company directly, though it is possible to buy used Toast equipment online and use it with your Toast subscription. Just make sure you confirm with Toast that said equipment will work with your system, as they have phased out support for some older tablets.
One of the only downsides of Toast is that the provider requires a two-year contract with an early termination fee. Before committing to Toast, make sure this is a POS system that will work for your restaurant business long-term.
Lightspeed POS: Can Be Purchased New Or Used

Lightspeed Retail card reader, iPad POS device in case, eCommerce site on PC and smartphone device.
Why We Recommend Lightspeed
Lightspeed is an iPad-based POS that offers industry-specific software packages, including Lightspeed Retail, Lightspeed Restaurant, and Lightspeed Golf, one of our best POS systems for golf. It is also one of our best POS systems for inventory management.
Lightspeed prefers you source your equipment from them to ensure it’s compatible, but you have the option to use just about any new or used iPad POS equipment with your Lightspeed account, plus any of the compatible hardware accessories listed on Lightspeed’s help articles. The only requirement is that you buy the $299 WisePOS E-card reader from Lightspeed.
The company offers accessories such as an iPad stand for $199, a cash drawer for $129, a barcode scanner for $199, a label printer for $124, and a receipt printer for $399. In addition to registers, you can use your iPads as self-serve kiosks and kitchen display systems if you purchase Lightspeed’s self-serve and kitchen display software packages.
Helcim POS: Can Be Purchased New Or Used

Helcim POS app installed on smartphones, tablets, and desktops, plus Helcim card reader.
Why We Recommend Helcim
The Helcim POS system works on any device you own, including iPads, Android tablets, smartphones, and desktop computers. You can install the completely free POS app on an unlimited number of devices that you already own or that you purchase secondhand. Just download the app, enter your login credentials, purchase the $109 Helcim card reader, and you’re ready to go.
The only fees you need to pay are Helcim payment processing fees. Helcim offers transparent merchant accounts and interchange-plus pricing for all users, which is a rare feature of easy-to-use POS software.
Since our last update, Helcim now offers a completely wireless handheld POS system, the Helcim Smart Terminal, for $349. It is similar in design to the Clover Flex and includes a one-year hardware warranty.
We believe that Helcim is one of the best retail POS systems, especially for companies that have a B2B sales component, offer memberships or subscription boxes, and/or accept custom orders.
Is Buying A Used Clover POS Right For Your Business?
Buying a used Clover POS machine is not a great idea, and you should either purchase your Clover hardware from a reputable seller or choose a different POS provider.
Do your research about potential POS software and merchant services providers before signing any merchant agreements. These are the best merchant account service providers for small businesses. If you’re just interested in getting good payment processing rates, read up on our best credit card processing companies.
FAQs: Can I Buy A Used Clover POS
Can I buy a used Clover POS System?
You can buy a used Clover POS system, but they are not reprogrammable, which means you cannot use a used Clover POS to sell at your business. Some people on eBay sell used Clover equipment “for parts.”
Where can I find a Clover machine for sale?
The best place to find a Clover machine for sale is through a highly-rated Clover merchant services provider, such as National Processing or Dharma Merchant Services.
Can I reprogram a Clover POS?
No, you cannot reprogram a Clover POS. A Clover POS will only work with the original merchant account that activated it for use.
What are Clover scams to look for?
The main Clover scam to look for is low-quality merchant services providers selling Clover on eBay and Amazon. These resellers may offer good prices on equipment, but they will often include a lot of hidden fees and unfair terms in the merchant services agreement they sell with the Clover POS.
Can I use Clover without a merchant account?
You can’t use Clover without a merchant account, and unlike other POS system providers, you have to sign up for a merchant account with whatever company you purchase your Clover hardware from.
This means that you have to be very careful about where you purchase your Clover machine from. Read any merchant agreements and hardware warranty information before signing up with any Clover hardware/merchant services provider.