Smoke shops · Vape shops

Card processing for smoke and vape shops, with a straight answer.

Smoke and vape shops need a processor that wants the business. We work with high-risk underwriting set up for shops like yours, and you get an honest read on your chances before you apply, and every approved term in writing before you sign.

  • An honest read on your chances before you apply
  • A POS set up for the counter, with age checks and inventory by product
  • Every rate, fee, and any reserve in writing
Talk to us about your shop

Higher-risk shops

Tell us about your shop.

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Justin Haag, founder of Cardeva
Your rep is Justin Haag, founder.

Outside Cardeva, he leads a national team of 250 payments agents. You'll deal with him, not a queue. About Justin

“I cannot say enough great things about how smooth he made this transition for us.”
★★★★★ Christina H., Google review
“The whole process has been much easier than what we were dealing with before.”
★★★★★ N. M., Google review

Excerpts from Google reviews of Justin’s work setting up merchants under a prior brand; results vary by business. Read both reviews

What you get

Processing that fits the shop you actually run.

High-risk underwriting

Your application goes to underwriting set up for high-risk businesses, not a program that wasn't built for your shop.

A POS for the counter

Track every product and strength, with an age check before every restricted sale.

A cash price

Dual pricing built into the POS, so cash customers see their price and card customers see theirs, where your state allows it.

One rep who answers

A direct number to a person who knows your account, before and after you're approved.

Before you apply

Tell us exactly what's on your shelves.

Underwriting looks at what you sell. Vape shops can be placed when the products on the shelf are FDA-compliant. Tobacco, vape products, CBD, and other products can each be treated differently, and some programs need a separate agreement for CBD. A few products may not be allowed at all.

Selling online or by phone? The card networks treat online and phone tobacco and vape sales as higher risk, so those sales need extra underwriting. Tell us if you sell that way.

Tell us everything up front and we'll tell you what's allowed, in writing, before you apply. An undisclosed product found after approval can get an account closed.

Have these ready

  • Your business license, and any tobacco or vape license your state or city requires
  • Your last few processing statements, if you take cards today
  • A plain list of what you sell
  • Your website, if you have one

If a past processor closed your account, tell us. It's better known now than found later.

How it works

A straight answer before you commit.

Step 1

A 15-minute call

Tell us what you sell and how you take payments today. We tell you plainly whether we can place you.

Step 2

Everything in writing

Rates, fees, equipment, any reserve, and any term or cancellation fee, before you sign.

Step 3

Set up with you

We set up the POS and terminal with you, including your age checks and your cash price.

Step 4

One rep who answers

You get a direct number. When something comes up, you call a person who already knows your account.

FAQ

What smoke and vape shop owners ask.

Will I be approved?
No honest processor can promise that before underwriting. We'll tell you what the underwriter needs and give you an honest read before you apply. The approved terms come in writing before you sign.
My last processor shut me down. Can you help?
Tell us what happened and send your recent statements. We'll tell you plainly whether we can place you, and on what terms.
Do you work with shops that sell CBD?
It depends on the products. Some programs need a separate CBD agreement, and some products may not be allowed. Tell us exactly what you sell and we'll tell you what's allowed, in writing.
Are the rates higher?
Usually, yes. Higher-risk processing typically costs more than standard processing. You'll see every rate and fee in writing before you sign, so you can compare.
What is a reserve?
Money the processor holds back for a set time to cover chargebacks. Some higher-risk accounts carry one. If yours does, you'll see the amount and how long it's held, in writing, before you sign.

15-minute call

Tell us what you sell and get an honest read on approval, with every approved term in writing.

Talk to us about your shop

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