The Intuit (quicken) card reader was real cheap and there is no transaction fee other than the card (Visa, etc).
The main issue with Apple hardware design, is that they are TOO QUICK to adopt new connetor types and transfer protocols. This forces users to buy expensive "version 1" equipment that gets outdated rather quickly, and is usually difficult to find (unless you go through Apple $$$). Sometimes the designs never make a full transition to the mainstream market (SCSI, Firewire, etc), and never come down in price.
I'm a PC guy, but Apple does make a beautiful integrated device o/s (unless you have to do serious troubleshooting or customization), and the smart phone is just about the perfect showcase platform for that.