Cardsave Review
Updated 1/29/2019: Cardsave has been fully integrated into the WorldPay organization and is no longer an independent brand. See our WorldPay review for up-to-date information about this company.
Founded in 1995 and acquired by WorldPay in 2010, Cardsave (cardsave.net) is now the independent specialist merchant services division of WorldPay (Streamline). At this time, Cardsave appears to have been fully rebranded as “WorldPay,” but merchants may still encounter some products or services under the Cardsave name. Cardsave is headquartered at Parkway Offices, Moss Rd, Acorn Business Park, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN32 0LW, UK. Clive Kahn is listed as the CEO of Cardsave.
Key Points
- Sales & Marketing: Cardsave appears to hire independent sales representatives and has received a moderate number of complaints about its sales practices.
- Costs & Contract: Cardsave appears to offer a 12-month contract with a variable early termination fee and attached equipment lease.
- Complaints & Service: Cardsave has received more than 30 public complaints.
- BBB Rating: Cardsave does not have a profile with the Better Business Bureau.
- Rates & Fees: How Merchants Got The Best Rates With Cardsave
Cardsave Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Total Online Complaints | 30+ |
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Live Customer Support | Yes |
Most Common Complaint | Customer Service |
There are currently a moderate number of Cardsave negative reviews online, some of which describe the company as a scam or a ripoff. Most of these extremely negative complaints have been filed in relation to nondisclosure by sales agents, unexpected cancellation fees, and poor customer service. On UK Business Forums, there are roughly an equivalent number of Cardsave complaints and Cardsave endorsements, indicating that a merchant’s experience with the company may come down to the sales agent he or she deals with.
Cardsave also has a 1.8 out of 10 rating on Trustpilot, a customer review website. Although we typically don’t consider high Trustpilot ratings to be reliable due to the company’s partnership policies, we do take low ratings on the website seriously. Merchant complaints filed against Cardsave on Trustpilot tend to mostly deal with poor customer service experiences, although a Cardsave representative has responded to many of these complaints with some successful resolutions. This employee’s concern over user complaints indicates a willingness to correct mistakes, but it is our belief that an effective customer service department is able to resolve complaints before they are taken to a public forum. We therefore award Cardsave a “C” rating in this category.
Cardsave Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
The BBB does not maintain a profile for Cardsave. We therefore will not factor a BBB rating into this review.
Cardsave Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
Swiped Rate | Variable |
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Keyed-in Rate | Variable |
Early Termination Fee | Variable |
PCI Compliance Fee | Variable |
Equipment Lease Terms | Variable |
According to merchant complaints, the standard contract through Cardsave appears to closely resemble the standard Streamline agreement (available below), which is a 12-month initial term that automatically renews for additional 12-month terms unless cancelled by a written notice provided at least 30 days in advance. This provision, while not especially uncommon within the merchant services industry, seems to be a major problem for some merchants due to its inconsistent disclosure by sales agents. Merchants who fail to understand the cancellation procedure and follow it correctly are subject to variable early termination fees that are usually £200 or more.
This early termination fee may also be partially derived from terminal leases, which carry their own cancellation terms. It seems that in most cases, equipment leases through Cardsave are non-cancellable, meaning they must be paid in full if cancelled early (regardless of when a merchant stops using the actual equipment). This kind of cancellation fee closely resembles a Liquidated Damages fee, which we consider to be an excessive type of penalty.
We have not seen a high number of complaints regarding PCI Compliance fees, monthly minimum fees, or transaction fees charged by Cardsave. If you have any knowledge of the standard Cardsave contract, please share that information in the comment section below this review. See the Streamline Terms & Conditions.
Cardsave Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
Employs Independent Resellers | Unknown |
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Advertises Deceptive Rates | No |
Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Cardsave utilizes telemarketing and an outside sales team to market its services, but it is unknown at this time whether its sales agents are full-time employees or independent contractors. Independent sales agents are commonly linked to high complaint rates among merchants, and in the case of Cardsave, we have found a moderate number of Cardsave reviews that allege misrepresentation or nondisclosure of contract terms by company reps. Merchants specifically note that the company’s automatic renewal policy is not clearly explained at the point of signing, resulting in unexpected fees down the line. This is consistent with complaints filed against other WorldPay companies. As a point in the company’s favor, it does not engage in misleading rate promotion on its website.
Our Cardsave Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Cardsave rates as an average merchant services provider according to all available information. The company has received a moderate number of complaints about its sales practices and contract terms. Due to a corporate restructuring, there may be no difference between Cardsave and WorldPay at this time. Merchants should therefore expect pricing and service on par with WorldPay.
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Edward Agnes
I am thrilled to share my exceptional experience with Cardsave! Their services have truly transformed my business. From the very beginning, their seamless payment solutions made transactions a breeze, and the secure processing gave me peace of mind. The online payment gateway is so user-friendly that my customers find it effortless to make purchases, boosting my sales significantly.
Their customer support team is top-notch! They promptly resolve any queries and provide expert guidance. With Cardsave, I’ve witnessed a remarkable improvement in my cash flow and reduced payment-related issues.
The versatility of their payment options caters perfectly to my diverse clientele. Whether it’s credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments, Cardsave covers it all. Trust me; this partnership has been a game-changer for my business. I highly recommend Cardsave to any business seeking reliable and efficient payment solutions. Thank you, Cardsave!