What to Know Before Getting Started
As with labeling and advertising regulations, the payment processing regulations surrounding nutraceuticals can be a minefield of conflicting rules. Many large merchant account providers completely refuse to process nutraceuticals payments, citing the murky legal status of certain supplements and the risk of chargebacks from dissatisfied buyers. Among those credit card processors that do provide nutraceutical merchant accounts, it can be difficult to distinguish between the providers that are knowledgeable and fair and the providers that are simply out to gouge nutraceutical suppliers for as much as they can get.
That’s why we’ve prepared this list of the best merchant account providers for nutraceutical businesses. The companies on this list have significant experience working with merchants in the nutraceuticals and supplements industry and have earned a reputation for fair pricing and quality customer service. In order to find the best fit for your business, be sure to check out each provider’s products and services and contact multiple processors to compare rates.
Why We Chose These Merchant Account Providers
eMerchantBroker
eMerchantBroker.com is a Los Angeles, California-based company that offers high risk e-commerce processing solutions including nutraceutical merchant accounts. The company’s products include ACH processing, an online payment gateway, merchant cash advance, and a chargeback management system to help merchants dispute and resolve chargeback claims. eMerchantBroker.com can provide an offshore merchant account for nutraceutical sellers and online pharmacies that do not sell illegal services, do not use continuity-based billing, are not based in India, maintain high processing volumes, and are properly licensed.
eMerchantBroker.com offers custom pricing for each merchant and maintains a low complaint rate relative to its size and merchant portfolio. Our review of eMerchantBroker gives the company an “A” rating overall and the BBB assigns the company a rating of “A+.”
For more information, see the eMerchantBroker website or call (877) 301-3442.
PaymentCloud
Based in Woodland Hills, California, PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider that specializes in serving high risk business types. The company’s products and services include point-of-sale solutions, mobile phone swipers, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, EMV-compatible terminals, and merchant cash advances. PaymentCloud is a good option for nutraceutical suppliers.
PaymentCloud provides a dedicated account rep to all new merchants for the life of the account. The company has not received any negative complaints on consumer forums, and it customizes its pricing according to each merchant’s business type and processing history. The BBB does not maintain a profile for PaymentCloud at this time, but CPO gives the company an “A.”
For more information, visit the PaymentCloud website or call (888) 506-7859.
Host Merchant Services
Host Merchant Services is a Newark, Delaware-based merchant account provider that is capable of serving most domestic high risk business types. The company’s products and services include point-of-sale solutions, online marketing tools, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, mobile credit card processing, gift and loyalty programs, merchant cash advance, and offshore merchant accounts. Host Merchant Services specializes in e-commerce businesses and provides a free website and email address to new merchants who require them.
Host Merchant Services has received only positive feedback on public forums, with most reviewers singling out the company’s customer service for praise. Host offers interchange-plus pricing with no early termination fees to all of its merchants, meaning that users will enjoy the most transparent pricing model and can cancel service without penalty. The BBB gives Host an “A+” rating, and CPO also gives the company an “A+.”
For more information, visit the Host Merchant Services website or call (888) 591-9026.
Secondary Merchant Account Options
Durango Merchant Services
Based in Durango, Colorado, Durango Merchant Services is a high risk merchant account provider that is able to supply credit card processing for retail and e-commerce nutraceutical businesses. Durango was founded in 1999, and its products include an online payment gateway, e-check (ACH) processing, offshore merchant accounts, and QuickBooks integration. Durango is able to serve many different types of nutraceutical merchant, including businesses that have previously been places on the TMF/MATCH list.
Durango offers custom pricing according to a merchant’s size, time in business, and credit card processing history. The company often receives praise on merchant forums for its knowledgeable and friendly sales and support teams. Our review of Durango Merchant Services gives the company an “A+” rating, and the BBB also gives Durango an “A+.”
For more information, see the Durango Merchant Service website or call (888) 316-1897.
Payline Data
Payline Data is a Chicago, Illinois-based merchant account provider that is a great all-purpose option for most business types, including nutraceutical suppliers. The company processes payments for retail, mobile, and e-commerce merchants and is able to provide a QuickBooks-integrated payment gateway, a virtual terminal, POS equipment, merchant cash advance, and check guarantee.
Payline Data offers custom pricing to its high risk merchants. The company consistently receives positive merchant feedback regarding its pricing and service, and it has maintained a high score with most third-party reviewers since its founding in 2009. Payline Data currently has an “A+” rating on CardPaymentOptions.com and an “A” rating with the BBB.
Vantage Payments
Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Vantage Payments is a merchant account provider that can provide both domestic and offshore merchant accounts for high risk merchant types, including nutraceutical suppliers. The company’s products and services include remote deposit capture, European direct debit, call center services, multi-currency support, web design, and SEO assistance. Vantage Payments currently has a clean complaint record across all review websites, which is an impressive feat for a company specializing in offshore merchant accounts. Our review of Vantage gives the company an “A” rating at this time, while the BBB gives Vantage an “A+.”
For more information, see the Vantage Payments website or call (888) 582-4903.
Instabill
Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Instabill is a high risk merchant account provider that is able to place both domestic and international nutraceuticals suppliers. The company provides a payment gateway, a virtual terminal, an online shopping cart, support for over 160 currencies, and AVS. Instabill’s website advertises that while the company is able to serve most types of nutraceuticals, it cannot process payments for kratom, raspberry ketones, or African mango.
Instabill enjoys a very low complaint rate relative to its size, time in business, and merchant portfolio. The company offers customized pricing packages depending on each merchant’s business type and size. Our review of Instabill gives the company an “A,” and the BBB also gives Instabill an “A.”
If your business offers merchant accounts and payment solutions to nutraceutical suppliers, please leave a comment in the comment section below or contact us through our contact page in order to get listed in this article.
About Phillip Parker
Phillip Parker is a former merchant services sales agent who believes the industry has been overrun by people who engage in fraud and deception in order to steal from hard working business owners. He created this website to help you avoid the bad players, save money on fees, and to get peace of mind with your merchant account. If you would like to help support his work, learn more about our cost reduction service. We can evaluate your statement, tell you exactly how much you're overpaying, and then help you dramatically reduce your fees with your current credit card processor. Looking to switch instead? See our list of the best merchant account providers.
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Thanks so much for your article on merchant account for nutraceuticals. Exactly what I was looking for.
BTW, I notice that you recommend Shopify. You should be aware of what they did in my case, which may be common practice. I went through all the trouble of setting up a shop through them, only to have them two months later tell me that they would no longer process credit cards for me as I was carrying nutraceuticals. I’ve lost sales since and have been reluctant to start the search again, as my suspicion is that those eager to sign you up don’t always know the company policy.
I now, through your article, know where to look.