Overview
Due to the increase in public smoking bans in cities across the country, e-cigarettes are increasingly viewed as a viable alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, merchants who would like to sell this technology face obstacles to payment processing for vape shops. Many major credit card processors have dropped their placements for e-cigarette merchant accounts, citing the unclear legality and safety of the product, the likelihood of increased regulation, and a high potential for chargebacks among e-cig consumers. E-cigarette credit card processing is available only as a “high risk” option in most cases, which means that it usually comes with higher rates and less room for merchant negotiation.
We have compiled a list of the top e-cigarette merchant services providers in the space below. Most of these credit card processors either specialize in high risk merchant accounts or utilize partnerships with offshore banks to allow merchants to process credit cards for e-cigarettes. In order to find the right provider for your vaporizer business, be sure to check out each company’s products and compare costs.
Why These Providers
eMerchantBroker
eMerchantBroker.com is a Los Angeles, California-based company that offers high risk e-commerce processing solutions including e-cigarette 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 places an emphasis on providing credit card processing for vape shops.
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 online and storefront e-cigarette sellers.
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 able to process payments for vape shops, glass shops, and online sellers of smoking accessories. However, the company cannot facilitate online sales of tobacco itself. 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 interested merchants at signup.
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.
Additional Options
Payline Data
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Payline Data is a rapidly growing merchant account provider that offers e-cig credit card processing as part of its high risk merchant account program. Payline offers face-to-face, mobile, and online payment processing solutions for vaporizers and e-cigarettes. The company typically provides a customized pricing option for its high risk e-cigarette merchants, which means that the terms of each contract will depend on the merchant’s specific business type, size, and time in business. Our review of Payline Data awards the company an overall rating of “A+,” while the BBB gives Payline a score of “A” due to one complaint having been filed in the last three years.
For more information, see the Payline Data website or call (888) 506-7812.
Durango Merchant Services
Based in Durango, Colorado, Durango Merchant Services offers traditional credit card processing and offshore payment processing for e-cigarette vendors and suppliers. Durango was founded in 1999 and provides e-commerce solutions, debit and credit card processing, payment gateways, and eCheck processing services to high risk and TMF merchants. Durango consistently receives positive reviews from merchants with regard to its sales staff and customer service. Our review of Durango Merchant Services awards the company an “A+” rating at this time, and the BBB is currently granting the company an “A+” grade.
For more information, see the Durango Merchant Service website or call (888) 316-1897.
Easy Pay Direct
Easy Pay Direct is an Austin, Texas-based merchant account provider that specializes in placing high risk e-commerce accounts of all kinds, including e-cigarette merchants. Easy Pay Direct’s products for e-cigarette merchants include launch event processing, multiple processing relationships, tokenized payments, anti-fraud IP filtering, and 38 offshore banking relationships to choose from. Easy Pay Direct’s online payment gateway also includes a feature called “load balancing,” which is capable of routing transactions through multiple merchant accounts in order to avoid fund holds.
Easy Pay Direct offers custom pricing options depending on a merchant’s business type and processing history and usually does not charge an early termination fee. The company is also showing zero negative complaints across all consumer protection websites. Our review of Easy Pay Direct awards the company an “A” rating, while the Better Business Bureau gives Easy Pay Direct an “A+.”
For more information, see the Easy Pay Direct website or call (888) 316-7549.
Vantage Payments
Vantage Payments is highly a rated merchant account provider based in Scottsdale, Arizona, that specializes in the moderate and high-risk sector. Due to its focus on hard-to-place business types, Vantage is able to board e-cigarette companies with relative ease. In addition to offering credit card processing, the company offers ACH payments, check acceptance, direct debit, offshore merchant accounts, prepaid debit cards, payment gateways, web marketing tools, and support for multiple currencies. Vantage has a high success rate when boarding e-cig and vape merchants.
As of our last update, we were unable to locate any complaints or negative reviews for Vantage, reinforcing its exceptional reputation for providing a high level of customer service. Our review of Vantage currently awards the company an “A” rating while the BBB rates the company at an “A+” score.
For more information, see the Vantage Payments Website or call (888) 582-4903.
Electronic Transfer Inc.
Electronic Transfer Inc. is a merchant account provider based in Spokane, Washington, that offers e-cigarette merchants the ability to process card payments online, in-store, or by phone. Electronic Transfer Inc. also markets a proprietary online payment gateway called Fast Charge, which is a service it extends to e-cig vendors. Our review of Electronic Transfer Inc. is currently awarding the company a grade of “A,” and the BBB is currently assigning an “A+” rating to the company based on one complaint filed in the last three years.
Instabill
Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Instabill is a credit card processor specializing in high risk merchant accounts. The company advertises offshore e-cigarette merchant accounts, debit and credit card processing, a payment gateway, payment processing in over 160 currencies, and a dedicated account supervisor for each merchant account. Our review of Instabill currently awards the company an “A” rating, and the BBB also gives Instabill an “A” at this time.
If your business offers merchant accounts and payment solutions to e-cigarette merchants, 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
Hi, I’m Phillip and I’m disgusted by the state of credit card processing in the U.S. and abroad. I believe that the industry has been overrun by people who engage in fraud and deception in order to steal money from hard working business owners. I’ve made it my mission to expose the companies and individuals who engage in predatory marketing, pricing, and contracts, or just provide terrible service. Along with uncovering the bad guys, I’ve also discovered the good guys who do stand out from the status quo. CPO is a website where you will find ratings and reviews of these companies along with advice on how to save money and which service providers consider. Together we can move the industry in a positive direction. If you would like to help support my work, please checkout “Fee Sweep” my eGuide to getting the lowest possible fees when accepting card payments. If you haven’t heard of “interchange” this advice will save you hundreds, even thousands, in processing fees.
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A very useful article. We are looking for a vape friendly merchant provider since PayPal is refusing to process e-liquid sales on our online vape shop.
Phillip, can you please recommend a merchant account. Thanks.
Hi George,
Please fill out our matching questionnaire and we’ll be happy to send a recommendation: https://www.cardpaymentoptions.com/merchant-account-rate-quotes/