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In this Aurora Payments review, we’ll provide an overview of their credit card processing services, including point-of-sale (POS) systems, mobile payment options, and e-commerce tools. We’ll outline which types of businesses may benefit most, while also examining customer reviews to highlight common praise and concerns. In addition to services, we’ll break down pricing, contract terms, and key features so you know what to expect. By the end, you’ll have the insights needed to decide whether Aurora Payments is the right fit for your business’s payment processing needs.
About Aurora Payments
Aurora Payments Homepage
Aurora Payments is a full-service merchant account provider based in Tempe, Arizona. According to their website, Aurora Payments has existed since around 2005, operating most of that time as Applied Merchant Services. AMS was a smaller payment provider that was able to secure large volumes of merchant accounts with their acquisitions of Entrust Bankcard and Bancard Systems, Inc around 2015.
In 2018, Sabin Burrell of BlueSquare Resolutions and Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments joined with Brian Goudie (formerly of First Data, which is now Fiserv) to become partners under a new parent company, Aurora Solutions. BlueSquare Resolutions had already added large amounts of clients to their portfolio through prolific acquisitions including Electronic Processing Solutions LLC, Merchant Select Services, Discount Payment Services, e-Pay Commerce, Data One Payment Solutions, Secure Choice Merchant Solutions, ProPoint Card Services, and Diverse Payment Solutions.
Aurora has continued to acquire small to medium-sized payment providers to grow its client portfolio. Since the rebrand, they have acquired Harmony Pay, Altiras, and FMPS, and rebranded Chosen Payments as “an Aurora Company”, but the Chosen Payments brand has been allowed to continue operating for the time being. Aurora boasts that it serves over 23,000 merchant accounts and $8 billion in yearly processing volume.
In 2022, private equity firm Corsair purchased a majority stake in Aurora Payments. Aurora also bought One Payments in 2022 and NailSoft in 2023.
Products & Merchant Services
Payment Processing
Aurora Payments processes major debit and credit cards for various business types. Their services include POS systems, EMV/PIN card readers, employee and inventory management tools, data reporting and analysis, business funding, cash discounts, gift and loyalty programs, and mobile solutions.
Online Payment Gateway
Aurora Payments provides an online payment gateway, enabling businesses to accept and process payments through their websites securely and efficiently.
Point of Sale Systems
Aurora Payments offers point of sale (POS) systems for physical retail locations. These systems process credit card transactions, track sales, manage inventory, and handle other retail-related tasks.
Mobile Payment Solutions
Aurora Payments offers mobile payment solutions, allowing businesses to process credit card transactions using mobile devices.
Fraud Protection Services
Aurora Payments also provides fraud protection services to enhance transaction security. These services aim to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Exploring Aurora Payments Customer Feedback
While Aurora Payments is in the process of integrating its recent acquisitions, finding specific Aurora Payments reviews can be challenging. We have noted a few reviews on our profile, with some highlighting concerning aspects. It’s important to mention that there are numerous reviews associated with companies acquired by Aurora, but these are not included in our evaluation. We welcome our readers to share their experiences and leave a review about Aurora Payments in the comments section below.
Reviews of Applied Merchant Systems
Our research uncovered several complaints regarding Applied Merchant Systems, a company associated with Aurora Payments. These complaints predominantly revolve around the issue of continued billing post-service cancellation and subpar customer service experiences.
Legal Matters Involving Aurora Payments
As of our latest check, we found no outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints against Aurora Payments. There is, however, a case involving a former employee, Sabin Burrell, who has been sued by the company. The specifics of this case are not fully clear, and it appears that Burrell has faced previous legal challenges related to alleged deceitful activities. Clients who are considering non-litigious actions against Aurora Payments might find it beneficial to report their experiences to appropriate supervisory bodies and by sharing their customer reviews in the comment section of this article.
Industry Scores & User Ratings
Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop
1
BBB Rating
1
Aurora Payments
3.7
Average Rating
2.35
PaymentPop Rating for Aurora Payments Card Processing
Negative Feedback
They were terrible, hidden fees everywhere. Won’t allow you to cancel without a $1400 fee. Even when I found a better merchant account with better rates.
Positive Feedback
There are no positive reviews published about Aurora Payments Card Processing on the PaymentPop website.
Aurora Payments Card Processing BBB Rating
Aurora Payments has been in business for 18 years according to The Better Business Bureau, primarily under the name Applied Payment Systems. The company has an “A-” rating with the BBB, with 6 complaints in the last 3 years. Aurora Payments Card Processing has a 1 out of 5 star rating based on 3 user reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.
What Merchants Say
Aurora Payments has received 1 review through the BBB, which is negative. The most recent negative review describes poor customer service and issues with payments:
Worst Company Ever! Do NOT use them! In 3 months they have wasted hours of my time and cost my thousands of dollars!I can’t process payments properly, their customer service is terrible…please save yourself the headache and NEVER work with this company!
A “B” Performance Overall
Taking into consideration the company’s low complaint total and high resolution rate, we have slightly adjusted the BBB’s grade to a “B” at this time.
Google Maps Rating for Aurora Payments
Aurora Payments has a 3.7 out of 5 star rating based on 31 user reviews on Google Maps.
Positive Feedback
Since we implemented Aurora Payments Recurring Invoicing system, we have reduced our delinquency rate tremendously. We rarely see Past Due accounts anymore as we previously did. We love the solutions offered by Aurora Payments!
Negative Feedback
illegally withholding money for over a month even though we submitted all necessary paperwork. They simply stated that they have not received anything from us. Use someone else.
Processing Rates & Fees
Partnered with Elavon, Fiserv, and TSYS
Aurora Payments maintains partnerships with significant payment backend providers, including Elavon, Fiserv (previously known as First Data), and TSYS. The terms of Aurora Payments contracts might reflect common conditions found in agreements with these providers, such as a $295 early termination fee and four-year equipment leases. For those familiar with Aurora Payments’ specific rates or fees, sharing your insights in the comments would be greatly appreciated.
Variable Contract Terms
Aurora Payments does not disclose its pricing details publicly. Given its extensive partnerships with established service providers like Fiserv, Elavon, and TSYS, it’s plausible that Aurora’s contract terms might align with the variable rates these companies offer, which are often tailored to the business size, type, and transaction volume.
Negotiate Contract Pricing
Details regarding Aurora Payments contracts are currently unavailable. Businesses that have engaged with Aurora Payments for their payment processing needs are invited to share their experiences below. It’s advisable for business owners to negotiate terms, thoroughly review all contractual details before committing, and compare options. Additionally, for optimal terms, we recommend exploring our compilation of the top merchant account providers.
Employee Reviews & Sales Practices
No Independent Sales Teams
We have found no indication that Aurora Payments utilizes independent agents. This compares favorably to our list ofbest credit card processors. Job postings listed online have been for in-house and dedicated sales professionals.
Aurora Payments Contract Terms
Aurora Payments has openly announced their partnerships with Fiserv, Elavon, and TSYS. For more information on their particular contract details, we invite our readers to review the individual payment provider profiles.
Aurora Payments Competitors
Compare Aurora Payments to competitors that earned top marks.
Aurora Payments is emerging as a significant player in the credit card processing industry, born out of the consolidation of numerous mid to small-sized payment companies through mass acquisitions and mergers. This strategic expansion has positioned Aurora Payments among the new wave of large, full-service credit card processing providers. The precursor companies that now form Aurora Payments had relatively few complaints or lawsuits and maintained generally positive reputations. This historical context bodes well for Aurora Payments, suggesting a foundation of reliability and trustworthiness.
However, to elevate its rating beyond the current 4-star level, Aurora Payments will need to address and improve the clarity of its contract details. Transparent and straightforward contract terms are crucial for building and maintaining merchant trust, and any ambiguity in this area can detract from the company’s overall appeal. As Aurora Payments continues to integrate and refine its services, we anticipate revisiting and potentially revising our rating once the brand has further solidified its operations and addressed any outstanding issues. For now, while Aurora Payments shows significant promise, merchants are advised to carefully review contract terms and consider this aspect when making their decision.
