Does Axia’s Transparency Match Its Claims? Full Review

Founded in 1999, Axia Payments is a payments technology and merchant account provider headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. Axia was acquired by i3 Verticals in June 2016, but appears to continue to operate under its own brand name. As of this update, the company is now branded as a division of i3 Verticals Merchant Solutions. The company offers billing and payment services, payment gateways as well as data and analytics in addition to its payment processing services.

Payment Processing

Axia provides robust payment processing services for major debit and credit cards. This allows businesses to accept payments from various card networks.

POS Solutions

Axia offers advanced Point of Sale (POS) solutions designed to streamline business operations. These systems assist in managing sales transactions, inventory, and customer interactions.

ACH and Check Processing

Axia supports Automated Clearing House (ACH) and check processing services, enabling businesses to handle electronic check transactions securely.

e-Commerce Solutions

Axia delivers comprehensive e-commerce solutions that facilitate secure online transactions.

Payment Gateways

Axia provides payment gateway services that enable secure processing of online transactions.

Mobile Solutions

Axia supports mobile payment solutions, allowing businesses to accept payments via smartphones and other mobile devices.

Gift and Loyalty Programs

Axia offers gift and loyalty programs to help businesses implement customer reward initiatives.

Low Complaint Total

At present, we’ve come across only a handful of Axia Payments reviews, none of which label the company as a scam or a ripoff. These available complaints primarily mention issues with customer service, challenges in canceling services, unexpected fees, and fund-holds. If you have your own Axia Payment review, we welcome you to share it in the comments below.

Axia Payments Lawsuits and Fines

No outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints have been identified against Axia Payments. Dissatisfied clients seeking recourse outside of litigation may consider reporting their concerns to relevant supervisory organizations.

Axia Payments Customer Support Options

While Axia’s website lists a dedicated phone number and a customer support form, it’s uncertain whether these support channels are managed directly by Axia staff. Despite the limited number of complaints found on internet forums, we’ve rated the company with an “A” in this category. However, it falls short of qualifying as one of the top merchant account providers for customer service.

PaymentPop Rating for Axia

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Axia on the PaymentPop website.

Axia BBB Rating

Axia has been an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau since 2002, though its profile is now merged with that of its parent company i3 Verticals. As of this review, the company has an “A+” rating with the BBB and has 5 complaints filed against it in the last 36 months. 2 of these 5 complaints were resolved to the dissatisfaction of the client or received no final response, while the other 3 were resolved. While the low complaint total is encouraging, the lack of positive reviews is not enough to qualify Axia Payments as one of the top merchant account providers.

An “A” Rating

It should also be noted that the company has not received any informal reviews on its BBB profile, although these reviews are not subject to verification by the BBB. In light of the company’s low complaint total, we agree with the BBB’s rating.

Unclear Contract Terms

Detailed information about Axia Payments’ standard contract is not readily available. Their website mentions “competitive rates” without further specifics. Axia Payments, prominently partnered with Merrick Bank, might resell Merrick Bank contracts, though this is not confirmed. Merrick Bank’s back-end processor, TSYS, lists swipe rates of 2.5% plus $0.20 and keyed-in rates of 3.5% plus $0.20. Merrick Bank’s contracts typically include a liquidated damages clause as an early termination fee, a $75.20 annual PCI compliance fee (charged quarterly), and a 48-month non-cancellable equipment lease.

A single Axia review referenced a fund-hold issue not disclosed in contract terms. Axia’s early termination fee calculation is based on remaining months and average monthly transactions, but details on PCI compliance fees and monthly minimums are unspecified.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Axia Payments also offers virtual terminal and payment gateway services, but specific pricing for these is not publicized. Typically, such services include gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates associated with e-commerce services.

Few Contract Complaints

The scarcity of complaints about Axia Payments’ contract terms suggests that most clients are content. However, without definitive details, it’s uncertain if Axia’s pricing competes with more affordable merchant accounts. Those with firsthand information about Axia’s standard contract are encouraged to share their experiences in the comments below.

For more insights, readers can consult our list of the best merchant accounts.

Outside Sales Agents

Axia Payments appears to rely on its website, its referral program, traditional advertising, and independent and inside sales agents to market its services. The use of independent sales agents is often linked to high complaint rates due to the difficulty of monitoring these agents’ behavior. However, we are currently unable to locate any Axia Payments reviews that allege deceptive tactics by the company’s sales reps.

This compares favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Deceptive Ads

As an additional point in the company’s favor, Axia Payments does not appear to engage in deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials. If you suspect that Axia Payments is charging you hidden fees, however, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit.

Axia rates as a reliable credit card processing provider according to all available information. The company has only a handful of complaints across consumer protection websites and maintains a relatively clean record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, specific details about Axia’s rates and fees remain unavailable.

Business owners are encouraged to thoroughly examine their contract, negotiate terms whenever possible, and compare Axia’s pricing with that of top-rated merchant accounts. This approach will help secure competitive terms and ensure that businesses receive the best possible rates aligned with their specific needs.