Benchmark Merchant Solutions Reviews & Complaints
Company Overview
Based in Amherst, New York, Benchmark Merchant Solutions is a merchant account provider that offers startup business solutions and payment processing for businesses of all sizes as well as non-profit organizations. Benchmark Merchant Solutions does not list its founding year on its website, but the Better Business Bureau states that the company began operating in 2008. Benchmark is a reseller of EVO Payments International.
Benchmark Merchant Solutions Payment Processing
Benchmark Merchant Solutions processes all major debit and credit cards for most business types. Their services include EMV card readers and swipers, POS solutions, e-commerce solutions, mobile solutions, and non-profit fundraising solutions.
Benchmark Merchant Solutions POS: Seamless Payment Experience
Benchmark Merchant Solutions offers a comprehensive POS system that accepts a variety of payment methods, including credit and debit cards. Their system is designed to be user-friendly and efficient, reducing transaction times and offering a seamless payment experience for customers. With its capacity to integrate with existing systems, businesses can easily incorporate Benchmark's POS into their operations.
Mobile Payment Processing with Benchmark
For businesses that operate in varied locations, Benchmark provides a mobile payment processing solution. This service allows businesses to accept credit card payments through a mobile device, making it a fitting choice for food trucks, pop-up stores, or any business model that requires mobility. Benchmark's mobile processing service is compatible with many smartphones and tablets, ensuring a wide range of accessibility.
Benchmark's E-commerce Payment Solutions
To cater to online businesses, Benchmark Merchant Solutions provides a robust e-commerce payment gateway. This online payment processing service allows businesses to accept credit card payments from customers around the world securely.
Customizing with Benchmark's Payment Gateway Integrations
Benchmark Merchant Solutions stands out with its capacity to integrate with a wide range of payment gateways. This flexibility allows businesses to customize their payment processing system to match their specific needs.
Location & Ownership
Benchmark Merchant Solutions is a registered ISO/MSP of Deutsche Bank AG, New York, New York, and the company is headquartered at 4053 Maple Rd Ste. 199, Amherst, NY. Schneur Kamensky is listed as Director of Operations at Benchmark Merchant Solutions and Daniel Gellman is listed as owner.
Pros: | Cons: |
---|---|
24/7 customer support. | High processing rates (2.20% - 4.99%). |
No outstanding lawsuits. | Contract cancellation difficulties. |
"A+" BBB rating. | Hidden charges reported. |
Offers Zero Cost Processing. | $495 early termination fee. |
Flexible, reliable service. | Uses independent resellers. |
Benchmark Merchant Solutions Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Total Online Complaints | <10 |
---|---|
Live Customer Support | Yes |
Most Common Complaint | N/A |
Recent Lawsuits | No |
Overview of Customer Feedback
Our investigation reveals approximately 5 negative reviews of Benchmark Merchant Solutions, with a few labeling the company as a ripoff or scam. Many of these concerns were related to a merchant cash advance program offered by one of the company’s ISOs. Benchmark Merchant Solutions has reportedly taken steps to discontinue this promotion and to resolve the issues of the affected merchants. Other complaints focus on delays in account deposits and charges related to early contract termination. We encourage readers to share their own experiences with Benchmark Merchant Solutions in the comments below to enrich our understanding of the company.
Benchmark Merchant Solutions Lawsuits
No evidence of class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints against Benchmark Merchant Solutions has been found in our research. Clients seeking alternatives to litigation can report their experiences to appropriate supervisory bodies.
Customer Support Offered by Benchmark Merchant Solutions
Benchmark Merchant Solutions provides customer support through a dedicated phone number and a contact form available on their website. The effectiveness and directness of these channels in connecting to customer support are not fully verified.
Contact Information for Benchmark Merchant Solutions
- (877) 382-6262 – Toll-Free Customer Support
Based on available reviews and feedback, Benchmark Merchant Solutions has not yet reached the status of a top-rated payment processor for customer service. However, we acknowledge the steps taken by the company to address previous issues and improve their services.
Benchmark Merchant Solutions Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
BBB Reports | 0 |
---|
Under 5 Complaints
Benchmark Merchant Solutions currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB accredited at this time. The company has received 0 complaints in the past 36 months.
What Merchants Say
Benchmark Merchant Solutions has no informal reviews in the last 3 years. One former review cited difficulty canceling the merchant account:
Hidden charges totaling almost $100 per month. Impossible to cancel contract. Asked for a copy of the contract took over a month to email over and charged another $98.24 for the month of June. Called back and still account is open and will not cancel. Manager is never available. Horrible and rude comments on the phone.
Clients who find themselves in this situation are advised to take steps to cancel their merchant account without paying a fee.
An “A” Performance
In light of the company’s clean complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time.
Benchmark Merchant Solutions Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
Cancellation Penalties | Yes |
---|---|
Monthly & Annual Fees | Yes |
Processing Rates | 2.20% - 4.99% |
Equipment Leasing | Yes |
Three-Year Agreement
Benchmark Merchant Solutions previously disclosed a three-year contract term with automatic renewal for one-year increments on their website, now removed. An early termination fee of $495 and several monthly charges have been confirmed by client feedback. Being an EVO Payments International reseller, Benchmark Merchant Solutions’ contract terms might closely align with those of EVO. Typically, an EVO Payment International agreement includes a PCI compliance fee of $120 annually. The contracts also tend to feature long-term, non-cancellable equipment leases, leading to costs significantly above purchasing credit card terminals outright. Business owners are encouraged to review our selection of the top merchant services for better alternatives.
Industry-Standard Terms
The terms of Benchmark’s contract are in line with industry standards. Despite this, the scarcity of complaints regarding the company’s pricing structure suggests that many clients are content with their service. Consequently, Benchmark Merchant Solutions has been given a “B” rating in this area. Nonetheless, it’s recommended that businesses evaluate Benchmark’s rates alongside those offered by affordable merchant account providers. For individuals with detailed insights into Benchmark Merchant Solutions’ standard agreement, your contributions in the comments section would be greatly appreciated.
Benchmark Merchant Solutions Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
---|---|
Telemarketing | Yes |
Misleading Marketing | No |
Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Third-Party Resellers
Benchmark Merchant Solutions appears to primarily market its services via independent sales offices and traditional advertising. The use of independent resellers is commonly linked to elevated complaint rates in the credit card processing industry, and we have located a handful of Benchmark Merchant Solutions reviews that accuse the company of misrepresentation or nondisclosure of terms.
This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
Sales Complaints
At least one Benchmark Merchant Solutions complaint stems from undesired telemarketing from the company, but many older complaints almost exclusively appear to be related to a merchant cash advance promotion conducted by one of the company’s ISOs in 2012 and 2013. Clients specifically complain of being promised large cash advances in exchange for opening merchant accounts but never receiving the cash advances. The company has since taken steps to correct the issue, but it appears that these Benchmark Merchant Solutions complaints were a direct product of its sales infrastructure. We have therefore lowered the company’s score slightly in this category.
No Deceptive Marketing
To its credit, BMS does not appear to advertise any misleading rate quotes or unrealistic guarantees in its official materials. If you suspect that you have had undisclosed Benchmark Merchant Solutions fees added to your Benchmark Merchant Solutions contract, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden charges.
Our Benchmark Merchant Solutions Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Benchmark Merchant Solutions rates as a solid credit card processing provider according to all available information. Most complaints filed against the company seem to be related to an outdated issue, and its overall complaint rate is low, but its industry-average contract terms prevent it from equaling the value offered by a top-rated payment processor. Our rating for Benchmark may be subject to change once more is known about its contract terms.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Yakov
I signed up with bms the agent brings me a credit card machine we swiped a a card and showed error so we swiped again and the same error. And the next day calls me the customer that we charged him twice . So we stopped using the machine waiting for a new or repair we never got (waiting a year).
After a year we decided to sand back the machine and cancel the subscription they charged us over $500 to cancel after every month fee $27 when we didn’t use the there services
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Igor G Polishchuk
Horrible customer service.
Hidden contract charges at over a $100 per month.
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Igor G Polishchuk
Everything was taken care of and services were finalized successfully. Thank you!