Is Big Sky Commerce the Right Processor for Your Business? What Sets It Apart

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All mentions of rate and fee costs are estimations based on publicly available information and client feedback. Actual costs may vary based on a variety of factors unique to your business.

Big Sky Commerce

Rating
A
5/5
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Pros and Cons of Big Sky Commerce

Pros

Competitive rates
Transparent pricing
Strong reputation
No hidden fees
Flexible contracts

Cons

Limited services
Higher fees possible
Limited tech features
Potential setup fees
Smaller provider

Overview

Big Sky Commerce provides credit card processing and merchant services for businesses of all sizes. In this review, we examine the company’s services, pricing, contract terms, and customer feedback. We also consider the transparency of its fees, the quality of its customer support, and overall merchant satisfaction. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of what Big Sky Commerce offers and whether it is the right fit for your business’s payment processing needs.

About Big Sky Commerce

Screen Capture of Big Sky Homepage
Big Sky Commerce Homepage

Big Sky Commerce is a Missoula, Montana-based merchant account provider that offers credit card solutions for retail, mobile, and e-commerce business types. Founded in 2003, Big Sky Commerce is partnered with TSYS, Chase Merchant Services, First Data (now Fiserv), and formerly National Processing Company (NPC) for its processing.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Big Sky Commerce provides payment processing services that accommodate all major debit and credit cards, suitable for a variety of business types.

Check Guarantee and Conversion

Big Sky Commerce offers check guarantee and conversion services to help businesses manage check payments more effectively. These services convert paper checks into electronic transactions.

Electronic Benefits Transfer

Big Sky Commerce supports Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), allowing businesses to accept government-issued benefits cards.

Gift and Loyalty Cards

Big Sky Commerce provides gift and loyalty card programs aimed at enhancing customer engagement and retention. These programs allow businesses to offer customized rewards and incentives, encouraging repeat patronage and building customer loyalty.

Fleet Card Processing

Big Sky Commerce offers processing for fleet cards, including Comdata, Voyager, and Wright Express. This service is designed for businesses that manage vehicle fleets, providing a streamlined way to handle fuel and maintenance expenses.

POS Solutions

Big Sky Commerce supplies point-of-sale (POS) solutions tailored to various business needs. These systems facilitate efficient sales transactions, inventory management, and customer interaction, supporting overall business operations.

Mobile Processing

Big Sky Commerce provides mobile processing solutions, enabling businesses to accept payments on the go. This service is ideal for businesses that operate outside traditional retail settings, offering flexibility and convenience in payment processing.

e-Commerce Solutions

Big Sky Commerce offers e-commerce solutions to support online transactions. These services integrate with existing websites to provide secure and efficient payment processing.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Clean Complaint Record

We have not found any negative Big Sky Commerce reviews on the usual consumer protection websites, indicating a clean complaint record and suggesting that the company operates ethically. Positive testimonials on the company’s website and other forums further support this notion. It appears that Big Sky Commerce provides excellent customer service and resolves most issues in a timely manner. If you have your own Big Sky Commerce review to share, please do so in the comments below.

Big Sky Commerce Lawsuits and Fines

We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Big Sky Commerce. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting their concerns to the relevant supervisory organizations.

Big Sky Commerce Customer Support Options

The company’s website lists phone contact information and office hours, indicating that phone support is at least partially provided by Big Sky. While it appears to offer satisfactory customer support, we do not consider it to be a top-rated credit card processor for customer service.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop5
BBB RatingN/A
Google Maps4.8
Average Rating4.8

PaymentPop Rating for Big Sky Commerce

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about Big Sky Commerce on the PaymentPop website.

Positive Feedback

Big Sky Commerce stood out with their honest, no pressure approach. They offered clear, competitive pricing and took the time to explain everything in detail. It’s refreshing to work with a team that’s genuinely invested in helping small businesses succeed.

Big Sky Commerce BBB Rating

The Better Business Bureau currently awards an “A+” rating to Big Sky Commerce and is showing 0 complaints filed in the past 36 months. The company has been accredited since 2023.

What Merchants Say

The company has received 0 informal reviews on its BBB profile in the last 36 months. It should be noted, however, that informal reviews are not verified for their legitimacy like complaints filed with the BBB are. A previous review detailed a personal level of customer service:

As a small business, I get inundated with offers by different credit card processing companies several times a week. They ask all the standard questions such as how much I’m paying now, and if I’d like to save money. I simply tell them, “You couldn’t pay me enough to switch from the company I’ve been using for over 15 years (Big Sky Commerce). Every time I have a question or a concern, I call their office and a real person answers. And, that real person treats me like I’m one of their most valuable customers. Thank you, but I’m not switching.” I mean every word of that. Whenever I call Big Sky Commerce, the person who answers the phone can usually answer my question right away. But if that’s not the case, I get called back or transferred to someone who can. And everyone is always so eager to help! That is a such a refreshing difference from what is now “the norm” in so many businesses. I don’t do a lot of transactions via credit card — I’m a small company that sends a lot of invoices and mostly gets paid by check. And yet Big Sky Commerce treats me like I’m one of their valuable customers every time I call. That speaks volumes. I’ve been their customer for over 15 years, and their competition couldn’t pay me enough to switch, because I know they couldn’t match Big Sky’s level of customer service. I highly recommend them.

Though this review reflects best practices of any customer service, Big Sky Commerce still does not rank as one of the best merchant accounts in this area.

An “A” Performance

Given the company’s time in business, age of profile, and complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating in this case.

Google Maps Rating for Big Sky Commerce

Big Sky Commerce has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating based on 26 user reviews on Google Maps.

Positive Feedback

They have always been very accessible by phone and always able to answer my questions.

Negative Feedback

This place is a joke, I’ve never dealt with a more unprofessional company. They seem great when you sign up but then when you no longer need them or switch companies they completely change and wont do anything and treat you bad

Processing Rates & Fees

Customizable Pricing

Specific information about Big Sky Commerce’s standard contract is limited. The company, which collaborates with several backend processors, tailors pricing plans to fit individual merchant requirements. As a result, the company’s pricing and fees likely differ based on each merchant’s business type and the specific agent arranging the account. While there are mentions on consumer protection sites of a $300 early termination fee for cancellations within the first year, this fee might be negotiable and may not be universally applicable.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Big Sky Commerce also offers virtual terminal and payment gateway services, though their specific pricing details are not publicly disclosed. The company utilizes processing networks like TSYS, Chase Merchant Services, First Data/Fiserv, and National Processing Company. While their site isn’t explicit about gateway services through these networks, additional costs such as gateway fees, technical support, batch fees, and transaction rates are typical for e-commerce services.

No Contract Complaints

To date, there are no widely reported client complaints concerning Big Sky’s rates and fees, suggesting client contentment with their agreements. If you have details about the typical Big Sky Commerce merchant agreement, including any PCI compliance fees or monthly minimum fees, please share in the comments below.

For a broader range of options, we recommend readers to review our selection of the best merchant accounts.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

In-House Sales Team

Big Sky appears to utilize traditional advertising methods and an in-house sales force to market its services. There is currently no evidence that the company is a hiring mill, and we can’t find any Big Sky Commerce reviews that accuse the company’s sales team of deception or nondisclosure.

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

No Deceptive Ads

As an additional point in the company’s favor, there are no instances of misleading rate quotes on its website. In fact, Big Sky openly encourages clients to purchase rather than lease equipment, which demonstrates a commitment to fair and honest pricing. If you suspect that Big Sky Commerce is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden costs.

Big Sky Commerce Competitors

Compare Big Sky Commerce to competitors that earned top marks.

Bottom Line

Big Sky Commerce rates as an exemplary credit card processing provider according to all available information. The company boasts a clean complaint record and appears to offer quality customer service to its clients. We do not have details regarding Big Sky’s contract terms at this time, so readers should be sure to inquire about all possible fees before signing up for service and to compare them to those of top-rated merchant account providers.

Read Actual User Reviews

All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact Big Sky Commerce

Contact & Customer Support
PresidentKevin Davis
Headquarters2809 Connery Way, Missoula, Montana 59808
Toll-Free Support(866) 327-0611
Local Office(406) 327-0611
Fax(406) 327-6612
Additional Support ChannelsOnline Contact Form
Websitebigskycommerce.com