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Big Sky Commerce Review

Phillip Parker

I was tired of watching unethical merchant services companies take advantage of unsuspecting business owners, so I built this website and wrote hundreds of reviews to expose their shady business practices. I've since appeared in INC Magazine, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, Detroit Free Press, Computer World Magazine, and several others. Contact me if you want help getting their hands out of your pockets.

 

 

Big Sky Commerce Overview

Rating

5/5
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Website
(406) 327-0611

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(406) 327-0611

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Payment Processing for Retail, Mobile, And E-Commerce

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, and formerly National Processing Company (NPC) for its processing.

Location and Ownership

Big Sky Commerce is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank, NA, Concord, California. The company’s headquarters can be found at 2809 Connery Way, Missoula, Montana 59808. Kevin Davis is the president of Big Sky Commerce.

Big Sky Commerce Review Table of Contents

  • Costs & Contract: Big Sky Commerce appears to offer variable contract terms that may or may not include a $300 early termination fee.
  • Complaints & Service: Big Sky Commerce has received fewer than 10 public complaints.
  • BBB Rating: Big Sky Commerce currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received 0 complaints and 1 review in the last 3 years.
  • Sales & Marketing: Big Sky Commerce does not appear to hire independent sales agents and has not received any complaints about its sales practices.
  • Rates & Fees: How Merchants Got The Best Rates With Big Sky Commerce
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Big Sky Commerce Rates, Fees, and Costs

Big Sky Commerce Rates, Fees, and Costs

Cost Summary

Swiped Rate 1.00% - 4.99%
Keyed-in Rate 1.00% - 4.99%
Virtual Terminal Rate 1.00% - 4.99%
Payment Gateway Fee Undisclosed
Early Termination Fee $300 Or None
PCI Compliance Fee Undisclosed
Equipment Lease Terms Undisclosed

Customizable Pricing

There is very little publicly available information about the standard Big Sky contract. The company is partnered with multiple backend processors and advertises that it customizes each pricing plan depending on its merchants’ needs. It is therefore likely that the company’s pricing and fees will vary depending on each merchant’s business type and the agent setting up the account. There are reports on other consumer protection websites of a $300 early termination fee if merchants cancel within the first year, but this fee is probably negotiable and may not apply in most cases. Be sure to read “Fee Sweep” to understand merchant account fees and how to negotiate them in your favor.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Big Sky Commerce also dedicates a portion of its website that advertises its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. However, pricing on either of those services is not disclosed. The company lists TSYS, Chase Merchant Services, First Data, and National Processing Company as processing networks it utilizes. It may also use those company’s for gateway services but their website does not make that clear. Additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates typically apply to these e-commerce services.

No Contract Complaints

We have not found any merchant complaints regarding Big Sky’s rates and fees, so we will assume for the time being that most of its merchants are satisfied with the service they receive. If you have any knowledge of the standard Big Sky Commerce merchant agreement (including any PCI compliance fees or monthly minimum fees), please share that information in the comment section below.

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Big Sky Commerce BBB Rating Summary

BBB Summary

Product & Service Complaints 0
Billing & Collection Complaints 0
Advertising & Sales Complaints 0
Guarantee & Warranty Complaints 0
Delivery Complaints 0

Clean Complaint Record

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

What Merchants Say

The company has received 1 informal review on its BBB profile. It should be noted, however, that informal reviews are not verified for their legitimacy like complaints filed with the BBB are. The single review if positive in tone, detailing 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.

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Truth In Marketing & Advertising

Key Points

Employs Independent Resellers No
Advertises Deceptive Rates No
Discloses All Important Terms No

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 complaints that accuse the company’s sales team of deception or nondisclosure.

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 merchants 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.

Sales & Marketing Example

Our Opinion Of Big Sky Commerce

Big Sky Commerce Logo

A Reputable Payment Processor

Big Sky Commerce rates as an exemplary merchant services provider according to all available information. The company boasts a clean complaint record and appears to offer quality customer service to its merchants. We do not have details regarding Big Sky’s contract terms at this time, so merchants 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.

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Why I'm Qualified to Write About Credit Card Processing

I’m a small business owner who previously worked in the credit card processing industry. I started this blog in 2009 to help other business owners by exposing credit card processors that engage in unethical marketing, rate and fee trickery, and fine-print-contract schemes. Over the last decade, I’ve reviewed hundreds of merchant services providers which has helped to educate over 5 million businesses on the nuances of credit and debit card acceptance. I’ve appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Inc. Magazine and a host of other publications to offer insight on the subject of card acceptance. 

I offer merchant account and credit card processing consultation for the following needs:

  • Selecting the right credit card processing services for your business.
  • Reducing credit card processing fees with your current merchant account provider.
  • Negotiating credit card processing fees when changing merchant accounts.
  • Strategies for reducing and recovering funding holds and chargebacks.

 

Schedule a call with me today!

 

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    Our Top Pick For 2020
    O% Markup + $0.08 per transaction, month-to-month, no contract, no PCI Compliance fees, no batch fees, no statement fees, no downgrade fees, no junk fees of any kind.
    See Who It Is
    Don't Guess
    We've Vetted The Best
    No commitment, low fees, and great support.
    It's a no-brainer from our viewpoint.
    See Who It Is
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