BlueDog Review: Fees, Complaints, Comparisons & Lawsuits

Name: BlueDog
Item: BlueDog
Rating: 4.3
Author: Phillip Parker

Phillip Parker

Updated: June 25, 2024

Maintained Since: August 30, 2019

▼ 2 User Reviews

Overall Score

4.3

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Note: As of 2022, the merger of BlueDog and Fortis appears to be completed, as the BlueDog website now redirects to Fortis. We will no longer be updating the BlueDog profile and would point interested merchants to the Fortis profile.

A Full-Service Merchant Account Provider

BlueDog is a merchant account provider that serves most business types, including some high-risk industries. The company was founded in 2010 by an original co-founder of Eliot Management Group. BlueDog is a reseller of First American Payment Systems and First Data (now Fiserv) merchant accounts as well as Clover point-of-sale products.

BlueDog Payment Processing

BlueDog claims to process payments for businesses of all types and sizes. They accept all major payments, including all major credit cards, contactless options, mobile payments through the FortisPay app, and ACH transfers and checks. They offer chip and pin terminals, POS systems, virtual terminals, an online payment portal, over-the-phone payments, and smartphone payments.

BlueDog Location and Ownership

BlueDog is headquartered at 2205 14th Avenue Vero Beach, FL 32960, and is a registered ISO/MSP of Wells Fargo Bank NA, Concord, CA, and of Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, OH. Ron Eliot Dichter is the CEO of BlueDog.

BlueDog Review Table of Contents

Costs & Contract: BlueDog offers a three-year contract with an early termination fee of $495. The company relies on the First Data Payeezy payment gateway for e-commerce transactions.
Complaints & Service: BlueDog has received more than 25 public complaints.
BBB Rating: BlueDog currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received 17 complaints and 2 reviews in the last 3 years.
Sales & Marketing: BlueDog hires independent sales agents and has received some complaints about its sales practices.

BlueDog Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews Summary
Total Online Complaints	20+
Live Customer Support	Yes
Most Common Complaint	Sales Tactics

Low-to-Moderate Complaint Total

We are currently able to locate over 25 BlueDog complaints, some of which accuse the company of being a ripoff or a scam. Commonly cited themes among complainants include unexpected fees, higher-than-anticipated processing costs, persistent sales calls, high termination fees, and poor customer service. The company’s complaint total is roughly what we would expect for a processor of its size that offers its pricing plans and engages in its sales approach.

BlueDog Lawsuits and Fines

We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against BlueDog. Dissatisfied merchants who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.

BlueDog Customer Service Options

The BlueDog website provides dedicated 24/7 phone and email support in addition to general contact information. This level of support meets our expectations of the top-rated customer service processors.

BlueDog Customer Satisfaction Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
Product & Service Complaints	6
Billing & Collection Complaints	2
Advertising & Sales Complaints	7
Guarantee & Warranty Complaints	0
Delivery Complaints	2

Over 15 Complaints

BlueDog has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and was formerly BBB accredited since May 2019 but is no longer accredited. The company has received 17 complaints in the past 36 months. 6 complaints were related to product or service problems, 7 were due to advertising or sales issues, 2 were delivery issues, and 2 had to do with billing and collection. Only 1 of these 17 complaints were resolved by the company to the satisfaction of the merchant. The remaining 16 were resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or received no final response.

What Merchants Say

In addition to the 17 complaints, BlueDog has received 2 positive reviews on its BBB profile.

An “A” Performance

Given the company’s relatively low complaint total, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time.

BlueDog Fees, Rates & Contract

Rates & Fees Summary
Swiped Rate	1.49% + $0.15
Keyed-In Rate	2.98% + $0.15
Interchange-Plus Rate	IC + 0.3% + $0.15
Virtual Terminal Rate	1.89% + $0.23 - 2.90% + $0.30
Payment Gateway Fee	None
Payeezy Pro Plan Fee	$19.95
Monthly Fee	$9.95
Statement Fee	$5 Per Month
Early Termination Fee	$0
PCI Compliance Fee	$495
Equipment Lease Terms	48 Month (locked)

BlueDog Contract Terms

The standard Bluedog contract is a three-year agreement through First Data (Fiserv) with an early termination fee of $495, a $9.95 monthly fee, a $5 statement fee, and no PCI compliance fee. The company offers interchange-plus pricing of interchange plus 0.3% plus $0.15, tiered pricing of 1.49% plus $0.15 (2.98% plus $0.15 keyed), and a cash discount pricing program that is intended to cost effectively nothing for merchants by passing costs to customers.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

In addition to its storefront payment processing services, the BlueDog program guide also states that the company provides a virtual terminal and payment gateway through Payeezy, powered by First Data (Fiserv). Payeezy offers 2 separate plans, the Basic Plan and Pro Plan. Neither plan charges setup fees, statement fees, or gateway fees. The Basic Plan charges a rate of 2.90% plus $0.30. Meanwhile, the Pro Plan offers a lower rate of 1.89% plus $0.23 and a monthly fee of $19.95.

BlueDog Equipment Leases

BlueDog’s contract includes a built-in equipment lease through First Data Global Leasing, but the company also allows merchants to purchase their equipment outright for a price close to retail. Long-term equipment leases usually cost far more than the purchase price of the equipment, so we always advise merchants to purchase equipment upfront whenever possible.

BlueDog Pricing Complaints

We have found over 10 BlueDog pricing complaints, most of which are related to higher-than-expected fees and an unexpected early termination fee of $495. Judging by merchant feedback and the company’s own advertised pricing, BlueDog is likely more expensive than the cheapest merchant accounts.

We also encourage merchants to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant accounts.

BlueDog Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Jobs & Marketing Summary
Employs Independent Resellers	Yes
Advertises Deceptive Rates	No
Discloses All Important Terms	No

Inside/Outside Sales Team

BlueDog appears to rely on a combination of independently contracted sales agents and in-house telemarketers to sell its services. The use of independent sales agents is commonly linked to elevated complaint rates, and we have found over 10 BlueDog complaints related to the company’s sales agents. Merchants cite misrepresentation of rates, nondisclosure of fees, and persistent telemarketing even after requests to stop. These complaints have been posted periodically over the past three years, which strongly suggests that this sales approach is standard at the company.

This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Misleading Quotes

BlueDog does not appear to engage in any deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials. In fact, it openly promotes interchange-plus pricing, which is the most transparent pricing structure available. If you suspect that BlueDog is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden charges.

BlueDog Review Summary

An Average Option for Most Merchants

According to all available information, BlueDog rates as a standard merchant services provider. The company’s pricing is not especially competitive by industry norms, and it has received a low-to-moderate number of public complaints from merchants. Merchants are encouraged to compare its pricing to top-rated merchant account providers before signing up for service.

Top Performing BlueDog Competitors

HMS

Average Rate

1.82% + $0.20

Pricing Details

Helcim

Average Rate

1.83% + $0.18

Pricing Details

CDG

Average Rate

1.83% + $0.16

Pricing Details

Please note that we only suggest providers that adhere to strict ethical standards and offer top performing support at extremely competitive pricing. We may earn revenue if choose one of our recommendations.

About The Author

Phillip Parker

Phillip Parker is the founder, creator and author of this website. He is a payments industry expert, business consultant, and web developer. Since 2009, he has researched over 1,000 merchant services providers and published hundreds of payment education-related articles. His work has received national recognition and his expertise is regularly sought by large media outlets such as CNN, MSN, and INC Magazine among dozens of others. Learn more...

How Phillip Can Help You

Schedule a call with Phillip to get answers to your payment processing questions. Please note that Phillip's expertise focuses on merchant services within the U.S.

Credit card processing costs are complex and often difficult to understand. Hire Phillip to help you optimize your processing costs to the lowest possible rates without switching processors, trading out payment acceptance equipment, or modifying your processes.

Starting a new business or ready to find a new processor? Selecting the right merchant services provider is a crucial component of running successful business. Check out Phillip's processor picks see which companies offer the best services at the lowest costs or schedule a call today to learn how to get custom recommendations for you payment needs.

Reader Comments, Testimonials & Complaints

2 User Reviews

Will

January 7, 2022

Avoid at all costs. They will randomly send transactions to loss prevention for further review regardless of the fact you’ve never had a single issue. Then when you do what they ask to get your money… a glitch in the system will occur and you’ll have to wait longer for it to be resolved.

Reply to Will Post Your Own
Matt

October 5, 2019

They started off by committing coercion by insisting that I deliver my product to the customer first before they would release the funds to me!Can you imagine ordering something online and paying for it after you receive it? They made me wait months to get paid because they thought that is the way I should run my business. They left such a bad taste in my mouth that i decided to stop taking credit cards online. Then they stole $495 from me for early termination fee!!! Stay very far away from this thieving company.

Reply to Matt Post Your Own

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