It appears that BlueSquare Resolutions has been fully absorbed into Aurora Payments. We invite our readers to check out our Aurora Payments review for more up-to-date information.
BlueSquare Resolutions Overview
Founded in 2009, BlueSquare Resolutions is a rapidly growing merchant account provider with headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Inc.com claims that the company has grown from just over $400,000 in annual revenue in 2010 to over $46 million in 2013, which makes BlueSquare the 19th fastest-growing private company in America. According to information previously posted to the BlueSquare website, much of this growth appears to have been driven by the company’s acquisitions of other merchant account providers and their portfolios, including Electronic Processing Solutions LLC, Merchant Select Services, Discount Payment Services, e-Pay Commerce, Data One Payment Solutions, Secure Choice Merchant Solutions, ProPoint Card Services, and Diverse Payment Solutions.
BlueSquare Resolutions Founders
The BlueSquare website lists the company’s founders as Sabin Burrell and Nick Glimcher. When searching the internet for Sabin Burrell’s name, we found an appeal filed in the State of Arizona Court of Appeals that describes a 2006 incident in which a “Sabin Lee Burrell” was convicted of class three felony theft. According to the details of that earlier case, Sabin Burrell accepted a $20,000 check from the victim in order to make a “down payment” on a real estate investment. The court found that Burrell did not use this check for the down payment, did not issue a 20% return on the payment as promised, and refused to return the $20,000 to the victim, therefore resulting in a conviction for felony theft. Burrell’s appeal was denied.
Additionally, this 2010 article in the Phoenix Business Journal refers to Nick Glimcher and his real estate company, Glimcher Ventures Southwest, as the subjects of at least two real estate-related lawsuits filed by Wachovia and National City Bank. Glimcher clarified to the publication that BlueSquare Resolutions and Glimcher Ventures Southwest are separate entities.
Real Estate Connections
If Sabin Burrell of BlueSquare is the same Sabin Burrell named in the Arizona Court of Appeals document, then it appears that both founders of BlueSquare Resolutions have some experience in the real estate industry, with one of them having been convicted of class three felony theft in relation to a real estate transaction. To be clear, we have found no indication at this time that either co-founder has been convicted of unlawful activity within the merchant services industry.
Possible Links to Low-Rated Processors
A commenter has stated below this review that BlueSquare Resolutions is somehow affiliated with Matthew Wiltsey of Payment Systems Corporation and Jonathan Beckman of Prestige Payment Systems, Freedom Card Solutions, United Card Solutions, and Direct Processors. We have been unable to independently verify this commenter’s claims, but we have included them here due to the low ratings that all of these companies currently maintain on CPO.
Merger to form Aurora Solutions
In 2018 Sabin Burrell of BlueSquare and Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments joined with Brian Goudie (formerly of First Data) to become partners under a new parent company, Aurora Solutions. The getbluesquare.com address now forwards to risewithaurora.com, so it can be assumed the BlueSquare brand will be phased out at some point in the future.
BlueSquare Resolutions Location
BlueSquare Resolutions is a registered ISO/MSP of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, California and of BBVA Compass, N.A., Birmingham, Alabama, and is headquartered at 1095 W Rio Salado Pkwy Unit 104, Tempe, Arizona 85281.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Moderate Complaint Volume
We are able to locate approximately nearly 20 negative BlueSquare Resolutions reviews across all consumer protection websites, some of which accuse the company of being a ripoff or a scam. Common issues cited by complainants include hidden fees, poor customer service, difficulty canceling service, non-cancellable lease agreements, and persistent telemarketing efforts.
BlueSquare Resolutions Lawsuits
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against BlueSquare Resolutions. Dissatisfied merchants who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
BlueSquare Resolutions Customer Support Options
BlueSquare’s website lists general phone and email contact information but does not qualify as a top-rated processor for customer service at this time. In light of the company’s low complaint total and consistent rate of complaints, we have lowered its rating to a “B” in this category.
Client Satisfaction Ratings
| Product & Service Complaints | 1 |
|---|---|
| Billing & Collection Complaints | 1 |
| Advertising & Sales Complaints | 0 |
| Guarantee & Warranty Complaints | 0 |
| Delivery Complaints | 0 |
Under 10 Complaints
BlueSquare Resolutions is currently showing an “C” rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not accredited at this time. The company has had 2 complaints filed against it in the past 36 months, as well as 1 which was closed in the last 12 months. 1 of the complaints related to a product or service problems and 1 related to a billing or collection issue. BlueSquare resolved neither complaint to the satisfaction of the merchant, while the remaining complaint either was resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or did not receive a final response from the merchant.
What Merchants Say
In addition to those 2 complaints, BlueSquare Resolutions has received 1 informal review on its BBB profile. The review is negative in tone, describing hidden fees in contracts:
The smooth talking salesman had filled me with all those usual lies you get with credit card processing companies. I could not reach him, (he gave me his cell, business phone, etc) after the sale. Somehow, unbeknownst to me, I got sucked into a contract with Ascentium capitol lease for the credit card machine for 4 years!!!! I was told the machine was provided to me. I never saw that in my contract any where. I called after a year to cancel and was told I would have to pay $3187.60 to get out of the lease agreement, that I never knew I got into in the first place. Definitely, people, stay away from them at all cost or it will cost you lots of fees, etc. I would give them negative stars if I could.
An “A” Performance
In light of the company’s low complaint total which has remained unchanged, we have adjusted the BBB‘s rating to an “A” at this time.
Card Processing Rates & Fees
BlueSquare Resolutions Contract Terms
According to information previously found on the company’s pricing page, the standard BlueSquare agreement does not include annual contracts, monthly minimums, annual fees, or setup fees. The company initially listed two plans for its processing fees. The first plan, called the “Pay As You Go” plan, had no monthly fee with a swiped fee of 2.55% plus $0.25 and a keyed-in fee of 2.75% plus $0.25. The second plan, dubbed the “Pay Monthly” plan, charged a monthly fee of $25, a swipe rate of 1.55% plus $0.20, and a keyed-in rate of 2.45% plus $0.20. The company’s website made no mention of an early termination fee or a PCI compliance fee, but multiple merchant complaints have stated that the company charges a $495 early termination fee and sells 48-month equipment leases through First Data Global Leasing.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Bluequare Resolutions 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. Additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates typically apply to these e-commerce services.
A Lack of Clear Information
Overall, these rates and fees appear to be standard for the industry, but it is difficult to determine whether these are still representative of BlueSquare’s pricing, or if its rates have changed. Moreover, a complaint from November 2015 alleges that the company’s advertised pricing is actually unavailable and that the company intentionally advertised different rates than it offers. We advise merchants to compare BlueSquare’s rates with those of transparent, low-cost payment processors. If you have any knowledge of the standard BlueSquare contract, please share that information in the comment section below.
Bottom Line
An Average Option
BlueSquare Resolutions rates as an average merchant services provider according to all available information. The company has seen its complaint total rise over past three years, and its contract terms appear to be more expensive than industry averages. Merchants are encouraged to conduct their own research about the company, to inspect all documentation they are given, and to compare BlueSquare’s pricing to that of top-rated credit card processors.
BlueSquare Resolutions Rating
