Canadian Payment Services Review

Low Complaint Record

Canadian Payment Services has just over 10 active complaints online. The running theme in those complaints is regarding the company’s sales practices. A few of the complaints make accusations of fraud by the company. A complaint from a former employee gives some insight into the basis for those claims:

Canadian Payment Services LL.C. told me that they have been in business since 2003.  I found out that they incorporated in Ontario, April 2011.  Steven King the Vice President of Sales and Marketing refused to pay me, without notice, on 20 plus deals, which is over $11,000 in commissions.  I submitted the deals and he took them.  I will sue them for breach of contract.  While I worked for them, I taped three sales meetings whereby he encouraged sales representatives to commit fraud on First Data applications.  He told the sales representatives to tell the merchants that CPS will charge the merchants a $20 statement fee that in addition to the cost of the leases for the terminals, thereby the merchants will be charged $49.99 per month for the machines.  When in fact the machines were $29 per month.  Most of the sales representatives refused to engage in this fraud.  I contacted First Data to advise them of the fraud, and First Data states that they do not know Canadian Payment Services.  I was advised by my lawyer that it was a waste of time suing them, as they are located in the United States, and it would be hard to enforce a contract with them.  Several of my merchants called me and told me that First Data was taking money out of their accounts before they were received and had their machines installed.  They called Canadian Payment Services and left multiple messages, and nobody returned their calls. I told them they had 30 days to cancel their contract.  When they did, Canadian Payment Services then took the liberty to call them, and threatened to withdraw thousands of dollars from their accounts.

Though complaints made by former employees should be tempered by the possibility that they are dishonest, the conduct described in the aforementioned complaint is made in others left by former employees of the company. However, a few merchant complaints make accusations of fraud as well.

Complaints of Harassment

While hiring independent resellers may result in poorly trained sales agents who may mislead, or at least not effectively explain the terms and conditions of a merchant agreement, that is an issue independent of their professional conduct. Unfortunately, a few of the complaints and reviews left about the company include claims of harassment. In a few instances, merchants complain about constant sales calls despite having been requested to be placed on do not call lists. One complaint accuses the company of using an automated caller to make unsolicited sales calls. Lastly, another merchant review makes an accusation of verbal abuse.

Guardian Payment Systems Lawsuits

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

Canadian Payment Systems Customer Support Options

Canadian Payment Systems offers an automated contact form, 24/7 phone support, a FAQ section on its website, and a live chat feature that operates during standard business hours. This full range of options is on par with what some of the top-ranked merchant accounts for customer service are known to offer.

A Cause for Concern

Though Canadian Payment Systems offers a full array of customer service options and is free of any sordid legal history, the company receives a “D” rating in this category. The basis for that low rating is due to the pattern of complaints alleging harassing sales practices that go as far as to detail instances of abusive behavior. Unbecoming conduct to that extent is clearly unacceptable and merits a low score.