Capital Merchant Solutions Reviews & Complaints
Company Overview
Capital Merchant Solutions, also known as TakeCardsToday.com, is a merchant account provider specializing in small to mid-sized businesses. The company appears to have partially rebranded itself as TakeCardsToday.com by Capital Merchant Solutions, Inc.
Capital Merchant Solutions Payment Processing
Capital Merchant Solutions processes all major debit and credit cards for most business types. According to the company's website, it provides services such as ACH/check processing, wireless processing, POS systems, and online payment gateways in addition to merchant accounts. The company also advertises interchange-plus pricing under some of its plans.
eCommerce Solutions from Capital Merchant Solutions, Inc.
Capital Merchant Solutions, Inc. provides solutions for eCommerce businesses. This involves providing secure and reliable platforms to handle online transactions, which are crucial in the digital shopping era.
POS Systems from Capital Merchant Solutions, Inc.
Capital Merchant Solutions, Inc. also provides point-of-sale (POS) systems. These systems facilitate in-person transactions, track sales, and manage inventory.
Mobile Payment Solutions by Capital Merchant Solutions, Inc.
The company offers mobile payment solutions. This allows businesses to accept payments through mobile devices, which can be convenient for both the business and its customers, especially in mobile or remote sales scenarios.
Merchant Cash Advance Services
Capital Merchant Solutions, Inc. also provides merchant cash advance services. This provides businesses with quick access to capital by purchasing a portion of their future credit card sales.
Location & Ownership
Capital Merchant Solutions Inc is a registered ISO/MSP for Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, New York, and the company is located at 3005 Gill St., Bloomington, Illinois, 61704. Chris Nelson is listed as the CEO of Capital Merchant Solutions. Russ Link is listed as president and co-founder.
Pros: | Cons: |
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Versatile POS solutions. | No major lawsuits noted. |
Tailored payment solutions. | Inadequate customer support. |
Affordable processing rates. | Hidden fees, unclear pricing. |
Diverse payment options. | Difficult contract termination. |
Secure online systems. | Unsatisfactory equipment quality. |
Efficient recurring billing. | Delays in fund access. |
Capital Merchant Solutions Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Total Online Complaints | 10+ |
---|---|
Live Customer Support | Yes |
Most Common Complaint | Hidden Fees |
Recent Lawsuits | No |
Capital Merchant Solutions Review Analysis
In our search for Capital Merchant Solutions reviews, we found over 10 entries on various consumer protection sites. While some allege the company to be a ripoff or a scam, these Capital Merchant Solutions complaints are mostly older, with a number potentially linked to a single agent whose current association with the company is unclear. Recurrent issues cited include misrepresented rates and fees, undisclosed terms, and poor customer service. Some complainants noted satisfactory resolutions following interactions with company representatives. We encourage readers to share their Capital Merchant Solutions reviews in the comments for a broader understanding of the company’s services.
Despite these complaints, Capital Merchant Solutions shows a lower-than-average complaint volume for its industry and duration of operation. However, the possibility of complaints being misdirected to processor profiles or confusion caused by the company’s use of multiple websites could impact this perception. Without conclusive evidence, we rate the company a “B” in this area.
Legal Status of Capital Merchant Solutions
No current class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints have been filed against Capital Merchant Solutions. Clients seeking alternative dispute resolution are advised to report their concerns to relevant supervisory bodies.
Assessing Capital Merchant Solutions Customer Support
Capital Merchant Solutions offers a 24/7 helpdesk and a dedicated email support option. While these are positive features, they fall short of establishing the company as a leading processor in customer service.
Contact Details for Capital Merchant Solutions
- (877) 495-2419 – Toll-Free Customer Support
- (309) 452-5990 – Local Office
- (866) 711-8244 – Fax
- Customer support email at [email protected]
With the current set of customer support options, Capital Merchant Solutions holds potential in customer service, but further enhancement and clarity in support provisions could improve their standing in the industry.
Capital Merchant Solutions Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
BBB Reports | 3 |
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Clean Complaint Record
Capital Merchant Solutions has been an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau since 2004 and is currently showing an “F” rating, which is down from a “B-” at the time of our last review. In the last 36 months, 3 complaints have been made against the company, though 2 have been closed. It’s currently unclear why the BBB has dropped the company’s rating so heavily.
An “A” Performance
Given the company’s low complaint total, we have changed the BBB’s grade to an “A”.
Capital Merchant Solutions Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
Cancellation Penalties | Yes (for high-risk merchants) |
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Monthly & Annual Fees | Yes |
Processing Rates | Variable |
Equipment Leasing | N/A |
Capital Merchant Solutions Pricing
Capital Merchant Solutions offers four distinct pricing plans catering to different merchant needs. The Pay As You Go Plan eliminates monthly fees, opting instead for a transaction fee of 4.95% plus $0.35. The Retail Plan has a monthly fee of $20, with transaction costs at interchange plus 0.15% plus $0.25. For e-commerce transactions, the E-Commerce Plan charges a monthly fee of $35, alongside transaction fees of interchange plus 0.20% plus $0.25. The Mobile Plan also has a $35 monthly fee, with per-transaction fees set at interchange plus 0.20% plus $0.35. Each plan incorporates terminal costs into the monthly fees, except for a $20 monthly data plan required for the wireless terminal option.
Non-Competitive Rate
As per a representative, Capital Merchant Solutions ceased enforcing an early termination fee for new, non-high-risk merchants since late 2011, although a termination fee up to $500 is applicable for high-risk merchants. Previously, the company’s PCI compliance fee varied by business, but the new pricing model standardizes a monthly charge of $34.95. The Pay As You Go rate, nearing 5%, raises competitiveness concerns when compared to providers like Square, signaling that businesses might find lower cost options elsewhere.
An Uncertain Processor
There is ambiguity regarding Capital Merchant Solutions’ processing partners, with mentions of TransFirst, National Payment Processing, iPayment, and Moneris in various complaints. These processors typically do not rank highly for competitive terms, suggesting that Capital Merchant Solutions may not offer the most favorable contract terms. Based on the available information, Capital Merchant Solutions receives a “B” rating, reflecting average contract terms within the industry.
Businesses seeking more competitive rates and terms are encouraged to explore our list of the best merchant services.
Capital Merchant Solutions Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
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Telemarketing | Unclear |
Misleading Marketing | No |
Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Multiple Entities To Be Aware Of
Established in 1997, Capital Merchant Solutions owns and operates a number of websites that use different business names and target different industries. Several web addresses for these DBAs are listed below:
- freeauthnet.com
- firearmpayments.com
- dowcommerce.com
- holyprocessing.com
- mytechsupportmerchantaccount.com
Sales Complaints
Capital Merchant Solutions appears to utilize referral partnerships and multiple targeted websites to market its services. It is unclear at this time whether the company employs independently contracted sales agents. We are currently able to locate multiple negative Capital Merchant Solutions reviews that allege nondisclosure of terms, misrepresentation of rates, and deceptive advertising by Capital Merchant Solutions. Clients specifically report nondisclosure of the company’s early termination fee and confusion over an advertised “free” Authorize.net payment gateway. The latter complaints could be related to the company’s freeauthnet.com web address. In general, this does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
Transparent Pricing
The Capital Merchant Solutions website currently advertises one flat-rate pricing plan and a handful of interchange-plus pricing plans. The company appears to have done away with its tiered pricing plans, and its website actively promotes interchange-plus as the most transparent pricing model available. This is a positive step for Capital Merchant Solutions and could have a lot to do with its reduced complaint rate in recent years. If you suspect that you are being charged undisclosed Capital Merchant Solutions fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden costs.
Our Capital Merchant Solutions Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Capital Merchant Solutions rates as a better-than-average credit card processing provider according to our rating system. The company is showing several older complaints describing contract terms that are less than competitive and sales tactics that are less than transparent. However, its overall complaint volume shows a positive trend, and it appears to have revised several of its policies since these complaints were filed. Businesses are encouraged to do their research when dealing with Capital Merchant Solutions or one of its alternate business names and to compare its terms to those of top-rated providers.
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Bruce Dunn
This business overcharges on processing fees. It also charges an unannounced yearly fee every January. AND you can’t cancel without paying exorbitant cancellation fees. This business will rip you off for 3 years and smile, THEN you can cancel with them.