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Should Small Businesses Trust Card One International With Their Payments?

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Card One International

Rating
C
3/5
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Pros and Cons of Card One International

Pros

Global Acceptance
PCI compliance
Enhanced Cash Flow

Cons

Security Concerns
Misleading contract terms
High processing rates
Independent sales agents
Potential cancellation fees

Overview

In this Card One International review, we’ll provide a clear look at their credit card processing services, including point-of-sale (POS) systems, mobile payment options, and e-commerce tools. We’ll highlight the types of businesses that may benefit most, while also reviewing customer feedback to uncover common trends and concerns. Along with services, we’ll examine pricing, contract terms, and key features so you know what to expect. By the end, you’ll have the insights needed to decide whether Card One International is the right choice for your business’s payment processing needs.

About Card One International

Screen Capture Card One International Homepage
Card One International Homepage

Founded in 2003, Card One International is a merchant account provider that serves most business types. The company is a First Data (now Fiserv) and TSYS reseller. The “international” in the company’s name appears to refer to the fact that its merchants can accept payments from buyers in other countries, not any overseas offices or banking partners maintained by Card One.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Card One International processes major debit and credit cards for various business types. Their services include POS systems, mobile payments, virtual terminals, payment gateways, fraud prevention, ACH and e-check processing, recurring billing, and QuickBooks compatibility.

Point of Sale Systems

Card One International offers point-of-sale (POS) systems to help businesses manage in-person transactions. These systems track sales data, manage inventory, and generate reports.

E-commerce Solutions

For online businesses, Card One International provides secure and efficient e-commerce solutions. Their platform processes online transactions, meeting the needs of online retailers.

Mobile Payment Processing

Card One International also offers mobile payment processing, enabling businesses to accept card payments via mobile devices.

Merchant Services

In addition to payment processing, Card One International provides check processing, gift and loyalty programs, and cash advance services.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Analysis of Card One International Reviews

Our research uncovered over 15 negative Card One International reviews on various platforms. Some of these reviews label the company as a ripoff or a scam. Predominant complaints from customers include unexpected high rates, undisclosed fees, and issues with canceling services. These grievances seem mainly related to interactions with sales agents and customer service. We encourage those with experiences with Card One International to share their reviews in the comments for a more comprehensive understanding.

Legal Standing of Card One International

No class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints have been filed against Card One International to date. Clients seeking alternative ways to resolve disputes are advised to report to relevant supervisory bodies.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop4.6
BBB Rating4.81
Average Rating4.81

PaymentPop Rating for Card One International

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about Card One International on the PaymentPop website.

Positive Feedback

Honestly the lowest processing rates, fair contract, and amazing service. We do not have any complaints with card one international. This is a go to merchant service company if you want low monthly rates. Highly recommend them!

Card One International BBB Rating

Card One International has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB accredited. The company has received 3 complaints in the past 3 years. Card One International has a 4.81 out of 5 star rating based on 21 user reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.

What Merchants Say

In addition to 3 complaints, Card One International, Inc. has acquired 43 informal reviews on its BBB profile in the last 3 years, 2 of which are negative in tone. The vast majority of these reviews have been posted recently and some use very similar language, leading us to believe that these new reviews may be at the request of the company. The most recent negative review details misleading contract terms and bad customer service:

Cancelled our contract with this merchant account company. We were given a good rate at the beginning; within the next three months, our fees were more than doubled. When we questioned this, we were told that our clients had been using more rewards credit cards than in the past. However, we have repeat business from the same clients and they were using the same cards. When we did not accept this explanation and threatened to move our account, we were told our plan would be changed to get back to the lower fees, but this was not begun until two months after the date promised. We cancelled in February and were required to sign an agreement that our account could stay open an additional 30-60 days in case of chargebacks. I was told the account would be closed quickly. However, it was not closed till the beginning of May (after I called and complained) and we were charged a service fee of $5 for March and April, as well as a minimum processing fee of $25 for each month. We are OK with the service fees but not the minimum processing fees as we had no intention of processing any transactions with Card One after February and we had cancelled in writing. I would not recommend this company to anyone. They gave no satisfactory explanation for the highly increased fees, did not credit any amounts when we complained, and were very slow to handle our cancellation. The agreement I was required to sign mentioned nothing about continued fees and it was at the discretion of Card One as to when they actually got around to closing the account. I am not surprised that Card One is not BBB accredited.

Clients who find themselves in this position may benefit from taking the steps to cancel service without paying a termination fee.

An “A” Performance

Given the company’s low complaint total, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time. This may change, however, if the complaint total continues to climb.

Processing Rates & Fees

Three-Year Contract

The standard Card One International agreement features a three-year term in partnership with First Data (Fiserv), including a not specifically detailed early termination fee, an annual fee of $150, and an equipment lease facilitated through First Data Global Leasing. It is customary for Card One International to negotiate tailored rates and fees for each merchant, hence business owners should ensure they review all contract details comprehensively to preclude any unexpected costs.

Industry-Average Contract

Feedback on Card One International often points to issues like undisclosed fees and challenges encountered when attempting to terminate the service—issues that stem from the specifics of the contract. While the foundational contract terms do not align with those of the most competitive merchant accounts in terms of cost, the actual impact on merchants will depend on the specifics negotiated within the individual agreement. For further insight, prospective clients can refer to the Card1 Merchant Application and Card1 Program Guide.

For merchants seeking alternatives that might offer more favorable terms, we recommend exploring our selection of the best merchant account providers.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Outside Sales Team

Card One International appears to rely on a team of independent sales agents to market its services. The use of independent sales agents is often linked to higher-than-average complaint totals, and we have found over 10 negative Card One International reviews that report hidden Card One International fees and unexpectedly high rates through Card One International. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

Card One International Rate Quotes

The Card One International website currently promotes a “1.15% rate and free machine” on its homepage. This quote is likely the company’s qualified debit rate, and there is no mention of higher mid-qualified and non-qualified rates that the company charges. We consider this type of rate quote to be deceptive because it could give merchants an unrealistic expectation of the rates they will pay.

Average Sales Approach

To its credit, the company provides all of its blank contractual documentation on its website. If you suspect that Card One International is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden charges.

Card One International Competitors

Compare Card One International to competitors that earned top marks.

Bottom Line

According to all available information, Card One International rates as an average credit card processing provider. The company’s sales approach and contract terms appear to align with industry standards, suggesting a typical level of service without any standout features or significant drawbacks. While the company’s complaint record does not indicate major issues, it is important to note that the absence of severe complaints does not necessarily equate to exceptional service.

Merchants should exercise due diligence when considering Card One International, especially if they are unsure about the company’s offerings. Thoroughly examining the terms of any contract and comparing its pricing to those of top-rated merchant account providers is essential. This comparison can help ensure that merchants secure the most favorable terms and conditions, potentially avoiding unexpected costs or unfavorable contract clauses. By taking these steps, business owners can make more informed decisions and possibly find better deals with higher-rated providers.

Read Actual User Reviews

All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact Card One International

Contact & Customer Support
CEOAlex Hemmat
Headquarters11661 San Vicente Blvd. Suite 901, Los Angeles, California 90049
Toll-Free Customer Support(800) 366-1841
White Glove Customer Service(866) 427-7297
Local Office(310) 826-7000
Websitecard1.com