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All mentions of rate and fee costs are estimations based on publicly available information and client feedback. Actual costs may vary based on a variety of factors unique to your business.
In this review of CardSmart Merchant Services, a Las Vegas-based payment processor founded in 1989, we examine their offerings for retail and restaurant businesses, including merchant accounts, POS systems (such as Clover, pcAmerica, Retail Management Hero), mobile payments, virtual terminals, and e-commerce gateways via the eProcessing Network. We look at their pricing structure, which ranges from about 1.19% to 4.99% for swiped or keyed transactions, plus transaction gateway fees and monthly fees in the $8-$10 range, while noting that several contract details (such as early termination fees and equipment lease terms) are not clearly disclosed. The review also analyzes customer feedback regarding billing transparency, ease of setup, and support responsiveness. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of whether CardSmart Merchant Services delivers enough value and clarity to meet your business’s payment processing needs.
About CardSmart Merchant Services
CardSmart Homepage
Founded in 1989, CardSmart Merchant Services is a payment processing company providing merchant accounts and point-of-sale solutions for retail businesses throughout the United States. The company advertises Clover, pcAmerica, and Retail Management Hero as the POS systems it offers. Business owners should note that they may also find reviews under the name of “Card Smart” Merchant Services. eProcessing Network is also referenced by the company’s website as its chosen payment gateway. This means it is likely that the company resells those services through its POS solutions.
Products & Merchant Services
Payment Processing
CardSmart Merchant Services offers payment processing for most major debit and credit cards across various business types. Their services include smart terminals, Clover POS solutions, mobile payments, and access to Shift4 and (link unavailable) payment gateways. CardSmart provides omnichannel payment solutions, enabling both in-store and online payments according to business needs.
Integrated Payments
CardSmart offers point-of-sale (POS) systems and countertop terminals, integrated with their gateway for secure credit card transactions.
Transaction Security
CardSmart ensures transaction security through patented tokenization and point-to-point encryption (P2PE).
Mobile Payments
Their mobile payment processing solutions accommodate all payment types and require only internet connectivity to function.
Hosted Payment Page
For businesses that do not need a full shopping cart, CardSmart provides simple solutions for creating and linking hosted payment pages.
Dedicated Reporting Centers
CardSmart’s reporting centers offer real-time overviews of business payments and functionality for transaction management.
Seamless Integrations
CardSmart facilitates integration with various B2B or eCommerce software as an out-of-the-box add-on feature.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Low Complaint Total
As noted above, there are only a few CardSmart reviews on this website or other non-BBB consumer protection websites. Common issues include unprofessional conduct by sales agents and excessive fees. Although CardSmart is a smaller merchant account provider, a complaint rate this low seems to suggest that the company provides adequate customer support and prevents internal issues from going public. If you have your own CardSmart Merchant Services review to make, please do so in the comments below.
CardSmart Merchant Services Lawsuits
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against CardSmart Merchant Services. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
CardSmart Merchant Services Customer Support Options
The company lists a general phone line on its website and claims to offer 24/7 phone support for its clients. However, CardSmart is not currently considered to be a top-rated payment processor for customer support.
Industry Scores & User Ratings
Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop
5
BBB Rating
N/A
Google Maps
4.2
Average Rating
4.6
PaymentPop Rating for CardSmart Merchant Services
Negative Feedback
There are no negative reviews published about CardSmart Merchant Services on the PaymentPop website.
Positive Feedback
CardSmart Merchant Services helped us streamline our checkout process without overcomplicating things. The system works well, and their team was helpful during setup. We’ve had steady service and transparent billing, which was a big improvement from our last provider.
CardSmart Merchant Services BBB Rating
As of this review, the company is not an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau and has an “A+” rating. CardSmart has had 0 complaints through the BBB in the past three years. It also has not received any informal reviews through the BBB, although it should be noted that these reviews are not subject to verification by the BBB.
No Rating Assigned
In light of the clean profile, we will not factor a BBB rating into this review. Readers should be aware that there are reasons to be skeptical of BBB ratings.
Google Maps Rating for CardSmart Merchant Services
CardSmart Merchant Services has a 4.2 out of 5 star rating based on 13 user reviews on Google Maps.
Positive Feedback
We have been a customer of Card Smart for over 10 years. Everyone there is always responsive and attentive with our concerns. They’re easy to reach and never hesitate to come in person to help us out. Highly recommend them.
Processing Rates & Fees
CardSmart Contract Overview
The details surrounding CardSmart Merchant Services’ standard contract are not extensively detailed publicly. One instance of feedback mentions unanticipated additional fees on statements, yet the scarcity of complaints suggests most clients are content with their agreements. CardSmart has historically advertised rates as low as “1.19%,” indicating a preference for tiered pricing structures. The company also utilizes eProcessing Network for some POS solutions, adding its own fees on top of those charged by eProcessing Network, which typically includes a $0.05 per-transaction gateway fee and a monthly fee ranging from $8 to $10.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Services
CardSmart Merchant Services promotes its access to leading payment gateways such as Shift4 and Authorize.net, although specific pricing for these services through CardSmart remains unspecified. Merchants interested in utilizing these gateways should inquire directly for CardSmart’s reseller rates and fees.
Client Satisfaction and Pricing Transparency
Given the limited feedback, CardSmart receives an “A” rating for now, yet it’s uncertain how it compares with the most affordable merchant account options. Businesses considering CardSmart should inquire about all potential fees, including PCI compliance and early termination fees, to fully understand their contract.
For those with direct experiences or additional details about CardSmart’s service terms, including any PCI compliance fees or early termination fees, contributing your insights could be incredibly beneficial to others evaluating CardSmart’s services.
Businesses are encouraged to explore our selection of the best merchant accounts for comparisons that may offer more transparent pricing and terms.
CardSmart provides access to prominent e-commerce solutions, including virtual terminals and payment gateways.
Employee Reviews & Sales Practices
Outside Sales Agents
As of this update, it appears that CardSmart utilizes in-house telemarketing and independent sales agents to market its services. We have found two publicly listed CardSmart Merchant Services reviews about the company’s sales team on non-BBB consumer protection websites. One complaint in the comment section of this review describes the following:
The telesales agent made it seem like we had a relationship with them, but when I asked they said we did not. I asked them to put the upgrade offer in writing but she said she could not, but could schedule an in-person interview. We scheduled a date and time and I asked her to send email confirmation, but it never appeared.
Another Google review complains about a sales agent’s unprofessional behavior. However, this review appears to be an isolated incident specific to that agent.
Former Deceptive Rate Quoting
At the time of a previous update, CardSmart’s website both included information about Interchange-plus and featured a deceptive rate quote on its homepage of “Discounted Rates starting at 1.19%.” This rate quote is misleading because it only names the “Qualified” rate that clients will pay, rather than the “Mid-Qualified” or “Non-Qualified” rates that they will see for the majority of their transactions. In light of the fact that this rate quote no longer appears on the company’s website, we have assigned it an “A” rating in this section. Readers should be aware, however, that a third-party statement audit could help them identify and eliminate high rates.
CardSmart Merchant Services Competitors
Compare CardSmart Merchant Services to competitors that earned top marks.
CardSmart Merchant Services ranks as a better-than-average credit card processing provider. The company’s low complaint volume is promising, reflecting a relatively positive experience among clients. However, the lack of detailed information on its hiring practices or contract terms means there’s still some uncertainty surrounding its service quality.
In the meantime, we will cautiously assume the best about CardSmart Merchant Services. Nevertheless, we urge readers to carefully review any contracts and terms they receive and to compare them to those of top-rated credit card processors. Being well-informed is key to securing favorable terms and ensuring that CardSmart is the right fit for your business.
