CDG Commerce Review

Flea markets are on CDG’s list of UNACCEPTED business types, which you don’t find out until you click the “Apply” button. I talked to a “Wes” of CDG on the phone today…he said he never heard of anyone wanting a POS system for this type of business.

I’m not even sure what this company is. They seem to have no problem sending me bills and increasing fees, but answering the phone isn’t on their agenda apparently. I tried to call to cancel my service and they told me they couldn’t’ do it and gave me another number to call. I called the other number twice and no one picked. I’ll be working with my bank to reverse charges and maybe I’ll get their attention! It’s clear from the other negative reviews about this business that I am not the only person this business ripped off!

I’ve used CDG Commerce for several years, with several of my different businesses. They’ve always treated us well. Their API is a great alternative to the complications and expense of implementing Authorize.Net.

Please beware that this isn’t a legit business. CDG Commerce is an “Independent Sales Office” that is operated by Chris West and his wife. Basically, it’s an online scam that acts as a “middle man” of West American Bank. West American Bank stole $34,246 from my employer’s merchant account by continuing to hold their funds. How much money did Chris West make off this scam? Who knows, but I am sure it was enough to help finance his aviation hobby. How is this merchant rated A? God Lord!

How is this company have 5 star review? They stole $999 from us and refused to credit the amount even after several months later cdg commerce is a scam. It’s a 2-man operation and has several bad reviews on Yelp and rip-off report.You need to update your rating for this fraud company.

I can’t help feel a bit run around by CDGcommerce all. After trying to get an account setup for a month, the process was reset by a missing signature, and caused further, unnecessary delays. Thanks for the run around, CDG, with layer after layer of redundant hoops to jump through. It was a real displeasure. Another processor got us up and running in a week.

I was lured in with low percentages, that didn’t turn out to be much cheaper than anywhere else. I explained that our business is an event, and that sales would be spikey and seasonal. They are currently holding our funds captive, even after we’ve provided all the transaction information, event information, and even the bank statements they asked for. 0/10, will not use again. Switching back to our old provider ASAP.

My nonprofit that operates in four national park visitor centers was about to sign up with CDGcommerce, based on reviews from this site and others, a web host’s recommendation of their Quantum Gateway for PCI compliance, and possible later addition of Harbortouch Echo POS.

We switched to a credit card processor through the Michigan Nonprofit Association in 2011 that has since transitioned through three mergers/acquisitions. Each of the five processors we’ve dealt with has had one monthly fee (usually $10) and one statement for up to four credit card terminals and our website.

Chats and email exchanges with CDG staff were very helpful, but we were shocked to learn that their bank’s agreement with Visa/MasterCard requires them to charge fees for each terminal/location, which would mean $40/mo. instead of $10. Is that the case with other processors?

Despite the stellar reviews, which were supported by my initial contacts with CDG, I was hacked within 24 hours of filling out the online application. I didn’t complete the application right away, and immediately received an auto generated email that contained an htttps: secure link to resume the application process. The following night I went back into the application using the secure link and found that all of my info, including a pdf of the incomplete application with all of my info, were directly accessible with no further identity validation other than having clicked on that secure link.
Within 5 hours, I received the following text message from an unknown phone number in Connecticut:

hello how are you doing? my name is Mark Donald, i will like to know if you can Work on my Newly Accomplish House, and do you accept Credit Card

The only possible vector for this hack was either an email interception or an attack on the server. The most likely is an email interception which included a valid link for anyone who could intercept it.
I advised CDG of the attack, and have asked them to remove my info from the system, but they are no longer responding nor have they removed my info. This is an unfortunate black mark against the stellar reviews.

CDG is not all that. In fact, I wonder now if it pays this site for its high ratings. I applied for a merchant account for my law firm and was told I qualified and given a quote. I chose to go with CDG and turned down every other provider. Upon setting up my account, CDG told me I couldn’t have an online gateway because my account was too risky. What? I’ve billed over $2 million through my former merchant account provider and never had a single charge back or fraudulent charge. Doesn’t sound very risky to me. And, why didn’t CDG bother to bring this up until after I had started the application process? Now I’m back to square one and I have to go back to the other providers that I turned now and sheepishly tell them I’d like another chance. It’s a very disappointing situation. I think CDG deserves an F, not a A.