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(888) 393-1079Over Two Decades of Payment Processing Expertise
Founded in 1998, CDG Commerce is a well-established merchant account provider based out of Virginia with a west coast office in San Pedro, California. CDG has long been an industry leader in providing credit card processing services and is one of our top-rated merchant services providers. CDG offers a wide range of payment products including wireless and e-commerce processing solutions, and it even has its own payment gateway and virtual terminal called the Quantum.
Payment Gateway
CDG offers an impressive variety of payment gateways, including its own Gateway, Quantum. Quantum powers merchant accounts to accept credit cards directly from a website as well as via phone/mail order through an online Virtual Terminal. It boasts features such as recurring billing, a secure vault, automatic email receipts, a customizable web order form, and in-house personalized support. In addition to Quantum, CDG offers the popular Authorize.net gateway and a host of other industry-standard gateways.
Location and Leadership
CDG Commerce is a registered ISO of Synovus Bank, Columbus, GA, and Citizens Bank, N.A., Providence, RI. Chris West is the co-founder and CEO of CDG Commerce who are headquartered at 860 Greenbrier Circle, Suite #408 Chesapeake, VA.
Video Summary
CDG Commerce Review Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Offers a month-to-month contract with options between flat rate, interchange-plus, and wholesale pricing models with no early termination fee and…
- Complaints & Service: Has received more than 15 public complaints regarding…
- BBB Rating: Currently has an “A+” rating and has been accredited by the BBB since 2020. It has received 0 complaints in the last 3 years but…
- Sales & Marketing: Hires independent resellers but has not received any complaints about its…
Should You Trust CDG Commerce?
Lawsuits, Reviews & Complaints
Complaint Summary
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Total Online Complaints
15+
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Live Customer Support
Yes
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Most Common Complaint
Software Issues
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Low Complaint Total
CDG Commerce has received approximately 15 public complaints across all consumer protection forums, which is excellent for a provider that has been in business for nearly 20 years. There is not a consistent theme to the available complaints, but they touch on issues like sign-up difficulties, issues for seasonal merchant accounts, and confusion about the types of businesses that the company can support.
A Positive Track Record
Some of the few complaints that have been posted have received direct, professional responses from the company’s CEO that reflect well on CDG despite the fact that they stem from customer dissatisfaction. Amazingly, in the two threads linked above, multiple members of the forums in question came to CDG’s aid and defended the company against the lone complainants. This is an uncommon degree of support for a company and a reliable indicator of CDG’s emphasis on great customer service.
CDG Commerce Lawsuits
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against CDG Commerce. Dissatisfied merchants who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
CDG Commerce Customer Service Options
CDG Commerce offers extensive customer service options to merchants. The company’s website advertises live chat, telephone, and email support channels.
Is the BBB Rating for CDG Commerce Accurate?
Better Business Bureau Profile
BBB Summary
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Product & Service Complaints
0
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Billing & Collection Complaints
0
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Advertising & Sales Complaints
0
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Guarantee & Warranty Complaints
0
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Delivery Complaints
0
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Only 5 Complaints
As of this update, CDG Commerce has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau and holds an “A+” rating with 0 complaints in the last 36 months. The CDG Commerce profile also reflects that the company has been accredited with the BBB since April of 2020. At the time of a previous review, CDG had held that accreditation since 2007. It is unclear if the company’s accreditation with the BBB lapsed and if so what the cause of that lapse was. However, its clean complaint record leaves no reason for concern on that issue.
An “A” Performance Overall
Given the company’s low complaint total and positive resolution ratio, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time.
How Expensive is CDG Commerce Service?
Rates, Fees, and Contract Terms
Cost Summary
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Swiped Flat Rate
2.75% + $0.30
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Keyed-In Flat Rate
2.90% + $0.30
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Mobile Flat Rate (Swiped)
2.75% + $0.30
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Mobile Flat Rate (Keyed-In)
2.90% + $0.30
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Online Flat Rate
2.90% + $0.30
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Virtual Terminal Interchange Rate
Interchange + 0.30 + $0.15
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Support Fee
$10 Per Month
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Interchange Rate (Retail)
Interchange + 0.30% + $0.10
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Interchange Rate (e-Commerce)
Interchange + 0.25% + $0.10
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Interchange Rate (Non-Profit)
Interchange + 0.20% + $0.10
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Basic Membership Fee
$49 Per Month (Paid Annually at $588)
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Basic Membership Rate
Interchange + $0.10
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Standard Membership Fee
$79 Per Month (Paid Annually at $948)
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Standard Membership Rate
Interchange + $0.10
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Plus Membership Fee
$99 Per Month (Paid Annually at $1,188)
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Plus Membership Rate
Interchange + $0.07
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Premium Membership Fee
$199 Per Month (Paid Annually at $2,388)
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Premium Membership Rate
Interchange + $0.05
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POS Fee
$49 Per Month
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Early Termination Fee
None
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PCI Compliance Fee
None
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Multiple Pricing Plans
CDG Commerce offers merchants 3 different pricing options. These rates are delineated between its flat rate, interchange-plus, and wholesale pricing models.
CDG Commerce offers a simple flat rate to merchants. Swipe transactions are charged a rate of 2.75% plus $0.30 for merchants transacting in storefront and mobile sales. However, a keyed-in transaction surcharge of 0.15% brings that flat rate to 2.90% plus $0.30. That 2.90% plus $0.30 is what CDG Commerce offers as its online flat rate.
Merchants who qualify for wholesale pricing are charged a monthly subscription fee as well as low interchange rates. Each membership does have a monthly processing limit attached to it. The Basic Membership charges a $49 monthly fee and transaction rate of interchange plus $0.10 for merchants processing up to $25,000 per month. The Standard Membership charges a $79 monthly fee and transaction rate of interchange plus $0.10 for merchants processing up to $75,000 per month. The Plus Membership charges a $99 monthly fee and transaction rate of interchange plus $0.17 for merchants processing up to $200,000 per month. Lastly, the Premium Membership charges a $199 monthly fee and transaction rate of interchange plus $0.05 for merchants without any limit on how much can be processed. It is worth noting that each “monthly subscription” must be in a once-annual payment.
The company offers 3 different interchange-plus rates to merchants. Retail merchants are offered a rate of interchange plus 0.30% plus $0.10. e-Commerce merchants are offered a rate of interchange plus 0.25% plus $0.10. Lastly, the lowest rate that CDG Commerce offers is for non-profit merchants who are offered interchange plus 0.20% plus $0.10.
POS Solutions
The CDG Commerce website also dedicates a portion of its website to a POS management service it titles PASTEPAY. The turnkey POS plan costs $49 per month. A dedicated feature of PASTEPAY is its ability to offer an omnichannel solution that processes gift cards, loyalty cards, online invoices, subscription payments, and credit/debit card payments whilst handling scheduling, inventory management, and reporting tasks.
Month To Month, No Termination Fees
As for the merchant account contract offered by CDG, the company offers a standard month-to-month agreement with no cancellation fee, a free payment gateway or virtual terminal, and a $10 monthly support fee. These competitive terms make it one of the best mobile payment processors for real businesses and a top e-commerce provider.
Competitive Pricing At All Levels
In general, CDG offers flexible, transparent pricing that compares favorably to industry standards. Merchants are encouraged to fully read and understand the terms of the contract before signing with CDG Commerce or any other provider.
Does CDG Commerce Use Deceptive Marketing?
Advertising & Sales Strategy
Key Points
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Employs Independent Resellers
Yes
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Advertises Deceptive Rates
No
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Discloses All Important Terms
Yes
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No Sales Complaints
CDG Commerce does not use any misleading marketing or deceptive sales tactics that are apparent to us. The company relies primarily on strategic partnerships and independent resellers to bring in accounts. Normally the use of independent resellers would lower a company’s score in this section, but CDG has not received any public complaints that accuse its sales team of deceptive practices. Therefore, the use of resellers will not count against the company unless evidence arises that suggests it should.
Clearly Disclosed Pricing
CDG Commerce clearly discloses its rates that merchants will pay depending on the method of payment acceptance, and these rates do not appear to be deceptively quoted. Merchants who are concerned that they may have had rates concealed from them are encouraged to seek a fee reduction analysis.
Does CDG Commerce Deserve Your Business?
Review Summary & Our Thoughts
A Great Option for All Merchants
CDG Commerce is one of the best-rated providers that this reviewer has researched. The company offers transparent pricing, multiple services for most business needs, and month-to-month contracts. CDG also appears to provide active, professional customer support to nearly all of its merchants. For more information, visit CDG’s Website or call (888) 393-1079.
Ben
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.
eCommerce Design
We have been with a lot of merchant providers in the past and CDG is one of the only true, honest companies we have found. They don’t have any long term contracts or huge termination fees like most providers, and your monthly fees will never go up. Refreshing to not have to worry about all the hidden fees.