Celero Commerce Merchant Services 2023: Reviews & Complaints
(844) 423-5376 Company Overview
Celero Commerce is a merchant account provider based in Brentwood, Tennessee that appears to have been in operation since 2002 according to the Better Business Bureau. However, the company’s filing with Tennessee’s Secretary of State indicates that the original business name may have been Elmhurst Financial.
Celero Commerce appears to be a reseller or subsidiary of PaySafe and evidence suggests that the company may also be operating as, or connected to, Elmhurst Financial Services, Tandem Innovative Payment Solutions, TransNational Payments, and UMS Banking. UMS Banking appears to still be an active brand under the Celero Commerce umbrella.
In late 2021, Celero acquired Everest Payment Solutions of Florida, and in 2022 the company acquired OMEGA Technology and Community Bankers Merchant Services. All are payment processors, adding to the Celero stable of customers.
Article Summary
Before we dive in, here’s a short summary of what we’ll cover:
- Celero Commerce’s various payment processing services.
- Celero Commerce has received a number of complaints, and those have increased in recent years. The primary driver of these new complaints appears to be the sales team and issues with unexpected fees after singing.
- Celero has not provided us with a contract, but there is strong evidence that it is expensive.
Related Articles
Celero Commerce Systems Payment Processing
Celero Commerce processes most major debit and credit cards for most business types. The company offers a suite of merchant products along with its payment processing abilities including payroll, inventory management, and various marketing tools. They market their products towards a range of industries like hospitality, lodging, fleet, healthcare and professional services, and several more. They also appear to be a reseller of Clover POS products. Their services also include B2B processing, e-commerce solutions, access to virtual terminals, POS solutions, mobile solutions, EMV/NFC readers, ACH processing, and gift card and loyalty programs.
Mobile and Field Services
The company offers solutions for mobile and field services, indicating a focus on providing payment processing options for businesses that operate on-the-go or in field settings. This service likely includes mobile payment processing tools and technologies.
Retail and Restaurant Solutions
Celero Commerce also specializes in providing payment processing solutions for the retail and restaurant industries. These solutions are tailored to the unique needs of these sectors, likely including point-of-sale systems and other related technologies.
Location & Ownership
Celero Commerce is a registered LLC located at Harpeth on The Green IV 100 Westwood Place, Suite 200 Brentwood, TN 37027. It has been registered under Elmhurst Financial since 2002 and was incorporated into Celero Commerce in 2019. Kevin Jones is listed as the CEO of Celero Commerce.
Celero Commerce has partnered with several smaller banks and payment providers to provide their payment services. Some of these are partnerships and some are the partner banks of their recent acquisitions. These partnerships include United Merchant Services of California, LLC. California, LLC is a registered Independent Sales Organization of Synovus Bank, Columbus GA and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Elmhurst Financial Services is a registered Independent Sales Organization of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Concord, CA and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Cincinnati, OH. Tandem Innovative Payment Solutions is a registered Independent Sales Organization of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Concord, CA. and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Cincinnati, OH. FlashBanc, LLC is a registered Independent Sales Organization of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, CA. TransNational Payments is a registered Independent Sales Organization of BMO Harris Bank, N.A. Omega Processing Solutions, LLC is a registered ISO/MSP of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, New York, New York. These banking relationships may also further indicate that Celero Commerce is a sub-ISO of PaySafe. There is also evidence that suggests Celero resells the services of Fiserv (formerly First Data) and Global Payments.
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Offers custom contracts based on…
- Complaints & Service: Complaints number less than 5 on…
- BBB Rating: Has an “A+” rating and has received…
- Sales & Marketing: Does not hire independent sales agents and has received…
Celero Commerce Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Key Points |
|
|---|---|
| Total Online Complaints | Less than 10 |
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | Fees and Contract Terms |
| Recent Lawsuits | No |
Low Complaint Total
Celero Commerce is a relatively new company and has recently acquired several smaller payment processors. This makes it difficult to gauge the number of Celero Commerce reviews, as they have consolidated the previous websites into the new brand. We have found a few previous Celero Commerce reviews related to acquisition companies accusing them of inconsistent contract rates, with added confusion caused by the new company’s formation. If you have your own Celero Commerce review to make, please do so in the comments below.
Common Complaints
The majority of Celero Commerce complaints stem from hidden and surprise fees, deceptive sales practices on the part of independent agents and resellers, unauthorized debits from accounts, and nondisclosure of the service agreement length and cancellation fee. Additionally, multiple merchants complain of predatory equipment lease agreements through previous businesses now under the Celero Commerce umbrella. In these complaints, business owners report being misled into expensive, non-cancellable 48-month leases for cheap equipment. There are also numerous complaints filed by former employees and agents describing deceptive and misleading hiring practices.
It is unclear at this time if Celero Commerce is engaging in the same business practices as the companies that it acquired, so we encourage business owners to exercise caution by reading and understanding the terms of your service agreements and keeping copies of all documents and communication. If you have any information regarding lease terms or contracts, please leave it in the comment section below.
Celero Commerce Lawsuits and Fines
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Celero Commerce. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
Celero Commerce Customer Support Options
Currently, there are no complaints directly related to the company’s customer service. Celero Commerce offers a single customer service number that has been removed from its site.
Celero Commerce Customer Service Number
- (844) 423-5376 – General Contact
Other Support Options
- Support form
- Customer service email address at [email protected]
We advise merchants to look closely at Celero’s POS contracts
Celero Commerce Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
Online Ratings Summary |
|
|---|---|
| BBB Reports | 17 |
Note: We have adjusted this company’s BBB rating according to our own standards. To better understand why we adjust BBB ratings, please see our Rating Criteria.
Under 5 Complaints
According to the Better Business Bureau, Celero Commerce has been in business for 20 years. However, the majority of these years may have been under the name of Elmhurst Financial. Celero Commerce is not an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau but has an “A+” rating. The company is currently showing 4 complaints.
What Merchants Say
Celero Commerce has received 13 reviews through the BBB, 6 of which are positive and 7 of which are negative. The most recent negative review calls the company a scam:
My recent experience with Celero Commerce left me utterly disappointed and frustrated. The sheer lack of communication between their sales representatives, IT department, and management was nothing short of appalling. I strongly advise everyone to steer clear of Celero Commerce, as their poor communication, minimal product knowledge, and overall incompetence make them an unreliable choice for any business. From the very beginning, it was clear that Celero Commerce’s sales representatives were operating in their own silos, with no coordination or understanding of the customer’s requirements. Any attempt to seek clarification or express concerns was met with vague responses and a complete lack of interest. It was as if they were more interested in closing the deal than actually understanding and addressing my needs. Furthermore, the lack of product knowledge displayed by Celero Commerce’s staff was alarming. It quickly became apparent that they had minimal understanding of the equipment they were promoting. Rather than providing clear explanations or troubleshooting issues, their responses were filled with confusion and uncertainty. It was disheartening to realize that the very individuals who were supposed to guide me were ill-equipped to do so. Throughout my entire interaction with Celero Commerce, I felt like just another number on their sales sheet. Their poor communication, lack of professionalism, and disregard for customer satisfaction were evident at every turn. It was abundantly clear that they prioritized making a sale over providing quality service and support. Based on my experience, I strongly advise everyone to avoid Celero Commerce at all costs. Their poor communication practices, minimal product knowledge, and overall incompetence make them an unreliable and untrustworthy choice for any business. Save yourself the frustration and disappointment by seeking out a more reputable and customer-centric company for your commerce needs.
A “B” Performance Overall
While Celero has a relatively clean record on the Better Business Bureau currently, it remains a sizable merchant provider without much of a shown track record. For that reason, we have adjusted our score to a “B” until more information presents itself.
Celero Commerce Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
Key Points |
|
|---|---|
| Cancellation Penalties | Undisclosed |
| Monthly & Annual Fees | Undisclosed |
| Processing Rates | Undisclosed |
| Equipment Leasing | Undisclosed |
Lacking Transparency
Celero Commerce rates and fees are not openly disclosed, which is often a hallmark of processors that charge expensive rates with difficult-to-understand pricing that is buried in the fine print. This notion is also supported by evidence showing Celero’s use of independently contracted sales agents who are paid solely on commission and who often earn higher commissions by selling more expensive merchant accounts. The company resisted supplying us with a service agreement when we requested one, which further strengthens our belief that rates and fees with Celero Commerce are murky and expensive.
One caveat to the above is that Celero appears to serve a wide array of business types and has partnered with several processors and banks to do so. With this in mind, the company likely shops businesses to different processors according to industry-specific risk tolerances and customizes pricing based on the appropriate processor. This, however, does not remove their incentive to price merchant accounts as highly as a business owner will tolerate in order to obtain the highest margins on their processing.
Due to the lack of clarity regarding costs, rates, and other contract terms, business owners are advised to fully understand the terms and pricing prior to signing any paperwork. It would also be highly advisable to obtain quotes from at least one other merchant account provider. Be sure to check out our list of the best merchant account providers, which provide full pricing transparency and flexible contract terms.
We also encourage business owners to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant services.
Celero Commerce Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
Key Points |
|
|---|---|
| Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
| Telemarketing | Yes |
| Misleading Marketing | Potentially |
| Discloses All Important Provisions | No |
Independent Sales Team
Like many processors, Celero Commerce’s strategy is to partner with ISOs and independently contract outside salespeople. We can confirm Celero’s use of independent sales agents by job post details. Job seekers are implored to apply “regardless of sales experience” and this could be reflected in the quality of interactions with Celero’s network of quickly trained independent sales agents. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors. We implore our readers to share their experiences with Celero’s sales staff in the comments below.
Variable Celero Commerce Contract Terms
Celero Commerce has been shown to be a reseller of several other ISOs such as PaySafe, Fiserv, and Global Payments. The Celero Commerce contract is “custom-tailored” for each industry, and Celero can take advantage of a wide selection of payment processing options through their assorted ISOs. This most likely means there is markup associated in addition to those basic contracted terms, regardless of which ISO they provide service through.
Our Celero Commerce Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
At this time, it is difficult to recommend Celero Commerce as a credit card processing provider or give it a rating above what we see as the status quo of the industry. Many details about the company remain unclear and lack transparency on behalf of the company’s management. In some cases, it appears that Celero Commerce is intentionally casting a veil to obscure clarity regarding important areas of its business. We are fairly confident that Celero Commerce is affiliated with PaySafe and that it may be operating under other business names. This said, Celero may also just be a newly formed company of which little information is available. Business owners are advised to read all service agreements, keep copies, and obtain a cost comparison with at least one other provider. You can find a list of providers that we have deemed as honest and transparent in our Best Merchant Account Providers for All Industries article.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
About The Author
Your Comments & Reviews
How Did Celero Commerce Treat You?10 Responses
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Copyright
Copyright © 2023 CardPaymentOptions.com, Inc. (Digital Fingerprint: 0d38c6720f0d78a701b74d58653af608). Getting paid to re-write this page? Click here to earn a reward.
Any unauthorized copying and reproduction of the content of this page, including all meta data and computer code, is strictly prohibited. While the information in the above article is believed to be accurate as of its publish date, the author and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents. The author and publisher shall in no event be held liable to any party for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of this material, which is provided “as is,” and without warranties. Any and all use of trade names and/or marks are for identification purposes only and shall not be construed as a claim of affiliation, or otherwise, with CardPaymentOptions.com, Inc. ("CPO") in any form. The sole purpose of the material presented herein is to alert, educate, and inform readers. It is not intended as legal or financial advice. We may earn revenue if you obtain services from a provider that we recommend. See this page to learn how we support our operations.
FTC Advertising Disclosure
We take great pride in providing one of the only objective an unbiased merchant account review websites on the internet. To support this responsibility, we may in some cases, but not all, earn revenue if you choose a service provider that we have fully researched and vetted. We only recommend providers that we have determined to be safe for our readers. We do not accept payment, gifts, or any other bribes in exchange for postive reviews or ratings. We care about doing right by our readers.
Show disclosure
Popular Merchant Account Research
Related Industry Research
Industry Specific Findings
Low Cost Processor of 2023
Helcim Payments
No Monthly or Annual Fees
Super Low Processing Rates
POS, Mobile, and Online Payments
Sales & Support: (888) 506-7812
DEBBY HARVEY
THIS IS THE VERY WORST COMPANY I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH. WE QUIT DOING BUSINESS IN AUGEST 2023 AND THEY ARE STILL DRAFT MONEY OUT OF OUR BUSINESS IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, 2023. I CAN’T GET RID OF THESE JERKS. THEY ALSO GET TAKING OUT 39.95 FOR AUGUST,SEPTUMBER, 2023 FOR WHAT THEY ARE CALLING NON-COMPLIANT -WHICH I CALLED THE1-800-866-1881 AND TALKED TOTHE MAN ABOUT THIS-TOLD HIM WE HAD ALREADY GONE TO ANOTHER CREDIT CARD COMPANY AND ADVISED HIM THAT I HAD SPOKEN TO THE LADY AT OMEGA AND TOLD HER WE CHANGING BECAUSE OF THE TERRIBLE RATING OF CELERO FROM THE BBB. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. DEBBY H
Christy Pavich
Do not use Celero! They rush you to sign on. When reading my contract, Randy Jones said don’t worry, those are just numbers. They charge you monthly fees, even when you have not processed a single payment, PCI compliance is another issue, and cancelation fee is absurd.
They do not disclose important contract terms. Sham on Razorsync for using them.
Kathy
Get everything in writing and read all the fine print. They lie, cheat just to sign you up then change all the terms once they have you. BEWARE 400.00 cancellation fees just think about that before you sign anything. Even when you say you wont sign a contract, if you have this service you are on the hook.
StephR
Lessoned learned, GET EVERYTHING IN WRITTING! This is a bait and switch oganization. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Lots of hidden fees that are nowhere in the actual agreement that was signed. Verbally told there was no term and could cancel anytime, not true! Apparently, that is buried in the terms and conditions document, that I still have not received a copy of. Steer clear, there are many other reputable companies out there! Wish I had seen these other reviews prior to joining, still shady in 2023!
Teri
I am so dissatisfied with this company I do not know where to start. They solicited my business in 2022.hey said they were compatible with my existing software and they could save me money.I told them switching merchant accounts is a nightmare and I wasn’t interested. After their continued calls,I agreed to listen to what they could offer.The salesman was friendly and I felt comfortable with him. I agreed AFTER CHECKED WITH “MULTIPLE” DEPARTMENTS to confirm the service was compatible with the Customer Portal of my existing company software, which was my only requirement other than the right to cancel if I was unhappy without a time limitation.The sold me two field swipe boxes and said I’d be up and running in a few days. NEVER HAPPENED.Then I find out they can’t connect to my software. My clients can’t pay online if we use their service, they have to call me and give me a credit card EVERY TIME they pay. I ask them to cancel the account, they say they can’t, I have a two year contract, but the salesman told me if I was unhappy I could cancel at anytime.I explained this to the rep and said I read my contract and there was no cancellation clause. They then disclosed the clause is in a “link” on the docu-sign-contract. You have to click on a small font at the bottom of the contract for “more info.” I don’t know where the company office is housed, but in Georgia where I am, that is against the law. Full disclosure needs to be ON THE CONTRACT,not in a computer link.When I declared this, they agreed to cancel the contract.That was three months ago. They are still taking a monthly fee even though I have not put any charges through since the summer of 2022. My attorney is preparing a brief.
Bruce Walsh, President/CEO
I was about to sign up for this merchant and had contacted them to be my third merchant as I put down really large deposits for my builders. Over 650k in credit card transactions this year.
I spoke with Brian Moch and he was pushy, rude, and uses profanity in his text messages which is a real turnoff.
I normally don’t waste any time on these reviews, but this was truly an exception. I will pass on to anyone considering using this company how unprofessional it is.
I was given a contract yesterday and asked to sign it without even having the time to read it. It hasn’t even been 24 hours, and the manager ” Albert” voided it. All I asked was to read it.
I was told that they weren’t gonna play any games? Not sure what that means. All I asked was to see a picture of the terminal as I want a touch screen and something that looked good for the office. I also asked about the paper, and your typical questions one would have for a merchant.
At this point, I wouldn’t use this service even if it was free. Buyer Beware.
Bruce Walsh
Next Step Flooring
{phone number redacted}
Zach Myers
Celero Commerce sales representative called today with his sales pitch. Seemed like a nice fellow, until my third decline response ended in him hanging up on me, mid sentence. If this doesn’t show the true colors, I don’t know what will.
HATE SCAMMERS
Cold-calling companies he knows nothing about other than what he sees on the website. Asked for a person who is RETIRED, probably assuming a MALE runs the company.
SCAMMER – STAY AWAY!
Michael
Sold a business that has been using celero commerce integrated with our point of sale. We canceled the point of sale and were assured all was good to go. Months later we get a collections letter from Celero Commerce. There were no attempts for communication. I called and asked why they never called me and verified my cell phone number was on file. Their reps response was, ” Noone answers the phone and we are short staffed.” I would not suggest doing business with Celero Commerce.
JB
This organization ripped me off, lied to me, and stole my money! Avoid using them!