Can You Trust Charge.com with Your Payment Processing?

We take our role in providing guidance and education regarding the card payment industry very seriously. At our own expense, we have vigorously defended our right to continue expose unethical and predatory practices in the industry, successfully defeating every attempt to silence us. However, fending off frivolous lawsuits is costly. To sustain these efforts, one of the ways we generate revenue is through affiliate partnerships with ethical providers. This means that some of our outgoing links connect business owners to trustworthy, low-cost payment processors, which is what most of our readers seek. We see this revenue channel as a win-win-win for everyone involved. Business owners find good processors, processors get good clients, and we are able to continue to provide a valuable service to the small business community. We also recommend and link to many services that do not compensate us. Our priority is to guide you to the best solutions for your needs, regardless of potential revenue. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.

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.

Charge.com

Rating
D
2.8/5
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Pros and Cons of Charge.com

Pros

Low transaction fees
No setup fees
Quick approval

Cons

Potential hidden fees
Contractual obligations
Customer complaints
Fund holds possible
Aggressive sales tactics

Overview

In this review of Charge.com, we provide an in-depth look at this merchant account provider, covering services such as credit card processing, e-commerce support, mobile payment options, virtual terminals, and POS systems, along with specialized tools like recurring billing, subscription management, and ACH processing. We analyze their rates, fees, and contract terms, highlighting common complaints and challenges as well as their approach to chargeback prevention to help businesses assess overall cost and reliability. Customer reviews, employee feedback, and industry ratings are included to present a balanced view of the company’s reputation, while marketing tactics and customer support performance are evaluated to show what clients can expect. Finally, we review legal matters involving Charge.com, including lawsuits and fines, to provide a complete picture of their operations and credibility.

About Charge.com

Screen Capture of Charge.com Homepage
Charge.com Homepage

Charge.com is a merchant account provider that has been in business since 1995. The company was bought by Pipeline Data (a subsidiary of Cynergy Data) in 2005. Neither Pipeline Data or Cynergy Data are still operating: Pipeline went bankrupt and Cynergy was absorbed into Priority Payment Systems, so it is probable that Charge.com is now also part of Priority Payment Systems. The company resells Authorize.Net for its payment gateway services. Charge.com focuses primarily on supplying credit card processing services and equipment but can also provide e-commerce solutions for merchants who require them.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

(link unavailable) facilitates the processing of Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover, and checks, whether online, in-person, by phone, mail, or fax, for a variety of businesses. Their offerings include a free terminal or swiper, mobile solutions, a virtual terminal, e-commerce solutions like shopping carts, SEO services, online management and reporting, and SSL certification.

Virtual Terminals

(link unavailable) provides secure, web-based virtual terminals for businesses to accept payments online. This service is useful for businesses without a physical storefront or those primarily operating online.

E-commerce Payment Solutions

For online businesses, (link unavailable) offers e-commerce payment solutions, including a secure payment gateway that integrates with business websites for real-time transaction processing. These solutions enable businesses to accept payments globally.

Mobile Payment Processing

(link unavailable) offers mobile payment processing services, allowing businesses to accept card payments using mobile devices. This service is ideal for businesses operating outside traditional brick-and-mortar settings.

POS Systems

(link unavailable) provides Point of Sale (POS) systems designed to streamline business operations. These systems manage sales transactions, track inventory, and store customer information, offering a comprehensive business management tool. For details on specific POS systems, contacting the company directly is recommended.

Recurring Billing and Subscription Management

(link unavailable) supports businesses with subscription models or recurring billing needs by offering solutions that automate the billing process. This service allows businesses to collect regular payments for ongoing services or subscriptions without manual intervention.

ACH Processing

(link unavailable) provides ACH processing services for businesses to accept electronic payments directly from bank accounts. This fast, secure, and reliable service is ideal for businesses handling recurring payments or large payment volumes.

Chargeback Prevention

(link unavailable) offers chargeback prevention services to help businesses minimize the risk of chargebacks, which can lead to lost revenue and increased fees. These proactive services aim to resolve disputes quickly and efficiently.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Moderate Complaint Total

Charge.com has received a relatively low number of negative reviews considering its size and duration in the industry. However, it’s worth noting that its former parent company, Pipeline Data, and processor, Cynergy Data, accumulated significant complaint counts. While Charge.com has a consistent pattern of public complaints filed on Ripoff Report, it’s possible that a few of these reviews are against unrelated businesses with “-charge.com” in their names. Most complaints highlight unexpected and hidden fees, lack of disclosure regarding PCI Compliance fees, high cancellation fees, and unauthorized debits from business checking accounts. If you have your own review of Charge.com, feel free to share it in the comments below.

Charge.com Customer Support Options

Recent observations suggest a slowdown in the company’s complaint volume, which may indicate improved policies and customer service, or potentially a change in business operations such as a Doing Business As (DBA) name. Charge.com offers 24/7 phone support to its clients. However, this support channel alone is not sufficient to qualify it as a top-rated payment processor for customer service.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop5
BBB RatingN/A
SiteJabber Rating2.33
ComplaintsBoard Rating1
Our Rating2.8
Average Rating2.04

PaymentPop Rating for Charge.com

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about Charge.com on the PaymentPop website.

Positive Feedback

Charge.com made it super easy for us to start accepting credit cards without breaking the bank. The rates are some of the lowest we’ve seen, and setup was quick and painless. It’s perfect for small businesses that want something straightforward and reliable.

Charge.com BBB Rating

Charge.com Payment Solutions currently has no customer reviews or complaints on the BBB website. The business is not BBB accredited but has an “A+” rating.

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about Charge.com Payment Solutions on the BBB website.

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Charge.com Payment Solutions on the BBB website.

SiteJabber Rating Analysis for Charge.com

Charge.com has a rating of 2.33 stars on SiteJabber based on 3 customer reviews, indicating general dissatisfaction among customers. Common themes in the reviews include issues with account cancellation, unexpected fees, and poor customer service.

Negative Feedback

I signed up with them, they cancelled my account 1 week later saying they don’t want to have me as a client saying my transaction level is too high. They then charged $1000 cancellation fee for 2 account I just setup for my 2 business, and they are holding more than a $1000 of my money which I processed through them. I am the most ethical person, and there is no reason why any one should go through this. They are extremely anal, and arrogant to deal with. I would never recommend this merchant to anyone. There are merchants with no cancellation fees, lower monthly fees, and processing fees than this company. I would never recommend anyone go with charge.com – Review from July 5, 2010

My experience on charge.com was not good. – Their first scam is, each application is automatically approved. That should be a heads up that this is a bad business. The second scam is you say what your sales will be and if you want MC or Visa. And then somehow automatically you are taking AMEX and JCB and discover, and paying that AMEX fee. Then when you want to terminate because of their non existant customer support, it costs you $300 to leave (and that is why there is no set up fee). All they have is a good domain name. – Review from June 11, 2008

Positive Feedback

I have had a great experience with charge.com. I am saving about $200/month as compared to my previous processor. I was up and running with them the same day I applied. – Review from July 9, 2013

Source: SiteJabber

ComplaintsBoard Rating Analysis for Charge.com

Charge.com has received negative feedback and a 1/5 score on ComplaintsBoard. The primary complaint theme involves dissatisfaction with their business practices, particularly regarding automatic approval of applications and unexpected fees.

Negative Feedback

My experience on charge.com was not good. – Their first scam is, each application is automatically approved. That should be a heads up that this is a bad business. The second scam is you say what your sales will be and if you want MC or Visa. And then somehow automatically you are taking AMEX and JCB and discover, and paying that AMEX fee. Then when you want to terminate because of their non existant customer support, it costs you $300 to leave (and that is why there is no set up fee). All they have is a good domain name. – Review from October 29, 2010

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Charge.com on the ComplaintsBoard website.
Source: ComplaintsBoard

Processing Rates & Fees

Flexible Pricing

Charge.com’s pricing structure is adaptable, tailored to individual businesses based on their type and processing volume. However, it’s important to note that the company’s pricing quotes have raised concerns regarding clarity and transparency, as discussed later in this review.

Contract Terms and Fees

According to the company’s standard contract terms, clients are bound by a 36-month service agreement with an Early Termination Fee (ETF) of $495. Other charges include a monthly statement fee of $25, applicable only if Charge.com creates a reserve account for the client, a one-time fee of $35 if keyed-in transactions exceed 15% of overall transactions in a month, and a $25 monthly fee for governmental compliance. Additionally, there’s an annual PCI Compliance fee ranging up to $185 (capped at $300), notably higher than the industry average. For clients opting for Charge.com’s gateway services, provided through Authorize.net, there’s a $25 monthly fee. We recommend business owners to explore our list of the top merchant services providers.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Charges

Apart from in-store payment processing, Charge.com offers virtual terminal and payment gateway services, reselling Authorize.Net’s solutions with known pricing. For businesses utilizing Authorize.net’s gateway, there’s a 2.9% plus $0.30 per-transaction fee, a $25 monthly gateway fee, and a daily batch fee of $0.10, in addition to the monthly gateway fee.

It’s worth noting that Charge.com, as a reseller of Authorize.Net and other payment gateway services, may adjust the terms and conditions of these rates and fees.

Charge.com’s rates do not compete favorably with the most cost-effective merchant account options available.

Lawsuits & Legal History

No outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints have been found against Charge.com. Dissatisfied clients who wish to address their concerns outside of litigation can consider reporting their issues to relevant supervisory organizations.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Charge.com Sales Approach

Charge.com’s marketing strategy appears to rely heavily on independent sales agents, online marketing, and affiliate partnerships. Charge.com has received a low score in this section because the company promotes highly misleading pricing on its website. This does not compare favorably to our list of the best credit card processors.

Deceptive Quotes

The company advertises itself as “the most trusted name in payments” with rates “as low as 0.25%” and a transaction fee “as low as $0.15.” Charge.com promotes these rates in a way that fails to disclose the Downgrade Fees for Mid-Qualified and Non-Qualified transactions. Additionally, the company’s website advertises that it does not charge cancellation fees yet its merchant agreement explicitly lists an early termination fee of $495.

The website quotes reviews from companies like Apple, NBC Internet, America Online, and Yahoo!, but it doesn’t provide links to these sources or explain why these companies would be reviewing Charge.com. In general, Charge.com appears to rely heavily on selective disclosure and vague testimonials to build trust with clients. If you suspect that Charge.com is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden charges.

Charge.com review
The questionable reviews as seen on Charge.com

Charge.com Competitors

Compare Charge.com to competitors that earned top marks.

Bottom Line

Charge.com has over two decades of experience in the credit card processing industry but struggles with familiar complaints often associated with less reputable processors. Clients frequently express concerns about undisclosed fees, confusing contract terms, and deceptive sales tactics. Such issues undermine customer trust and hinder the company’s credibility, preventing Charge.com from gaining traction as a trusted provider.

To improve its rating and reputation, Charge.com should focus on full transparency by clearly disclosing all fees and contract terms for both its own services and those it resells to businesses. Taking decisive action to curb deceptive sales tactics will also be essential in preventing further negative reviews. As we continue to monitor the company’s evolving reputation, it remains uncertain whether Charge.com will ultimately fall among the worst-rated providers or prove itself as a viable competitor to the industry’s top players.

Read Actual User Reviews

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

Contact Charge.com

Contact & Customer Support
CEOGreg Danzig
Headquarters9715 W Broward Blvd # 182, Plantation, FL 33324-2351
Toll-Free General Customer Service(888) 496-4818
Additional Support ChannelsOnline Contact Form
Websitecharge.com