Charge.com Reviews & Complaints

2.8
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How did they treat you? ▼

Overview

In this comprehensive article, we delve into the multi-faceted world of Charge.com, a prominent merchant account provider. We will explore the range of services Charge.com offers, including their credit card processing solutions, e-commerce support, and mobile payment options, along with an in-depth analysis of their virtual terminals and POS systems tailored for modern businesses. Additionally, we'll examine Charge.com's unique offerings in recurring billing and subscription management, and ACH processing, emphasizing their utility in diverse business models.

A crucial part of our discussion will center on understanding the rates, fees, and contract terms associated with Charge.com's services. This includes an investigation into the common complaints and challenges faced by their clients, as well as an overview of Charge.com’s approach to chargeback prevention.

We assess Charge.com's industry ratings and customer reviews, giving special attention to the experiences of employees and users alike. This will provide a balanced view of the company's reputation in the market. We will also scrutinize their marketing tactics, customer support options, and the overall customer service experience.

Lastly, we will provide insights into the legal landscape surrounding Charge.com, including any notable lawsuits and fines, to give you a well-rounded perspective of their operations and reliability as a merchant account provider. Our aim is to offer a thorough review of Charge.com, enabling you to make an informed decision whether their services align with your business needs.

About Charge.com

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.

Charge.com Payment Processing

Charge.com processes Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover, and checks instantly online, in-person, by phone, mail, or fax for almost any business type. They offer a free terminal or swiper, mobile solutions, a virtual terminal, e-commerce solutions such as shopping carts, SEO services, online management and reporting, and SSL certification.

Virtual Terminals

Charge.com provides virtual terminals that enable businesses to accept payments online through a secure web-based platform. This service is ideal for businesses that do not have a physical storefront or that primarily operate online.

E-commerce Payment Solutions by Charge.com

For businesses operating in the online space, Charge.com provides e-commerce payment solutions. These include a secure payment gateway that integrates seamlessly with business websites, enabling real-time online transaction processing. Such e-commerce solutions allow businesses to accept payments from customers globally, expanding their reach beyond geographical boundaries.

Charge.com's Mobile Payment Processing

Charge.com provides mobile payment processing services that enable businesses to accept card payments on the go using mobile devices. This service is designed to cater to businesses that operate outside of traditional brick-and-mortar environments, providing a flexible and convenient payment processing solution.

POS Systems from Charge.com

Point of Sale (POS) systems provided by Charge.com are aimed at facilitating business operations beyond just payment processing. The POS systems can manage sales transactions, track inventory, and store customer information, making them a comprehensive tool for business management. For specifics about which POS systems they offer, it would be best to directly contact the company.

Recurring Billing and Subscription Management by Charge.com

For businesses that operate on a subscription model or require recurring billing, Charge.com offers relevant solutions. These services help automate the billing process, enabling businesses to regularly collect payments for ongoing services or subscriptions without manual intervention.

ACH Processing

Charge.com provides ACH processing services that enable businesses to accept electronic payments directly from bank accounts. This service is designed to be fast, secure, and reliable, and it is ideal for businesses that receive recurring payments or that need to process large volumes of payments.

Chargeback Prevention

Charge.com offers chargeback prevention services that help businesses reduce the risk of chargebacks, which can result in lost revenue and increased processing fees. Their chargeback prevention services are designed to be proactive and help businesses resolve disputes quickly and efficiently.

Location & Leadership

The company is headquartered at 9715 W Broward Blvd # 182, Plantation, FL 33324-2351 and is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Walnut Creek, California. Greg Danzig is listed as the president and CEO of Charge.com.

Video Summary

Charge.com payment processing
Charge.com advertises that they will work with just about any business
Pros & Cons
Pros: Cons:
Multiple Payment Options Annual PCI Compliance fee required
Easy-to-use terminals
No setup fees

Charge.com Customer Reviews

Here's What Their Clients Say

Customer Reviews Summary
Total Online Complaints 45+
Live Customer Support Yes
Most Common Complaint Hidden Fees
Recent Lawsuits No

Moderate Complaint Total

There is a low number of negative Charge.com reviews filed online for a provider of its size and time in business; however, it should be noted that its former parent company (Pipeline Data) and processor (Cynergy Data) amassed very high complaint counts. Charge.com seems to have a consistent pattern of public complaints filed on Ripoff Report, although a handful of these Charge.com reviews may be filed against other businesses with “-charge.com” in their names. The majority of the complaints report unexpected and hidden fees, nondisclosure of the PCI Compliance fee, high cancellation fees, and unauthorized debits from business’ checking accounts. If you have your own Charge.com review to make, please do so in the comments below.

Charge.com Lawsuits and Fines

We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Charge.com. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.

Charge.com Customer Support Options

As of this update, the company’s complaint volume appears to have slowed from previous years, which may be an indication of improved policies and customer service. It could also be a sign that Charge.com’s business has slowed, or that the company is making use of a DBA. Charge.com offers 24/7 phone support to its clients, though this channel is not sufficient enough to qualify it as a top-rated payment processor for customer service.

Charge.com Customer Service Number

  • (888) 496-4818 – Toll-Free General Customer Service

Other Support Options

  • Customer support form on its website
  • Customer service email address at [email protected]

Charge.com Online Ratings

Here's How They Rate Online

Online Ratings Summary
BBB Rating N/A
SiteJabber Rating 2.33
ComplaintsBoard Rating 1
Our Rating 2.8
Average Rating 2.04

BBB Rating Analysis for Charge.com Payment Solutions

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.
Source: BBB

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

Charge.com Fees, Rates & Costs

A Closer Look at The Contract

Cost & Fees Summary
Cancellation Penalties Yes
Monthly & Annual Fees Yes
Processing Rates Variable
Equipment Leasing Yes

Variable Pricing

Charge.com’s pricing appears to vary from business to business based on business type and processing volume. As discussed in a later section of this review, the company promotes deceptive price quotes that could easily confuse clients.

Three-Year Contract Term

A copy of the company’s standard contract terms includes a 36-month service agreement with an Early Termination Fee (ETF) of $495, a monthly statement fee of $25 (applied only in the event that Charge.com creates a reserve account for the client), a one-time fee of $35 if the business’ keyed-in transactions constitute more than 15% of its overall transactions in any given month, and a monthly fee of $25 for governmental compliance. The company also charges an annual PCI Compliance fee of up to $185 (but not in excess of $300), which is much higher than the industry average. Additionally, as a reseller of Authorize.net, clients who choose the company’s gateway services will be charged a fee of $25 per month. We always encourage business owners to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant services.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Charge.com also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. The company resells the services of Authorize.Net, whose pricing is readily known. Businesses using Authorize.net’s payment gateway will be charged 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 $25 monthly gateway fee.

It should be noted that as a reseller of Authorize.Net and other payment gateway services, Charge.com may alter the terms and conditions of those rates and fees.

Charge.com’s rates are not competitive with the cheapest merchant accounts available.

Charge.com Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs

Should You Work For Them?

Jobs & Marketing Summary
Uses Independent Resellers No
Telemarketing Unclear
MIsleading Marketing Yes
Discloses All Important Terms No

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

Our Charge.com Review Summary

Our Final Thoughts

Charge.com has been in the credit card processing industry for more than 20 years; however, the company suffers from the typical complaints found with less reputable credit card processors. The company can improve its rating by fully disclosing all fees and contract terms of its own services (as well as the ones it resells to businesses) and by preventing future negative Charge.com reviews regarding deceptive sales tactics. We will continue to monitor the company’s reputation to determine whether it will become one of the worst-rated providers or a worthy competitor to the top-rated providers.

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Which is Most Important for You?

If you had to pick one, which quality would you say will be the most important with your next credit card processor? Tap or click your selection to register your vote:

  1. Low Transaction Fees
  2. No Monthly Fees
  3. No Contract
  4. Reliable Customer Support
  5. Quick Signup

Testimonials & Complaints

How Did Charge.com Treat You?

10 User Reviews

  • WilliamKirkland

    My order for charger placed 8/26/19, received, not compatible, phoned them they tried to talk me out of returning by offering a 25% discount. Why buy if it won’t work, I asked. Returned 9/5/2019 by USPO to Pacoima, CA…my Visa charged and no credit issued in 5 weeks. Another example of an electronic company ripping customers off, same thing happened with a personal fan device…no more internet purchashes for me.

  • Mark Trujillo

    worst experience ever. Got charged so many fees that im doubling my fees with my own bank with stop payments. They advertise one thing, but they neglect to tell you that their several departments have their own billing processes. We’re warned about scam artist? These crooks are those very ones we were warned about. If you havent signed up with them, do a full research first .

  • Posy Lane

    I sent them an email asking if they could beat the rates I am paying now. They were higher than what I am paying, and twice what I found another reputable vendor quoted.

    They sent me an email asking why I didn’t choose them, and so I told them about their rates compared to others. Then they sent an insulting email back in response.

    If they will treat me like crap before I am even a customer, I can’t imagine how they would treat me after I signed up.

  • DANIEL DORADO

    this company does a bait and switch i was told no contract no canclation fees monthy fees of 10 bucks . this is what i was charge 30 a month for non use 3 precent with fee no statements no one to talk to at charge.com . dont trust them crooks

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