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Should You Trust Complete Merchant Solutions With Your Payments?

Name: Complete Merchant Solutions
Item: Complete Merchant Solutions
Rating: 3.9
Author: Phillip Parker

Author: Phillip Parker

Updated: September 29, 2025

Maintained Since: October 13, 2014

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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.

Complete Merchant Solutions

Rating

3.9/5

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Pros

Positive employee reviews

Diverse payment options

E-commerce integration

Cons

Early termination fee

Legal issues

Limited complaint volume

Pricing transparency

Equipment leasing

Overview

In this Complete Merchant Solutions (CMS) review, we’ll provide a clear look at their services, covering rates, fees, contract terms, and customer feedback, including common complaints and industry ratings. We’ll examine the payment processing options CMS offers, such as security standards, POS solutions, and e-commerce integrations, while also evaluating the affordability and transparency of their pricing, the quality of customer support, and the pros and cons of their services. In addition, we’ll discuss CMS’s legal history, including lawsuits and fines, and how these issues may impact clients. Finally, we’ll consider employee experiences and sales practices to provide a balanced perspective for both potential customers and prospective employees.

About Complete Merchant Solutions

Screen Capture of Complete Merchant Services Homepage — Complete Merchant Services Homepage

Complete Merchant Solutions is a merchant account provider that offers payment processing for all merchant types. Founded in 2008, Complete Merchant Solutions resells the products and services of First Data (now Fiserv). In 2022, Complete Merchant Solutions announced they would be consolidating fintech company Nexio under the Complete Merchant Solutions brand.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Complete Merchant Solutions (CMS) facilitates the processing of all major debit and credit cards. Their offerings include EMV card readers and swipers, EBT, ACH and e-check processing, gift cards, recurring billing, and solutions for e-commerce.

Security Measures

CMS upholds high-security standards in its credit card transaction processes. The company is PCI compliant, ensuring secure handling of transactions and protection of customer data. With fraud prevention tools and tokenization techniques, CMS aims to provide a robust security framework for businesses.

POS Solutions and Terminal Options

CMS offers a range of point of sale (POS) solutions and terminal options, from traditional countertop terminals to advanced POS systems. These options allow businesses to select the solution that best fits their operational needs. The POS systems can integrate with inventory management and customer relationship management software.

E-commerce Platform Integration

CMS supports integration with various e-commerce platforms, making it a suitable choice for online businesses. This integration facilitates efficient management of online transactions.

Pricing Structure

CMS presents an affordable and transparent pricing structure, with different plans tailored to various business sizes and types.

Customer Support

CMS offers customer support around the clock, a significant aspect in the credit card processing industry. Their 24/7 support ensures that any issues can be promptly addressed.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Minimal Complaint Volume

We have encountered a few negative reviews of Complete Merchant Solutions, with some customers alleging the company’s involvement in ripoff or scam practices. Older reviews depict adverse interactions with sales agents, with one review prompting an official response from the company refuting the agent’s actions. While we harbor some reservations regarding the company’s response, the number of complaints related to its sales team appears to be limited. If you have your personal review of Complete Merchant Solutions to contribute, please share it in the comments section below.

LuLaRoe Disputes

Recent complaints seem to stem from a contractual dispute with multi-level marketing and women’s clothing company LuLaRoe. Complete Merchant Solutions placed a hold on a substantial portion of LuLaRoe’s funds, possibly in response to suspected high-risk transactions or as a reaction to LuLaRoe’s attempt to switch payment processors before terminating its initial contract with CMS. While this contention is specific to one entity, it has not significantly impacted Complete Merchant Solutions’ overall rating.

Customer Support Options

While Complete Merchant Solutions offers phone and email support to its clients, these support channels do not meet the standards set by top-rated payment processors for customer service.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop	5
BBB Rating	N/A
Google Maps	4.1
Average Rating	4.1

PaymentPop Rating for Complete Merchant Solutions

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about Complete Merchant Solutions on the PaymentPop website.

Positive Feedback

Complete Merchant Solutions BBB Rating

The Better Business Bureau is currently showing an “A” rating for Complete Merchant Solutions, which has been an accredited business since 2010. 2 complaints have been filed against the company in the past 36 months.

What Customers Say

Complete Merchant Solutions has also received 1 review on its profile. The most recent review describes charges after a cancellation:

I hate to do this but after months of trying to cancel my account with them, I am STILL being billed charges for services I am no longer using! This all started last fall (2019) where we cancelled our processing subscription. We filled out all the correct paperwork and was assured it was taken care of. Here we are in MAY OF 2020 and still being pinged for charges that are NOT supposed to be coming out. I’ve worked with several of their customer service reps all who have apologized, reversed the charges and promised me the fees would stop. I can’t understand why they are unable to remove our information! I set up a stop payment and block with my bank for all future CMS charges only for them to run the charge AGAIN AND IT GO THROUGH. I’m frustrated with both CMS and our bank. Please, for the love of God, remove my dang bank info!

It should be noted that CMS replied to the complaint and it appears to have been resolved.

An “A” Performance

In light of this information, we agree with the BBB‘s rating at this time. Business ownersc should note, however, that there are reasons to be skeptical of BBB ratings.

Google Maps Rating for Complete Merchant Solutions

Complete Merchant Solutions has a 4.1 out of 5 star rating based on 88 user reviews on Google Maps.

Positive Feedback

Transactions happen in a smooth manner. Whenever questions have arisen we have had instant access to customer support and our questions have been answered within the hour, or sooner. Professionalism with a friendly manner makes it pleasant to work with CMS reps. We highly recommend CMS for your credit card processing needs; they are an excellent company!

Negative Feedback

CMS is a joke. They never notified us of our chargebacks for over 18 months and we lost $8k as a result. They also decided to just drop our merchant account out of the blue and gave us 2 weeks notice is all. I’ve really never had such a poor customer support experience as with CMS. In the end its probably a good thing we’re not with them any more. Stay clear of these guys!

Processing Rates & Fees

Three-Year Agreement

The standard Complete Merchant Solutions Program Guide outlines a three-year agreement with an early termination fee of $350 and a variable monthly minimum fee. While other fees like PCI compliance fees, statement fees, or IRS reporting fees are not listed in the available documentation, it’s essential for business owners to inquire about all potential fees before signing up. We also encourage businesses to explore our list of the best merchant accounts.

As a reseller, the company retains the right to adjust rates found in a typical First Data (Fiserv) contract. Under the usual terms, clients processing up to $50,000 monthly receive a swiped rate of 2.69% plus $0.19 and a keyed-in rate of 3.69% plus $0.19. For businesses surpassing $50,000 in monthly charges, the swiped rate becomes 2.29% plus $0.19 and the keyed-in rate is 3.29% plus $0.19. Additionally, these contracts often include non-cancellable, long-term equipment leases through First Data Global Leasing.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

In addition to its in-store payment processing services, Complete Merchant Solutions also offers virtual terminal and payment gateway services. The company partners with various e-commerce solutions providers such as 3dcart, Volusion, Big Commerce, Fortune3, Core Commerce, PinnacleCart, X-Cart, Ashop Commerce, 1ShoppingCart, and Elite Works. Pricing varies depending on the service partner merchants choose. Additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates, may apply to these e-commerce services.

Industry-Average Terms

Overall, these terms seem to align with industry standards, but the absence of specific complaints regarding the company’s pricing leads us to assign it a “B” rating for now. It’s worth noting that contract terms may vary depending on business type and the agent handling the account setup. Business owners should compare all fees with those of affordable merchant providers. If you possess insights into the standard Complete Merchant Solutions contract, please share them in the comments section below this review.

Lawsuits & Legal History

According to The Better Business Bureau, on December 9, 2020, Complete Merchant Services, LLC (CMS) and former CEO Jack Wilson settled Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges linked to the illegal processing of consumer credit card payments for fraudulent schemes. The FTC alleged that CMS and Wilson overlooked key indicators of illicit behavior in these schemes, resulting in a mandated payment of $1.5 million to the FTC for consumer refunds and the imposition of various restrictions on CMS and Wilson’s operations.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

In-House Sales Team and Outside Agents

Complete Merchant Solutions appears to utilize both full-time, inside sales reps and independently contracted outside sales agents to market its services. The use of independent sales agents is often tied to high complaint volumes in the credit card processing industry due to the minimal training and oversight that these agents typically receive, and Complete Merchant Solutions appears to be no exception.

This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

We have located multiple Complete Merchant Solutions reviews that explicitly describe problems with nondisclosure and misrepresentation by Complete Merchant Solutions sales agents. In its official response to the more recent complaint, Complete Merchant Solutions insisted that it was being wrongfully blamed for the actions of an independent sales rep.

A Need for Accountability

CardPaymentOptions.com maintains the opposite stance—namely, that companies are responsible for the promises made by their sales agents, independent or otherwise. For this reason, and because of the content of the complaints filed against the company, we have slightly lowered its grade in this section to a “B.” To its credit, the company does not appear to utilize deceptive advertising tactics in its official materials. If you suspect that Complete Merchant Solutions is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden costs.

Complete Merchant Solutions Competitors

Compare Complete Merchant Solutions to competitors that earned top marks.

Pricing

Bottom Line

Complete Merchant Solutions (CMS) emerges as a provider with a mixed reputation in the credit card processing industry. Details concerning CMS’s contract terms are fairly outlined, allowing for an in-depth evaluation of their services. However, CMS has experienced a moderate volume of public complaints, particularly highlighted by disputes involving high-profile clients such as the multi-level marketing company LuLaRoe. These complaints often focus on issues like fund holds and the alleged high-risk nature of client transactions, reflecting potential challenges in their processing services. While such incidents are isolated, they contribute to the broader perception of CMS among its clientele. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the practices of independently contracted sales agents, which have led to accusations of misrepresentation and nondisclosure, hinting at possible systemic issues within CMS’s operations.

Business owners contemplating using Complete Merchant Solutions for their payment processing needs should meticulously review all contract terms offered by CMS. This careful examination is crucial to fully understand the commitments and to avoid unforeseen challenges, particularly those related to contract clauses that may impose stringent conditions or unexpected fees. Given CMS’s association with established processors like First Data (now Fiserv) and their ability to offer competitive rates for substantial processing volumes, it remains vital for potential clients to weigh these benefits against the documented drawbacks and customer experiences.

Read Actual User Reviews

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

Contact Complete Merchant Solutions

Contact & Customer Support
CEO	David Decker
Co-founder	Kyle Hall
Headquarters	727 N 1550 E Ste 300 Orem, UT 84097-4412
Toll-Free Customer Support	(877) 267-4324
Fax	(877) 537-9485
Website	cmsonline.com

About Us

CardPaymentOptions.com

Established 2009

My name is Phillip Parker, and I started this website back in 2009 as a simple blog to call out shady credit card processors that were taking advantage of small business owners. At the time, I had no idea this side project would grow into a leading voice pushing for transparency and integrity in the payment processing industry. I also didn't anticipate just how far some of these companies' owners would go to try to silence me.

I was recruited out of college for a sales role with a credit card processor. At the time, I didn't realize the “training” was really about tricking me... into selling business owners expensive processing with hidden fees and long-term service agreements. In my first few sales, I unknowingly cost friends and family thousands of dollars after they trusted me to switch their services. When it finally clicked that something was seriously wrong, I was furious. I quit immediately and made a promise to expose that company and any others operating the same way. That promise is what led to the creation of this website.

As I wrote about these processors, their tactics, and the people behind them, the articles started to spread among business owners. News organizations picked up the stories, readers shared them online, and traffic to the blog took off. Unsurprisingly, that also caught the attention of the companies and individuals I was exposing.

Over the last 17 years, I've received several anonymous death threats and defeated four lawsuits meant to intimidate me into taking my blog down. Their efforts to muzzle me only made my determination to expose them even stronger, leading me to work with state authorities to help shutdown some of the worst offenders.

I'm proud to say that of the millions of people who have read my work, thousands have taken the time to write and thank me for helping them narrowly avoid a very costly mistake. This blog has played a small role in pushing the industry toward more ethical practices - but there are still bad actors out there, which means the work isn't done.

If I can offer one piece of advice, it's this: get every promise in writing, and take the time to review contracts carefully. Tools like ChatGPT can help surface red flags and uncover expensive surprises buried in the fine print.

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading. I truly appreciate you being here, and I wish you every success with your business.

Our Research Methodology

Pricing & Fees

We analyze all costs including rate structures (interchange-plus, tiered, flat-rate, etc), monthly fees, equipment costs, early termination fees, and hidden charges. This data is gathered from service agreements, statements and client feedback.

Features & Technology

Evaluation of POS systems, e-commerce integrations, mobile capabilities, reporting tools, recurring billing..., and developer resources. When possible, we directly test services and hardware. Otherwise, we rely on client feedback and public information.

Customer Support

We evaluate availability across phone, email, chat, and social channels. Measuring hold times, night and weekend availability, and client feedback regarding effectiveness, professionalism, and resolution rates.

Contract Terms & Conditions

We review service agreements and equipment contracts for reasonability, transparency, and fairness. We focus on uncovering any predatory clauses, such as unjustified early termination fees, hidden costs, and unclear cancellation policies.

User Experience

We comb the internet and interview current and former clients to evaluate the overall user experience and identify any common pain points that may impact the user experience.

Sales & Marketing Practices

We evaluate sales tactics, marketing materials, and client feedback to determine the level of transparency and ethical nature of the provider's approach. Does the provider publicly disclose pricing? Do they use teaser rates? We score based on these and other factors.

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