Complete Merchant Solutions Review

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.

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.

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.

PaymentPop Rating for Complete Merchant Solutions

Negative Feedback

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

Positive Feedback

as

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 (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.