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In this review of Crown Merchants, we take a closer look at the company’s credit card processing services. Their offerings include point-of-sale systems, mobile payment options, and e-commerce features designed to support a range of businesses. We’ll highlight which types of businesses may benefit most from these services. We’ll also examine client and customer reviews to reveal common trends and concerns. In addition, we’ll cover the company’s pricing, contract terms, and included features. By the end, you’ll know whether Crown Merchants is the right fit for your payment processing needs.
About Crown Merchants
Crown Merchants Homepage
Founded in 2005, Crown Merchants is a merchant account provider headquartered in Claremont, North Carolina.
Products & Merchant Services
Payment Processing
Crown Merchants processes major debit and credit cards for various business types.
POS Solutions from Clover
Clover POS solutions provide businesses with a versatile and powerful platform for managing in-person transactions. These systems are designed to cater to a variety of business needs, from retail stores to restaurants and service providers. Clover POS systems come equipped with features such as inventory management, employee tracking, and real-time reporting.
EMV Card Readers and Swipers
EMV card readers and swipers are for businesses that want to ensure secure payment processing. These devices read the embedded chips in EMV cards, which provide a higher level of security compared to traditional magnetic stripe readers.
Mobile Payment Options
Mobile payment options have become increasingly important as consumers seek more convenient and flexible ways to pay. These options enable businesses to accept payments via smartphones or tablets, whether in-store, at events, or on the go. Mobile payment solutions often include contactless payments, mobile wallets, and portable card readers that connect to mobile devices.
Access to Virtual Terminals
Access to virtual terminals allows businesses to process payments remotely without the need for physical card readers. Virtual terminals are online platforms where merchants can manually enter customer payment information received over the phone, via email, or through online forms.
Mail Order/Telephone Order (MOTO) Transactions
Mail order/telephone order (MOTO) transactions offer businesses a reliable method for processing payments when customers are not physically present. This payment option is ideal for businesses that take orders over the phone or through mail, such as catalog sales or service providers. MOTO transactions involve manually entering customer payment details into a secure system, ensuring that transactions are processed safely and efficiently.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Clean Complaint Record
Our search did not uncover any significant negative Crown Merchants reviews. This absence of complaints suggests that the company is operating legitimately and is not involved in any deceptive practices. An earlier complaint, now unavailable for public view, mentioned a merchant’s request for additional decision time being overlooked by a sales agent, leading to an unwanted application process. Considering its solitary nature, this incident appears to be an isolated case rather than a recurring issue.
Crown Merchants Lawsuits
No current class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints have been identified against Crown Merchants. However, it’s notable that Crown Merchants is partnered with LADCO Global Leasing Solutions, which faced legal scrutiny in 2012. At that time, LADCO settled a lawsuit alleging misrepresentation in lease agreement terms and unauthorized signature forgeries, resulting in a $418,000 settlement payment. Merchants concerned with Crown Merchants are advised to consider non-litigious resolution avenues, such as reporting to relevant supervisory organizations.
Industry Scores & User Ratings
Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop
5
BBB Rating
N/A
Google Maps
4.8
Average Rating
4.8
PaymentPop Rating for Crown Merchants
Negative Feedback
There are no negative reviews published about Crown Merchants on the PaymentPop website.
Positive Feedback
Crown Merchants made the transition from our old provider simple. The onboarding was fast, and they didn’t try to lock us into anything unnecessary. Our payments have been processing without issue, and the monthly reporting is clear and easy to follow.
Crown Merchants BBB Rating
Crown Merchants is not an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau. As of this review, the company has no rating with the BBB and has had 0 complaints filed against it in the last 36 months. Crown Merchants has also had 0 negative informal reviews posted to its BBB profile.
What Merchants Say
Previously, Crown Merchant had 1 review on its profile. The review expressed the company’s attentive customer service:
Great company to work with. Always on top of business.
Merchant account providers who cultivate positive relationships with their customers often do so by providing excellent customer service.
An “A” Rating
Given the company’s clean complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s former rating in this instance. Merchants should be aware that there is good reason to view the BBB’s ratings with skepticism.
Google Maps Rating for Crown Merchants
Crown Merchants has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating based on 6 user reviews on Google Maps.
Positive Feedback
For three years, Crown Merchants has provided us with consistent, reliable service. They are always very responsive to our needs. We have been courted by several other merchant services companies but have no desire to switch because of the level of customer service that we receive.
Negative Feedback
There are no negative reviews published about Crown Merchants on Google Maps.
Processing Rates & Fees
Contract Pricing
Crown Merchants, as a reseller of Elavon’s merchant services, provides both tiered and interchange-plus pricing structures, similar to Elavon. Notably, the standard Crown Merchants contract does not include an early termination fee.
A typical Elavon contract lists a swipe rate of 2.65% plus $0.19 and a keyed-in rate of 3.5% plus $0.19. Crown Merchants imposes a monthly service fee of $10 and a PCI Compliance fee of $7.50 per month, without enforcing monthly minimum fees. Additionally, an account maintenance fee of $20 is charged on a per-incident basis (e.g., DBA change or DDA change).
Being an Elavon reseller, Crown Merchants may also offer equipment leases through LADCO Global Leasing Solutions, which is less favored in the merchant service industry.
Merchants are advised to scrutinize their agreements with Crown Merchants to avoid potentially expensive and non-cancellable equipment leases with LADCO, possibly extending up to 60 months.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
Crown Merchants also highlights its virtual terminal and payment gateway services on its website, yet does not specify pricing for these services. Generally, additional costs such as gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and extra transaction charges are applicable to these e-commerce solutions.
No Contract Complaints
The lack of public complaints regarding Crown Merchants’ contract terms suggests that the majority of its clients are content with their services. While Crown Merchants may not be among the most affordable merchant accounts available, its low volume of complaints and the absence of penalties for contract cancellation warrant an “A” rating in this area. Merchants looking for competitive solutions are still encouraged to consider our selection of top merchant account providers.
Crown Merchants provides e-commerce solutions, including virtual terminals.
Employee Reviews & Sales Practices
Crown Merchants Sales Approach
Crown Merchants appears to market itself through its website and through traditional advertising. The company does employ independent sales agents, but it is not showing any recent public complaints related to nondisclosure or misrepresentation by its sales staff. That said, if you suspect that you are being charged undisclosed Crown Merchants fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden charges. This compares favorably to our list ofbest credit card processors.
No Deceptive Advertising
At the time of an earlier review, we found one Crown Merchants complaint that described apathetic and deceptive conduct by one of the company’s sales agents. However, this Crown Merchants complaint appears to be an isolated incident from over three years ago, and the company does not engage in deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials. We therefore award it an “A” in this section.
Crown Merchants Competitors
Compare Crown Merchants to competitors that earned top marks.
Crown Merchants rates as a reliable credit card processor according to our rating system. This positive assessment is reflected in the company’s spotless online record, showing zero complaints. Crown Merchants’ transparent contract terms and competitive pricing further bolster its reputation, even with its association with Elavon. The company’s dedication to maintaining clear and fair contract terms highlights its commitment to merchant satisfaction and operational integrity. However, as with any service provider, it is essential to delve into the specifics of the contract to ensure that all terms align with the merchant’s expectations and requirements.
Despite Crown Merchants’ high rating, merchants are advised to carefully examine their contracts to avoid any potential pitfalls. It is prudent for merchants to negotiate all terms meticulously. Additionally, comparing Crown Merchants’ costs and services with those of top-rated providers is a strategic move. This comparative analysis ensures that merchants are securing the most advantageous terms and competitive pricing available. By taking these proactive steps, merchants can maximize their financial benefits and ensure that they are partnering with a processor that truly meets their needs, making Crown Merchants an attractive option in the credit card processing industry.
