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(800) 694-7999
Company Overview
Datalink Bankcard Services Company is a merchant account provider headquartered in Richardson, Texas. Founded in 1989, the company appears to act as a reseller of First Data (Fiserv) and Merrick Bank’s merchant. There is also some evidence that Datalink Bankcard does business under the names “Main Street Processing” and “Tier 1 Processing.” Datalink Bankcard Services Company should not be confused with another company by the name of “Datalink,” which appears to deal with data transfer and storage and is unrelated to the company described in this review. The company also partners with Clover to offer merchants POS solutions.
Datalink Bankcard Services Company Payment Processing
Datalink Bankcard Services Company processes all major debit and credit cards for most business types. Their services are extensive and include AMEX processing, cash advances, check services, point-of-sale and mobile solutions from Clover, e-commerce solutions, the eMerchant payment gateway, EMV processing, encryption and tokenization, gift and loyalty solutions, NFC payment options, PCI compliance, and card swipers.
Point of Sale (POS) Systems
Datalink Bankcard Services Company provides POS systems that enable businesses to manage their sales, inventory, and payment processing. The POS systems come with features such as inventory management, employee management, and customer management. Additionally, the platform offers POS systems that can be customized to meet the specific needs of a business.
Virtual Terminal
Datalink Bankcard Services Company provides businesses with a virtual terminal that allows them to accept payments from anywhere. The virtual terminal can be accessed through any web-enabled device, making it easy for businesses to process payments on the go. The virtual terminal also comes with features such as recurring payments and electronic invoicing.
Mobile Payment Solutions
Datalink Bankcard Services Company offers mobile payment solutions that enable businesses to accept payments through smartphones and tablets. The platform supports both iOS and Android devices, and it provides users with a mobile app that allows them to manage their transactions on the go.
E-commerce Solutions
Datalink Bankcard Services Company provides e-commerce solutions that enable businesses to sell products and services online. The platform supports various e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. Additionally, it provides users with a virtual terminal that allows them to accept payments over the phone or through email.
Location & Ownership
Steve Odom is listed as the CEO and president of Datalink Bankcard Services Company, which is a registered ISO/MSP of Merrick Bank, South Jordan, Utah; and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, California. The payment processor is headquartered at 3505 Token Drive, Richardson, Texas 75082.
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Offers a three-year contract through Merrick Bank with…
- Complaints & Service: Complaints number more than 5 on…
- BBB Rating: Has an “A+” rating and has received 3 complaints and 5 reviews in the past 3 years across 2 different profiles. The company’s main profile has…
- Sales & Marketing: Appears to hire independently contracted sales agents and has…
Datalink offers POS solutions among other services
Datalink Bankcard Services Reviews and Complaints
Here's What Their Clients Say
Complaint Summary
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Total Online Complaints
20+
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Live Customer Support
Yes
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Most Common Complaint
Sales Tactics
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Recent Lawsuits
Yes
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Low Complaint Volume
There are currently over 20 negative Datalink Bankcard reviews online, some of which describe the company as a scam or a ripoff. Common themes among complainants include deceptive sales tactics, unprofessional hiring policies, account holds, nondisclosure of termination fees, misleading rate quotes, and unhelpful customer support. A handful of Datalink Bankcard reviews online against the company appear to be the result of a personal agenda and are therefore without merit, but these have been discounted for the purposes of this review. A company representative has responded to the apparently false allegations made against the company, but there are no instances outside of the BBB in which legitimately frustrated merchants received a public response from Datalink. If you have your own Datalink Bankcard review to make, please do so below.
Datalink Bankcard Lawsuits and Fines
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Datalink Bank Card. Dissatisfied merchants who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
Datalink Bankcard Customer Support Options
Datalink offers extensive customer service contact information on its website, including a phone number, email addresses, and a contact form, but it does not currently rate as a top merchant account provider for customer service.
Datalink Bankcard Customer Service Numbers
- (800) 694-7999 – Toll-Free General Customer Service
- (214) 342-9797 – Fax
Other Support Options
- Customer service email at [email protected]
Although the content of some of these Datalink Bankcard complaints is troubling, the overall complaint volume does not justify a grade lower than “C” at this time.
Datalink Bankcard Services BBB Rating and Report
Our Better Business Bureau Profile Assessment
BBB Summary
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BBB Reports
8
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Note: We have adjusted this company’s BBB rating according to our own standards. To better understand why we adjust BBB ratings, please see our Rating Criteria.
Under 5 BBB Complaints
Datalink Bankcard Services has been an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau since 2006 and currently has an “A+” rating. Datalink’s alternate business name of “Main Street Processing” also has a BBB page and is not currently BBB accredited with an “A+” rating. 3 complaints were filed across the profiles within the last 36 months.
What Clients Say
In addition to the 3 complaints posted to Datalink Bankcard’s two separate BBB profiles, the company has also received 5 informal reviews between them. 2 of the current reviews are positive in tone and the remaining 3 are negative. A recent negative review was left by a client alleging conduct that is emblematic of slamming tactics:
This company uses fraudulent means to capture your business and they do not provide sufficient means to “read” the agreement before signing.
Businesses stuck in similar situations could benefit from understanding how to cancel a merchant account without paying a fee.
A “C” Performance
Overall, by combining the two BBB reports, we have come to an adjusted BBB grade of “C” for the purposes of this review.
Datalink Bankcard Services Fees and Rates
A Closer Look at the Contract
Cost Summary
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Cancellation Penalties
Yes
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Monthly & Annual Fees
Yes
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Processing Rates
1.89% - 3.50%+
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Equipment Leasing
Yes
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Three-Year Agreement
According to a copy of the Datalink Bankcard Services Company merchant agreement, the company offers a 3-year agreement through Merrick Bank Merchant Services with automatic renewal for two years. Typical Datalink Bankcard rates under those contracts are 2.50% plus $0.20 per transaction and a keyed-in rate of 3.50% plus $0.20. The Datalink Bankcard Services Company contract also includes an early termination fee of datalinkonline.net or Liquidated Damages (whichever is greater), an undisclosed annual membership fee, a $25 chargeback fee, and a 48-month non-cancellable equipment lease. The company may also charge PCI Compliance fees or monthly minimum fees that are not listed in this agreement.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Datalink Bankcard Services Company also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services through Payeezy, powered by First Data (Fiserv). Payeezy offers 2 separate plans, the Basic Plan and Pro Plan. Neither plan charges setup fees, statement fees, or gateway fees. The Basic Plan charges a rate of 2.90% plus $0.30. Meanwhile, the Pro Plan offers a lower rate of 1.89% plus $0.23 and a monthly fee of $19.95.
Datalink Bankcard Contract Complaints
Datalink receives a low score in this section because of its long-term contract with automatic renewal and its potentially very costly Datalink Bankcard fee for early termination. This fee is calculated by multiplying the client’s monthly cost by the number of months remaining in the contract, and it can easily exceed the $250 minimum that will be charged upon termination. A number of business complaints about Datalink mention its termination fees and claim that sales agents verbally promised that there would be no such fees. For this reason, clients should be sure to check the actual language of the contract despite what a sales agent claims. Datalink Bankcard’s terms are not competitive with the cheapest merchant accounts available.
We also encourage businesses to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant accounts.
Datalink Bankcard Services Company offers access to multiple payment gateways, including eMerchant
Datalink Bankcard Services Jobs and Employment
Hiring Standards and Ethical Marketing Assessment
Key Points
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Uses Independent Resellers
Yes
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Telemarketing
Yes
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Misleading Marketing
No
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Discloses All Important Terms
No
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Telemarketing and Outside Agents
Datalink Bankcard appears to utilize telemarketing and independently contracted sales agents to market its services. This “hiring mill” practice is described in two different online Datalink Bankcard reviews from former employees, who outline an unethical sales policy that intentionally misleads customers over the phone. According to these Datalink Bankcard complaints, it seems that Datalink representatives (sometimes using the name “Main Street Processing”) are trained to inform business owners that they can save money on their credit card processing because of “the Durbin Amendment,” which is a ploy to get businesses to fax over their current statements for review. There is also a Datalink Bankcard review stating that Datalink representatives are encouraged to pose as a business’ current processor, a practice known as “slamming.” Businesses should be aware that the Durbin Amendment does not require them to switch their providers or change their service, and all business owners should be wary of calls claiming only to be “with Visa” or “your processor.” This practice by Datalink does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
Sales Complaints
Although there are only a handful of these specific claims from former employees, they are corroborated by a moderate number of publicly available Datalink Bankcard reviews that accuse the company’s sales agents of misrepresenting contract terms or failing to disclose the complete costs associated with its service. To its credit, Datalink does not appear to engage in deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials, but the detailed complaints about misleading sales practices raise enough concerns at this time to lower the company’s rating to a “D.” If you suspect you are being charged undisclosed Datalink Bankcard fees, we recommend seeking an independent statement audit to find and eliminate hidden charges.
Datalink Bankcard Services Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts and Opinions
Datalink rates as an average credit card processing provider according to our rating system. The credit card processor has received a moderate complaint volume related to its sales practices and contract terms, and the details of its contract suggest that its service can be more expensive than industry averages. Datalink can improve its overall rating by removing the liquidated damages clause from its contract terms and by altering its apparent sales tactics. For now, businesses are advised to compare the company’s pricing to the top overall providers to get the best deal.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Mack Hendrick
I am a local rep for a reputable ISO. Today a Data-Link rep, Sasha called one of my customers and did a total Slamming job. She first falsely identified herself as being an agent for my company. Then when the merchant said that they already had a rep, Sasha said that she couldn’t remember that guy’s name, but he is no longer with the company. She went on to say that the deal she had was terrible and that the hardware was bad and that it needed to be replaced. She was so persuasive that the merchant signed up. Afterward the merchant started thinking and called me to check on this. She then realized how badly she had been scammed. The merchant has now called and spoken with the sales manager and he agreed to cancel everything. The merchant then followed up with an email to the company to verify the conversation and the agreement to cancel. I was a witness to the call and the email. Now we will wait to see if they really cancelled or if they will come back with more lies.
This seems to be a regular sales technique with this company which is partly responsible for the terrible reputation of the industry. Let me guarantee that if this happened in my company that Sasha would be fired immediately, even if she was the top producer in the company.
[Last sentence redacted due to self-promotion which is not allowed]
Nancy Erwin
Every time I turn around they are charging a fee for this and for that. It’s like they sit around and just think up things to charge for, like pci compliance fee. I don’t even take credit cards on-line but yet I’m charged for it every three months and still have to go through the test, or another fee monthly until you do.
This post will help: Best Merchant Accounts for Lodging
-Phillip
Beverly Vasterling
This is the absolute worst company I’ve ever had to deal with. I have been since last Thursday trying to close it down and find out the address to where I can ship these worthless machines back to them. My boss had to OK that I could talk with them and still can’t get them to close this account. I’ve already changed over to a much better company. Every time I’ve had to call I never could hear them. So when I asked nicely for them to repeat? They became a little irritated. Every single time. You need more training on customer service.
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Barbara
Still being billed for services, have not used in over 2 years. Non compliance fee, and $3.00 fee for whatever. MC located fee.
Eva Cooper
I had dealt with company over 15 years! Recently had some issues with service. Decided to cancel the service mid MARCH this year. After 2weeks of phone calls I was told it had been canceled and no further fees would be charged. This was end if March. I was charged the monthly fee early April. Figured that one would happen. Got bank statement today, May 16, discover I was charged the monthly fee for April AaND THE QUARTERLY “PORTAL FEE”! Call and get multiple excuses, againwent to my bank and file dispute charges! It’s not a large amount, ITS THE PRINCIPAL!!!
Eric McNamee
There is a company called Tier 1 Processing that is affiliated with Datalink. I came across them before and now some of my merchants are being contacted using the sales pitch that they are affiliated with my company, which obviously they are not. The phone number they are using is 855-455-6851 and their fax is 855-792-7161. They’ve called a couple of clients of mine multiple times and each time it’s a different representative. From your reviews I think contacting Tier 1 and posting a review about them would be advantageous to merchants who are unaware of these weak ploys to scam merchants into a new contract with expensive leases.
Also Tier 1’s website is conveniently down all the time.