In this review of Dharma Merchant Services, we will look at the company’s straightforward approach to credit card processing. We’ll break down Dharma’s pricing structure, comparing their fees to other processors. We’ll also review their contract terms, highlighting any potential pitfalls or advantages. Customer support is another area we’ll cover, providing insights into the quality and availability of their service. Additionally, we’ll include feedback from actual users to give you a well-rounded view of what to expect. By the end, you should have a clear understanding of whether Dharma Merchant Services meets your business’s payment processing needs.
Dharma Merchant Services has partnered with Clover to offer mobile and tablet-based POS options for merchants. They offer the Clover Mini station for $499 with a $10 monthly fee, which includes Clover’s PRO software. Additionally, they resell the flagship Clover POS solution for $1,349 per device, which includes a full cash drawer, built-in fingerprint scanner, and high-speed printer. For mobile EMV payments, Dharma offers Clover Flex. Their preferred EMV terminal solution is the FD-130 terminal, which supports EMV processing, Chip-and-PIN acceptance, tip adjustment, and PIN bypass.
Point of Sale Systems
Dharma provides POS systems suitable for retail and restaurant environments, enabling businesses to manage sales, inventory, and customer information effectively.
Virtual Terminal
Dharma’s virtual terminal allows merchants to process credit card payments without physical equipment, making it ideal for phone or mail order transactions.
Mobile Payments
Dharma offers mobile payment solutions, enabling businesses to accept payments through mobile devices, providing flexibility for merchants operating in various locations.
Merchant Cash Advances
Dharma provides merchant cash advances, offering immediate funding to businesses based on their credit card sales.
E-Commerce Solutions
Dharma’s e-commerce solutions facilitate seamless online sales, including integration with popular shopping carts and secure payment gateway options.
Non-Profit Discounts
Dharma focuses on serving non-profit organizations by providing special rates and tailored solutions to meet their unique needs.
B2B Processing
Dharma specializes in Business-to-Business (B2B) processing, offering solutions to facilitate payments between businesses.
Reduced Rates for Restaurants
Dharma has recently lowered its rates for restaurants, bars, and quick-service restaurants, offering a rate of interchange plus 0.15% plus $0.07 to cater to the needs of these low-average-ticket businesses.
Dharma Merchant Services Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews Summary
Total Online Complaints
<10
Live Customer Support
Yes
Most Common Complaint
N/A
Recent Lawsuits
No
Low Complaint Volume
We have located only one Dharma Merchant Services review that accuses the company of being a ripoff or a scam. Across various consumer protection websites, there are only a handful of complaints against the company, most of which either state that their applications were rejected by Dharma or vaguely describe “bad” experiences. The majority of online reviews about Dharma are positive testimonials. If you have your own review of Dharma Merchant Services to share, please do so in the comments below.
Dharma Merchant Services Lawsuits and Fines
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Dharma Merchant Services. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting their concerns to relevant supervisory organizations.
Dharma Merchant Services Customer Support
This generally spotless complaint record is likely a result of the company’s transparent marketing and rate structure, along with an effective customer support staff. Dharma’s website provides an email form and designated local and toll-free customer support phone numbers. These channels appear to efficiently handle issues, even when compared with top-rated credit card processors for customer service.
Dharma Merchant Services has been an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau since 2010 and has an “A+” rating as of this review. The company has had 2 complaints through the BBB in the past 36 months. 1 complaint was resolved to the satisfaction of the client. The other complaint was resolved to the dissatisfaction of the client or received no final communication.
An “A” Performance Overall
Considering Dharma’s clean complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time. Readers should note, however, that there are good reasons to view the BBB’s information with skepticism.
Dharma Merchant Services Fees, Rates & Contract
Rates & Fees Summary
Cancellation Penalties
Yes
Monthly & Annual Fees
Yes
Processing Rates
Interchange +
Equipment Leasing
No
Fully Transparent Rates
Dharma Merchant Services offers clear interchange-plus pricing with rates of interchange plus 0.15% and $0.07 per in-store transaction, 0.20% plus $0.10 for e-commerce, and 0.15% plus $0.07 for restaurants. The company operates without long-term service agreements and charges a $20 monthly fee, which covers PCI compliance. Upon service termination, there is a $25 account closure fee.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
For its virtual terminal and payment gateway services, Dharma Merchant Services uses the MX merchant platform, charging interchange plus 0.20% plus $0.10. The platform is free of gateway fees, but other features may incur charges, including $25 monthly for ACH processing, $20 for B2B processing, $10 for recurring billing, and $25 for an account updater. Additional costs, such as technical support and batch fees, may also apply to these e-commerce services.
Level 2 and Level 3 Processing Services
Dharma Merchant Services provides Level 2 and Level 3 processing, specifically for B2B and B2G transactions, which require different interchange rates and technology to handle the necessary data for these transactions. These specialized services are tailored for B2B and B2G purchases.
Ideal For High-Volume Businesses
Dharma Merchant Services is optimally suited for businesses with monthly processing over $10,000, often referring smaller merchants to other providers. Retail merchants processing above $100,000 per month can access particularly low rates, aligning Dharma with enterprise-level processors.
No Contract Complaints
The company’s transparent interchange-plus pricing model, along with its relatively low additional fees, positions Dharma Merchant Services favorably in the industry. The lack of complaints regarding their standard contract terms supports an “A” rating by our assessment criteria.
For more options, readers are recommended to explore our curated list of the best merchant accounts.
Dharma Merchant Services appears to utilize its client network, its website, and community outreach efforts to market its services. There is no indication that the company partners with independent sales entities at this time. Additionally, the Dharma Merchant Services website actively promotes interchange-plus pricing and lists the company’s full fee schedule for anyone to view.
We cannot find any negative Dharma Merchant Services reviews regarding the company’s sales approach at this time; we therefore award the company an “A” rating in this category. That said, it is always a wise idea to get a professional analysis of your contract with a third-party statement audit.
Dharma Merchant Services Review Summary
Based on all available data, Dharma Merchant Services stands out as an exemplary credit card processing provider. The company has earned its strong reputation through transparent pricing, consistently excellent customer service, and its commendable focus on eco-friendly practices and non-profit initiatives. These distinctive qualities make it especially appealing to businesses that value social responsibility alongside efficient payment processing.
Nonetheless, it’s always prudent for readers to meticulously review their contracts, even when working with highly regarded payment processors like Dharma. Understanding the fine print will ensure that the terms align with their business goals and needs, allowing them to fully leverage the benefits while avoiding unexpected challenges.
Contact Dharma Merchant Services
Contact & Customer Support
Co-founder and CEO
Jeff Marcous
Headquarters
3739 Balboa Street #105 San Francisco, CA 94121
Toll-Free Customer Support
(866) 615-5157
Website
https://dharmamerchantservices.com/
Top Performing Dharma Merchant Services Competitors
Please note that we only suggest providers that adhere to strict ethical standards and offer top performing support at extremely competitive pricing. We may earn revenue if choose one of our recommendations.
Reader Comments, Testimonials & Complaints
4 User Reviews
Priya Parmar MD
This is a terrible company that lies. Not only do they lie, they lie about your payments due. They are not transparent about how they deposit money and when they deposit to your account.
STAY AWAY
SHANNON HIGHFIELD
I would not recommend Dharma Merchant services as they will say anything to get your account and then when you have any customer charge-back issues they immediately begin holding your funds with no notice or snail mail notice so you have no time to respond! They will send you confirmation that your account is good and then continue holding the funds without explanation. They do not care what effect it has on customers or their business! Very deceptive practices STAY AWAY!
We are very happy with Dharma. The company is easy to work with, it doesn’t demand that we learn how their business works, but rather they accommodate us.
We’re saving lots of money in fees, and I am grateful.
Mark Klug
What a mistake. The worst technical support I have ever dealt with.
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Priya Parmar MD
This is a terrible company that lies. Not only do they lie, they lie about your payments due. They are not transparent about how they deposit money and when they deposit to your account.
STAY AWAY
SHANNON HIGHFIELD
I would not recommend Dharma Merchant services as they will say anything to get your account and then when you have any customer charge-back issues they immediately begin holding your funds with no notice or snail mail notice so you have no time to respond! They will send you confirmation that your account is good and then continue holding the funds without explanation. They do not care what effect it has on customers or their business! Very deceptive practices STAY AWAY!
This post will help: Best Merchant Accounts for Legal Services
-Phillip
Pam Elyea
We are very happy with Dharma. The company is easy to work with, it doesn’t demand that we learn how their business works, but rather they accommodate us.
We’re saving lots of money in fees, and I am grateful.
Mark Klug
What a mistake. The worst technical support I have ever dealt with.