Payment Processing for U.S.-Based Merchants
Electronic Merchant Systems is an Ohio-based merchant account provider that first opened in 1987. The company specializes in providing a variety of merchant services to U.S. small businesses. Electronic Merchant Systems is owned by or appears to also do business as the Francis David Corporation, and it seems that one of the two entities is a direct processor.
Headquartered in Ohio
Electronic Merchant Systems is a registered ISO/MSP of BMO Harris Bank, Chesapeake Bank, Esquire Bank, and Merrick Bank with headquarters relocated in 2018 to 250 W. Huron Rd., Suite 400, Cleveland, Ohio 44113. Previously, headquarters were located at 5005 Rockside Road, Penthouse 100, Independence, Ohio 44131. Dan Neistadt is listed as the company’s CEO.
Electronic Merchant Systems Review Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Electronic Merchant Systems offers an 18-month contract with an early termination fee of $595.
- Complaints & Service: Electronic Merchant Systems has received more than 70 public complaints.
- BBB Rating: Electronic Merchant Systems has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received 75 complaints in the past three years.
- Sales & Marketing: Electronic Merchant Systems hires independent sales agents and has received a moderate number of complaints about its sales practices.
- Rates & Fees: How Merchants Got The Best Rates With Electronic Merchant Systems
They are the worst! A predatory company. As new businesses we already have cards stacked against us without companies like this betting on and looking to profit from our defeat! Avoid this company at all costs!!!!!
Thanks for explaining that a standard contract for an Electronic Merchant Systems is an 18-month agreement. I think this is a good way for clients to test out if it works for them. They’ll go through a full year and then some to make adjustments.
After a fire destroyed our place of business, I notified them that I would be closing my account. It took them 28 days to get back to me with forms. Then they charged me for the PCI fee, knowing I was closed. After being with them for years, I was highly disappointed in how they handled this.
Susan,
Sorry to hear about the fire and the consequent closing of your business. This article should help you address your account closure: How to Cancel a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee. Hopefully, that offers you some relief.
-Phillip
Just started using these guys and was recommended by authorize.net. Im very disappointed and have been charged more in fees than I have made in profit. Stay away from this company.
This company has lousy customer service and high bogus fees. Consumer BEWARE !
This post will help: Best Payment Processors for Great Customer Service
-Phillip
I was on the phone for a solid 30 minutes just now with this lady. She probably could tell in my voice that I am younger (18), and must have assumed that due to my age I am simply incapable of using my brain correctly. I have never left a bad review anywhere but I felt genuinely talked down to by this woman. I did not catch her name although I wish I had. I felt very dehumanized and treated with INCREDIBLY low respect–which was upsetting. Maybe she had a bad day, I’d love to give her the benefit of the doubt. But she seemed VERY disappointed to be on the phone with me and that she had to help me with something my manager asked me to do. I feel very belittled and frustrated right now through how she spoke to me.
This post will help: Best Payment Processors for Great Customer Service
-Phillip
Company charges crazy fees and will not deposit any transactions to your account if you have had a charge back. They also keep a “Reserve Fund” which the only way you get back is if you close the account. I can not wait until my contract is up so I can cancel. I am currently using another provider while I wait for my contract to end.
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
This company has a clause in their contract that it auto renews every 18 months without notification. They also raise fees without any warning. They charged me a $795.00 cancellation fee. Their contract says $595.00 but if they loan you their equipment it jumps to $795.00 even though you return the equipment. If you don’t return it you are charged another $300.00. Customer retention is unwilling to discuss anything with you. It’s your fault if you do not remember that their contract auto renews. They also charge PCI non compliance fee of $50.00 per month. It’s your problem if you have trouble renewing your PCI compliance on the website. They charge a $75.00 software upgrade twice a year and a $10.00 monthly access fee as well. After pricing other services I found that they are charging fees that other companies do not. Customer service is poor at best. They are unwilling to work with their merchants. I’m glad I left them but losing $795.00 in a very small business hurts. I would not recommend doing business with them to anyone unless you want to overpay for poor service.
This post will help: Best Merchant Accounts for Pet Suppliers
-Phillip
This company is totally crooked. In January we had a chargeback – over $1900 was deducted from our account. We disputed the chargeback. Then in May they deducted the same amount AGAIN from our account. Was told it would be refunded in 48-72 hours. NOW we are told that EMSplus closed our account and we have to wait 180 days to be refunded our monies. This for a deduction that should have never been done again. Do not use this company for any of your processing needs!! There are better companies out there!!!!
This post will help: How to Make Your Payment Processor Release Your Money
-Phillip
As mentioned in the review they are full of hidden fees, which ended up costing me over $1700 over one year without account activity
This post will help: Find and Eliminate Hidden Costs In Your Monthly Statement
-Phillip