Is eMerchantBroker a Good Choice for High Risk Merchants?

We take our role in providing guidance and education regarding the card payment industry very seriously. At our own expense, we have vigorously defended our right to continue expose unethical and predatory practices in the industry, successfully defeating every attempt to silence us. However, fending off frivolous lawsuits is costly. To sustain these efforts, one of the ways we generate revenue is through affiliate partnerships with ethical providers. This means that some of our outgoing links connect business owners to trustworthy, low-cost payment processors, which is what most of our readers seek. We see this revenue channel as a win-win-win for everyone involved. Business owners find good processors, processors get good clients, and we are able to continue to provide a valuable service to the small business community. We also recommend and link to many services that do not compensate us. Our priority is to guide you to the best solutions for your needs, regardless of potential revenue. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.

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eMerchantBroker

Rating
A
5/5
full starfull starfull starfull starfull star

Pros and Cons of eMerchantBroker

Pros

High-risk specialization
99% approval rate
Chargeback prevention tools
International processing capabilities
Diverse payment solutions

Cons

Higher processing fees
Long-term contracts
Potential cancellation fees
Limited hardware options
Potential fund holds

Overview

eMerchantBroker.com provides payment processing solutions for high risk businesses, offering services such as credit card processing and ACH transfers. In this review, we examine the company’s services, pricing, contract terms, and customer feedback. We also evaluate the transparency of its fees, the responsiveness of its customer support, and overall client satisfaction. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of what eMerchantBroker.com offers and whether it is the right choice for your business’s payment processing needs.

About eMerchantBroker

Screen Capture of eMerchantBroker Homepage
eMerchantBroker Homepage

Based in Los Angeles, California, eMerchantBroker.com is a merchant account provider that is one of the top payment processors for high-risk e-commerce business types. The company is willing to work with high-risk business types that may not be eligible for merchant accounts through traditional processors, such as adult products, credit repair companies, collection agencies, e-cigarette vendors, firearms dealers, online gaming businesses, nutraceuticals, timeshares, and others.

There is some evidence that eMerchantBroker is partnered with another Los Angeles-area provider that goes by either “1st American Merchant Funding” or “The Merchant Account Store”, but this relationship is unconfirmed at this time.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

(link unavailable) processes major debit and credit cards for a variety of business types, with a particular focus on high-risk businesses. Their services include ACH processing, loans and cash advances, chargeback protection, high-volume processing, MOTO (Mail Order/Telephone Order), access to payment gateways, POS solutions, international payments, and extensive integrations with online payment services and cryptocurrencies.

Chargeback Protection

A key offering from (link unavailable) is chargeback protection. They provide tools and strategies to help high-risk merchants minimize chargebacks, a common issue in high-risk sectors.

Payment Gateways

The company offers secure payment gateway options, enabling businesses to process transactions online safely.

ACH Processing

Beyond credit card processing, (link unavailable) provides Automated Clearing House (ACH) processing services, allowing businesses to directly debit customer bank accounts. This offers an alternative payment method that can reduce processing fees.

Business Funding Solutions

(link unavailable) also offers business funding solutions, designed to help high-risk businesses secure loans or cash advances when traditional financial routes may be unavailable.

Point of Sale Systems

The company provides customizable point-of-sale (POS) systems to meet the specific needs of high-risk industries.

Virtual Terminals

For businesses operating remotely or without a physical storefront, (link unavailable) offers virtual terminals. These allow for the processing of credit card payments without physical hardware, ideal for eCommerce and telephone orders.

Mobile Payment Processing

To address the need for on-the-go transaction capabilities, (link unavailable) offers mobile payment processing solutions. This enables businesses to accept payments via mobile devices.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Minimal Complaints

We’ve found more than 10 negative eMerchantBroker reviews online, with a few accusing the company of scams or ripoffs. Many complainants cite excessive paperwork during signup, denial of high-risk products, or lack of clarity on application denials. Some express frustration with customer and tech support. While common for high-risk providers, there’s no evidence of malicious intent. Share your own eMerchantBroker.com review in the comments below.

Responsive Handling

In an older review on the Business Consumer Alliance, a merchant reported excessive billing due to an NSF fee. eMerchantBroker responded and resolved the issue. Positive reviews on other consumer protection sites indicate quality customer service.

eMerchantBroker Lawsuits

In 2017, eMerchantBroker faced a lawsuit over TCPA violations, settling the case. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action can report concerns to relevant supervisory organizations.

Customer Support

eMerchantBroker provides dedicated phone and email support for customers.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop5
BBB Rating4.43
Google Maps4.5
Average Rating4.64

PaymentPop Rating for eMerchantBroker

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about eMerchantBroker on the PaymentPop website.

Positive Feedback

As a business in a high-risk category, finding a processor wasn’t easy until we worked with eMerchantBroker. They got our account approved quickly, and their support team has been consistent and knowledgeable. The gateway works well for our online transactions, and we’ve had fewer issues with chargebacks since switching.

eMerchantBroker BBB Rating

eMerchantBroker.com has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2012 and currently shows an “A+” rating based on 1 complaint in the last 36 months. The 1 complaint was resolved to the dissatisfaction of the client or did not receive a final response. eMerchantBroker has a 4.43 out of 5 star rating based on 7 user reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.

What Merchants Say

eMerchantBroker has also received 12 informal reviews from merchants, with 10 of them positive in tone and 2 which are negative in tone. The most recent negative review mentions held funds:

Signed up for a processor sent all needed information, Just for funds to be held and canceled 90-180 days. Please do not use EMB use another processor that actually have YOU in mind and not there pockets & your customers. This will lead to your business failing look at EMB real reviews.

Excellent customer service is a hallmark of a top merchant account provider. Businesses that wish to avoid situations like these should make sure they choose a company with a track record of attentive customer support.

An “A” Performance Overall

Given the company’s complaint total and resolution ratio, we agree with the BBB’s rating.

Google Maps Rating for eMerchantBroker

eMerchantBroker has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating based on 71 user reviews on Google Maps.

Positive Feedback

Quick response. Very detailed and accurate explanations. Friendly.

Negative Feedback

I highly recommend to avoid these people. They are charging my cards for no reason!! I signed up, they said my account was on hold and now they are taking money from me

Processing Rates & Fees

Diverse Contract Terms

Currently, specific details about the standard eMerchantBroker contract are limited. However, based on various online reviews, it’s known that eMerchantBroker collaborates with multiple processors including First Data (Fiserv), iPayment, and North American Bancard. This variety of partnerships suggests that contract terms may differ significantly among clients. Additionally, eMerchantBroker’s focus on high-risk businesses likely necessitates adaptable rates and terms.

Reportedly, contract lengths vary from 1 to 3 years, commonly featuring an automatic renewal clause. Reported early termination fees range up to $295 for 1-year contracts and may exceed $595 for 3-year contracts. eMerchantBroker is known to offer an array of contract terms, and clients are advised to work closely with a trusted sales representative. Reviewers have noted transaction rates of 3.00% plus $0.15 for swiped transactions and 4.00% plus $0.25 for keyed-in transactions.

Specialized Services for MMJ and CBD Merchants

eMerchantBroker stands out as one of the few credit card processors capable of servicing marijuana dispensaries and CBD vendors in the U.S. The company’s medical marijuana merchant account allows dispensaries to accept major credit cards in-store through PC-compatible card swipers or tablet and printer systems leased from eMerchantBroker. The system operates as a hybrid offshore/domestic merchant account, appearing as a standard account from the dispensary’s point of view. This service is dynamic and may evolve with changing federal and state regulations surrounding marijuana.

General Satisfaction with Contract Terms

The absence of significant complaints regarding eMerchantBroker’s contract terms suggests a level of client satisfaction, earning the company an “A” rating in this aspect. If you have any direct experience with the standard eMerchantBroker merchant agreement, including insights on early termination fees or PCI Compliance fees, please consider sharing your experiences in the comment section of this review.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

No Sales Complaints

eMerchantBroker.com utilizes a network of ISOs and independent sales agents to market its services. This hiring practice is common within the payment processing industry and usually results in complaints among clients. In this, however, there are no eMerchantBroker.com reviews alleging misrepresentation or nondisclosure by sales reps, indicating that the company maintains fairly rigorous oversight of its independent agents.

Incomplete Rate Quotes

The eMerchantBroker homepage quotes rates “as low as 2.99%” for high-risk businesses. This rate quote is incomplete, as it only discloses the company’s “Qualified” rates for these account types without mentioning the higher “Mid-Qualified” and “Non-Qualified” rates that clients are likely to pay. However, the company clearly notes that this is only a qualified rate, and it clearly states that mid and non-qualified rates will be higher. This is especially true for merchants who require TMF/MATCH merchant accounts or bad business credit merchant accounts.

A Quality Reputation

eMerchantBroker scores well in this category due to the overall lack of complaints about its sales practices.

Bottom Line

eMerchantBroker performs well as a credit card processing provider in this review, largely due to its low complaint rate with the BBB and other consumer protection platforms. This consistent customer satisfaction significantly contributes to its high rating. However, our assessment of eMerchantBroker.com may evolve as more information becomes available regarding its pricing structure, contract terms, and corporate partnerships.

As always, business owners should conduct thorough research before committing to any service provider, ensuring that eMerchantBroker aligns with their specific needs and offers competitive terms. Evaluating these factors will help businesses make well-informed decisions and secure the most suitable payment processing solution.

Read Actual User Reviews

All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact eMerchantBroker

Contact & Customer Support
CEOBlair Thomas
Co-founderDavid Silverton
Toll-Free General Number(800) 621-4893
Sales(800) 621-4893 EXT 901
Customer Service(800) 621-4893 EXT 902
Agent Support(800) 621-4893 EXT 903
Additional Support ChannelsOnline Contact Form
Websiteemerchantbroker.com