eMerchant Credit Card Processing 2023: Reviews & Complaints
(866) 979-0260 Company Overview
eMerchant, Inc. should not be confused with GoEmerchant or eMerchantBroker, both of which are separate, unrelated providers of merchant services. Additionally, eMerchant appears to be frequently mistaken for two other companies called Emerchant Middleman LLC and E Merchant Club. Emerchant Middleman is a lead generation service that has received numerous public complaints. E Merchant Club appears to be some kind of catch-all e-commerce solution, and it may also go by the name of Specialty Merchandise Corporation (SMC). There is no indication at this time that eMerchant is or has ever been affiliated with these 2 entities.
Article Summary
Before we dive in, here’s a short summary of what we’ll cover:
- eMerchant, Inc.’s various payment processing services.
- eMerchant, Inc. has few public complaints, and many of the complaints attributed to it are meant for a company with a similar name.
- eMerchant, Inc.’s contract has some expensive terms but is overall competitive.
eMerchant, Inc. Payment Processing
eMerchant, Inc. processes all major debit and credit cards for most business types. Their services include POS solutions, EMV card readers and swipers, access to virtual terminals and payment gateways (including their own), business loans, and fraud prevention.
Location & Ownership
eMerchant is an Irvine, California-based merchant account provider that specializes in e-commerce solutions but also sells products for brick-and-mortar businesses. Founded in 2002, eMerchant is a reseller of TransFirst, Moneris, and Redwood merchant account contracts. The company is headquartered at 78 Discovery Irvine, CA 92618, and is a registered ISO/MSP of Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263. Bill DuMont is the president and CEO of Merchant.
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Offers variable contract terms through…
- Complaints & Service: Complaints number fewer than 10 on public complaints forums.
- BBB Rating: Has a “B” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received…
- Sales & Marketing: Does not appear to hire independent sales representatives and has not…
eMerchant, Inc. Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Online Complaints | <10 |
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | N/A |
| Recent Lawsuits | No |
Low Complaint Total
We are currently able to locate only a few eMerchant reviews, and none of these outright accuse the company of being a scam operation or a ripoff. Three of the eMerchant reviews cite undisclosed and excessive fees, and the problems are not limited to any one contract offered by the company. One Merchant complaint, filed in February 2013, was ultimately retracted and did not contain specific information about the client’s issue in the first place. If you have an eMerchant review to make of your own, please let us know in the comments below.
eMerchant Lawsuits and Fines
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against eMerchant. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
eMerchant Customer Support Options
eMerchant offers live phone support and a dedicated support email address and is not showing any negative reviews regarding its customer service. Given its low complaint rate and efforts to fully disclose its terms, we have awarded eMerchant an “A” rating in this category. However, the company’s options and performance do not earn it a place among the top-rated merchant accounts for great customer service at this time.
eMerchant Customer Service Numbers
- (866) 979-0260 – Toll-Free Customer Service
- (714) 223-0260 – Local Office
- (866) 453-2060 – Customer Service Fax
- (815) 425-8800 – Sales Fax
Other Support Options
- Customer service email addresses
eMerchant, Inc. Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| BBB Reports | 2 |
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.
Rising Complaint Total
eMerchant is showing a “B” with the BBB and is not accredited. The company is showing 1 complaint over the last 36 months. The 1 complaint was resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or received no final response.
What Merchants Say
eMerchant has also received 1 informal review on their BBB profile. The 1 review is negative in tone. The latest review that was negative in tone describes hidden fees:
If I could out 0 I would. This company is a scam. DO NOT do business with this company, They are a 3rd party scam! Pronised for $9.l99 a month I would get 0.5% fees. After 1st transaction they charged me $602.39 in fees plus .05% fee tpo process. Spoke to “Rudy” and his boss. They assured me they would refund the fees. After a week of their running me in circles I went to my bank to stop payment. They LIED and sid they never told me it would be $9.99 a month. Buyers beware do not do dusiness with this company.
Businesses in this situation can benefit from learning how to cancel their accounts without paying a fee.
A “C” Performance Overall
In light of the company’s moderate complaint volume and resolution ratio, we have adjusted the BBB’s rating to a “C.”
eMerchant, Inc. Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
| Item | Result | >
|---|---|
| Cancellation Penalties | Yes |
| Monthly & Annual Fees | Yes |
| Processing Rates | 1.00% - 4.99% |
| Equipment Leasing | Likely |
Three Different Contracts
eMerchant appears to sell merchant accounts through three different processors. The company’s website includes PDF copies of its contracts, which allows businesses to make limited comparisons between the three options. One eMerchancontract, which seems to have been through 1st NationalProcessing/iPayment, is no longer linked on the eMerchant site. We will therefore assume for now that the two companies are not currently affiliated.
eMerchant’s TransFirst Contract
eMerchant’s TransFirst contract is a three-year agreement with an automatic renewal for successive one-year terms unless the client cancels at least 90 days before the end of the initial term. This agreement also includes an early termination fee (ETF) that is calculated in two different ways. If the client has fewer than 12 months remaining in the contract, the ETF is $250. If the client has more than 12 months remaining in the contract, the ETF is $500. The processing fees and additional fees for this agreement are not made clear in the contract, but can instead be found on an attached eMerchant fee schedule that will be provided to the business.
eMerchant’s Moneris Contract
eMerchant’s Moneris Solutions contract (available below) is a one-year agreement that automatically renews on the one-year anniversary of its initiation. The contract provided describes that an early termination fee may be involved, but an exact amount for this fee is only available in a separate document. Client complaints indicate that there may be an ETF of $159 and a $99 annual fee associated with this contract. See eMerchant’s Moneris Agreement.
eMerchant’s Redwood Contract
eMerchant’s Redwood contract (available below) is an agreement of indefinite length that may be terminated at any time with 30 days’ notice, but merchants who cancel in the first 24 months will be assessed an early termination fee of $295. There is possibly a monthly minimum fee associated with this account as well. See eMerchant’s Redwood Merchant Services Agreement.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, eMerchant also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. The company advertises its partnerships with eMerchant Gateway, USAePay, Authorize.Net, PayFlow Pro, and eProcessing Network for these services. As a reseller of these services, eMerchant reserves the right to alter the pricing of these payment gateway providers.
As a point of reference, Authorize.Net imposes a rate of 2.9% plus $0.30 for transactions made through virtual terminals its gateway serves while charging a gateway fee of $25 per month. USAePay charges a setup fee of up to $100. However, pricing on either of those services is not disclosed. Meanwhile, eProcessing Network charges an additional $0.05 per transaction as its gateway fee. In all, rates and fees for eMerchant’s e-commerce options vary greatly. Additional rates and fees, including technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates typically apply to these services as well.
Other Fees May Apply
Although these documents are informative with regard to the company’s contract lengths and termination fees, it remains unclear whether and how eMerchant enforces PCI Compliance fees, monthly minimum fees, statement fees, or other potential costs. Additionally, it is unknown whether eMerchant provides interchange-plus pricing to all of its clients. If you have any information regarding the standard costs of doing business with eMerchant, please share that knowledge in the comment section of this review. For now, businesses should assume that the company offers a range of options that could potentially compete with the cheapest merchant accounts.
We also encourage readers to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant accounts.
eMerchant, Inc. Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Uses Independent Resellers | No |
| Telemarketing | No |
| Misleading Marketing | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Inside Sales Team
eMerchant appears to market its services primarily through strategic partnerships and through its website. There is no evidence that the company utilizes independent sales agents to sell its services, and we are currently unable to locate any eMerchant reviews that describe unethical conduct by the company’s sales team. The eMerchant website is exceptionally transparent, as it includes copies of all of the company’s merchant contracts and even promotes interchange-plus pricing.
This compares favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
No Deceptive Quotes
There are no deceptive rates or misleading promotions in eMerchant’s official materials, but the company’s website does not list specific pricing tiers for its services. If you believe that eMerchant has misrepresented its pricing to you, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to investigate your suspicions.
Our eMerchant, Inc. Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
eMerchant rates as a reliable credit card processing provider due to its low complaint rate and transparently listed contract terms. The few complaints about the company do mention potential issues with its pricing, but it’s unclear at this time how much of this is attributable to eMerchant’s policies. Readers are encouraged to compare eMerchant’s e-commerce products with those offered by top-rated e-commerce merchant account providers in order to obtain the best deal.
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How Did eMerchant, Inc. Treat You?15 Responses
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Chad
I been trying to cancel talked with customer service and done it on the website also isn’t worth it. you buy the coding for website but they won’t give you the coding or better access then your name you use you have to buy from them. i can save money using godaddy.com compared to these guys. their fav saying is you got wrong emerchant but same one that keeps you paying even after you cancel 2 ways and also 5 times to techs and customer services and a couch that is cocky and no help at all. This is Common Sense Gifts LLC owner.
Ian Struckhoff
Like others posting here, I experienced an unethical and probably illegal bait and switch from eMerchant Authority.
They list the Star Micronics MPOP on their website “In Stock” for $479, with no terms requiring any further purchase.
The next business day, they called and said they can’t make the product available to me, unless I sign up for merchant services with them. Listing a price they won’t honor is a clear bait and switch tactic, unethical and probably illegal.
They should honor the orders their have received, and if they only want to sell hardware to their services customers then that should clearly be explained in the terms on their website.
David Shempert
This company is an example of bait-and-switch when it comes to merchant processors / credit card processing. They promised this seamless process and now I’m stuck without any equipment, several merchant accounts that are trying to charge me monthly fees for merchant accounts and processing that I’ve never been able to use. They put my information through to several banks and that resulted in MULTIPLE HARD CREDIT INQUIRY/PULLS. I’ve worked with several people here Ore, Paul and others. I have to constantly fight for updates and they just let weeks go by with no communication. I’m literally appalled at this company and the way that they handle business. I gave ample time for my accounts to be opened and equipment sent to me but as it stands it’s been since September 4th, 2019 until now October 8th and I have nothing, no equipment but have companies like Authorize.net trying to debit my account for monthly fees that I never agreed to and certainly wouldn’t pay if I never got any equipment to process cards. I reached out several times and asked for resolutions to these issues and kept being told that they’d handle things and overnight my equipment but at this point there’s really no excuse why things weren’t done right in the first place. If you have a chance to go with any other company do that. It appears that this is nothing but a total disappointment all the way around with eMerchant.
William Dumont
David- I’m sorry you had a bad experience, but you have the wrong eMerchant company. We have no record of your name in our system. We also don’t have anyone with those names working for us. We do have a Paul now as of Dec 2021. eMerchant is a generic name in the industry and unfortunately we get confused with other eMerchant companies that use our name. We are the original since 2002 and value each and every merchant we have had/have with us. Your bad experience wasn’t us. Bill
Jerome Risby
Dear Mr. Dumont,
Jerome Risby with Tech Express Mobile, you can find our account with the names. On or around, March 08, 2022, we phoned your offices after reviewing and researching several merchant Service providers. By April 10, 2022, we had received the MID file. Throughout the process of “Getting Approved,” we continued utilizing our square processor which we have been with since their founding.
Our purpose of setting up another processor was to handle our Service scheduling flow whereby, customers could land at our website via Google, Facebook, and a host of other sites and select make Appointment, Pick date and time, enter their billing/contact info, enter their vehicles and repair info and pay a small deposit and then the technician would arrive on the date of their choosing.
I have performed this same business prior to your company’s existence, providing onsite Service and repairs for everything from automobiles, motorcycles, RVs, yachts jet-ski, and john deer tractors (Craigslist.org added a new category because of tireless advertising Tech Express). As you can imagine, the quantity and the diversity of customer variations would astound many, and the same can be said for merchant processors.
Along with customers, and merchant processors we have been burned for 1000, hence the reason for the deposit at the time of scheduling. So, in bringing this note of caution full circle, and right back to your company, after waiting a month for your system to go live, and providing your personnel with bank statements, the very first transaction processed by Bank and eMerchant Service.Inc Inc. was flagged, held and your “Risk Department” requested “proof” the cardholder actually approved the charge.
If your “risk department” was operating correctly, they could see from the sight that the charge was customer-generated, and now after a month that the transaction has not been disputed, and Bank and eMerchant Service.Inc is now subtracting, gateway fees, monthly fees, ach return fees, on funds your company flagged with a request for verification is clearly out of compliance. This was what is known as Racketeering, you people are likely to get reported to the FTC and FBI for this kind of practice.
Upon further review, the law offices found with regards to eMerchants Service Inc. “Merchant Agreement” 8 pages in a (3) point font, finds you’re in breach of the performance of the contract, and nullifies the Merchant’s Agreement, dated, 04/07/22, and all your purported inseverable authorizations, as attached to the agreement, authorizing for Bank and eMerchant Service.Inc to open accounts without consent and/or “GRANTS BANK AND EMS SECURITY INTREST IN AND TO ALL DEPOSITS, REGARDLESS OF SOURCE TO ANY AND ALL GRANTORS DEPOSITS OR PROCEEDS OF SAID DEPOSITS, and interest that survive upon the termination of this Agreement”.
Bank and eMerchant Service.Inc is exposed to Civil Tort Action, and as outlined the past listed Federal Case, FTC Matter/File Number 132 3240 X140042; Civil Action Number 2:14-cv-00896-GMN-VCF.
Your company is risky, and subversive, and was ready to release some 3000 folks who are to file small claims actions on Bank and eMerchant Service.Inc employees and brokers for damages as participants in this scheme to defraud small businesses during a pandemic.
Please email, Jerome Risby at Tech Express for resolution and take Notice, this a public notice, by Jerome Risby, inclusive of, the company named, Tech Express’s, by Jerome Risby, the rescission and/or desolation of any accounts, associations, relationships, obligations, or any associates or affiliates and the unilaterally cancelation of any such performance thereof, due under Bank and eMerchant Service.Inc Merchant Agreement, dated April 6, 2022 or April 7, 2022 for material breach of the above cite agreement.
Jerome Risby
[email protected]
[email protected]
Tech Express Mobile Srvc
http://www.tech-express.net
Your Pick the Date and Time,
Schedule Online 24/7
Deborah B
Called about an hour and a half ago 9/16/2019 to find out more information about eMerchant. A Shopify Guru recommended eMerchant for the particular eCommerce website I want to create. Called eMerchant and a gentleman with a real cocky attitude answered the phone. I proceeded to ask questions and he starts telling me what to do in this real cocky voice. Didn’t feel comfortable with him from the moment he answered the phone. Perhaps he felt eMerchant is the only merchant processing company. News flash buddy you have tons of competition and I only contacted eMerchant because of the Shopify guru’s recommendation. I call back and he immediately hangs up on me. Found another 800 number and called back a third time. This time Derek answered the phone. When he answered I could hear someone in the background…sure it was Mr. Cocky. I tell Derek why i’m calling and he proceeds to ask my name, my email address, etc…he then states I
we just partnered with Square. Let me gather some information to email you in 10 minutes. That was approximately 2 hours ago. Thank you Mr Cocky and Derek… I will definitely take my business elsewhere to a Merchant processing company who cares…Derek a word of advice don’t be a follower especially when it comes to Mr. Cocky and his rude behavior. You listen to him and lost a potential customer. D
This post will help: Best E-Commerce Merchant Account Providers
William Dumont
Deborah- I’m sorry, but you have the wrong eMerchant. We have never had any employees named Derek. I’m aware of another eMerchant that claims to be a Shopify guru, but I don’t think it’s right for me to state their name as a competitor. We are eMerchant.com. Bill
Paul
Stay away from this company!! They did not notify us that they were taking $200 out of our account! We have been trying to cancel them for months but they would say we have to finish out the year!! Now they won’t give back a refund in which we will get them for fraud!!!
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Carmen Basu
It has been about 3 years since we started services with eMerchant. All I can say is that they offer reliable service, excellent pricing, the quickest and easiest options and great tools.
eMerchant is allowing us to keep our business running with ease not only for us but for our clients.
Very thankful to use their services and have peace of mind at the same time.
CPO
Hi Carmen,
Please reply to this comment with your business name and location in order to authenticate your testimonial. Thanks!
Carmen Basu
Basu Services
Costa Mesa, CA
James forts
Lies cut the bull crap
Joseph Benfatti
Been with E-merchant INC. for over 5 years and just love the staff and Bill Dumont CEO , Francis Dumont The Office manager . all the long down to the office staff is so friendly and helpful . Really great rates that can’t be beat. Highly recommend their services.
Resolution Team Member , Tax Relief Systems LLC
Richard Lococo
I’ve been working with eMerchant for 9 or 10 years now. They handle all my merchant transactions between my company and my clients. The transaction fees are much lower than what I was paying previously with one of the major national banks. The bank said there was no need to search for another Merchant Service Provider because they were the lowest service fees around. I got lucky when I met Bill Dumont and the eMerchant team all those years ago because I’ve saved thousands of dollars in transaction fees since I signed on with them!! I can always count on the eMerchant team to be on hand to help me with any issue that I can’t figure out. I highly recommend this company for any emerchant type of transactions you deal with in your own business.
Bill P
We have been in business since 1987 and they have been the best provider of merchant services that we have used. Their merchant services are top notch primarily because of their exceptional in-house customer service at market or below current processing fees and they offer all of the additional products such as gateways, POS systems and shopping carts. Looking forward to the eMerchant Association where I will be able to network and offer my products throughout the other members in the Association. eMerchant offers it all under one roof! They make me feel like family.