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Before You Commit, Read This Empyrean Merchant Services Review

Updated: September 29, 2025

Maintained Since: September 20, 2016

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.

All mentions of rate and fee costs are estimations based on publicly available information and client feedback. Actual costs may vary based on a variety of factors unique to your business.

Empyrean Merchant Services

Rating

3/5

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Pros

Employs knowledgeable agents

Diverse payment solutions

Competitive processing rates

Cons

Equipment compatibility issues

Aggressive sales tactics

Non-cancellable leases

Undisclosed fees

Equipment compatibility issues

Overview

In this review of Empyrean Merchant Services, a payment processor based in Ontario that operates in both the U.S. and Canada, we’ll provide a clear look at their offerings. Their services include credit and debit card processing, customizable point-of-sale systems, mobile payment options, e-commerce integrations, and virtual terminals tailored to various industries. We’ll also examine their role as a reseller of Chase Merchant Services products, their security measures, and the quality of their customer support. Customer feedback, contract terms, rates, and fees will be discussed to highlight both strengths and potential drawbacks. Finally, we’ll assess Empyrean’s sales practices and reputation to give businesses a balanced understanding of whether their services provide solid value.

About Empyrean Merchant Services

Founded in 2010, Empyrean Merchant Services is an Ontario-based merchant account provider that serves merchants in the U.S. and Canada. The company appears to specialize in gift card solutions. Empyrean Merchant Services appears to be a reseller of Chase Merchant Services products and services.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Empyrean Merchant Services processes all major debit and credit cards, focusing primarily on online payments while also offering in-person payment options. Their services include industry-specific solutions like CannaPoint for the cannabis industry and POS Velocity for the transportation industry. They also provide POS systems, wireless solutions, gift cards, business loans, virtual gateways, and a variety of e-commerce solutions.

Customizable Point-of-Sale Systems

Empyrean Merchant Services offers customizable point-of-sale (POS) systems tailored to the needs of different industries, such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare.

Mobile Payment Processing

Empyrean Merchant Services provides mobile payment processing, allowing businesses to accept payments using smartphones or tablets.

E-Commerce Payment Gateway Integration

The e-commerce payment gateway integration offered by Empyrean Merchant Services aims to provide businesses with a seamless online payment experience.

Virtual Terminal Services

Empyrean Merchant Services offers virtual terminal services for processing phone and mail orders. This allows businesses to handle remote transactions securely through any internet-connected device, eliminating the need for a physical card reader.

Security Measures and Fraud Prevention

Security and fraud prevention are key priorities for Empyrean Merchant Services. They adhere to industry standards such as PCI compliance and implement advanced security measures to protect sensitive data and minimize the risk of fraud.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Low Complaint Volume

Our research has identified fewer than three negative Empyrean Merchant Services reviews. Notably, none of these reviews label the company as a scam or ripoff. The complaints primarily focus on sales practices, including undisclosed fees and misrepresented contract terms. A particular concern arises if Mike Haley is confirmed as the principal, given a specific complaint addressing his conduct. Nevertheless, for a company potentially operating for eight years, Empyrean Merchant Services exhibits a surprisingly low complaint volume. We encourage individuals with experiences regarding Empyrean Merchant Services to share their reviews or complaints below.

Empyrean Merchant Services Customer Support Overview

Empyrean Merchant Services provides several customer support channels, including a contact form, live chat, and a toll-free phone number. While it remains unclear whether support is managed in-house or outsourced, these options suggest a commitment to accessible service. The direct phone number ensures customers can reach support for immediate assistance.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop	5
BBB Rating	1
Google Maps	4.4
Average Rating	2.7

PaymentPop Rating for Empyrean Merchant Services

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about Empyrean Merchant Services on the PaymentPop website.

Positive Feedback

Empyrean Merchant Services took the time to really understand our business. They tailored a solution that fit our growth goals and gave us the tools to manage payments with ease. Their personal approach and consistent follow-up make them stand out. We feel like more than just an account.

Empyrean Merchant Services BBB Rating

Empyrean Merchant Services currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB-accredited. The company has received 0 complaints in the past 36 months.

Empyrean Merchant Services has a 1 out of 5 star rating based on 1 user reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.

What Merchants Say

In addition to the 1 complaint, Empyrean Merchant Services has received 1 informal review in the last 36 months, which was negative. The negative review mentions equipment issues and poor customer support:

************* Michael H. from Empyrean will ************** sell you on a machine that doesn’t even work while you’ll be stuck with the machine loan of $3000. He’ll ignore your calls and tell you to do something about it. I was told and convinced to have one low interest for getting their payment system and processing for cards. The system belong to ********* in the US. I am currently using a POS system which isn’t compatible with the payment system given by them. I was ******* that it is compatible with our POS and that someone within couple of days will come to set it up. We were made to sign a loan for the system which is a whopping $2800, or $80/Month for 48 months among other charges. But because no one showed up even after a month, I tried calling Michael again to return or fix the Machine. Instead he turned his back on me and started ignoring my calls. After a year we’re still stuck with the machine which haven’t been used since it’s not compatible with our system.

Rates, customer service, and a straightforward application process are all important aspects of merchant services. Nevertheless, the company does not rank as one of our best merchant account providers.

An “A” Performance Overall

In light of the low number of complaints, we will not adjust the BBB’s rating at this time.

Google Maps Rating for Empyrean Merchant Services

Empyrean Merchant Services has a 4.4 out of 5 star rating based on 19 user reviews on Google Maps.

Positive Feedback

I have been a client of Empyrean Merchant Services for over 3 years now and have nothing but good to say about the company, especially Greg that’s always available if I have any question. Their customer care is on the highest level, I definitely recommend them!

Negative Feedback

I was looking to set up an account with them to help me process payments for my business. Initial conversation was okay, but they suddenly stopped responding to emails. This is after verifying my account. It’s a little unprofessional to leave a customer hanging like that with no explanation. It’s a little disappointing, so be wary and look at other places first, that offer better customer service. These people don’t seem to care much.

Processing Rates & Fees

Few Contract Complaints

Currently, there is limited public information available about the standard Empyrean Merchant Services contract. The company’s website lacks details regarding pricing or terms, and there are minimal client complaints outlining specific terms and fees. One business owner alleges they were assured of $30 per month in fixed Empyrean Merchant Services fees by their sales agent but were invoiced $162 for their initial month of processing. Furthermore, upon cancellation, they incurred a $1,800 early termination fee, seemingly tied to a lengthy equipment lease. Two additional reviews mention non-cancellable five-year equipment leases.

Long-Term Equipment Leases

While a $1,800 cancellation fee might appear steep, it falls within the lower range for a four-year equipment lease. Nonetheless, it’s advisable for business owners to opt for equipment purchase whenever feasible, considering most credit card terminals are available for $500 or less. Empyrean Merchant Services’ minimal complaint count is a positive aspect. However, its sale of long-term equipment leases has marginally impacted its rating, resulting in a “D” grade and hindering its competitiveness against the most cost-effective merchant accounts. For those familiar with the standard Empyrean Merchant Services contract, your insights in the comment section below are valued. Additionally, we recommend exploring our list of the top merchant accounts.

Empyrean Merchant Services point of sale — Empyrean Merchant Services offers leases on a number of in-person solutions

Lawsuits & Legal History

As of our latest update, there are no records of class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints against Empyrean Merchant Services. Customers looking for non-litigious resolutions are advised to report their concerns to appropriate regulatory bodies, facilitating accountability and potential resolution.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Outside Agents and Resellers

Empyrean Merchant Services appears to rely on resellers and independently contracted sales agents to market its services. Generally speaking, a sales force composed of commission-only independent sales agents is more likely to receive complaints than one composed of W-2 employed inside sales representatives. In this case, we are able to locate a handful of negative Empyrean Merchant Services reviews that describe nondisclosure of fees, misrepresentation of the seller’s identity, and aggressive sales tactics. Two of these Empyrean Merchant Services complaints (found in the comment section below) specifically mention an employee of Empyrean Merchant Services, Mike Haley, as the agent who misrepresented the business’ monthly cost. This echoes the Empyrean Merchant Services complaint regarding Mr. Haley’s conduct as an employee of Axxess Payments. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Deceptive Quotes

To its credit, Empyrean’s website does not list any misleading rate quotes or unrealistic guarantees. However, the site’s meta description states that “Our rates can be as low as 1% on Credit Card Processing,” which isn’t substantiated by any information on the actual site. If you suspect that Empyrean Merchant Services is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden charges.

Empyrean Merchant Services Competitors

Compare Empyrean Merchant Services to competitors that earned top marks.

Pricing

Bottom Line

Empyrean Merchant Services holds a respectable position as a credit card processing provider based on all currently accessible data. Over its years of operation, the company has maintained a low volume of complaints, indicating general satisfaction among its clientele. However, the nature of these complaints primarily points to areas within the sales process that could benefit from refinement and greater transparency. This feedback is invaluable as it highlights potential for improvement that could enhance Empyrean’s service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Detailed information regarding Empyrean’s pricing structure and the specific fees they charge remains elusive. This lack of clarity necessitates ongoing scrutiny and assessment of the company’s operations as more data becomes available through client testimonials and further market analysis. Business owners are advised to thoroughly review all contracts and service agreements with Empyrean Merchant Services. It is crucial to understand every aspect of the terms being agreed upon to avoid any unforeseen costs. Comparing Empyrean’s offerings with those provided by top-rated credit card processors is also recommended to ensure that businesses secure the most favorable and cost-effective processing solutions available.

Read Actual User Reviews

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

Contact Empyrean Merchant Services

Contact & Customer Support
CEO	Roman Poberezkine
Headquarters	1881 Steeles Ave. West, Suite 177, Toronto, Ontario, M3H 0A1
President	Stanislav Gakhov
Toll-Free Customer Support	(877) 773-1001
Additional Support Channels	Live Chat and Customer support form
Website	empyreanms.com

About Us

CardPaymentOptions.com

Established 2009

My name is Phillip Parker, and I started this website back in 2009 as a simple blog to call out shady credit card processors that were taking advantage of small business owners. At the time, I had no idea this side project would grow into a leading voice pushing for transparency and integrity in the payment processing industry. I also didn't anticipate just how far some of these companies' owners would go to try to silence me.

I was recruited out of college for a sales role with a credit card processor. At the time, I didn't realize the “training” was really about tricking me... into selling business owners expensive processing with hidden fees and long-term service agreements. In my first few sales, I unknowingly cost friends and family thousands of dollars after they trusted me to switch their services. When it finally clicked that something was seriously wrong, I was furious. I quit immediately and made a promise to expose that company and any others operating the same way. That promise is what led to the creation of this website.

As I wrote about these processors, their tactics, and the people behind them, the articles started to spread among business owners. News organizations picked up the stories, readers shared them online, and traffic to the blog took off. Unsurprisingly, that also caught the attention of the companies and individuals I was exposing.

Over the last 17 years, I've received several anonymous death threats and defeated four lawsuits meant to intimidate me into taking my blog down. Their efforts to muzzle me only made my determination to expose them even stronger, leading me to work with state authorities to help shutdown some of the worst offenders.

I'm proud to say that of the millions of people who have read my work, thousands have taken the time to write and thank me for helping them narrowly avoid a very costly mistake. This blog has played a small role in pushing the industry toward more ethical practices - but there are still bad actors out there, which means the work isn't done.

If I can offer one piece of advice, it's this: get every promise in writing, and take the time to review contracts carefully. Tools like ChatGPT can help surface red flags and uncover expensive surprises buried in the fine print.

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading. I truly appreciate you being here, and I wish you every success with your business.

Our Research Methodology

Pricing & Fees

We analyze all costs including rate structures (interchange-plus, tiered, flat-rate, etc), monthly fees, equipment costs, early termination fees, and hidden charges. This data is gathered from service agreements, statements and client feedback.

Features & Technology

Evaluation of POS systems, e-commerce integrations, mobile capabilities, reporting tools, recurring billing..., and developer resources. When possible, we directly test services and hardware. Otherwise, we rely on client feedback and public information.

Customer Support

We evaluate availability across phone, email, chat, and social channels. Measuring hold times, night and weekend availability, and client feedback regarding effectiveness, professionalism, and resolution rates.

Contract Terms & Conditions

We review service agreements and equipment contracts for reasonability, transparency, and fairness. We focus on uncovering any predatory clauses, such as unjustified early termination fees, hidden costs, and unclear cancellation policies.

User Experience

We comb the internet and interview current and former clients to evaluate the overall user experience and identify any common pain points that may impact the user experience.

Sales & Marketing Practices

We evaluate sales tactics, marketing materials, and client feedback to determine the level of transparency and ethical nature of the provider's approach. Does the provider publicly disclose pricing? Do they use teaser rates? We score based on these and other factors.

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