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Is First Data Global Leasing the Right Option for Your Payment Equipment?

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First Data Global Leasing
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1/5
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Pros

Reliable equipment
Flexible contracts
Wide compatibility
Advanced technology

Cons

High fees
Long-term contracts
Complex terms
Limited support options

Overview

In this review of First Data Global Leasing, we take a close look at the company’s role in leasing credit card processing equipment and how it impacts businesses. We’ll cover their rates, fees, contract terms, and common complaints to help readers understand what to expect when working with FDGL. The review also examines the company’s industry ratings, employee feedback, and history of lawsuits and fines to provide insight into its reputation and business practices. We’ll summarize customer reviews and experiences, focusing on the quality of FDGL’s customer support and the issues frequently raised by merchants. Finally, we compare FDGL’s pricing and leasing costs to industry standards and evaluate their sales tactics, giving businesses the information they need to decide whether leasing through First Data Global Leasing is a good fit for them.

About First Data Global Leasing

First Data Global Leasing is the credit card processing equipment leasing branch of First Data (now Fiserv), one of the world’s largest merchant account providers. The company sells its own First Data (Fiserv)-branded credit card terminals as well as Clover products, PIN pads, mobile swipers, carrying cases, chargers, paper and ink supplies, and payment gateway software.

Jump Ahead:

Partnered With a Large Network of Resellers

First Data Global Leasing (FDGL) distributes its equipment leases through an extensive network of independent sales offices and agents. These resellers often operate under different business names and have the autonomy to set their own contract terms and pricing for the equipment. Consequently, clients leasing equipment from First Data (Fiserv) may be unclear about the actual provider. It is important for these clients to recognize that First Data (Fiserv) is the ultimate supplier of the leased equipment, and they will need to address all leasing-related issues with First Data (Fiserv) rather than their merchant account provider.

First Data Global Leasing Products and Services

Point of Sale Systems

FDGL primarily focuses on selling First Data (Fiserv) point-of-sale systems, especially the Clover product line. This includes the Clover Station Solo and Duo (large-screen terminals with a printer), the wireless Clover Flex, the tablet-sized Clover Mini, the Clover Go mobile swiper, and the Clover virtual terminal. Additionally, they offer the FD150 and RP10 pin pads, as well as options from Verifone.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Substantial Complaint Volume

Reports from various consumer protection platforms reveal an extensive number of over 600 negative reviews concerning First Data Global Leasing (FDGL). Many customers openly criticize the company, branding it as a ripoff or scam. Common grievances include claims of sales agents failing to adequately disclose lease terms, high monthly equipment rental fees, hefty cancellation charges, and unresponsive customer service. Despite the significant volume of complaints, First Data (now Fiserv) generally refrains from public responses to these issues. Several merchants have voiced concerns that the company enforces lease agreements even when terms were misrepresented during the sales process. We encourage individuals to share their experiences with First Data Global Leasing below.

Legal Challenges and Financial Penalties

In 2017, a lawsuit filed in New York highlighted allegations of excessive termination fees on equipment leases by First Data. Additionally, a minority stockholder, Alan Skulsky, pursued a class-action suit challenging Fiserv’s $22 billion acquisition of First Data in the Delaware Chancery Court. Another lawsuit from 2016 by First Data reseller Peel Payments raised concerns about significant jumps in merchant authorization fees, prompting merchants to review their statements for discrepancies and seek contract adjustments if necessary. Ongoing legal disputes involving Fiserv, including the 2019 allegations by Bessemer System Federal Credit Union regarding cybersecurity vulnerabilities, illustrate persistent concerns. Settlements, like the $40 million payout in July 2019 linked to money laundering accusations against First Pay Solutions LLC, underscore the legal challenges faced by the company. Moreover, a lawsuit filed in July 2021 accuses Fiserv of imposing undisclosed fees on merchants. Additionally, FDGL was named in a 2022 lawsuit alongside Bank of America and other financial institutions, addressing issues such as excessive fees, fund holds, and account discrepancies arising from fraudulent activities.

Customer Support Options

First Data Global Leasing provides a dedicated customer support line; however, clients may need to engage with various entities, including their merchant account provider and First Data Merchant Services, to effectively address lease-related concerns.

Customer Service Contacts for First Data Global Leasing

  • Toll-Free General Customer Service: 877-257-2094
  • Other Support Options: Support Form

While avenues for customer support are available through First Data (now Fiserv) and its leasing division, their performance falls short of industry standards, leading to their exclusion from the best credit card processors list.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
BBB Rating1
ConsumerAffairs Rating1
PissedConsumer Rating1.2
Average Rating1.1

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating Analysis for First Data

First Data has an average customer review rating of 1.03/5 stars on the Better Business Bureau website, based on 181 customer reviews. The company has also received 559 complaints closed in the last 3 years, with 191 complaints closed in the last 12 months. Common themes in the reviews and complaints include issues with product/service and dissatisfaction with customer support.

Negative Feedback

Money market network is an absolute joke! My employer uses this company for their payroll cards. Extremely Unprofessional. I was told by a ‘manager Arlena *******’ it would take 2 days to transfer funds from my old card to my new card! A card that was issued by them & a new card that is also a money network card, it will take 2 days to transfer money to my new card! Do not use this card!!!! Avoid…. – Review from November 13, 2023

We’re charged a fee on a monthly basis for a service we do not use or have access to. No idea why we’re being charged $39.98 every month for the last year. No response after several inquiries to First Data. – Complaint from October 19, 2023

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about First Data on the Better Business Bureau website.
Source: Better Business Bureau

ConsumerAffairs Rating Analysis

First Data Global Leasing has a very low average customer review rating of 1.0 stars on ConsumerAffairs, based on 421 reviews. The vast majority of reviews, 97%, rate the company with only 1 star. Common themes in the reviews include complaints about deceptive contract terms, hidden fees, and poor customer service.

Negative Feedback

Completely a scam company. I signed up for 4 years contract with First Data (now Fiserv) and they covertly made me sign 6 years contract for the rental. Why would I need 2 years extra rental when the contract is over? Not only that, they have so many hidden fees. Don’t be fooled by their percentage rates. It’s a big lie and they still gonna charge you for hidden fees you don’t even know what you are paying for. Never sign up with First Data or Fiserv. – Review from June 1, 2023

First Data automatically sent us an equipment because the lease on our previous company was ending. We returned the equipment and decided to not continue doing business with them. They ended up keeping the returned equipment and somehow kept a lease that bound us to pay them $1500 over three years for a $45 equipment. Plenty of people before me have written the same thing. I think it’s time such companies are held responsible for their predatory policies. Would be happy if I save the next business from falling into this trap! – Review from March 20, 2023

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about First Data Global Leasing on the ConsumerAffairs website.

Source: ConsumerAffairs

First Data Rating Analysis

First Data has a 1.2-star rating based on 116 customer reviews on the PissedConsumer website. The company ranks 777 out of 3479 in the Financial Services category. The majority of consumers express dissatisfaction, with common complaints focusing on poor customer service, issues with contract transparency, and difficulties in resolving billing and service problems.

Negative Feedback

Hi, my business name is Pho Simcoe 2. I received 2 Clover machines and gave your company a void check already. I tried it but so far, I have not received the refund in my bank account. – Review from April 19, 2023

My account was closed when I paid out to buy that machine off you guys. Now you’re taking more money out of my account without my consent, stealing from my bank business account. If you guys don’t return my $500, I am going to report you to the Business Bureau of Canada. I have all my paperwork, documents paid in full from you guys, letters, everything that’s on my phone, on my computer, it’s all kept. Thank you for your business, and I’ll never do business with First Data again. – Review from October 15, 2022

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about First Data on the PissedConsumer website.
Source: PissedConsumer

Processing Rates & Fees

48-Month Contract

The standard First Data Global Leasing contract spans 48 months and is non-cancellable. Typically, this agreement costs more than the equipment’s market price. At the lease’s end, the client doesn’t own the equipment but may purchase it for an additional cost based on the lease duration. Should a client wish to terminate early, they’ll owe the remaining monthly payments as a lump sum (essentially a liquidated damages fee), often totaling thousands of dollars. For alternatives, explore our list of the best merchant services.

Smaller Add-On Fees

Aside from monthly leasing fees, clients might encounter additional charges like sales tax or equipment insurance. First Data (Fiserv) resellers have flexibility in setting pricing and terms, leading to variations in monthly costs and contract terms. Despite claims of deception by agents, First Data (Fiserv) tends to enforce lease terms. If stuck in a long-term lease, renegotiating lease pricing may be the best recourse.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

In-house and Outside Sales Teams

FDGL sells its equipment both directly as part of First Data’s merchant services and indirectly through smaller third-party processors that agree to resell FDGL leases. In most cases, these resellers earn commissions in direct proportion to how expensive their lease terms are. This gives FDGL resellers an incentive to provide costly equipment with long-term, non-cancellable contracts. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

Hundreds of Sales Complaints

There are currently hundreds of First Data Global Leasing reviews filed by clients who cite misrepresentation or nondisclosure by providers regarding the terms of their leases. In most cases, FDGL lease agreements are included as part of a provider’s standard merchant account contract, so clients may not be aware at the time of signup that they are agreeing to separate lease terms through FDGL. These clients are then surprised to find that they are being charged on a monthly basis for equipment that they cannot get rid of without paying massive cancellation fees. Alternatively, some clients cancel their credit card processing through their providers but find that they are still trapped in the separate FDGL agreement for their equipment and must continue to make those payments.

Avoid Equipment Leases Whenever Possible

As a general rule, businesses will save money by purchasing credit card processing equipment outright instead of leasing it. Most credit card terminals cost $200-$600, while most equipment leases cost $20-$40 per month. Therefore, a business will pay several times the cost of the equipment over the course of a four-year equipment lease. This pricing discrepancy alone is enough to reflect poorly on a leasing provider, but the issue is severely compounded by merchant reports of nondisclosure of the company’s long-term, expensive, non-cancellable lease agreement. FDGL therefore receives a “D” rating for its sales and marketing tactics.

First Data Global Leasing Fiserv point-of-sale
Fiserv’s Clover point-of-sale system is one of the most common on the market, but it is still cheaper to buy your own credit card processing equipment

First Data Global Leasing Competitors

Compare First Data Global Leasing to competitors that earned top marks.

Host Merchant Services logo
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Helcim logo
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CDG logo
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Bottom Line

First Data Global Leasing (FDGL) is emerging as a notable entity in the realm of credit card processing equipment leasing, although it brings considerable concerns that prospective clients should be wary of. As a subsidiary of the major player First Data (now Fiserv), FDGL provides leasing options for essential business equipment, aligning with the broader trends of financial technology services but also inheriting some of the complexities and challenges associated with large-scale operations.

While FDGL offers a range of products, including advanced point-of-sale systems like the Clover device, it is also frequently criticized for its opaque leasing terms and aggressive sales tactics. These practices have led to a significant volume of customer complaints primarily centered on issues such as undisclosed long-term contracts and high cancellation fees. Legal challenges and substantial penalties levied against its parent company further complicate its reputation.

Businesses considering FDGL for their equipment needs should be diligent, reviewing contract terms closely and remaining cautious about the long-term financial commitments these agreements often entail. The experience with FDGL may evolve as it adapts to market pressures and increasing scrutiny of its contract practices.

Location & Ownership

First Data (Fiserv) is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, CA; Deutsche Bank AG, New York, NY; PNC Bank N.A., Pittsburgh, PA; MVB Bank, Fairmont, WV; and Pathward, N.A., Sioux Falls, SD. While the Fiserv headquarters is in Wisconsin, it appears the old First Data buildings are still in operation. As such, the former First Data headquarters at 2900 Westside Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004 is likely still in use by the company’s processing division. Frank Bisignano currently serves as the president and CEO of Fiserv/First Data, while the BBB lists Nancy Whitt as the principal at First Data.

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