First Merchant Payment Systems Reviews & Complaints
Company Overview
First Merchant Payment Systems, founded in 2001, is a merchant account provider serving small to mid-sized businesses throughout the United States. It is worth mentioning that First Merchant Payment Systems could potentially be confused with First American Payment Systems; merchants are advised to keep in mind that these are unrelated entities. According to the company's website, First Merchant Payment Systems offers interchange-plus pricing and resells Clover POS systems.
First Merchant Payment Systems Payment Processing
First Merchant Payment Systems processes all major debit and credit cards for small to mid-sized businesses. Their services include Clover and PTech POS systems, EMV swipers, mobile solutions, e-commerce solutions including shopping carts, access to a payment gateway, QuickBooks integration, Level 3 B2B processing, cash discounts, and payroll solutions.
Payroll Solutions
First Merchant Payment Systems offers payroll and HR solutions aimed at handling administrative tasks like payroll, taxes, HR issues, benefits, and insurance, thus allowing businesses to focus on their core operations. The solutions include features like flexible input options, direct deposit, new-hire reporting, electronic on-boarding, and various HR tools including a help desk, job description wizard, and advanced HR toolkits.
Cash Discounts
The Cash Discount Program by First Merchant Payment Systems is designed to save on credit card processing fees by shifting these costs to customers while providing discounts for cash payments. The program implements a 4% customer service fee on all transactions which is discounted for customers paying in cash, effectively covering the cost of transaction processing. The program is free for merchants processing over $15,000 per month and costs $39.00 for those processing under $15,000 per month.
On The Fly POS
On The Fly POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system designed for various business types including restaurants, cafes, and retail stores. It aids in processing payments, managing staff, organizing inventory, and generating reports. The system offers features like a digital menu board, kitchen display system, a mobile app for online ordering, and contactless payment options, aiming to modernize the order and payment process, and enhance customer engagement and satisfaction1.
Industries
First Merchant Payment Systems extends its services to a variety of industries, demonstrating versatility in catering to different business types. Some of the industries served include Restaurants, Auto Repair, Beauty & Fitness, E-Commerce, Service Industry, Lodging & Hospitality, Healthcare, Retail Industry, and Veterinarians. This range of industries shows the company's capability to provide tailored payment processing solutions to meet the diverse needs of different business sectors.
Location & Ownership
First Merchant is headquartered at 5216 Summerlin Commons Blvd #100, Fort Myers, FL 33907 and is a registered ISO/MSP of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, California. Kevin Winter is the company's president and co-founder and Ryan Winter is the VP of sales.
Pros: | Cons: |
---|---|
ACH Processing: Adds convenience. | Complex Fee Structure: Can be confusing. |
Flat-Rate Pricing: Simplifies budgeting. | Contract for "Free" Equipment: Can be restrictive. |
Diverse Hardware: Suits various needs. | Potential ETF: For contract termination. |
No Long Contract: Offers flexibility. | Variable Rates: Can be unpredictable. |
Good Reputation: Suggests reliability. | Limited Global Reach: May affect international transactions. |
First Merchant Payment Systems Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Total Online Complaints | <10 |
---|---|
Live Customer Support | Yes |
Most Common Complaint | N/A |
Recent Lawsuits | No |
Low Complaint Total
We found only one external review of First Merchant Payment Systems beyond the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This minimal complaint volume might suggest an effective and responsive customer support team at First Merchant. However, it’s also plausible that some complaints directed towards First Merchant are instead addressed to the company’s backend payment processor. If you have a review or experience with First Merchant Payment Systems, we encourage you to share it in the comments section below for a broader perspective.
First Merchant Payment Systems Lawsuits
No outstanding class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints have been found against First Merchant Payment Systems. For clients who prefer non-litigious resolutions to their issues, we recommend considering reporting their experiences to appropriate supervisory organizations.
First Merchant Payment Systems Customer Support Options
First Merchant Payment Systems provides customer support through a general contact number and an email form. While the company’s support options are not sufficiently detailed to categorize it as a top-rated merchant account provider for customer service, the scarcity of complaints about First Merchant Payment Systems leads us to award an “A” rating in this category for their customer support effectiveness.
First Merchant Payment Systems Customer Service Numbers
- (866) 936-2530 – Toll-Free Support
- (239) 936-2530 – Local Office
Other Support Options
- Support form
- Email support at [email protected]
First Merchant Payment Systems Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
BBB Reports | 0 |
---|
Sole Complaint
First Merchant Payment Systems has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since February 2019 and currently maintains an “A+” rating. The company has received 0 complaints through the BBB over the last 3 years. First Merchant has also received no informal reviews on its BBB profile.
An “A” Performance Overall
Given the company’s complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time.
First Merchant Payment Systems Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
Cancellation Penalties | Unclear |
---|---|
Monthly & Annual Fees | Possible |
Processing Rates | Interchange + |
Equipment Leasing | Likely |
Overview of Contract Terms
Public details on the standard contract for First Merchant Payment Systems are sparse. One isolated complaint surfaced in a review’s comment section, revealing dissatisfaction with the contract terms, though lacking specifics on fees or duration“【oaicite:5】““【oaicite:4】“. First Merchant promotes interchange-plus pricing, noted for its transparency, and mentions a “free terminal” offer, which may include options from Clover. The specifics of whether Clover POS terminals are sold or leased under contract are not provided“【oaicite:3】““【oaicite:2】“.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Services
First Merchant extends its interchange-plus model to e-commerce solutions, featuring virtual terminal and payment gateway services. This implies that additional costs, such as gateway fees, support fees, and batch fees, could be applicable to these online services, though specifics are not detailed on their platform“【oaicite:1】“.
Contribute Your Insights
The competitiveness of First Merchant’s contract terms with other low-cost merchant accounts remains uncertain. Insights on First Merchant’s standard contract specifics, including any PCI compliance fees or early termination fees, would greatly benefit from public contribution for clearer understanding“【oaicite:0】“.
First Merchant Payment Systems Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
Uses Independent Resellers | No |
---|---|
Telemarketing | No |
Misleading Marketing | No |
Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Inside Sales Team
First Merchant does not appear to hire independent sales agents to market its services, although this was unconfirmed as of this update. There are very few negative First Merchant Payment Systems reviews, and those that are available do not cite aggressive or deceptive sales strategies. This is a strong indicator that the company’s sales reps are well-trained and subject to adequate oversight.
No Deceptive Advertising
First Merchant does not appear to engage in any deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials. The company’s low complaint total has qualified it for an “A” rating for this section. If you suspect that First Merchant Payment Systems is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden charges.
Our First Merchant Payment Systems Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
According to our rating criteria, First Merchant Payment Systems rates as a reliable credit card processing provider. The company boasts a low complaint rate and there is some indication that First Merchant employs an entirely in-house sales and support staff. First Merchant reviews do not indicate that the company is a ripoff or scam operation. However, readers are advised to read the terms of any contract they are given carefully and compare its costs to those of other top-rated providers.
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russ
first merchant payment systems are horrible! i have been a customer of theirs for 7 years now. it is time consuming to compare other companies and rates. it is tricky to figure out the fees to compare to other companies because there are so many fees and charges. when i find myself with one full week i will do some research and change companies.
they do nothing. and the few times i contact them they are useless. and they make over 2% of every dollar i bring in. it is such a racquet. do not use them!!