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Global Payments Review

  • Credit Card Processors
  • October 29, 2020
  • 92 User Reviews
Phillip Parker
By Phillip Parker
Phillip Parker

I was tired of watching unethical merchant services companies take advantage of unsuspecting business owners, so I built this website and wrote hundreds of reviews to expose their shady business practices. I've since appeared in INC Magazine, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, Detroit Free Press, Computer World Magazine, and several others. Contact me if you want help getting their hands out of your pockets.

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Global Payments Overview

FTC & Advertising Disclosure

We take great pride in providing one of the only objective an unbiased merchant account review websites on the internet. To support this enormous responsibility we earn some of our revenue through affiliate fees and advertising. These revenues in no way influence our ratings or reviews. Learn more about our monetization policies here. 

Rating

 3.5/5
Global Payments Logo
Website
(770) 829-8354

Most Recent Comment

  • Jill: says:
    September 8, 2020
    "** DO NOT DO BUSINESS with Global payments.** If I could give a negative number, I would. We have had nothing but issues with them from the ..." Read More
    Reply Leave Your Own Comment
See All User Comments

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Rating:
 3.5/5
Global Payments Logo
View Rates & Fees
(770) 829-8354

Most Recent Comment

  • Jill: says:
    September 8, 2020
    "** DO NOT DO BUSINESS with Global payments.** If I could give a negative number, I would. We have had nothing but issues with them from the ..." Read More
    Reply Leave Your Own Comment
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A Major Credit Card Processor

Global Payments Inc. is one of the largest credit card processors in the merchant account industry and has been in business since the 1960s. The company has partnerships in 31 countries worldwide. It’s also one of the few merchant account providers to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: GPN) as part of the S&P 500. In December 2015, the company announced its acquisition of Heartland Payment Systems, another very large credit card processor based in the U.S. The acquisition came a year after Heartland Payment Systems filed a lawsuit against Mercury Payments, an ISO of Global Payments, alleging that the company has committed false advertising and other tactics to damage Heatland’s reputation as a competitor.

Acquisition of TSYS


On May 28, 2019, Global Payments announced its acquisition of TSYS in a $21.5 billion all-stock deal. The acquisition had been speculated upon for some time in the months preceding its confirmation. TSYS is among the largest merchant service providers in the world, making Global Payments acquisition of the company a seminal moment for the industry. The announcement follows a flurry of acquisitions among competitors as FiServ announced its acquisition of First Data in January for $22 billion as well as FIS’ acquisition of Worldpay for approximately $35 billion.

Global Payments Headquarters and Ownership

The company’s headquarters are located at 3550 Lenox Road, Suite 3000. Atlanta, Georgia 30326, Global Payments supplies nearly every service a merchant would need, from setting up the merchant account to supplying the processing hardware. Through its OpenEdge division, the company also provides integrated merchant account software. The CEO of Global Payments is Jeffrey S. Sloan. The company announced the departure of its former president and COO David Magnum. A press release regarding Magnum’s exit stated that Sloan and Cameron Bready, the company’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will assume Magnum’s former roles while extending their respective employment agreements until August 2021.

Global Payments Review Table of Contents

  • Costs & Contract: Global Payments offers a multi-year contract with a variable early termination fee.
  • Complaints & Service: Global Payments has received more than 100 public complaints.
  • BBB Rating: Global Payments has a “A-” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received 318 complaints and 9 negative reviews in the past 3 years.
  • Sales & Marketing: Global Payments hires independent sales agents and has received complaints about deceptive rates, poor customer service, and its sales practices.
  • Rates & Fees: How Merchants Got The Best Rates With Global Payments
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Global Payments Rates, Fees, and Costs

Global Payments Rates, Fees, and Costs

Cost Summary

Swipe Rate 1.00% - 4.99%
Keyed-in Rate 1.00% - 4.99%
Virtual Terminal Rate 1.00% - 4.99%
Payment Gateway Fee Undisclosed
Monthly Fee $10
Early Termination Fee $500 or Liquidated Damages
Annual Maintenance Fee $299
Equipment Lease Terms 48 Month (locked)

Variable Global Payments Contract Terms

Merchants reviews reflects rates as low as 1.1% plus $0.19 for credit transactions and 0.5% plus $0.19 for those using debit. However, pricing and fees of a Global Payments merchant account will vary based on several factors, including a merchant’s business type, processing volume, and the reseller setting up the account. A sample Global Payments agreement from 2019 lists an early termination fee of $500 per location or Liquidated Damages, whichever is greater, which is as expensive as termination fees get. However, it appears that the service length agreement and early termination fee can be avoided by entering into a month-to-month agreement for the company’s services. Merchant reviews have claimed being charged an undisclosed $299 annual maintenance fee, account holds, and difficulty closing their accounts.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Global Payments also dedicates a portion of its website that advertises its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. However, pricing on either of those services is not disclosed. Additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates typically apply to these e-commerce services.

Negotiate Contract Pricing

Global Payments currently offers contract terms lasting for 3 years including an automatic 1 year renewal. Merchants are encouraged to aggressively negotiate pricing and contract terms under this type of scenario because it usually means that fees and terms are highly flexible. Learn everything you need to know about rates and fees as well as how to negotiate merchant account contracts in “Fee Sweep.”

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Global Payments Complaints & Customer Reviews

Complaint Summary

Total Online Complaints 100+
Live Customer Support Yes
Most Common Complaint Poor Service

Lower-Than-Expected Complaint Rate

Global Payments has a low-to-moderate complaint count for a processor of its size and time in business. The most common themes among these negative Global Payments reviews are reports of fund holds and poor customer service, although hidden fees are also occasionally mentioned. There is no specific circumstance that appears to result in fund holds, but holds often happen because of suspicious transactions or transactions that exceeded a merchant’s processing limit. Since most of these complaints appear to be unique incidents, they will not count heavily against the company’s rating in this section.

Global Payments Lawsuits

Since its acquisition of Heartland Payment Systems in 2015, multiple lawsuits have arisen involving Global Payments. Before the acquisition, Heartland sued Mercury Payments, an ISO of Global Payments, alleging false advertisements of rates and “other deceptive trade practices.” Following the acquisition of Heartland, its former CEO Robert O. Carr was charged with insider trading by the SEC for disclosing the impending merger to his then-girlfriend before it had become public knowledge. The revelation leading to those charges came from a suit that Heartland filed under Global Payments ownership against Carr for breach-of-contact. Carr then sued Global Payments to recoup legal fees from his SEC case before settling the matter by agreeing to pay a civil penalty of $250,628.

In March 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a complaint against Global Payments, Electronic Merchant Services, Frontline Processing, and Pathfinder Payment Solutions in connection with a “phantom debt” scheme that allegedly attempted to collect nonexistent debts from consumers. The CFPB’s complaint alleges that these four payment processors facilitated transactions for multiple debt collection companies owned by Marcus Brown and Mohan Bagga. According to the complaint, these debt collection companies used robocalls to target millions of consumers, who they then threatened in order to obtain debt payments that were not actually owed or that didn’t even exist. The CFPB further alleges that Global Payments “ignored numerous red flags of the debt collectors’ illegal conduct, including consumer disputes that described the scheme and communication problems with the debt collectors.” The case was dismissed in 2017 after the CFPB was sanctioned for misconduct during the discovery process.

In 2019 a jury in the Superior Court of DeKalb County, Georgia, found that Global Payments was in breach of parts of its merchant-service agreement with Frontline Processing. On Sept. 23, 2019, the jury awarded more than $24 million in direct damages and $109.8 million in consequential damages. Global Payments plans to appeal the ruling of the class action suit and this case is ongoing.

Global Payments Customer Support Options

It is worth mentioning, however, that over our past few updates there has been a gradual increase in complaints posted in the comment section of this review. Most of these comments cite poor customer service or undisclosed fees, such as early termination fees. The uptick in complaints contrasts with Global Payments’s diminishing complaint rate found on other websites like Ripoff Report. While this trend is slightly troubling and supports our decision not to include Global Payments in the list of top-rated merchant account providers for great customer service, it still barely alters our grade for a large, established company like Global Payments.

Global Payments BBB Rating Summary

BBB Summary

Product & Service Complaints 212
Billing & Collection Complaints 84
Advertising & Sales Complaints 21
Guarantee & Warranty Complaints 0
Delivery Complaints 0

Over 300 Complaints

As of this review, Global Payments is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau and is showing a “A-” rating. The company has had 318 complaints filed against it in the last 36 months. 21 complaints relates to advertising/sales issues, 212 related to product or service issues, and 84 stemming from problems with billing and collection. Global Payments has resolved 139 of these complaints to the merchants’ satisfaction. Meanwhile, 179 complaints have been unresolved by the company. The remaining complaints either were not satisfactorily resolved or did not receive a final assessment from the merchant.

What Merchants Say

In addition to those 29 complaints, the company has also received 9 informal reviews on its BBB profile. 8 of the reviews are negative in tone. The most recent review describes excessively high rates:

This company is absolutely reprehensible. I signed up for a merchant services (credit card processing) account with Heartland Payment Systems in 2013. Heartland was great. Then Heartland was purchased by Global Payments. (Heartland actually had a lawsuit against Mercury Payment Systems who was owned by Global Payments at the time). It is likely Global Payments actually bought Heartland Payment Systems to silence them regarding a big lawsuit. See a very interesting article at: *************************************************************** ******** Anyhow, Global Payments has implemented ridiculously high discount rates (basis points) to our account. They are very clever and sly as a fox when they do this. They write on page 2 (the page that is normally blank on the back side of the first page) that they are going to raise your rates. Of course it is in small type and they don’t tell you how much they are going to raise your rates. Our rates were more than tripled! They slyly raised our discount rate from .25 to .78, more than tripling our rate! I was furious and called them. They said they could maybe lower the rates a little bit. Global Payments simply doesn’t care about the good customers that Heartland acquired over years of reputable service and they will definitely begin losing many customers that they try to swindle out of money. I would never do business with them again.

Merchants trying to find low rates should explore the providers offering the best rates in the industry.

A “C” Performance Overall

The BBB cites the company’s lack of response to some complaints as the primary reason for lowering its score. In light of the company’s huge influx of recent complaints, we have adjusted the BBB’s rating to a “C” grade according to our rating criteria.

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Truth In Marketing & Advertising

Key Points

Employs Independent Resellers Yes
Advertises Deceptive Rates No
Discloses All Important Terms No

An Abundance of Resellers

The only strike against Global Payments in this section is how the company acquires new merchant customers. Global Payments relies heavily on partnered independent sales organizations (ISOs) and independent sales agents (both are also called “resellers”) to market and sell its merchant accounts. Although this is a common marketing practice among larger processors, it can result in numerous merchant complaints because the resellers’ sales tactics are hard to control.

No Misleading Rate Quotes

In Global Payments’ case, it appears that most of the complaints against the company can be traced back to resellers; however, the overall number of complaints is relatively low (details covered below). Global Payments also does not promote any misleading “teaser” rates in its official marketing materials, but its issues with resellers, in part, keeps it from being considered a top merchant account provider.

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Sales & Marketing Example

Our Opinion Of Global Payments

Global Payments Logo

An Above-Average Processor

Overall, Global Payments scores reasonably well for a merchant services provider of its size and time in business. Many of the company’s merchant services are set up by resellers that can set their own pricing and contract terms, so merchants are encouraged to negotiate their contracts aggressively and to thoroughly review contracts before signing.

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About Phillip Parker

Why I'm Qualified to Write About Credit Card Processing

I’m a small business owner who previously worked in the credit card processing industry. I started this blog in 2009 to help other business owners by exposing credit card processors that engage in unethical marketing, rate and fee trickery, and fine-print-contract schemes. Over the last decade, I’ve reviewed hundreds of merchant services providers which has helped to educate over 5 million businesses on the nuances of credit and debit card acceptance. I’ve appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Inc. Magazine and a host of other publications to offer insight on the subject of card acceptance. 

Need expert help? Learn how we can assist you here.

I offer merchant account and credit card processing consultation for the following needs:

  • Selecting the right credit card processing services for your business.
  • Reducing credit card processing fees with your current merchant account provider.
  • Negotiating credit card processing fees when changing merchant accounts.
  • Strategies for reducing and recovering funding holds and chargebacks.

 

Schedule a call with me today!

 

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Jill
4 months ago

** DO NOT DO BUSINESS with Global payments.**
If I could give a negative number, I would. We have had nothing but issues with them from the beginning. It should have been a huge warning sign when we were finding “mistakes” with fees in the contract versus what had been quoted to us. Fees not listed in the contract are constantly being added. These are not just nickle and dine fees. The added reoccurring monthly fees are hundreds per month. Then there are the quarterly added fees and the annual added fees. We were also incorrectly charged PCI noncompliance fees for over a year when we were in compliance. We have made numerous calls to try to find out what fees were, corrections that needed to be made, and follow-ups from credits due.

When we initially signed with Global payments (also know as Open Edge), we were told and shown that we would save on average about $200 a month in fees. When doing a cost comparison, we found that in 2019 our overall credit card revenue went down from 2018 by 2.6%, but our fees went up 12.6%!!!

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Shelley
1 year ago

The absolute worst staff ever! my Debit machine isn’t working, they said it was my internet provider, I called Cogeco, my internet is fine because all my other devices are working perfectly, then they said it was my router and on their advice I bought a $180.00 dollar router, and still the debit machine isn’t working.

But the worst thing is Global Payments thinks I should pay for something I don’t own $150.00 dollars for a technician to come out and fix their machine.

And the other worst thing one of their Technician John that I last spoke with said I wasn’t allowed to talk with a manager, disgusting, and towards the end of the conversation I was in the middle of speaking and John just hung up on me. What a way to treat your clients. Global Payments you should be really proud of yourself, I gave you a 1 star because you without doubt deserve it.

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Steve Katz
1 year ago

Unethical & poor business practices. Large increases on monthly miscellaneous fees without proper notification. Huge rates on transactions. Unwarranted fees. Upon trying to cancel the service they charge a $875 fee per account, one per currency one per Visa/MC. This company has access to your deposit accounts and should not be trusted. Other services have lower or no monthly charges.

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Brian Clark
Reply to  Steve Katz
1 year ago

Steve,

This article should help: How to Cancel a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee.

-Phillip

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Sergio Chio
1 year ago

Terrible customer service, incompetent staff, overpriced and hidden fees. Terminal cash/ disconnect every week. This company should be rate Z- not C- . I will switch as soon as my contract is over!

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SH P
1 year ago

[AVOID AVOID AVOID] Business located in Calgary – This company overcharged us about $9,500 in fees over 1 year and 3 months. Initially, you start out paying the average collective ~5% for processing credit cards (including monthly fees, and their thousand other fees). Then they increased it (by adding more fees) June 2018 to 8-9% of our sales. Apparently, they gave us “notice” through back page on our month statement that does not get mailed out (you can only access through website, and my parents are not tech savvy nor is their primary language English). AND THEN, they added MORE FEES AGAIN in March 2019 to collectively equal 10-12% of our total credit card sales. THIS IS ROBBERY. If you don’t refute within 3 months, it means you’ve accepted the rate. My parents only started taking notice when their bank account balance seriously began to dwindle then I came in to investigate. They have offered to lower the collective rates to about 40% of current 10-12% charge, but that’s still higher than other major merchant rates. We are going to change.

WATCH OUT everyone. They’re scam artists, they tell you to go get a lawyer if you want to try to get your money back. Terrible. They will keep increasing your fees if you don’t take notice and they will singlehandedly BANKRUPT you. Also, there is a $700 cancellation charge because your contract “auto” renews, so even if you’ve been with the company for 6-7 years, and they havemade a fortune off you, they will still do this. Check their 2018 earnings result – RECORD HIGH – at the cost of their customers.

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Sharon Williams
1 year ago

Totally disappointed with Global. We cancelled our contract. We had been using them for years and they were charging us, by the time we paid fees, admin…. 4.79%.
This is totally wrong and when the machines crashed, they didn’t answer their phones.
NEVER AGAIN


This post will help: Best E-Commerce Merchant Accounts

-Phillip

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Husham Hakeem
1 year ago

This company with holds money until you call them. Then they tell you it will be two to three business days before you get your money. They do not resolve your issues. I will not recommend this company to any one. Stay Away


This post will help: How to Make Your Payment Processor Release Your Money

-Phillip

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Guy Kordova
1 year ago

We have been connected to Global Payments by intermediary company called RMS.

Global payments charge £44.60 inc VAT just to be PCI compliant (if you have multiple accounts it will be more)

And if you are unlucky and were non compliant for a month it is £150. Extortionate.

Their customer service is non existent, they will take 45-60 minutes to answer the phone and will not hesitate to put the phone down on you if they dont like your tone.
A very bad blast from the past – you’d think this level of service doesnt exist in 2019….

I paid my way to disconnect any contact with them, and wouldnt recommend them to anyone.


This post will help: Best UK Merchant Services Providers

– Phillip

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Alexander N Gladish
2 years ago

Stay away. Long story short I got defrauded by them (Craig Jackson). When I called and tried to argue and dispute it, they did not return my emails or calls. i’m getting charged 230 a month still! Very Very bad experience.

From The Editor
This Post Might Help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee

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Kevin
2 years ago

They don’t even deserve one star. HORRIBLE customer service. They put you on hold for hours and transfer you from one country to another to get to their “Correct” department. They increase their rates without notice. When we closed the account, they kept charging us monthly to suck every penny we got. Whenever we tell them that we already close the account, they say that this is the last charge, yeah right.
Can’t get rid of them unless you change bank account. They are like parasites. Avoid at all cost.

From The Editor
This Post Might Help: Best Merchant Accounts for Great Customer Service

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