Guardian Small Business Consulting Review: Fees, Complaints & Lawsuits

5
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How did they treat you? ▼

Payment Processing for Standard-Risk Businesses

Formerly known as Guardian Small Business Consulting and Financial Services, Guardian Financial is an Idaho-based merchant account provider that serves most standard-risk business types. The company was founded in the mid-2000s and appears to be a reseller of Total Merchant Services, North American Bancard, Harbortouch, and Authorize.Net. Guardian Financial shares a name with a Texas-based wealth management firm also called Guardian Financial, but the two companies do not appear to be related.

As of 2022, it appears that Guardian Financial has started focusing on processing payments for home inspections, though it appears they also process payments for other businesses as well.

Guardian Financial Payment Processing

Guardian Financial processes debit and credit cards for many business types. They boast recurring billing, ATM placement, mobile device processing, an online payment gateway and virtual terminals, POS equipment, and gift card systems.

Guardian Financial Location and Ownership

Guardian is a registered ISO/MSP of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Walnut Creek, California. Ben Tolman and Aaron Fuhriman are co-owners of Guardian Financial, which is headquartered at 7187 S Pear Blossom Way, Meridian, ID 83642.

Pros & Cons
Pros: Cons:
Competitive rates advertised. Limited online reviews.
Short-term contracts available. Indirect customer support channels.
No early termination fees. Unclear contract details.
Offers various processing services. Possible additional fees.
Low number of complaints. No BBB profile available.

Guardian Financial Customer Reviews

Here's What Their Clients Say

Customer Reviews Summary
Total Online Complaints <10
Live Customer Support Yes
Most Common Complaint N/A

Clean Complaint Record

We are unable to locate any negative Guardian Financial reviews, which is a strong indicator that the company isn’t a scam or a ripoff. It’s possible that some Guardian Financial reviews are mistakenly filed against Guardian’s backend processors rather than Guardian itself, but there is no evidence to suggest that this is occurring. For a company of Guardian’s apparent time in business, a clean complaint record is admirable. We have therefore assigned it an “A” grade. If you have your own Guardian Financial review to make, please do so in the comments below.

Guardian Financial Lawsuits

We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Guardian Financial. Dissatisfied merchants who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.

Guardian Financial Customer Support Options

Guardian offers phone and email contact information on its website. According to the company’s website, it relies upon Total Merchant Services, North American Bancard, Harbortouch, and Authorize.Net for its customer support. These indirect channels are not enough to qualify it as a top-rated merchant account provider for customer service.

We have located multiple Guardian Financial customer service phone numbers:

(800) 608-7363 – Toll-Free Support
(208) 854-7711 – Local Office
(866) 614-0364 – Fax

Guardian Financial also offers a customer support form and a customer service email address at [email protected]

Guardian Financial Online Ratings

Here's How They Rate Online

No Current Profile

The Better Business Bureau does not maintain a profile for Guardian Financial at this time. Accordingly, we will not factor a BBB rating into this review.

Guardian Financial Fees, Rates & Costs

A Closer Look at The Contract

Cost & Fees Summary
ASHI Member Rate 1.69% + $0.20
Account Maintenance Fee $5 Per Month
Virtual Terminal Rate 2.90% + $0.30
Payment Gateway Fee $5 Per Month
Batch Fee $0.10
Minimum Processing Fee $25 Per Month
Early Termination Fee Undisclosed
PCI Compliance Fee $4.95 Per Month
Equipment Lease Terms Undisclosed

ASHI Member Pricing

It is difficult to find specific details about the standard Guardian Financial contract at this time. Since the company is apparently a Total Merchant Services reseller, it should be noted that North American Bancard, Harbortouch, and Authorize.Net, Guardian Financial rates and fees will vary in line with the range offered by those companies. On its page for ASHI members, the company advertises a per-transaction fee of 1.69% plus $0.20, a monthly account maintenance fee of $5, a monthly minimum fee of $25, and a monthly PCI compliance fee of $4.95. Guardian states that it will waive its PCI compliance fee for the first 12 months of the account and that it does not enforce setup fees, cancellation fees, annual fees, or long-term contracts. The company’s website does mention that it provides merchants with card processing terminals, although it does not specify any equipment lease terms or costs.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Guardian Financial also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. However, pricing is not disclosed on either of those services other than a $5 monthly gateway fee. There is evidence on the company’s website that it relies on Authorize.Net as a payment gateway, meaning that merchants may incur the fees associated with that provider. Authorize.Net charges 2.90% plus $0.30 per transaction and a batch fee of $0.10.

No Pricing Complaints

The Guardian Financial fees and rates quoted on this page are likely to be incomplete, and we do not take them at face value. We are unable to corroborate the company’s advertised claims with any user reviews or official documentation at this time, and it is unclear whether the pricing listed on this page is reserved for ASHI members or available to all merchants. Given the fact that there are no Guardian Financial complaints about their standard contract at this time, we will assign the company an “A” rating, but merchants should be sure to explore other low-cost providers before signing with Guardian Financial.

Guardian Financial Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs

Should You Work For Them?

Jobs & Marketing Summary
Employs Independent Resellers Unknown
Advertises Deceptive Rates No
Discloses All Important Terms No

Mixed Sales Approach

Guardian Financial appears to primarily market its services through strategic partnerships, an in-house sales team, and traditional advertising. It is unclear at this time whether the company employs independently contracted sales agents, but we are not seeing any Guardian Financial reviews that mention deceptive tactics by the company’s sales team. This indicates that Guardian likely does not have a large team of independent agents, or if it does, that it provides these agents with more support and training than is typical of the industry.

Somewhat Unclear Rates

Guardian is partnered with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), which may be a major source of business for the company. The page of Guardian’s website dedicated to its ASHI partnership quotes a discount rate of 1.70%, a “communication fee” of $0.20, a Mid-Qualified downgrade fee of 0.40%, and a Non-Qualified downgrade fee of 1.40%. The company does not make it clear that the mid- and non-qualified downgrade fees are added to its base fee, but merchants should expect that to be the case. Overall, Guardian’s rate quotes are not entirely clear, but they also do not appear to be deceptively presented.

Our Guardian Financial Review Summary

Our Final Thoughts

A Solid Payment Processor

Guardian Financial rates as a reliable merchant services provider according to all available information. The company appears to offer fairly standard pricing, but specific details about its contract terms are difficult to find at this time. Our rating for Guardian may be subject to change as more merchant feedback becomes available or once the BBB creates a profile for the company. For now, merchants should compare Guardian Financial’s offerings to those of the best overall credit card processors.

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Which is Most Important for You?

If you had to pick one, which quality would you say will be the most important with your next credit card processor? Tap or click your selection to register your vote:

  1. Low Transaction Fees
  2. No Monthly Fees
  3. No Contract
  4. Reliable Customer Support
  5. Quick Signup

Testimonials & Complaints

How Did Guardian Financial Treat You?

1 User Reviews

  • Cole Esther

    Guardian Financial has been an absolute game-changer for me and my finances. From the moment I engaged their services, I felt a sense of relief and confidence in managing my money. The team’s professionalism and friendly approach made the entire process seamless and stress-free.

    Their expert financial advisors took the time to understand my unique goals and tailored a comprehensive plan that fit my needs perfectly. With their guidance, I was able to make informed decisions about investments, savings, and retirement planning.

    I can’t stress enough how much Guardian Financial has transformed my financial outlook. Thanks to them, I now have a clear roadmap to achieve my long-term financial aspirations. Their dedication and commitment to their clients truly set them apart. I highly recommend Guardian Financial to anyone seeking a reliable partner to secure their financial future.

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