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.
This article will review the company's service offerings, pricing structure, contract terms, and customer feedback. We will discuss the transparency of their fees, the quality of their customer support, and the overall satisfaction levels reported by their clients. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of what Mainstream Merchant Services offers and whether their services are suitable for your business's payment processing needs.
Mainstream Merchant Services offers robust payment processing solutions, accepting all major debit and credit cards. This service ensures that businesses can efficiently manage transactions from a diverse customer base.
Addressing the increasing demand for flexibility, Mainstream Merchant Services provides mobile payment solutions. These services enable merchants to accept payments via smartphones and tablets.
The company supplies a range of Point of Sale (POS) solutions, including Poynt, Mynt, Vital, Ordyx, and Revel Systems. These systems are designed to streamline business operations by offering features such as sales tracking, inventory management, and customer data analytics.
Mainstream Merchant Services also offers virtual terminals, allowing businesses to process payments without the need for physical card readers. This is particularly useful for phone and mail orders.
In addition, Mainstream Merchant Services provides a cash discount program. This program enables businesses to offer discounts to customers who pay with cash, encouraging cash transactions and helping merchants save on credit card processing fees.
We are able to find very few negative Mainstream Merchant Services reviews on non-BBB websites, and none of them accuse the company of scamming or ripping off its merchants. The available complaints mention unexpected fees, fund holds, and unavailable customer service, but there does not seem to be a consistent theme among complainants. In fact, there are many positive reviews in our comment section and the company appears to address issues directly. If you have your own Mainstream Merchant Services review to make, please do so in the comments below.
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Mainstream Merchant Services. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
In fact, the company is showing primarily positive testimonials on sites like Glassdoor.com, Merchant Circle, and in the comment section below this review. This positive online reputation suggests that the company provides ample customer support for its merchants and is able to resolve most of its users’ complaints in-house. The Mainstream Merchant Services website provides phone support numbers for clients, and these channels appear to function at a level similar to top-rated credit card processors for customer service.
| BBB Rating | N/A |
|---|---|
| Google Maps | 3.2 |
| Average Rating | 3.2 |
Mainstream Merchant Services has no rating with the Better Business Bureau based on 0 complaints in the past 36 months.
We agree with the BBB’s former rating of “A” at this time.
Mainstream Merchant Services has a 3.2 out of 5 star rating based on 63 user reviews on Google Maps.
Mainstream has been fantastic! Consistent support and so easy to work with! Would highly recommend making the switch if you have the opportunity!
Not a good company to work with. I have been with them since 2018. Customer service is horrible. Tried to cancel and they charged me. After 5 years they have made ALOT on us. Find another merchant service!! – or call your lawyer ASAP
Reports from former clients and employees state that Mainstream Merchant Services markets payment processing services with a three-year contract. This agreement appears to automatically renew for successive two-year terms unless canceled with at least a 30 days written notice before the contract is set to expire. Company representative Chad Rapper highlighted that they provide both Interchange-plus or Cash Discount pricing, tailoring to business owners’ preferences. The markup over Interchange-plus may be variable, as specific rate details weren’t provided.
If service is canceled before the initial three-year term ends or notice is given in the last month of the contract, a termination fee of $250 is applicable. Other fees in the contract include a $20 monthly minimum fee, $20 chargeback fee, $6.95 monthly PCI compliance fee, a $3.95 monthly regulatory fee, among others, within an Interchange-plus pricing framework.
For its virtual terminal and payment gateway services, Mainstream Merchant Services mentions a standard $10 payment gateway fee. Additional costs, such as technical support fees, batch fees, and extra transaction rates, may also apply to these e-commerce services, though specific pricing isn’t publicly detailed.
A recent update from a company representative clarified that the virtual terminal fee applies only to users of that specific service. Moreover, they allow contract cancellation within the first 90 days of service without penalties. While this offers a trial opportunity for their systems and support, it doesn’t provide an exit option post the initial 90-day period.
Mainstream Merchant Services’ fees are in line with industry norms but not as low as the most affordable merchant account providers. The presence of a three-year, auto-renewing contract lowers our overall rating of the company. While there are some complaints about the $250 cancellation fee, most customers seem content with their rates and fees.
For additional merchant account options, we recommend exploring our list of the top merchant accounts.
Mainstream Merchant Services appears to utilize strategic partnerships and in-house, W2-employed sales agents to market its services. We consider this hiring practice to be preferable to the use of independent sales agents, as in-house agents tend to receive more support and training. The total lack of Mainstream Merchant Services reviews regarding the company’s sales team supports the likelihood that its agents are well-trained and held to ethical standards.
This compares favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
We have located one complaint that mentions aggressive sales calls, but Mainstream Merchant Services responded to this review and assured the reviewer that the company does not use telemarketers or auto-dialers to sell its services. It could be that this complaint was intended for Main Street Processing, which has a similar name and a history of aggressively cold-calling businesses.
In particular, Mainstream Merchant Services receives remarkably strong reviews from its employees on Glassdoor.com, and it’s likely that this satisfaction results in a positive experience for the company’s clients. It is also worth noting that the company does not list any deceptive rate quotes or misleading promotions on its website. However, if you suspect that Mainstream Merchant Services is overcharging you, you can double-check your monthly bill with a third-party statement audit.
Compare Mainstream Merchant Services to competitors that earned top marks.
Mainstream Merchant Services is currently rated as a reliable credit card processing provider based on available data. The company maintains a notably low number of merchant complaints, which indicates overall customer satisfaction. However, its contract terms seem only marginally more competitive than the industry average, suggesting that businesses should weigh these conditions carefully when considering Mainstream for their processing needs.
As its Better Business Bureau profile continues to gather client feedback, our assessment of Mainstream Merchant Services may evolve. In the meantime, prospective clients are advised to compare its pricing with the top overall payment processors to secure the best deal. Conducting thorough research into pricing and service terms will ensure businesses find the ideal fit for their payment processing requirements, balancing reliability with competitive costs.
| President | Jerome Vignale |
|---|---|
| Address | 11720 Amberpark Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30009 |
| Toll-Free Customer Support | (866) 674-1020 |
| Customer Service | hello@mainstreamms.com |
| Additional Support Channels | Online Contact Form |
