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The Truth About MerchantE: Rates, Complaints & Customer Feedback

Name: Merchant e-Solutions
Item: Merchant e-Solutions
Rating: 2.8
Author: Phillip Parker

Author: Phillip Parker

Updated: September 30, 2025

Maintained Since: August 9, 2012

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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.

Merchant e-Solutions

Rating

2.8/5

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Pros

Global payment acceptance

Competitive pricing structures

Diverse payment options

Cons

Occasional funding delays

Limited advanced features

Potential cancellation fees

Monthly minimum charges

Potential setup costs

Overview

In this review of MerchantE (formerly Merchant e-Solutions), we take a close look at their merchant account and credit card processing services, including POS systems, mobile payment solutions, electronic invoicing, and virtual terminals. Our analysis breaks down their fees and contract terms while explaining services such as hosted payments and mobile acceptance to give businesses a clear picture of their offerings. We also consider customer complaints, industry ratings, and employee feedback to provide insight into MerchantE’s reputation and operations, along with a review of their marketing tactics and how these affect clients and sales practices. Finally, we examine recent developments, including legal challenges and concerns about customer support, to present an up to date and balanced perspective that helps businesses decide whether MerchantE meets their payment processing needs.

About Merchant e-Solutions

Screen Capture of Merchant e-Solutions Homepage — MerchantE Solutions Homepage

Merchant e-Solutions or MerchantE is a merchant account provider headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides credit card processing services for most business needs, including global payments and e-commerce. The company’s website states that it was founded in early 2000 by a team of mostly former executives of Bank of America Merchant Services and has since been acquired by a Brazil-based merchant services provider called Cielo S.A. Additionally, Merchant e-Solutions claims to process over $17 billion in transactions annually and support 150 global currencies. As of 2020, it appears that the Merchant e-Solutions name is being phased out and rebranded as MerchantE. The original website now redirects to merchante.com, and the Better Business Bureau’s page points users to MerchantE’s BBB listing. This comes shortly after the company’s announcement in April 2020 that it would be partnering with Payouts Network, but the exact details of this strategic partnership are unknown. In 2022, Ceilo sold MerchantE to Integrum.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

MerchantE processes major debit and credit cards for various business types. Their services include POS solutions, mobile payment options, ACH processing, virtual terminals, payment gateways, e-commerce services, employee payment services, and cash flow management.

Hosted Payments

MerchantE offers a hosted payment solution, allowing businesses to securely accept payments on their websites or apps, facilitating online transactions.

Electronic Invoicing

The company provides an electronic invoicing platform, MerchantE Invoice, to streamline billing processes and simplify payment collection.

Mobile Payment Acceptance

MerchantE supports businesses in accepting payments from mobile shoppers with solutions designed to make mobile payment acceptance seamless.

Virtual Terminals

MerchantE offers virtual terminals that enable businesses to accept payments remotely, providing flexibility and adaptability for various business needs.

POS Terminals

The company provides Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals to streamline in-store payment processes, designed to be user-friendly and suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Assessment of Merchant e-Solutions Reviews

A review of available feedback has uncovered several negative Merchant e-Solutions reviews across consumer advocacy sites, with allegations ranging from deceptive practices to unfair contract terms. Complaints frequently highlight issues such as automatic contract renewals, substantial early termination fees, unexpected charges related to American Express transactions, poor customer support, and holds on funds. Additionally, more than 10 grievances from current and former employees reflect dissatisfaction with the company’s work culture, especially following its acquisition by Cielo S.A. However, it’s worth noting that these internal issues may not directly affect Merchant e-Solutions’ clients. We welcome your Merchant e-Solutions experiences and reviews in the comments section below.

Merchant e-Solutions Customer Support Review

Due to reported issues such as significant termination fees and numerous complaints about fraudulent charges, Merchant e-Solutions’ customer service rating has been adjusted to a “C.” Despite offering a 24/7/365 dedicated phone line and email support, these measures have not sufficed to categorize the company among the top-rated customer service processors. Customer feedback suggests a need for improvement in service quality and transparency.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop	1
BBB Rating	1
Google Maps	2.9
TrustRadius Rating	3.4
Our Rating	2.8
Average Rating	2.52

PaymentPop Rating for Merchant e-Solutions

Negative Feedback

This company is terrible when it comes to Customer Satisfaction. They have been our Credit Card Processor since 2008! The fees have increased with an excelerated rate over the last few years. We are now at 5-7% fees on any credit card payments being processed. Because of this I called to close our account. I was told there would be a $500 Penalty to close the account. They stated we are under contract. This is totally incorrect. The original agreement that was signed was a one year agreement! How can they get away with this? Beware of this company!!!!

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Merchant e-Solutions on the PaymentPop website.

Merchant e-Solutions BBB Rating

Merchant e-Solutions (as MerchantE) is accredited by the BBB since 6/18/2020 and holds an “A+” rating. The company has been in business for 19 years. There are 4 customer reviews on the BBB website for MerchantE, with an average rating of 1/5 stars. There are no customer complaints filed against the business.

Negative Feedback

Horrible business. We’ve tried to cancel our account multiple times, they continue charging us a monthly fee even though we don’t use them at all anymore. This month’s charge was $104.85 for zero transactions. They say if we cancel we won’t be PCI compliant, but our new website provider and payment processor is PCI compliant. When we point this out, they stop communicating. If I could give a zero star rating, I would. What a joke they’re rated A+, there’s multiple lawsuits against them for shady business practices.

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about MerchantE on the BBB website.

Google Maps Rating for Merchant e-solutions

Merchant e-solutions has a 2.9 out of 5 star rating based on 28 user reviews on Google Maps.

Positive Feedback

I have worked with many merchant processors. This one is by far the best of the best. Great risk team

Negative Feedback

High fee’s with little to no features . In addition to a poor customer website interface.

TrustRadius Rating for MerchantE Solutions

MerchantE Solutions has a score of 6.8 out of 10 on TrustRadius, based on 2 reviews. The reviews highlight the software’s integration with NetSuite ERP system and its ability to process credit card payments and collect money faster. However, there are concerns about the user interface and account support for smaller businesses.

Negative Feedback

There are no specific negative user reviews available on TrustRadius for MerchantE Solutions.

Positive Feedback

We use Merchant e-Solutions company-wide to handle and process all of our credit card payments. As a distribution company selling B2B, we were having to wait for check payments from our customers for orders. When we were able to accept credit card payments, we were able to collect money much faster. They are a great solution for any company using NetSuite’s ERP platform as it is a direct integration into the software platform. They are able to accept all major credit card providers and their rates seem to be in line with the industry. – Review from April 23, 2020

Source: TrustRadius

Processing Rates & Fees

Three-Year Agreement

According to the company’s standard contract, terms and conditions, and the company’s pricing table found on its website, Merchant e-Solutions typically offers a 3-year agreement with automatic renewal for one year, an early termination fee of $300, an annual PCI Compliance fee of $34.95, a $20 monthly minimum fee, a chargeback fee of $25, a qualified rate of 2.69% plus $0.30 per transaction, and an additional 1.95% plus $0.10 for Non-Qualified transactions. This pricing table is co-branded with PayPal, suggesting that some of the listed fees may be charged by PayPal rather than Merchant e-Solutions.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Merchant e-Solutions also advertises its virtual terminal and payment gateway services on its website. However, pricing for these 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.

Beware of Liquidated Damages

A separate document detailing the company’s terms and conditions describes a liquidated damages early termination fee, which is calculated based on the greater of $300 or the product of the average monthly Processing Fees over the most recent 6 months multiplied by the number of remaining months in the contract. Complaints and company rebuttals online confirm this liquidated damages fee, as well as an annual PCI Compliance fee of up to $69.95 with a $15-25 monthly minimum fee. While the PCI Compliance fee is slightly lower than usual, these terms are less competitive than those offered by the cheapest merchant accounts. We therefore assign the company a “D” grade in this category.

Contract Complaints

It’s worth noting that the company has received complaints about its contract terms, particularly regarding the liquidated damages fee. Business owners are encouraged to review the terms and conditions carefully before signing up for services. We also recommend exploring our list of the best merchant services.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Outside Agents and Resellers

Merchant e-Solutions appears to rely on referrals and partnerships with ISOs and independent sales agents to market its services. This marketing practice can often result in an elevated complaint rate, as it is difficult for any company to regulate the conduct of a network of independent sales entities. In this case, we have located a handful of Merchant e-Solutions reviews that mention undisclosed fees and contract terms, specifically with respect to the company’s automatic renewal clause. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Deceptive Quotes

The company does not appear to engage in any deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials. However, the nature of its available complaints inclines us to award its sales team a “B” for now. If you suspect that you have had undisclosed fees added to your Merchant e-Solutions contract, we advise seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden charges.

Merchant e-Solutions Competitors

Compare Merchant e-Solutions to competitors that earned top marks.

Pricing

Bottom Line

Merchant e-Solutions presents itself as an average option in the credit card processing industry. The company registers a marginally lower complaint rate compared to others of similar size and tenure, which is a positive indication of customer satisfaction. However, the less competitive nature of its contract terms tends to diminish its overall appeal in our ratings.

For businesses considering Merchant e-Solutions, it is crucial to thoroughly review and understand the contract terms offered. Attention to detail can prevent future disputes and financial surprises. To secure the best possible service and terms, we recommend comparing Merchant e-Solutions’ offerings with those provided by top-rated credit card processors, ensuring a choice that aligns with both fiscal and operational objectives.

Read Actual User Reviews

See User Reviews Write a Review

All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact Merchant e-Solutions

Contact & Customer Support
CEO	Mike Rouse
Headquarters	1150 Sanctuary Pkwy STE 300 Alpharetta, GA 30009
General Customer Service	(855) 949-7474
Sales Inquiries	(866) 663-6132
Additional Contact Channels	Online Support Form
Website	merchante.com

About Us

CardPaymentOptions.com

Established 2009

My name is Phillip Parker, and I started this website back in 2009 as a simple blog to call out shady credit card processors that were taking advantage of small business owners. At the time, I had no idea this side project would grow into a leading voice pushing for transparency and integrity in the payment processing industry. I also didn't anticipate just how far some of these companies' owners would go to try to silence me.

I was recruited out of college for a sales role with a credit card processor. At the time, I didn't realize the “training” was really about tricking me... into selling business owners expensive processing with hidden fees and long-term service agreements. In my first few sales, I unknowingly cost friends and family thousands of dollars after they trusted me to switch their services. When it finally clicked that something was seriously wrong, I was furious. I quit immediately and made a promise to expose that company and any others operating the same way. That promise is what led to the creation of this website.

As I wrote about these processors, their tactics, and the people behind them, the articles started to spread among business owners. News organizations picked up the stories, readers shared them online, and traffic to the blog took off. Unsurprisingly, that also caught the attention of the companies and individuals I was exposing.

Over the last 17 years, I've received several anonymous death threats and defeated four lawsuits meant to intimidate me into taking my blog down. Their efforts to muzzle me only made my determination to expose them even stronger, leading me to work with state authorities to help shutdown some of the worst offenders.

I'm proud to say that of the millions of people who have read my work, thousands have taken the time to write and thank me for helping them narrowly avoid a very costly mistake. This blog has played a small role in pushing the industry toward more ethical practices - but there are still bad actors out there, which means the work isn't done.

If I can offer one piece of advice, it's this: get every promise in writing, and take the time to review contracts carefully. Tools like ChatGPT can help surface red flags and uncover expensive surprises buried in the fine print.

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading. I truly appreciate you being here, and I wish you every success with your business.

Our Research Methodology

Pricing & Fees

We analyze all costs including rate structures (interchange-plus, tiered, flat-rate, etc), monthly fees, equipment costs, early termination fees, and hidden charges. This data is gathered from service agreements, statements and client feedback.

Features & Technology

Evaluation of POS systems, e-commerce integrations, mobile capabilities, reporting tools, recurring billing..., and developer resources. When possible, we directly test services and hardware. Otherwise, we rely on client feedback and public information.

Customer Support

We evaluate availability across phone, email, chat, and social channels. Measuring hold times, night and weekend availability, and client feedback regarding effectiveness, professionalism, and resolution rates.

Contract Terms & Conditions

We review service agreements and equipment contracts for reasonability, transparency, and fairness. We focus on uncovering any predatory clauses, such as unjustified early termination fees, hidden costs, and unclear cancellation policies.

User Experience

We comb the internet and interview current and former clients to evaluate the overall user experience and identify any common pain points that may impact the user experience.

Sales & Marketing Practices

We evaluate sales tactics, marketing materials, and client feedback to determine the level of transparency and ethical nature of the provider's approach. Does the provider publicly disclose pricing? Do they use teaser rates? We score based on these and other factors.

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