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Merchant Processing Company

Rating
C
3/5
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Pros and Cons of Merchant Processing Company

Pros

Customer support available
Streamlines payment processing
Multiple payment options

Cons

Transaction delays
Variable fee structures
Potential hidden fees
Contract commitments required
Technical issues possible

Overview

In this review of Merchant Processing Company (MPC Solutions), we examine the reputation and operations of this merchant account provider, which has connections to Crescent Processing Company. We’ll cover its rates, fees, contract terms, and services, including high-risk merchant accounts, point-of-sale systems, virtual terminals, e-commerce solutions, and gift card programs. The review also looks at MPC’s marketing tactics, customer and employee feedback, and its history of rebranding and associations with defunct providers such as Park Central Company and Future Payment Technologies. Despite its complicated background, our goal is to provide a clear picture of MPC’s operations, highlight its role in the market, particularly for high-risk businesses, and compare its offerings with other providers to help you make an informed decision.

About Merchant Processing Company

Founded in 2006, Merchant Processing Company, also known as MPC Solutions, is a merchant account provider that appears to be a DBA of Crescent Processing Company. This is evidenced by the fact that at the time of a previous update, the old Crescent Processing website URL redirected to Merchant Processing Company’s website, as well as the presence of similar branding and identifying information between the two websites of the two companies. For example, previously the Merchant Processing Company logo is simply the old Crescent Processing Company logo with the word “Merchant” superimposed over it in a different font.

Screen Capture of Merchant Processing Homepage
Merchant Processing Homepage

A Company of Many Names

Crescent Processing Company has created multiple DBAs and rebranded multiple times since its founding. The company is affiliated with two defunct providers called Park Central Company and Future Payment Technologies, although the evidence suggests that both Park Central and Future Payment Technologies were simply DBAs or wholly owned subsidiaries of Crescent. Crescent also created Talus Payments, but Talus has since been acquired by a new ownership group and does not have any current connection to Crescent Processing Company or MPC.

Merchant Processing Company high-risk businesses
Merchant Processing Company specifically markets itself to high-risk businesses

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Merchant Processing Company (MPC) specializes in processing major debit and credit cards for high-risk businesses. Their services include EMV swipers, wireless swipers, a virtual terminal, check processing, gift cards, receipt capture, and cash advances.

Point of Sale (POS) Systems

MPC offers POS systems that help businesses manage sales, inventory, and payment processing. These systems include features such as inventory management, employee management, and customer management. MPC’s POS systems can be customized to meet the specific needs of different businesses.

Virtual Terminal

MPC provides a virtual terminal for businesses to accept payments from any location. Accessible through any web-enabled device, the virtual terminal allows for convenient on-the-go payment processing. It also supports recurring payments and electronic invoicing.

E-commerce Solutions

MPC offers e-commerce solutions that allow businesses to sell products and services online. The platform integrates with various e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. It also includes a virtual terminal for accepting payments over the phone or through email.

Gift Card Processing

MPC provides gift card processing services, enabling businesses to offer gift cards to their customers. The platform includes customizable gift card templates and tools for managing gift card programs.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Overview of Merchant Processing Company Reviews

Currently, there are no discernible negative reviews specifically attributed to Merchant Processing Company, likely due to the generic nature of its name and its relatively recent establishment. However, the company’s clear connection with Crescent Processing Company necessitates an evaluation of Crescent’s historical performance and customer feedback to inform our understanding of Merchant Processing Company’s potential service quality. We encourage individuals with firsthand experiences with Merchant Processing Company to share their insights in the comments section below.

Crescent Processing Company’s Customer Feedback

Crescent Processing Company, including its DBAs, has garnered a substantial volume of complaints, exceeding 90 distinct grievances. The bulk of these negative reviews center on issues such as unexpectedly high processing fees, undisclosed charges, and the omission of a $495 cancellation fee tied to a three-to-four-year auto-renewing contract by sales agents. Furthermore, there are reports of continued fee debits post-account cancellation, suggesting systemic issues within Crescent’s operational practices.

Customer Support and Service Quality

Merchant Processing Company currently provides customer support via a website contact form and a dedicated phone line. Reviews associated with Crescent Processing Company indicate a poor level of customer service, including lengthy wait times for issue resolution, with many problems traceable to initial miscommunications by sales agents regarding contract terms and fees. These practices suggest potential for similar service challenges under Merchant Processing Company.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

No BBB Profile Available

The Better Business Bureau does not maintain a profile for Merchant Processing Company at this time, nor does it maintain a profile for Crescent Processing Company any longer. When its profile was last active, Crescent Processing had been given an “A” rating by the BBB despite receiving 288 complaints. Our review gave the company an “F” rating.

The BBB does not maintain a profile for Future Payment Technologies any longer either. With the lack of any active profiles between its multiple DBAs, we will not factor the BBB into this review until it establishes a profile for Merchant Processing Company.

Processing Rates & Fees

Four-Year Contract

Merchant Processing Company’s relationship with Crescent Processing Company suggests it likely offers similar terms. The typical contract seems to be a four-year automatically renewing contract with a $495 Early Termination Fee (ETF). It’s unclear if there’s an annual or monthly PCI Compliance Fee. MPC’s website mentions a PCI Compliance fee of $89 in 2010, without specifying its frequency. Businesses should review MPC’s contracts thoroughly before signing.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Alongside its in-store payment processing, Merchant Processing Company advertises virtual terminal and payment gateway services. However, pricing for these services isn’t disclosed. Additional rates and fees, such as gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and transaction rates, typically apply to e-commerce services.

Beware Long-Term Equipment Leases

MPC’s sales agents seem to earn extra commissions for long-term credit card terminal leases, often bundled with costly contracts. Business owners are advised against leasing processing hardware due to its high expense. Purchasing equipment is recommended, with thorough research before making a decision. Explore our list of top merchant service providers.

More of the Same

There’s little indication that Merchant Processing Company offers more competitive contract terms. For any additional information on fees or contracts, please share in the comments section of this review.

Merchant Processing Company virtual terminal
Merchant Processing Company also advertises a virtual terminal

Lawsuits & Legal History

No specific class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints have been identified against Merchant Processing Company. The generic company name complicates efforts to isolate legal actions directly involving this entity rather than other similarly named firms. Merchants seeking non-litigious resolutions are advised to report their concerns to appropriate oversight bodies.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Independent Sales Team

Merchant Processing Company relies heavily on hiring independent outside agents and resellers to market and sell its services. This type of sales program usually encourages agents to sell expensive, long-term merchant account contracts in exchange for high commissions. We are unable to locate any Merchant Processing Company reviews at this time that specifically refer to sales, but this is likely due to the fact that the company has only been active under this name for a few years. It should also be noted that using this extremely generic name makes it difficult to find information and complaints about the company, as “merchant processing company” is a very commonly used term in the industry. This may be a purposeful tactic on the part of MPC. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

The Crescent Processing Experience

Due to Crescent Processing Company’s well-established reputation for generating sales complaints and Merchant Processing Company’s obvious relationship to Crescent, we will assign the company a grade of “C” in this section. If you suspect that Merchant Processing Company is overcharging you, then you can double-check your monthly bill with a third-party statement audit.

Merchant Processing Company Competitors

Compare Merchant Processing Company to competitors that earned top marks.

Bottom Line

Merchant Processing Company (MPC) is currently rated as an average credit card processing provider, primarily based on the reputation of its predecessor, Crescent Processing Company. At this time, it remains unclear whether MPC is under completely new ownership and if this management team intends to operate differently than Crescent’s. Given the uncertainties surrounding its ownership and management approach, businesses are encouraged to assume that MPC follows Crescent’s operational practices.

To ensure they secure the best possible deal, business owners should carefully compare MPC’s contract terms and services against those offered by top-rated payment processors before making a commitment. Conducting thorough due diligence is crucial to finding a provider that aligns well with their specific needs and expectations.

Read Actual User Reviews

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Contact Merchant Processing Company

Contact & Customer Support
Headquarters259 Nassau St #115, Princeton, New Jersey 08540
Toll-Free Customer Support(800) 616-8415
Websitemerchantprocessor.com