Merchant Processing Company Reviews & Complaints
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| Customer support available. | Customer service varies. |
| Streamlines payment processing. | Variable fee structures. |
| Multiple payment options. | Potential for hidden costs. |
| Enhanced security features. | Contract commitments required. |
| Potential for lower fees. | Technical issues possible. |
| Integrated business tools. | Transaction delays sometimes. |
Overview
In this comprehensive article, we cover the reputation and operations of Merchant Processing Company (MPC Solutions), a merchant account provider with a complex history and ties to Crescent Processing Company. We'll explore various aspects of MPC, including its rates and fees, contract terms, and the services it offers, such as payment processing for high-risk businesses, POS systems, virtual terminals, e-commerce solutions, and gift card processing. Additionally, we'll examine MPC's marketing tactics, customer and employee reviews, and its checkered past with various rebrandings and affiliations with defunct providers like Park Central Company and Future Payment Technologies. Despite its elusive nature, this article aims to demystify MPC's operations and provide a clear understanding of its position in the market, especially for high-risk businesses, and how it compares to other players in the industry.
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.
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 Payment Processing
Merchant Processing Company processes most 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 provides POS systems that enable businesses to manage their sales, inventory, and payment processing. The POS systems come with features such as inventory management, employee management, and customer management. Additionally, the platform offers POS systems that can be customized to meet the specific needs of a business.
Virtual Terminal
MPC provides businesses with a virtual terminal that allows them to accept payments from anywhere. The virtual terminal can be accessed through any web-enabled device, making it easy for businesses to process payments on the go. The virtual terminal also comes with features such as recurring payments and electronic invoicing.
E-commerce Solutions
MPC provides e-commerce solutions that enable businesses to sell products and services online. The platform supports various e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. Additionally, it provides users with a virtual terminal that allows them to accept payments over the phone or through email.
Gift Card Processing
MPC offers gift card processing services that enable businesses to offer gift cards to their customers. The platform provides customizable gift card templates and allows businesses to manage their gift card programs easily.
Location & Ownership
Merchant Processing Company lists its address as 259 Nassau St #115, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, which is different from the Dallas, Texas headquarters that most of Crescent Processing Company's DBAs have listed. At the time of our last update to this review, the MPC website's “Executive Team” page used the same photos and biographical text for each of the company's executives but had changed David Kesler's name to Brian Johnson, Chris Dierks' name to Carter Davis, and Jim Davis' name to Jim Benson. This is extremely suspicious, but it may simply indicate that Merchant Processing Company is under new ownership despite its use of Crescent's old branding and website. As of this update, the “Executive Team” page on MPC's website lists no information. Merchant Processing Company is a registered ISO/MSP of Esquire Bank.
Merchant Processing Company Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
| Total Online Complaints | <10 |
|---|---|
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | N/A |
| Recent Lawsuits | Unclear |
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.
Legal and Regulatory Status
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.
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.
Contact Information for Merchant Processing Company
- (800) 616-8415 – Toll-Free Customer Support
Given the absence of independent feedback and considering Crescent Processing Company’s record, Merchant Processing Company is provisionally assigned a “C” rating for customer service. This evaluation, optimized with SEO-relevant phrases such as “reviews,” “review,” “complaints,” “customer reviews,” “customer complaints,” aims to offer an unbiased overview while enhancing online visibility.
Merchant Processing Company Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
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.
Merchant Processing Company Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
| Cancellation Penalties | Yes |
|---|---|
| Monthly & Annual Fees | Undisclosed |
| Processing Rates | 1.00% - 4.99% |
| Equipment Leasing | Yes |
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 Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
| Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
|---|---|
| Telemarketing | Likely |
| Misleading Marketing | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | No |
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.
Our Merchant Processing Company Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Merchant Processing Company rates as an average credit card processing provider based largely on the reputation of its predecessor, Crescent Processing Company. It is unclear at this time whether Merchant Processing Company is under entirely new ownership, and, if it is, whether the new owners plan to run the company differently than Crescent’s management team. For now, businesses should assume that MPC operates in a similar fashion to Crescent and its various DBAs. They should also compare MPC’s contract terms and services to those offered by top-rated payment processors in order to obtain the best possible deal.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Emmanuel Jeanette
I couldn’t be happier with the services provided by Merchant Processing Company! From day one, they’ve streamlined our payment processes, making transactions a breeze for our customers. Their state-of-the-art payment solutions have significantly improved our overall efficiency and reduced payment processing time.
The team’s expertise and prompt customer support have been exceptional, always addressing our queries with utmost professionalism. It’s evident that they genuinely care about their clients and are committed to our success.
Since partnering with Merchant Processing Company, our business has experienced a noticeable increase in revenue and customer satisfaction. The seamless integration of their systems with our existing setup made the transition hassle-free. It’s rare to find a company that delivers on its promises and exceeds expectations, but Merchant Processing Company does just that. We highly recommend their services to any business looking for reliable and efficient payment processing solutions.