Merchant Processing Solutions 2023: Reviews & Complaints
(888) 573-1133 Company Overview
Merchant Processing Solutions, Inc. is an Annapolis, Maryland-based merchant account provider that offers credit card processing for most standard-risk business types. Founded in 2007, the company appears to resell the products and services of First Data (now Fiserv) and Authorize.Net. The company offers merchant accounts for a wide range of business types, but it does not appear to provide high-risk merchant accounts at this time. The company also offers zero-fee processing.
Potential Name Confusion
Merchant Processing Solutions, Inc. should not be confused with Merchant Processing Solutions, LLC, a California-based DBA of Payment Systems Corporation. If you have a comment about Merchant Processing Solutions, LLC, please post it beneath our review of Payment Systems Corporation.
Article Summary
Before we dive in, here’s a short summary of what we’ll cover:
- Merchant Processing Solutions’ various payment processing services.
- The company has received few complaints in recent years. Previous complaints mostly mentioned their sales staff.
- MPS’s contract includes some expensive fees.
Merchant Processing Solutions Payment Gateway
Among its services, Merchant Processing Solutions offers payment gateways for purchases through the internet. They offer both the popular Authorize.Net gateway and also their own product, Merchant Pro Payment Gateway. For the Merchant Pro Payment Gateway, they offer a variety of solutions for specific situations, including three-step direct API, direct post API, mobile API, query API, and turnkey shopping carts through their QuickClicks software. They offer encryption for customer information through this gateway, as well as reporting, recurring billing, and compatibility with third-party shopping carts.
Payment Processing
Merchant Processing Solutions enables businesses to accept a diverse array of electronic payments, including credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets. This flexibility helps merchants accommodate their customers’ preferred methods of payment and enhances the overall shopping experience.
Point of Sale Systems
The company offers Point of Sale (POS) systems designed to suit various types of businesses. They aim to help businesses find a system that best fits their specific needs.
Instant Capital and Rev Program
Merchant Processing Solutions provides instant capital options and a revenue program known as the “Rev Program.” These are designed to help businesses increase their profits.
ATM Services
The company offers ATM services as part of their payment solutions. This is aimed at providing an additional payment option for businesses.
Web Development and Affinity Partner Program
Merchant Processing Solutions also offers web development services and an Affinity Partner Program. These services are intended to help businesses expand their online presence and partnerships.
Location & Ownership
Merchant Processing Solutions is a registered ISO of PNC Bank, N.A., Pittsburgh, PA, and is headquartered at 200 Harry S. Truman Pkwy, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Gary Baillio is the president and CEO at Merchant Processing Solutions. The company often goes by the shortened name of “Merchant Pro.” It should be noted that the BBB holds profiles for at least three other companies called Merchant Processing Solutions, which is likely to confuse those seeking the Maryland MPS.
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Appears to offer a three-year contract with…
- Complaints & Service: Complaints number more than 30 on…
- BBB Rating: Has an “A+” rating and has received…
- Sales & Marketing: Appears to hire independently contracted agents and has received…
Merchant Processing Solutions Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Key Points |
|
|---|---|
| Total Online Complaints | 30+ |
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | Hidden Fees |
| Recent Lawsuits | No |
Moderate Complaint Total
We have found over 30 negative Merchant Pro reviews, some of which accuse the company of being a ripoff or a scam. Commonly cited issues include aggressive telemarketing, hidden fees, poor customer service, and unexpectedly high cancellation penalties. Merchant Processing Solutions has responded to some of these public complaints with varying degrees of flexibility. Several positive reviews on Google appear to be submitted by employees of the company, revealing deceptive tactics to bolster the company’s Google rating. The company does appear to be willing to refund clients in cases of genuine misunderstanding or error, but it also seems to hold clients accountable for the larger-than-expected Merchant Processing Solutions fees for early termination. If you have your own Merchant Processing Solutions review to make, please do so in the comment section below.
Mistakenly Filed Complaints
It is worth noting that business owners who research Merchant Pro may encounter a large number of complaints filed against Merchant Processing Solutions, LLC (in Los Angeles), or against another Merchant Processing Solutions based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The three companies do not appear to be related, and Merchant Processing Solutions, LLC, seems to have a high number of severe complaints posted about it in public forums. We have made sure to differentiate between the three companies during our own investigation.
Merchant Processing Solutions Lawsuits and Fines
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Merchant Processing Solutions. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
Merchant Processing Solutions Customer Support Options
Merchant Processing Solutions offers phone and email support to its merchants but does not specify its hours of availability.
Merchant Processing Solutions Customer Service Numbers
- (888) 573-1133 – Toll-Free General Customer Service
Other Support Options
- Customer support form
- Customer support emails
- [email protected] – Sales
- [email protected] – Tech Support
The company’s internal customer service apparatus appears to fall short of our expectations of the top merchant accounts for customer service.
Merchant Processing Solutions Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
Online Ratings Summary |
|
|---|---|
| BBB Reports | 2 |
Note: We have adjusted this company’s BBB rating according to our own standards. To better understand why we adjust BBB ratings, please see our Rating Criteria.
Under 10 Complaints
Merchant Processing Solutions currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been BBB accredited since 2010. As noted above, there are multiple companies with the name Merchant Processing Solutions that have a profile with the BBB, and those seeking the Maryland MPS should take care to confirm they are on the correct page. The company’s profile is currently showing 2 complaints in the last 36 months. Both complaints were resolved to the dissatisfaction of the client or received no final response.
A “B” Performance Overall
In light of the company’s complaint total and resolution ratio, we have adjusted the BBB’s rating to a “B.”
Merchant Processing Solutions Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
Key Points |
|
|---|---|
| Cancellation Penalties | Yes |
| Monthly & Annual Fees | Yes |
| Processing Rates | Variable |
| Equipment Leasing | Yes |
Merchant Processing Solutions Fees
According to client complaints, the standard Merchant Pro rates and contract include a three-year agreement with an early termination fee of $495, a $10 monthly service charge, an annual fee of $129.95, and a variable monthly minimum fee. Complaints prior to 2018 mention iPayment as Merchant Processing Solutions’ backend payment processor, but it is as of now unconfirmed whether the company resells Paysafe contracts now that iPayment has been absorbed into Paysafe. A few complainants also report long-term, non-cancellable equipment leases through First Data Global Leasing.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Merchant Processing Solutions also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services through Authorize.Net. A typical Authorize.Net contract assesses a rate of 2.90% plus $0.30, a payment gateway fee of $25, and a batch fee of $0.10. However, Merchant Processing Solutions reserves the right to alter these terms and conditions as a reseller of these services. MPS also offers its own payment gateway, Merchant Pro Payment Gateway.
Beware Liquidated Damages
It appears that the company’s early termination fee can balloon to thousands of dollars if the business triggers an applicable Liquidated Damages penalty or violates some condition of the company’s equipment lease agreement. Multiple clients state in Merchant Processing Solution reviews that they were willing to pay the $495 fee upon cancellation only to be billed thousands of dollars unexpectedly. This type of complaint is consistent with those filed against other companies that have sold iPayment contracts. We encourage business owners to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant accounts.
Industry-Average Pricing
Most complaints about Merchant Pro’s contract terms are related to the company’s cancellation penalty, but a few also mention higher-than-expected rates. All available evidence suggests that Merchant Pro offers industry-average contract terms that are not competitive with more budget-friendly merchant accounts. It has therefore received a “C” in this section.
Merchant Processing Solutions offers its own proprietary payment gateway
Merchant Processing Solutions Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
Key Points |
|
|---|---|
| Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
| Telemarketing | Yes |
| Misleading Marketing | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Outside Sales Team
Merchant Processing Solutions primarily utilizes telemarketing and independent sales representatives to market its products and services. The combination of telesales and independent agents is usually tied to high complaint rates, and Merchant Processing Solutions is no exception. We have located over 30 negative Merchant Processing Solutions reviews that cite undisclosed fees, persistent sales calls, and higher-than-advertised rates. These Merchant Processing Solutions reviews originate from business owners all across the country, which is typical of merchant account providers that employ independent contractors. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
One Rival’s Report
The following excerpt from a rival agent commenting below this Merchant Processing Solutions review is especially alarming:
The guy in charge, Arthur Williams, proceeded to tell me that I wasn’t allowed to give my cell number to clients. He also said that they only hire sales people with no industry experience and didn’t pay on residuals. They were solely looking for headhunters to put people in leases. […] Merchant Pro Inc’s rep not only didn’t disclose that he was putting them in a lease, he also forged the business owner’s signature in 2 places after he left the business. These guys are crooks.
This comment is clearly identified as coming from a competitor, but if true, it is a harsh indictment of Merchant Processing Solutions’ sales approach.
No Deceptive Ads
To its credit, Merchant Pro does not appear to promote any deceptive rate quotes or unrealistic guarantees in its official marketing materials. However, the consistent complaints that it has received regarding its sales tactics have lowered its grade to a “D” in this section. If you suspect you’re being charged undisclosed Merchant Processing Solutions fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden charges.
The Merchant Processing Solutions philosophy
Our Merchant Processing Solutions Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Merchant Processing Solutions rates as an average credit card processing provider according to our rating criteria, well below the industry’s top-rated credit card processors. The company appears to offer industry-standard contract terms and has received a moderate number of complaints about its sales team. Our rating for Merchant Processing Solutions may be subject to change once more information is available about how and why it charges its early termination fees.
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Owner
MERCHANT PROCESSING SOLUTION STOP CALLING ME @#$%^&* !!!! I’m on the State Do not call list, National Do not call list, I told your mangers 18 times in 2018 to put me on the company Do Not Call List, I sent a letter, and STILL YOU IDIOTS called me 4 times this week! That’s not including the 19 calls in 2017. I’m going to sue you now ! DIE IN A FIRE !
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
MOTR
These people have called me over 52 times, and won’t stop calling since 2015. I’m looking for a lawyer right now. Tell me the one you used. They called me 9 times in 1 day!
This post will help: How to Report a Bad Credit Card Processor
-Phillip
Jaron Rice
When I first got into the business 2 years ago, I met with Merchant Pro Inc about becoming one of their agents. The interview was about 15 minutes long. The guy in charge, Arthur Williams, proceeded to tell me that I wasn’t allowed to give my cell number to clients. He also said that they only hire sales people with no industry experience and didn’t pay on residuals. They were solely looking for headhunters to put people in leases. I knew right away that this wasn’t the company for me. In the course of growing my business, I’ve come across a number of their clients who’ve switched over to me. One was my mechanic. Merchant Pro Inc’s rep not only didn’t disclose that he was putting them in a lease, he also forged the business owner’s signature in 2 places after he left the business. These guys are crooks.
LIsa Allen
These people are underhanded. They hide the fees, pretend they notified you, do not communicate and rapidly raise fees after presenting you with low fees to start. I have a small business and was using them for my credit card processing. I switched and they are giving me the run around about closing my account and want to charge me more fees. Bad news.