MerchantPlus Reviews & Complaints

MerchantPlus Logo
Overall Score
3
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How did they treat you?
Pros and Cons
Pros: Cons:
Mobile App Availability Requires Separate Card Approvals
Competitive Rates (2.15%) Monthly Fees Apply
No Contract Term Equipment Leasing Required
Transparent Pricing Complaints About Service Quality
Multiple Gateway Options Non-Disclosure of Fees
International Processing Potential High Transaction Costs

Overview

In this article of MerchantPlus, we will provide an in-depth look at this notable merchant account provider, focusing on key areas like rates and fees, contract terms, and customer experiences. We'll assess their payment processing services, including mobile and e-commerce solutions, and examine their security measures and fraud protection. We'll also evaluate the effectiveness of their recurring billing system and the quality of their customer support. Insights into the company's location, ownership, and legal standing, including the Visa & MasterCard lawsuit settlement, are provided. We conclude with a balanced perspective, highlighting the pros and cons based on customer and employee feedback, giving readers a comprehensive understanding of what to expect from MerchantPlus.

About MerchantPlus

MerchantPlus, founded in 2003, is a U.S.-based merchant account provider focusing primarily on multi-platform, enterprise solutions, small-businesses, mobile payments, and global currency. The company offers its own payment gateway which is compatible with Authorize.Net.

MerchantPlus Homepage

MerchantPlus Products and Services

Payment Processing Services

MerchantPlus handles payment processing for all major debit and credit cards across various business types. Their services include EMV card readers and swipers, POS systems, mobile solutions, e-commerce solutions, ACH processing, and access to multiple payment gateways, including their proprietary NaviGate gateway. They also offer business management apps, the RateAssure variable rate program (based on volume), and international payment processing.

Mobile Payments

As mobile payments become increasingly popular, MerchantPlus equips businesses with the necessary tools to accept payments via smartphones and tablets.

E-commerce Integration

MerchantPlus supports seamless integration with widely used e-commerce platforms, facilitating easy setup and management of online stores.

Security and Fraud Protection

MerchantPlus emphasizes security by employing advanced fraud protection measures and sophisticated encryption technology.

Recurring Billing

For businesses offering subscription services or requiring recurring payments, MerchantPlus offers a recurring billing feature. This service streamlines the billing process and ensures timely payment collection.

Customer Support

MerchantPlus provides consistent customer support, with a dedicated team available to assist businesses. This support ensures that businesses can receive timely help and guidance to address any issues or concerns with their payment processing solutions.

MerchantPlus payment processing
MerchantPlus offers a variety of payment processing services

MerchantPlus Customer Reviews

Here's What Their Clients Say

Customer Reviews Summary
Total Online Complaints <10
Live Customer Support Yes
Most Common Complaint N/A
Recent Lawsuits No

Minimal Complaint Volume

We have located fewer than 10 negative reviews of MerchantPlus, with some customers accusing the company and its former payment processor, iPayment, of engaging in fraudulent or scam practices. Common grievances include the non-disclosure of rates and fees, particularly the early termination fee, unresponsive or unsupportive customer service, and fund withholding. While one MerchantPlus review received a response from a company representative, it did not lead to a resolution of the customer’s concerns. If you have your own review of MerchantPlus to share, please feel free to do so in the comments below.

iPayment-Specific Concerns

Many complaints seem to target iPayment rather than MerchantPlus. While mentioning MerchantPlus, customers often draw a distinction between the quality service from MerchantPlus and the poor service from iPayment. Prior to its absorption into Paysafe, iPayment was rated as one of the worst merchant account providers in the industry. It is our belief that ISOs are accountable for the services they resell, similarly to how major processors are responsible for their ISOs’ conduct.

MerchantPlus Legal Matters and Penalties

No significant class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints have been found against MerchantPlus. Dissatisfied clients seeking non-litigious resolutions against the company should consider reporting their concerns to the relevant supervisory organizations.

MerchantPlus Customer Support Options

The complaint rate for MerchantPlus appears to be lower than average for its size and tenure in the industry, and the company appears to handle its own accounts via live chat, email, and phone support channels.

MerchantPlus Customer Service Number

  • (800) 546-1997 – Toll-Free Customer Support

Other Support Options

MerchantPlus Online Ratings

Here's How They Rate Online

Online Ratings Summary
BBB Reports 2

Unaddressed Complaints

MerchantPlus is not an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau and scores an “A-” rating at the time of this review. 2 complaints have been filed against the company in the past 36 months.

An “A” Performance Overall

While we do not look favorably upon a company that fails to address complaints, we agree with the BBB’s rating of an “A” in light of the company’s low complaint volume.

MerchantPlus Fees, Rates & Costs

A Closer Look at The Contract

Cost & Fees Summary
Cancellation Penalties Yes
Monthly & Annual Fees Yes
Processing Rates Interchang-plus
Equipment Leasing Yes

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

MerchantPlus promotes its virtual terminal and payment gateway services known as the NaviGate Gateway. While the gateway is compatible with Authorize.Net, the pricing displayed on the company’s website reveals interchange-plus pricing rather than the 2.90% plus $0.30 rate charged by Authorize.Net. On the Plans & Pricing page of the MerchantPlus website, two tiers of service are listed for different monthly rates. For $30 per month, businesses can opt for the Advanced plan, providing interchange-plus pricing at a markup of 0.30% plus $0.30 per transaction. The Enterprise plan, priced at $299 per month, caters to larger companies with a smaller interchange-plus markup starting at interchange plus 0.20% and $0.02. According to the company, neither plan entails a contract or early termination fee.

Both plans are enrolled in MerchantPlus’ RateAssure program, which progressively reduces a business’ interchange-plus markup from 0.30% for clients processing under $100,000 per month to 0.10% for clients processing over $5,000,000 per month. The program’s terms and conditions also stipulate a long-term, non-cancellable equipment lease.

Industry-Average Pricing

Overall, the terms offered by the company seem to align with industry norms, with many available MerchantPlus reviews mentioning unexpectedly costly contract terms. While the overall number of complaints is relatively low, indicating that many business owners don’t encounter issues with their service, the terms themselves have affected the company’s score in this category. Currently, MerchantPlus isn’t considered competitive with the cheapest merchant accounts. We also encourage merchants to explore our list of the providers offering the best merchant accounts.

MerchantPlus payment gateway
MerchantPlus provides access to various payment gateways

MerchantPlus Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs

Should You Work For Them?

Jobs & Marketing Summary
Uses Independent Resellers Yes
Telemarketing No
Misleading Marketing No
Discloses All Important Terms No

Some Sales Complaints

MerchantPlus appears to utilize an affiliate program and its website to market its services. It is unclear as of this review whether the company employs independent sales agents. We are currently able to locate a handful of negative MerchantPlus reviews that accuse the company’s sales agents of nondisclosure of fees. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

Issues with iPayment

In most of the company’s sales complaints, it seems as if the MerchantPlus sales agents were helpful and forthright when setting up the account, but once it was handed over to iPayment, the clients saw a dramatic shift in quality of service and rates. This would seem to reflect poorly on iPayment more so than MerchantPlus, but it must be noted that MerchantPlus is the party that is actively setting up clients with these accounts. Complaints that mention iPayment tend to be over three years old; it is possible that MerchantPlus only resells for BluePay now that iPayment has been absorbed into Paysafe.

Interchange-Plus Pricing

As a point in its favor, MerchantPlus promotes interchange-plus pricing for all businesses, which is the most transparent pricing model available. However, if you suspect that MerchantPlus is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate those costs.

Our MerchantPlus Review Summary

Our Final Thoughts

MerchantPlus emerges as a notable entity in the realm of merchant account providers, offering a range of services geared towards enhancing multi-platform payment solutions for businesses large and small. Key aspects of their offerings include mobile and e-commerce solutions, integration with a variety of payment gateways, and innovative security measures to combat fraud. Particularly commendable is their proprietary NaviGate gateway, which supports seamless e-commerce activities. While the company is praised for its advanced technological solutions and customer support, there are notable grievances concerning their partnership with iPayment and the subsequent service decline post-transition, highlighting potential risks involved in their collaboration.

For those considering MerchantPlus for their business needs, it’s crucial to navigate the company’s service offerings with a detailed understanding of their contract terms and pricing structure. Despite some positive feedback, the mix of customer reviews and the company’s history with iPayment suggest a need for cautious evaluation. Prospective clients should thoroughly assess how MerchantPlus’s solutions align with their specific business requirements and consider the broader implications of their service agreements, particularly in terms of long-term costs and support quality. While MerchantPlus does offer competitive interchange-plus pricing, the overall satisfaction of their service will depend heavily on individual business needs and the effectiveness of their chosen solutions.

Location & Ownership

The company website lists its headquarters at 30 Vesey St., 9th Floor New York, New York 10007. MerchantPlus, LLC is a registered ISO/MSP of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, California. Its international/high-risk processing is offered through Global Card Solutions. Zachary Smith is listed as the founder and president of MerchantPlus.

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Testimonials & Complaints

How Did MerchantPlus Treat You?

2 User Reviews

  • Garry Marino

    Taking $196 from me 2 months in a row, over and above all of my authnet fees ($30), Merchant Plus ($30 monthly) and fee and about $70 in percentage charges. Then out of no where $196. Have called and left 3 messages with this office in NY
    Merchant Plus, LLC
    30 Vesey Street, 9th Floor
    New york, NY 10007
    (800) 546-1997

    No response. Charged my $196 2 months in a row, no explanation, no call back. Stay away from these people. Contesting the charges now.


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  • Lucas

    Never do business with company, lots hidden charges and you can never cancel their services. This is the second month I am trying to contact them and they are still charging me for Discovery even after closing the account with them. I mean big bucks. Zachary is a scam! I had to change my entire bank account because of these guys

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