Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions Review

Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions Logo
1.5
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How did they treat you? ▼

Update 3/7/2019: Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions appears to have been fully absorbed into the Paysafe brand, and it appears that the company no longer boards new merchants under the name “Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions.” As a result, we will no longer update this review. See our Paysafe review for up-to-date information about this company.

Acquired by Paysafe Group

Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions (mcpscorp.com) is a merchant account provider headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. Founded in 1989, the company partnered with Elite Merchant Solutions, an ISO of Chase Paymentech, in January 2013. In August 2017, the company was acquired by the Paysafe Group, a new venture from the people behind Optimal Payments. It is unclear at this time whether the MCPS brand will be absorbed into Paysafe once the acquisition is finalized.

Class Action Lawsuit

In December 2017, a class action lawsuit was filed against Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions and its processing bank, Woodforest National Bank. The lawsuit, Al’s Pals Pet Care, LLC, et al. v. Woodforest National Bank, N.A., et al., argues that Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions defrauded merchants by training sales agents to cold call business owners claiming to be affiliated with the businesses’ current payment processor. Merchants’ Choice agents would tell business owners they needed to either update their equipment to maintain compliance or must reapply in order to avoid fee increases. The paperwork then sent to merchants was actually a new contract with Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions, leading business owners to pay monthly fees to both their actual processor and to Merchant's Choice.

Lawsuit Settlement

At the time of this review, a settlement has been proposed to end the class action lawsuit, requiring that the Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions pay $15 million into a fund for customers who contracted with the credit card processor between December 22, 2013 and September 18, 2018. The period during which affected merchants may file a claim extends through March 2019, although the settlement is still subject to final approval by the court.

Headquartered in Texas

Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions is a registered ISO/MSP of Woodforest National Bank in Houston, Texas, and of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in Walnut Creek, California. The company is located at 25231 Grogans Mill Rd Suite 600, The Woodlands, Texas 77380. Todd Linden is listed as the president and CEO of Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions.

Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions Review Table of Contents

  • Sales & Marketing: Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions hires independent sales agents and has received a moderate number of complaints about its sales practices.
  • Costs & Contract: Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions offers a three-year contract with an early termination fee of $495 or liquidated damages, whichever is greater.
  • Complaints & Service: Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions has received more than 70 public complaints.
  • BBB Rating: Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions has a “B+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received 63 complaints in the past three years.
  • Rates & Fees: How Merchants Got The Best Rates With Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions

Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions Customer Reviews

Here's What Their Clients Say

Customer Reviews Summary
Total Online Complaints 70+
Live Customer Support Yes
Most Common Complaint Sales Tactics

Several Public Complaints

We are currently able to locate over 60 Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions complaints on this site and elsewhere, and many of these accuse the company of being a ripoff or a scam. Common complaints among merchants include deceptive sales practices, confusing and expensive cancellation processes, and unexpected or unauthorized fees. The company does not appear to have issued rebuttals to many of these complaints, and some of its responses indicate that it will hold merchants accountable for contract terms even when merchants claim to have been totally deceived by sales representatives.

Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions Support Options

This is a moderate-to-high complaint volume for a company of this size and time in business, and the consistent reports of deceptive marketing tactics and poor customer service have lowered the company’s grade to a “D” in this category. Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions lists a dedicated customer support number on its website, but does not qualify as a top-rated processor for customer service at this time.

Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions Online Ratings

Here's How They Rate Online

Online Ratings Summary
Product & Service Complaints 37
Billing & Collection Complaints 20
Advertising & Sales Complaints 6
Guarantee & Warranty Complaints 0
Delivery Complaints 0

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.

Over 50 BBB Complaints

Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions is not an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau. As of this review, the company holds a “B+” rating with the BBB and has had 63 complaints filed against it in the last 36 months. The majority of those complaints (37) were filed in regards to problems with products or services, while 20 stemmed from billing or collection disputes and 6 from advertising and sales issues. Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions has successfully resolved 26 of the complaints, while 37 were either resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or did not receive a final response from the merchant.

What Merchants Say

This informal merchant review echoes the “slamming” concerns expressed in several other Merchants’ Choice complaints:

This company called me and vaguely inferred that they were a part of the company I already worked with for my credit cards. The agent tried to scare me into giving him information from my current statements by saying if I hadn’t done certain things I would be subject to fees or fines. When I asked the agent specific questions he did not lie, but gave very vague answers. I HATE companies that acquire new customers through deception. Don’t trust anything about them.

Merchants finding themselves in this situation are encouraged to learn how to shut down sales calls.

A “D” Performance Overall

The BBB has also posted a notice warning merchants against slamming and contract alteration by Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions. The company has responded to the BBB by denying these allegations and defending its sales practices. Given the full scope of information provided by the BBB, we have adjusted the BBB’s rating to a “D.”

Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions Fees, Rates & Costs

A Closer Look at The Contract

Cost & Fees Summary
Swiped Rate Variable
Keyed-in Rate Variable
Early Termination Fee $495
PCI Compliance Fee Variable
Equipment Lease Terms 48 Months, Non-Cancellable

Three-Year Contract

The standard Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions contract (available below) is a three-year agreement with automatic three-year renewal and an early termination fee of $495 or Liquidated Damages, whichever is greater. We have not found any specific mentions of a PCI Compliance fee, but the company does charge a non-compliance fee of $16.95 per month. The contract also mentions something called a “divert fee,” which is described as follows: “A divert fee of $25.00 per month will be charged for a special account maintained at BANK to house diverted funds for (the) merchant.” Whether and how this fee is enforced is unclear.

Beware Equipment Leases

The primary complaint about the company’s standard contract is that it usually includes a 48-month equipment lease through First Data Global Leasing, which is often not disclosed by the company’s sales representatives. These equipment leases can be very expensive over the duration of the contract, especially considering that the equipment itself rarely costs more than a few hundred dollars. Multiple merchants report that this equipment is presented at the point of sale as a “free terminal,” which appears to be an out-and-out falsehood. Due to this standard equipment lease, the company’s long service term renewal, and the high early termination fee, we have given the company a “F” in this category and must exclude Merchants’ Choice from our list of the cheapest merchant accountsSee the MCPS Terms and Conditions.

Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs

Should You Work For Them?

Jobs & Marketing Summary
Employs Independent Resellers Yes
Advertises Deceptive Rates No
Discloses All Important Terms No

Mixed Sales Approach

Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions employs an in-house telemarketing staff, and the company also partners with ISOs, resellers, and independent sales agents to market its services. The use of independent resellers can often result in frustration among merchants, as these sales representatives are usually untrained and unregulated. We are currently able to locate a moderate number of negative Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions reviews that mention misrepresentation of rates and fees by the company’s sales representatives, indicating that this company is no exception.

Slamming Allegations

On this website and elsewhere, we have found numerous merchant complaints indicating that the Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions utilizes an unethical sales tactic known as “slamming” in which its telemarketers call merchants and pose as their current merchant account providers. The standard interaction appears to be one in which the Merchants’ Choice representative states that they are from “Visa” or “Merchant Services,” neglecting to specify that they are not the merchant’s current provider. The telemarketer then appears to insist that the merchant needs to replace their credit card processing equipment in order to remain compliant with a new change instituted by Visa or MasterCard. Merchants who fail to accurately determine that the phone representative is not their current provider will then sign up for a “replacement” terminal, only to unexpectedly find themselves in a lengthy, expensive equipment lease through First Data Global Leasing.

Extremely Deceptive Practices

These details have been recounted time after time on consumer protection websites with alarming specificity, indicating that this may be an officially sanctioned practice by the company. In fact, we are currently able to locate at least one instance on the company’s BBB profile in which Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions insisted on enforcing the equipment lease that a merchant mistakenly signed up for, stating that the company’s name was clearly shown in the document signed by the merchant. We consider this sales practice to be highly deceptive, and as evidenced by the December 2017 lawsuit filed against Merchants’ Choice, several business owners have been taken advantage of as a result of this tactic. If you suspect that Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden charges.

Our Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions Review Summary

Our Final Thoughts

Not a Competitive Option for Businesses

Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions rates as a substandard merchant services provider according to our rating criteria. Multiple complaints about the company suggest that it is engaging in deceptive telemarketing strategies, and its reported contract terms are not especially competitive. Considering that Merchants’ Choice rates as one of the worst merchant account providers in the industry, merchants are advised to select a top-rated merchant account, instead.

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Which is Most Important for You?

If you had to pick one, which quality would you say will be the most important with your next credit card processor? Tap or click your selection to register your vote:

  1. Low Transaction Fees
  2. No Monthly Fees
  3. No Contract
  4. Reliable Customer Support
  5. Quick Signup

Testimonials & Complaints

How Did Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions Treat You?

76 User Reviews

  • Robert Taylor

    I have been a customer for almost 2 years. But was unable to open the business until now.
    I received a “free” phone card reader and the monthly fee since then has been 18.90
    In Jan they changed me 107.90 ( previously unknown annual fee) then back to 18.90/month THEN May 2 53.90, May 20 deposited 51.12 x2 (reversed on May 21) and now June 3 2019 66.85
    I called them to find out what was going on. The lady told me the fees have went up??? She said they sent emails stating/explaining that. ** I never received that email** and I keep ALL of the business correspondence including emails. She said there was nothing that could be done about it as the increase was “sent out”.
    This is a horrible company! Avoid them at all cost!


    This post will help: Find and Eliminate Hidden Fees in Your Monthly Bill

    -Phillip

  • Tammy

    Terrible company! If you ever have to contact them…forget it. I have been on hold for over an hour for every day over the past two weeks. I can’t seem to find any other contact number other than the 1-800-327-0093 provided on their bill. I had my bank do a review and they were able to beat Merchants’ charges by far. I’ve been trying to call to cancel my service with them. My next step will be to contact my bank and stop ACH payments made to them. Do not use them!


    This post will help: Cancelling Your Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee

    – Phillip

  • Gabriel Baritz

    Horrible company that operates illegally by tricking you into their 2 year contract by posing as your current credit card processing company, which is fraud. Cancelling is impossible. They continuously give you the reach around by forwarding you to a voicemail that never calls back. We had major problems with our normal bank trying to get them to stop payment on these crooks. They will bill you after you cancel. It’s astounding a company like this still exists. Stay away as far as possible. They will keep calling you until you drop dead.

    From The Editor
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    • SALVATORE RICCOBONO

      Reach out to the bank that is,affiliated with your account..There is a time to wait, but going to the bank manager for me has always brought action…I was contacted about 3 weeks later and my issue was corrected…Give it a shot…All the best

  • Tell

    Worst biz on Earth. Liars at upper level bending contracts and adding bs amendments claiming justification to increase fees over 100% in short order. Creative at not understanding your biz and assessing products/fees for things not appropriate, not requested, mismatched to industry category etc.
    The result is a 1800 to complain that takes hours of navigation. In the end, administration sends notice of fee increases and product adjustments not aligned every 3 months repeat.


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  • Phyllis

    THese people are rude, rude, rude, rude. “Heather” called me and when I said I do not have a credit card machine she yelled at me, yes yelled at me, to say I was lying and that she, in fact was not calling about a personal credit card issue. She yelled for quite some time. I called back. 1-800-501-2067 if you’d like to chat with her. I called to request I am removed from their list. She started this long argument with me…astounding really. I am so sick and tired of people calling here about the taking of credit cards. I no longer accept them as a business. I will never accept them again. Stop calling. Unbelievably rude. What telemarketer yells at the person they are calling??


    From The Editor
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  • Tracy

    We did apply this merchant service for my shop. The first when they call us to try them, they give for you very good deal for fee, they try to get you apply. But when you applied already, all the fee change it, a lot higher than the rate that they tell you, almost double, but either how many percent that they tell you, it’s not right when you calculate, it’s totally wrong. And when you call back to them to check, they said that you have to pay this, have to pay that ….. ans also they didn’t send you the statement for every month like normally another merchant do that. The customer service is bad bad. So I would like to give them “ zero “ for everything, so mad so mad. And I hope no ones get charged like me.


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  • Salvatore Riccobono

    I contact Fred Couch in January 2018… Left multiple messages in the coming months… many weeks later I called again and I was connected with Fred… He was understanding but I was very annoyed, hot around the color and not to happy… I told Fred that our business was seasonal, but he said he forgot and did not remember… I told him that the charges were not what he explained and I want to terminate this service…I waited and waited and waited… I called again and Fred was not in… I left another message… I waited and waited and waited…I called last week and was transferred to Pamela Hall… She tried to be helpful but again I was demanding at this point… 6 months later…She called me back the next day and mentioned to me that I have a form that she needs filled out to cancel the services… I asked Pamela Hall what about the funds that I have been sending since January…Pamela Hall stated that after this all gets taken care of she will contact the office for the refund, but I don’t think that we will see anything returned…
    Wondering about a Class Action Lawsuit especially if we get enough people that were mislead…

  • Eloise Smith

    These people are nothing but scammers with the bait and switch rates. I was referred by a former employee who later apologized to me. She had said that the working conditions were deplorable and that the owners were an unhappily married couple who spent more on funds with the wife’s ongoing plastic surgery than caring for her employees. She made their life miserable for anyone with whom she deemed more attractive than herself. They line their own pockets while cheating others.

  • Charla Smart

    I cancelled my account in August. It is now January and they are still taking money out of my bank account. I’ve called EVERY month and have been told it would be taken care of. Still nothing!!! In October I was told I had to fill out a form to cancel. I filled out form very day and again it is January and still taking money out. HORRIBLE customer service. Get the run around. I asked for an email and was told they could not give out an email!!! Can you believe this. NO EMAIL contact!!

  • Henry

    I received a mail from this company stating that I have a merchant account with them,which I don’t.complete scam. They try to get your information for their Sales people and God know what they are planing to do with that.

  • Allison Raymunt

    I had to close my business therefore cancel my cc processing account. I was a loyal customer for 4 years. I cancelled around the 15th of the month and was unaware that I would be charged for the full month even though there was inactivity for the whole month. After talking to 3 people in various departments but all have stated “it is policy to be charged for the full month and can’t work with a loyal customer” they have not communicated appropriately with the expectation from the first phone call when I cancelled, taken accountability for their part of the problem or provided the customer service that is expected. Is this how Merchant Choice Payment Solutions is as a company? The policy seems to be to put Merchant Choice Payment Solutions first at all cost and the customer second if they can prove it.
    Don’t do business here.

  • Michael

    I am getting slammed from this company on my personal cell phone. I do not have a business. I never call them back, but they leave messages. I’d say they are a total SCAM involved in illegal telemarketing practices!

  • kelly knapp

    I joined this service company 1 1/2 years ago and the sales rep and I went over the terms and he assured me there would be no early cancelation fee. That is the only reason I signed up. Now 1 1/2 years later after I had to shut my business down surprise I have a 495.00 cancellation fee. I was deceived and have no way out of the contract that they have made 2500.00 off of in the last 1 1/2 years. I also have no way to contact the agent that signed me up as his information is not on the said contract. I have been working with the customer support team and they are not willing to budge. I would never recommend them to anyone. I am 100% dissatisfied.

  • Mike

    I don’t take credit cards in my business, but they’ve been calling me for at least a couple of years warning me that I need an update and blah, blah, blah, as if they do business with me. They just leave messages. I don’t call back, but they’re very persistent with this scam.

  • Donald DeFabio

    Beware of this company. LOTS of hidden fees and very unreasonable rates. If you have already signed, read ALL the fine print in the contract and begin the long and tedious process to get out of it without excessive fees.

  • Maria A Diaz

    Merchants Choice Payment Solutions is an amazing processing company. Trust me i know I’ve experienced several. Their equipment is great and the customer service, technical support and managers are even better their so helpful. What i love more then anything is their honesty.. ?
    (And they take good care of all of their merchants )

    • Kimberly Guest-Hernandez

      I was a sales partner with MCPS of Florida for almost 6 years. My appts were confirmed and not once did I ever here such complaints from any owner. Agents have the right to price the merchant accordingly which as an ethical agent I did just that. Agents/Partners have the right to waive the ETF as I’ve done many times due to many other providers doing the same as it’s been said MCPS has done. Even with the ETF, I’ve had the ETF waiver upon cancellation for various reasons. If they are closing their biz being the main reason. Being I am the owner of my own business, I can choose any processor to partner with. What merchants do not understand is it comes down to the agent on pricing and any negotiations after they have signed with me. No matter the processor it’s up to the agent to stay on top of their owned accounts. It’s the agents responsibility to ensure the merchant is taken care of at all times. Having an agent to represent the merchant is essential. I was available at all times…. all my merchants had my direct number. If their were issues i personally stepped in and the issue eas resolved. I’m not saying MCPS is the best processor nor the most ethical. My point is all merchants need to make sure they’re dealing with an agent who is honest and can do this by simply asking for referrals. I’ve given multiple owners referrals so they could call and ask anything they felt was important to them. A good agent will fight for the owner all day long & that’s what I did. I know for ME my biz is everything and without the SBO I wouldn’t be doing what I love to do. Merchants need not be sold, they should always be consulted on how processing works just enough to understand when another is being deceptive. An owner must do their due diligence when switching services. 45 days grace can be extended as I’ve done this many times writing this on the actual signed agreement. Any agreement made between myself and an owner was included on the contract.

      Now there’s another side to this that you never see mentioned. An owner will lie, cheat, and steal costing THE AGENT money. This is my living as all agents. This has happened several times from unethical merchants in trying to process free. And yes I have proof of such merchants as I keep all notes when an owver calls in – printed and filled in their folder. All of this causes the GOOD agents to fight harder in building trust which is the hardest part of what I do. Even being the most open and honest agent I can possibly be, out here helping these SBOs they are always going to be the ones that will lie and say things of an agent in using all the bad reviews to cheat the agent.

      Where are these complaints? I see no actual documentation to prove their allegations yet you want us agents to validate our posts. I have no problem with this if that’s what is needed and I’m not concerned with being sued for defamation as the docs speak for themselves. Now I feel that’s bad business yet its bad business to say such derogatory statements towards a provider or the agent without proof of such. I can say things all day long just an an owner can. However it’s unprofessional and I take my business very serious. My merchants come first, however I have to make money and will never go in the red just to mahe them happy. There’s a time when an agent must say no.

      To the agents who lie, chest and steal from the SBO — you have no future in this biz & will not left. If I come across those accounts you’ve signed due to sheer deceptive you can count on that account “gone”. I will take it and at some point the GOOD ones out here will eliminate your a***s permanently— one account at a time no matter what it takes even if I have to sacrifice a very low residual, consider it mine.

      Kimberly Hernandez
      [REDACTED – personal contact information]

      I have no problem with anyone knowing who has made this post because I have nothing to hide and nothing can back up all said.

      Merchants do not let the ones who have burned you be the reason for not processing. You just need to find an agent that cares, that has been in the business many years. That alone is a sign they are honest. Agents can’t last long when myself and the other like minded agents who run their business with integrity continue to take out the ones that must simply go home.

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  • Deb

    SCAMMERS….. I also received a message from them saying I needed to update my machine to avoid PCI Compliance fees. Called, thinking it was my original merchant provider, only to find out too late, I had just signed up with a new Co.,could no longer process my gift cards, and it would cost me $500 to cancel. Service is HORRIBLE!!! Still battling to resolve this a month and a half later. VERY UPSET & DISGUSTED!

  • Jennifer

    I have been dealing with Chris Barkhurst in the retention department without resolution. He claimed that his manager Carlos would call me over a week ago and still have not heard anything. My account was changed and we did not have to sign anything. I was told we would be on a month to month basis by changing to interchange plus pricing. I was promised pricing and after reviewing my January bill that was not followed through with. I have decided i will change to an honest company.

    Now Chris is telling me that we are stuck in a contract from 2010 (even though the account was changed which voids that contract) and if we cancel we will have to pay $495.00!

    VERY UNPROFESSIONAL, DO NOT GET BACK TO CUSTOMERS, BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE!!

    • Donna

      DON’T USE MERCHANTS CHOICE PAYMENT SOLUTIONS! We just had the same thing happen to our company. Had to get our bank to stop payment to get them to stop withdrawing fees. Chris is totally dishonest and he also claims Carlos will call me back. Wish I had realized what a bad business they were and cancelled my account several years ago.

      • Jennifer

        Donna,

        I wound up putting in a claim with the Better Business Bureau. The company is Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions of Florida, LLC. They had a woman in legal call me. She waived the $495.00 early termination fee and remove the hold on the deltacard certificate. They also refunded processing fees for January & February.

        I am now with a new credit card company on a month to month Basis (which is the norm with interchange plus pricing).

          • Jennifer

            Our initial contract was for tiered pricing. We changed to interchange plus pricing (which is on a month to month basis). They cannot hold you to a contract if any changes were made from the original contract.

  • Julie R Rudiger

    I was contacted by this company through my business. They sales call was entirely misleading. They signed me up as if I were just changing my existing account with lower fees. They created a lot of hidden fees in there contract, so I immediately asked for a cancellation, which via email they agreed to a cancellation. Unfortunately, the bank was not informed, and I am now getting charged for fees. When I called their office. The only option was to listen to a promotion or hang up. When I agreed to listen to the promotion, I told the speaker I just wanted to speak with the individual who arranged the cancellation. He said to call back tomorrow. This issue is still not resolved. Whatever you do, do not work with this company. I admit I was duped, and now am paying for it.

  • Rachel H Glenn

    This company is not reputable…and this is a scam. Mike from Merchant’s Choice contacted my business to get me to send my credit card processing statements. I said that I did not feel comfortable doing so because I had been scammed in the past and that there are many shady merchant services out there.He was very pushy and when I said I wasn’t interested he said let me send you 10.00 to show you that we are not scammers. I said that didn’t make a difference to me but send you are free to send whatever info you want and I’ll do my own research on their company. Upon looking them up I found multiple complaints and bad ratings. A 10 dollar bill did arrive along with a request for all of my statements. It seemed very gimmicky to me and these sales guys were not even calling me from registered business number and I decided this is a scam. They continued to call me leaving harassing messages every other day on my voice mail and I blocked the number. 2 months later I’m still getting calls from random cell phone numbers. Someone texted me at my business number to say to call them back it was urgent with no identifying information. When I called it was one of the sales guys who was asking me when I was going to send my statements. I said I wasn’t interested because they had bad ratings on line. The guy on the other end called me a thief and a liar and told me I should be be ashamed of myself. I laughed and said well I guess you told me and he hung up. Extremely unprofessional and I would never do business with such a company. Don’t let them scam you.

  • Marie

    I was also deceived into thinking I was dealing with my old processor. I have been charged for two accounts plus my old processor’s fee that they had promised to buy out. None of it happened. All in all Merchants has cost me almost $900 worth of fees. I cannot get customer service to call me back. They do not answer their phones even for tech support. This is the worst company I have dealt with. I want to close my bank account but I am afraid they will sue me for breach of contract and I will have to pay more fees. Does anyone know of a way out? I feel like I’m in a sinking hole.

  • Ralph

    Got a call from these people with a recorded message and pressed “1” to get to the next person. He said he had something for my business. I said I don’t have any business and they’d called my home phone. He said he’d take my name off the list.

    Apparently they are calling an unreliable list of numbers. I didn’t know anything about their business until I researched the call. Nevertheless I don’t know why anyone would be interested in doing business with anyone who uses telemarketers, especially ones using inadequately verified phone numbers.

  • joe

    This is a scam! do not sign anything. They pretend to be you current provider then get your banking information and start charging fees. I’m in the process of changing bank accounts and had to hire an attorney. Tried to call they do not call back. Please do not do business with this company!

  • Katie

    I would never recommend this company or ever use them myself. They were incredibly deceitful by calling acting like they were representing my current merchant service and were looking to “update” my account. They never informed me they were a merchant service provider and would be switching my service all together. They seem desperate and I can only imagine the horrible service they would have provided had I signed their contract. Disgusted with this company.

  • Allen Rosen

    I received a message from these people on my answering machine stating that I needed to update my PCI compliance and needed to call them immediately. It was interesting that the rep said the call was from Merchant Services although the caller ID said it was from Merchant’s Choice. The inference was that they were calling from my current credit card processor. My antenna was up and so I went on line and found this site. These people are trying to dupe merchants into switching their credit card processor without realizing they are doing so. Needless to say, I’m not returning their call.

  • Brad Campbell

    I just filed a complaint with BBB for practicing deceptive and unethical sale practices. Call it what you want – it is either ‘poaching’ or ‘hijacking’.
    Gustavo Parra is the ring leader. I tried to lodge a formal complaint with Woodforest National Bank and was hung up on. I first made sure that my bank blocked any transactions from MCPS and then sent them Termination Letters. I was told that they (MCPS) had to originate the Termination Letter drafted by their Legal Department. Two days in a row they failed to provide them. Sent fax and emails to Gustavo Parra without any replies. I have spent the better part of this week trying to resolve my issues with them. Perhaps they will respond once they find they are no longer have access to my banking. Avoid these people at all costs!

  • Jeanne

    Gustavo Pavo called me and left a message that we were not in compliance and that i needed to call him immediately to avoid charges. I called back and he said he was a representative from my currant processing company. He proceeded to ask me if he could take a look and possible lower my rates and update me to a tier called choice. He then proceeded to adjust my rates as i had indicated to him that I felt we were paying quite high prices but I also said I was happy with my provider and did not want to make any changes. He said no problem that he would take a look and kept lying to me through out the entire call. Shame on him taking advantage of people and misrepresenting himself. I have called and asked to have this cancelled immediately. I will follow up with a call to the better business bureau. So upset that this illegal practice can continue to go on to take advantage of innocent people. Thank you for letting me inform other folks of this money grabbing scam!


    Are you with Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions? Learn how to resolve this complaint.

  • Lynn Pease

    Do not sign any type of agreement with Merchant’s Choice. I signed an application agreement which stated I had 45 days to cancel once I was accepted with no fees incurred. The “free” terminal arrived with no prior notification and I cancelled with them immediately. I received a bill from them with charges because the machine had been activated from their headquarters with a penny charge (the terminal was still unopened in the box) and so I incurred fees because I had no transactions. Customer service is atrocious! I am sure they must get nothing but complaints. Stay away from Merchant’s Choice because they clearly are not!

  • roya h

    They call posing as your current provider and leave robocalls saying you must call them back to comply with new policies. They call repeatedly, day or night, every day of the week. I have asked to be taken off their list to no avail. It’s shocking this company continues to exist.

  • J. David Karlin, MD

    This is THE WORST company of any kind I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. Their customer service is simply atrocious. Trying to solve one issue, I have been passed from one person to another and spoken to over 20 people who keep giving me from one person to another. Stay away from these people as far as you can.

  • James

    Dave from Merchant Chooise called me at 7:31pm on Sunday leaving a msg. that it was urgent that I call back Monday about my merchant account. I do own a business but I do not process cards. Thus there is no account. I did call them Monday to complain about the Sunday call, they claimed it must of been a mistake. I started in on how rude it was to call on Sunday and I got hung up on.

  • Abbey Knoll Photography

    I don’t think it gets much more deceptive than this…
    I have been receiving phone calls from a blocked number stating that they are calling from Merchants Choice Merchant Services and are “conducting a mandatory security evaluation of my credit card transactions to make sure I am in compliance with rules mandated by the card association and my existing processor”. They claim my credit card service provider (intuit) outsources this responsibility to them. I asked if they are a government agency, they said no. They got defensive and said if I’m not in compliance I won’t be able to use process credit cards anymore.

  • Dean

    This company, Merchants Choice Merchant Services is a scam selling organization. They are 100% deception. They will call a merchant and try to trick them into giving them their recent statement, a voided check, and allow them to reprogram their terminal whilst telling the merchant they are their merchant services company. This deceptive selling (it’s not really accurate to call it selling) tactic is merely the foretaste of what the merchant must have to endure once they become their actual customer… If this company calls, RUN!!!!

  • Barry Gross

    My sales rep for this company swore up & down that he would save me money on my processing. He showed me where I would save money – they told me that I would save over $1,200 a year because of all the “hidden fees” that I was currently paying. Each month when I paid more he kept giving me more excuses about the cards I was accepting blaming the higher costs on the rebate cards etc.
    After one year of higher costs NOT COST SAVINGS, I dropped them! I switched to another company then they tried to hit me with an early termination fee! After a few months of speaking with manager after manager they did relent and refunded the early termination fees because I did save all the emails from my sales rep with me complaining about the higher costs I was paying. I told them I would gladly show the emails from my sales rep telling me that he would take care of the higher costs which he NEVER did.
    My sales rep was a fast talking lying rep who eventually lost this account! I would not recommend this company to anyone!

  • Lily

    This company is a scam. Their sale agent gave falsify information to get you to sign the contract. Once you get your signature, they attached a bunch of terms that you have never seen before and modified your contract term to trap you into your their business. STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY AT ALL COST!!!

  • Lori Fass

    They scammed me! Called my office said they were my merchant services company and and that they were updating their machines. Asked me to fax back paperwork which I did when they sent new contract with their name and logo I realized they were not my company. Now I have to deal with setting this straight. When I look on line I see they have done this time and again. Beware!

  • Mark G.

    I am an independent sales office that writes merchant accounts for MCPS. Independent sales offices run their own sales staffs and devise their own tactics. They have a responsibility to run ethical sales offices based on sound business principles, and can have their sales office agreement terminated by MCPS if they are dishonest. My office, and my company are A+ rated by the BBB, and is a long time member.
    The complaints I am reading in this forum are similar to what I encounter in my day to day business from merchants who have been scammed by other sales people. My advice to all merchants is as follows:

    1. Never sign a lease for credit card equipment. All leases are non-cancelable. It is clearly stated on the lease. Up to date, top line credit card terminals can be purchased for $200.00 to $300.00, dial up the lowest cost and Ethernet somewhat higher. Wireless terminals are more expensive. But none of them are worth 48 months of payments. LFG, Northern Leasing, First Data Global, among others, all use non-cancelable leases.
    The sales person, regardless of what they SAID to you, cannot change the terms of the lease. I know money is tight, but sometimes a sales office can offer to split the cost into two or three payments. Ask them they might say yes!

    2. There are NO FREE Terminals. Period. The VeriFone, Equinox, Dejavoo, Ingenico, factories don’t give away any credit card machines. Since they have payroll to meet they must collect revenue for the machines they produce.

    3. There is no FREE processing or Wholesale processing. You, the merchant, cannot deal directly with the card associations, regardless of what the sales person says on the phone. All acquiring banks buy their card processing from the card associations at the same price, or INTERCHANGE. They must then add sufficient revenue to the interchange amount in order to provide merchant services to you, the merchant. They can add a discount % above interchange, maybe a transaction charge, and then there is a statement fee, PCI fee, etc, etc. Ultimately it doesn’t matter what these fees are. What DOES matter is how many dollars you pay for the service compared to how many dollars in sales you produced on plastic. Look at your merchant statement. Take the total dollars that you paid (including any amounts deducted from your deposits as a “daily discount”), and divide it by the total dollars processed. This will give you a percentage. Your goal, as a merchant, is to get that number as close to 2% as possible. The larger your volume is, the easier that will be. For instance, lets say you paid a total cost of $425.00 (including statement fee, PCI, merchant support, etc approx. $20.00) and you processed $20,000.00. Your OVERALL cost of processing would be 2.125%. That is really good.

    4. You will pay to have the service even if you don’t use it. Having a merchant service account is like having service from the electric utility. You pay to have the service available 24/7 even if you don’t turn on the lights. A merchant account is the same. Don’t complain that you had to pay a minimum or statement fee even though you didn’t run any transactions. Your merchant services provider was ready 24 hours a day in case you did. That costs money.

    5. Ask questions. For most businesses, the majority of their income is going to flow through their credit card terminal. Yet, I have found that most merchants do ZERO research about a merchant service provider, or worse, the sales person, prior to disclosing their banking information, and social security number! I always provide references in my potential clients industry or zip code, and encourage them to call and check me out. For many in this business, our reputations are our most valuable asset. Almost 1/3 of my client sign ups come from referrals. That comes from being honest, providing great customer service, and educating my merchants.

    6. You have to sign a contract. Any one who says you don’t have to sign a contract is lying to you. You must agree to the terms of accepting credit cards in your business. You cannot have a merchant account unless you agree. The evidence of your agreement is your signature. AND ALWAYS INSIST ON RECEIVING COPIES OF WHAT YOU HAVE SIGNED, on the spot! Not in the mail, not tomorrow. And don’t sign any blank forms.

    I am now starting my 14th year in the merchant services business. My objective in writing this comment, is to let merchants know that with a little due diligence, and by having realistic expectations, you can find a great merchant services provider, and avoid the fly-by-nights, and scam artists, that, unfortunately, are still out there.
    All merchant service providers, like MCPS, have bad independent reps out there, or worse, complicit sales offices. But any merchant service provider of any appreciable size is bound to have some complaints. MCPS processes for some 50,000 merchants, with a total of 88 complaints according to this review. That is less than 2/100ths of a percent. Wish it could be zero!

    Thanks for reading this.

    • Terry Black

      The comments that the agent that runs his office through Merchants Choice were in most part accurate except the misleading statement that there are no free terminals period. That’s like saying their are no free cell phones and we all know that when a customer signs an agreement with a cell phone provider the incentive to get them to sign are free phones. LG Samsung and Apple all have to make payroll and just like in merchant services, but the provider buys the terminals and makes their money back in fees and a 3 year agreement, thus providing free terminals. Although I will say most company’s free terminals are loaners, when our merchants complete a 3 year term with us they own their machines and its spelled right out in the agreement so sir, you need to change company’s or become more educated about the business. I have 18 years experience in the industry

      • Larry Hendel

        Hi Terry,
        I stopped writing business for MCPS 2 years ago when they lied to me about the fees they were charging my merchants. I call them my merchants because I live in the area where I wrote the business and I still see these merchants. No one from MCPS will ever meet any of them. I was told by my manager when I first starting working with MCPS that I was entitled to 50% of the residuals even if I quit or retired. He even said if I died my heirs would be entitled to my share. I totally agreed. I cold called and spent my money and time signing them up. MCPS now wants to renege on that agreement. There is nothing in my agreement that gives them the right to steal my money, but they’re doing it anyhow.
        Since you mentioned being in the business 18 years I assume you’ve seen this kind of treatment before. How would you handle it?

        Larry Hendel
        [REDACTED – personal contact information]


        Are you with Merchants’ Choice? Learn how to resolve this complaint.

      • SBSC

        There ARE no free terminals. (And there ARE no free cell phones, you pay for it in the fees) Being in the business 18 years, you know that someone has to buy a terminal from the manufacturer. either your office, the processor, or the merchant. To recover the cost, the processor builds it into the rates, or the fixed monthly fees. (do you really think a merchant statement costs $10.00 a month to produce?) I occasionally give away a terminal. But not to a low volume merchant, or a new business. Especially since I don’t hold them to longer than a six month minimum processing contract. My statements above are accurate. And I don’t hold anyone to a contract that is dissatisfied with the service from either my office or MCPS. I only require them to give a 30 day written notice. That way I have a chance to try and salvage the account. I don’t know about you, but my retention rate is extremely high. I still have some merchants that have been processing with me now for almost 16 years. I do all of the level one support from my office, as well as terminal replacement locally, the same day, 7 days a week. So don’t EVER tell me that any of my statements are misleading.

        • Agent

          Well then, I do believe that was set straight— no sugarcoating here 👊🏻

          There is nothing FREE in this world, besides the advice you just got.

          Also, most merchants do not understand what minimum fees are probably being its not shared. This fee pays for that terminal when/if your reoccurring monthly fees are waived/low. A MSP will always have a way to get their money for that free terminal.

          If you have your own terminal, you will never have a minimum charge (which is normally $25/‘mo). Just because you’re processing 50K/mo doesn’t mean you won’t be charged a portion of that minimum fee. It’s all in the MSP criteria (cards taken etc.,) in how it’s calculated.

          If you’re seeing this fee on your statement, do the math. In the long run you’re gong to overpay. Purchase your own terminal; warranty is good for a min of one year I know with VeriFone. IF something went wrong you can always request a terminal from your MSP; theyll send one out. They need you UP processing to make money.

          Terminals can be reprogrammed for any merchant service if you decide to switch, as well.

          Pin pads are a little more difficult as they can’t be reprogrammed so easily. Key codes are needed from previous MS to move over to a new MS. Make sure you understand what your doing before you do it.

          Just be sure your agent doesn’t jack up the cost when purchasing terminal- ask for I at their cost. A good agent won’t try to make a profit.

          I always tell all my merchants that everything I’m educating them on is all out online—google it.

          Transparency & building relationships with the owners is everything in this industry. Be honest, ethical & be available when needed & one can do very well. Cheat a merchant & I’ll see it on that statement & take that account. So be fair!

          Excellent post @SBSC

  • ting

    Joe Wolfe came in my restaurant about three months ago. After looked over my merchant account statement, he told me that I would save at least 70 dollars every month if I witch to Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions. I asked a lot of question before I signed up with him. He promised me with no cancellation fee, no active fee, and no contract. I called him after I received a new terminal from him and told him that I wanted to use my own terminal. He told me that the terminal came with my contract free. One week later, I received a letter from terminal leasing company. That letter informed me that I would charge for leasing a terminal from their company. I call Joe again, he told me it was a mistake during he filled the application and asked me to fax the letter to him, he will correct it right the way. Actually, he didn’t fix it. The terminal company charged me twice from my business account $150, $407.88. It was more expensive than buying a new one. I called Joe three times for this issue, he promised me he would fix it and credit full amount back to my account. After two weeks later I called him again because there is no refund back to my account. He asked me to give him one more week to fix it. He didn’t leave an origin copy of contract also. This misleading promotion is planned. I realize the whole sale promotion is a fraud, and now he had trapped me into this swindle. After I received the first month statement from WoodForest Bank, the price is about same compare to my old credit card processing company. I called him about $70 dollar saving every month. He told me same thing again, asked me to fax the statement to him and he will fix it. I knew he is crook so I ask him to cancel my account on July 1st. I switched back to my old credit processing company, the agency Miss Zhang sent him a email request to cancel my account. I called he two weeks later, he told me he did cancel for me. However, I received two more months of statements, I called Wood Forest Bank , the number on the statement, the customers service rep told me I have to cancel by my own and there is $470 cancelation fee. I kept calling Joe he hung up on me, and he doesn’t answer my phone or resolve my issue. If your company doesn’t resolve this fraud sale, I will want all my relatives and Chinese restaurant hear my story and void to do the business with Wood Forest bank. Now, I can’t cancel my terminal leasing because agent is only one can do it.

      • Agent

        They can/will change a merchants contract fees without the agents knowledge. Many are to save an account which is understandable but not when reimbursements are made making a ‘negative’ residual. Retention does not ‘watch’ the owners that now know who to call to do this, abusing this action to lower fees.

        On accounts you’ve sold, the fees will more than double without the merchant knowing eliminating the fair pricing the agent had written & signed on the contract.

  • Kam

    Merchants’ Choice signed me up with First Data Global Leasing, a NON-CACELABLE 48 months contract of 100+ a month, for credit card machine without my permission and acknowledgement. The agent was intentionally mislead and gave out wrong information to me and switch out the original contract that I signed and submitted a different form to the office. The reason that I chose Merchants’ Choice because the agent came to my store and gave me a really good price on credit card processing. She Asked me for my current credit card bill to review and gave me a much better deal with extra benefit like free credit card paper roll with shipping included, pay my current credit card company early determination fee up to $499.00 if I switch, no contact base I can cancel it anytime with no termination fee, and credit card machine is free. It sounds risk free so I switched. The day that we sign the contract I made sure the rate that she offered were correct and is on the contract which is 3 cents per swipe, 1.96% for Visa, master, and discover and debit card are no charge. Also no contract and free machine. She did not provide me the copy of this original contract that I signed on that day so I asked her to mail it to me. 1 weeks past no paper work copy but received a welcome kit from the company. read the fine print it looks nothing like the contract that I signed and it looks like there is a contract so I called the agent. She told me that there is no contract. this is just a automatic mail. it just a basic. I once again asked for the paper work that I signed because this is the only thing to prove what I actually signed for. another week still not getting the copy. She said she emailed but I never received it. Then she said she sent It to a wrong email and will resend it. During those weeks I received letter from First Data stating I have signed up a 48 month lease with them for the credit card machine that the agent gave me and they will automatically withdraw payment from my account every month. I called the agent she told me it was a mistake. She said the letter should goes to her not me and I will not be charged. Just about a week later First data withdraw the first month lease of 131.00 from my account. I called her and asked. She told me was a mistake and ask me to send a screen shot of the withdrawal from my phone as an evident and text message her the photo so she can claim and send me a check. 1 week later still didn’t get any check or original copy of the paper work. So I text her and asked to cancel the account if I still not getting the copy. Then she emailed me the paper work with missing pages. The important pages that says the rates and that there is no contract base was missing. I felt something must be wrong so I called First data, they told me I have signed up a contract with them through Merchants’ Choice and I will be responsible for the payment. I called the agent, left message, email. she didn’t reply since then. So I called Merchants’ Choice, they asked me for the copy of my driver’s license with signature and initial and fax it to them. I faxed it to them and I also asked for a copy of paper work from them. I got it through email and when I read it. this is a totally different contract and It says there is a 48 month lease with the machine there too! no wonder the agent could never send it to me. After I faxed it they keep me waiting for 2 weeks didn’t respond or reply my email or call. I requested to cancel the account through email and calling but nobody respond to the request. another 1 1/2 week later somebody respond my email but only stating that they are reviewing the account and will investigate without giving me any time frame non they are responding to the cancelations! they keep charging me the much higher fees and the lease and kept me waiting. I could not find anybody to cancel the account for me. it has been almost 2 months now. nobody. I called first Data and ask for applications for fraud claim, they said they will email me the form but its been 2 weeks. never received any form. I called 3 times to have the form resent to 2 different email and same fax # never received anything. This kind of customer service is terrible and you know what? the Merchants’ Choice actually accidently sent a wrong email to me( it should be for another customer who seem like experiencing the same issue and wanted to cancel) this customer also got stuck with a lease….and a early termination fee. I believe I’m not the only victim So be careful!

      • Kam

        Sorry to hear that. First of all, did you tell the customer service about your experience? I’m in the middle of resolving the issue with the company. it seems to me that there is problem with the agents not the company. one thing need to be clear, the agent is not the only one who can cancel the lease so please try the steps below:
        1st, call Merchants’ Choice customer service and tell them your problem with the agent and request for a copy of the contract since you never gotten one. You can also request copy from the lease company since you have a contract with them also and you didn’t even know you have signed up with them. They will send it to you. Then check the contracts carefully especially the signature. in my case, the page that has the lease info and credit card rate is not my signature and I have never seem it and the paper work that I signed was not there. So it was a fraud. I told them I did not sign the contract and they investigated it and email me to contact them. I spoke to the V.P Customer Service over the phone and she decided to cancel the contract with no termination fee and she will cancel the lease for me too. But everything is not done yet and I have not gotten any confirmation letter yet so I can not say it was resolved. I will update it when it is actually done. So most important thing is make sure the contract that the agent submitted was the one that you signed or not.
        If you did sign…I don’t know if you can get away with it…but try because he said there will be no termination fee right?
        2nd, You can file affidavit of forgery with the leasing company if you believe you did not sign it to get away the lease if Merchants’s choice won’t help you with the lease. You just need to ask the leasing company for the form.
        3rd, You can go to your bank for help. tell them your problem and place stop payment on both or one of the company so that they can not charge you. but only if you believe or sure that it is a fraud or they charge you for the rate that is higher than what they should have because if not you might end up paying more.
        4th, if both Merchants’ Choice and the leasing company won’t help you. Try to complain to BBB, it seems Merchants’ Choice responds to BBB pretty well.
        Good Luck to you and let me know if you have any questions. by the way I’m a owner of a Chinese Restaurant too. which State are you in? Just wondering if they do it in certain areas.

        • Ming

          I’m also a owner of a Chinese Restaurant in FL and got trapped with this Merchant’s choice payment solutions credit card processing company. Same thing, the sales came to our store and said that they can help save us some money by switching to their company. They told us that there is no contract, no cancellation fee, and the machines are for free. It ends up nothing is true, there is a 3 year contract and a $495 early termination fee, and the machines are $164 per month for 48 months with the 1st Data Global company. They also didn’t give us the original copy of what we signed. After my request, they finally did send me the copy of the contract, but I recognized that the page about the leasing the machines is not even my signature. If you have the similar experience with this company, did your get solved now and how? Thanks for answering my questions.

  • John

    Merchant’s Choice tried to scam me by calling and saying Visa is issuing new cards to there customers and that I needed a “mandatory update to my machine”. They acted as if they were my processing company and faxed me the paper work to fill out and asked me send my processing statement and a new voided check so that my funds would continue to go into my account. They are not my processor, just trying to get me to sign up with them. Very shady.

  • M&W

    We found out today that Merchants’ Choice has shipped a cc terminal to one of OUR merchants, advising them to call you for download !

    This owner was told by a Merchants’ Choice sales rep that they need new equipment or they would be unable to process soon.

    Now listen, as a merchant service provider we have ensured that ALL of our merchants are compliant.

    If your sales reps dont stop lying to our merchants, we will pursue legal action and we mean it!

    Someone in your sales dept needs to have discussions warning your agents about lying to business owners……… this has been going no for way too long.

    • Kimberly Hernandez

      SAME HERE! Paysafe terminated my contract for cause and no one, not even my ISO knew of any issues. Almost 6 years with MCPS/Paysafe with NO issues whatsoever – trusted agent, very fair agent. I love what I do; I believe in building relationships with my merchants. Honesty goes a long ways.

      I was give a higher split 3 weeks prior ‘for my loyalty’ before finding a letter from legal the end of last month. I emailed CEO as he’s an honest man. I was told from a trusted source that an email went all the way to the bottom within 24 hours of my email changing company policy and NO agent can be terminated without going through a process to rectify etc.

      However, my family and I just lost our livelihood as that change did not help me at all. I’ve had to sell everything I own and must leave my place as my residuals paid my bills. I work very hard out in the field everyday and love my work. It’s been the worst thing I’ve ever been through and no one will give my any straight answers, only stating it now looks good that they will release my residuals and it’s too late. They did not care of what was happening to us and it’s going on 3 weeks and STiLL nothing in writing stating that I WILL get my residuals back.

      I just want this over so my family and I can pick up the pieces and move on. I don’t want to sue the company, I just want my life back and the bottom dropped out from under us and I’m having to start over. I’m already signing with another great ISO and I just want FAIR. Just as merchants want, I too as an agent just want FAIR.

      This was my second family, they will be missed but no one protected me; I’ve not even gotten to speak until now. I’m fed up of having to remain silent. I just want agents to learn from my experience to get your contracts in order, have attorney review and protect your lifetime residuals.

      Merchants always think they take the highest risk, which is just not true. Yes, you have agents that will rob you if you let them but there are still many of us out here that do our very best to ensure your fees are fair and actually take care of the account. CS is everything, must have an agent you can reach out to at anytime. We ARE out here, but know it’s not just you that can be burned.

      I’m now most likely looking at a lawsuit for speaking out, but they’ve taken all I have as it is… they can’t get something I don’t even have. My life has basically been turned upside down; it’s time someone just step up and have some humanity and do the right thing. I know I’m a great agent and many happy merchants.

      I hate this has happened, but it did and now I can not wait any longer. I have to speak out and just maybe this will wake other agents up that think they are safe when in reality you just might not be.

      I just need peace of mind with letter stating my residuals will be released NOW so I can move on.

      Keepin’ the faith.

    • Kay

      I’m sure you worked hard for your accounts & the residuals you make off your accounts is the reason I’m sure you do what you do. Residuals are the most important part of your income. I do know a few things as I’m learning what I need to know to protect my business from dishonest agents and the companies they work with. I’m guessing this means that Paysafe is now making 100% revenue on all the accounts YOU signed with them?? That is wrong and down right disgraceful! I will be sure to pass this on as they really have taken something that must have devastated you and your family. If you hadn’t stolen or committed fraud of some sort there is absolutely no reason for this.
      I do commend you, for most will not tell their story to help others much less share their full name. As a small business owner I thank you for encouraging me with your post. It’s important owners are made aware of what agents do and what can also happen to them.

      • Kimberly Hernandez

        …continued from 1st reply to Kay…

        Contracts are put in place to protect the company AND the merchant. Owners think that it’s only to trap them into something, which is NOT the case. An owner needs this in order to protect their fees from increasing for those 3 years. If you’re going month to month, the processor can raise the rates anytime they want and there’s nothing that an owner can do about this. As I have heard over and over “Paysafe has the right”… that got old a long time ago so much so I began utilizing MY rights and pushed back.

        I was backed in a corner and it was NOT from what I had done, it was what they were doing. I was MADE to fight, there’s a difference. I just wanted peace, get what was mine and it be fair. Well, fair isn’t something they really believe in… it’s whatever Paysafes meaning of fair that matters.. ‘the right to do what they want’.

        The right… it’s making me angry thinking how they toyed with me and my living, and what they caused, yet I still FOR TODAY am being as professional as possible. So to any of you that feel this is unprofessional by me speaking of all this, then you simply can’t handle the truth and I welcome your comments. The truth is never pretty. I really do not care what anyone thinks..(just putting that out there for the haters.. oh yeah, let me say thank you to my haters while I’m on the subject–YOU put the fire within me that makes me want to be even better than I’ve ever been, and to ever give up, not a chance).

        Now as an agent, I watch my accounts (my RM even has stated several times I’m about the only agent who cares to utilize our portal) as I keep up, again it’s my biz and these are MY accounts and I don’t care who the partner is, no one will ever take care of your customers like YOU can as the agent. This is another reason I wasn’t one they cared to deal with because I will ALWAYS protect the owner, as I gave them my word to and will always try to overdeliver. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.. don’t need any certain processor as their are 1000s who want you as their partner, see your value and I’m very thankful for those who have put their trust in me.

        As for the contracts, the owner needs to do is simply ask the agent to WAIVE THE ETF. It’s that easy. If I feel I can trust that merchant, which I can normally tell especially if they are signing more than one location, I’ll do it every time. Most never burned me and my retention is very high.. I keep my people, actually establishing real relationships because it does matter.

        However, I not all owners are like that, will deceive no matter what just to get lower fees. These are the ones that caused major issues this past year which led to the end result of something that should have never happened.

        Corrections to accounts STILL were not resolved at the end, continuously losing money. Months would go by and every month I’m dealing with the same issue. This alone causes such stress, I didn’t even want to do the work I love to do. I expected the same each month…. 6 months to be exact.

        Losing a merchant does not have the same effect on a company such as Paysafe, they will still have their millions/billions, will be able to survive, living the lifestyle Paysafe has chosen to change (…I might add a very lavish change in the corporate office).

        The agents (from my own personal experience and knowledge I’ve gained throughout this process are expendable)… no matter what they’ve proven, the years given, the number of changes in contract of a higher split/buy rates (one being just 3 weeks prior to the termination letter by legal for my time and loyalty).

        Paysafe has shown proof that they WILL indeed go against any contract signed by myself, the owner, and underwriting. So that I will have to agree with on all the complaints I’ve read, as it’s definitely fact. The reasoning I was told for this was to keep their retention high and keep ‘their reputation intact’.. yes, indeed that is all BS. Have anyone not seen the post on glassdoor of how MCPS refused to get onboard with Paysafe? it’s there and THAT is what you call unprofessional as it states we would be ‘better’, speaking as if without them MCPS was nothing. Laughable.. I do not want to be even close to what they are or have that mindset. That’s dangerous territory there.. not very good coming from a management position. I could post it, but why should I, read for yourself as I do not want to quote it incorrectly.

        As an agent we can only do so much for an owner. If I can’t get their rates any lower, it means I will go in the red and I simply can not do it. Yet I was told I didn’t take care of my merchants, never wanted to compromise on fees which is total bs and they knew this. Funny thing is I have merchants who were so livid about this that THEY were sending me their own attorney contacts. That’s how close I was to my merchants.

        I could say so much more and provide the actual proof of all notes in my agent portal as I began copying these around Feb of this year feeling something was not right…. seems my intuition was correct.

        I still have not received any confirmation via letter from legal stating I can continue taking care of my accounts as they were forced to release. I still have access to my portal, but after threatening to lawyer up 2 weeks ago (I’ve also kept all emails, recorded conversations due to what was being done OR not being done) just to prove the story told was ONLY in pieces as of course it would be… they already knew this was wrong, a mistake YET refused to rectify because anyone with a brain would know that’s admission of guilt. Just because they are like that, didn’t mean I was.. but that’s how they think no matter my what my emails stated of what I wanted and be done with all of this.

        I simply could not deal with this anymore. I explained exactly what had happened for the 10th time and it didn’t seem to resonate. They have locked me out of seeing ‘notes’ on MY accounts so I have no idea what problems may be happening so I can head off to keep from losing these accounts. I lost accounts AFTER the letter and BEFORE being told from someone I won’t mention at this time that I’d get my residuals (well, told 98% chance). I know now it was only to keep me from doing what I should have already done, but you know I’m too tired to deal, want to concentrate on my work and get back to the good agent doing what I love… and I’m on my way.

        However, I’ve already lost 5 accounts yet they deny it, but the notes state differently which I stated in my final letter. When you lose accounts within a year, they will ‘clawback any bonus’ they had given upon approval. They actually took MY money for these merchants leaving when I wasn’t even associated with them per the letter. I was once again told BS, but as I’ve said before I have copies of the notes before locked out after stating I know what is going on because I can read.. that they had no right to take any monies from me as they had taken MY accounts and THEY were responsible, not me. But they have anyways as I just seen on my deposit this month… the reports still not out, but they will be and I’ll just go from there.

        I’m not able to help anyone due to ‘no notes’, never receive any IMRA alerts to make me aware of an issue so I can handle directly with the owner, AND my email account was not taken down, yet I’m not able to receive any emails making it impossible to get a merchants email who is trying to contact me.

        Being I haven’t received any legal confirmation redacting me from associating with MY account owners, I have only been able to speak to them via phone when they call me because I do not trust Paysafe and have no doubt due to me speaking out, standing alone mind you.

        Please understand in no way am I being this woman who thinks she can get whatever she wants, going around threatening a partner or that I have this ego or in any way do I feel I’m entitled. I am doing what anyone else would do KNOWING right is right, and I can and never will back down from any partner no matter the legal dream team they think they have when I wouldn’t even need an attorney. The things I could share would blow minds of what they have done, caused, what I lost, all the testimonials/letters from
        “professionals” that had to help me get through very hard time, making it hard to even survive and take care of my responsibilities and my daughter. My residuals paid my bills even sitting at home all month if I wanted I didn’t have to worry as my residuals paid it all. Can you understand what devastation that did? Paysafe didn’t, still doesn’t.

        I’ve stood alone, with NO one to help me, knowing nothing of what to do, losing everything as my world just dropped out from under me… traumatized to say the least, it was just the most unbelievable thing I think I’ve ever experience as I never seen it coming like it did… blindsided is never good for any one.

        I know people will beleive what they want, have their opinions and that’s ok. But plesae, share them. Paysafe I welcome your comments as well. I’m no longer afraid of the tactics used to instill fear in me (seemed like a gag order).

        What is really upsetting, to the point of such anger for all the bs they have done —- I WAS RIGHT, MY RESIDUALS WERE CALCULATED WRONG DUE TO PAYSAFES KEYING ERRORS.

        This was about 2 weeks ago, yet I still have not received my refund and was told the MERCHANT accounts would be back billed for Paysafes mistake, as they were getting their money. I

        have expressed it was wrong, not to do this as we will lose that account, yet they seem to want that as it’s ME who will suffer the loss, will take back my bonus, but Paysafe will ACH the money they feel the owner owes – guaranteed.

        They feel I’m ok, they feel I owe them a THANK YOU for giving me back what was mine, I was told ‘at least I’m getting my residuals back’… so the saga continues until it’s made right as I continue to move forward with no regrets at all, it will be made right.

      • Kimberly Hernandez

        Thank you Kay for your encouragement and taking the time to respond. I eventually DID get my residuals released. No, they had no reasons for this as this seems to have been personal even though it was and never will be admitted. From what ‘we’ all have come to learn was it was a scare tatic (which worked I’ll admit) due to about 7 months of going back and forth demanding my residuals be corrected, as I couldn’t find the error on my end anywhere by looking at the reports. After being just totally fed up with dealing with this, I finally decided it was time to bring in my own attorney and let Paysafe know that I intended to lawyer up, not to threatened in anyway, it was to get the help I needed as the stress of it all had impacted me in my personal and professional life. What was done should have never happened, wasn’t approved by the CEO nor my ISO… it seemed to have been something planned for months (which I just found out about last month). CEO Todd Linden took care of this for me, even changed company policy for the termination of any agent as that told me I indeed was in the right. No matter what is said about Mr. Linden he is a good and fair man, so I hate seeing his name out here as he understands what the agents do in the field and does not want an agents residuals taken for no reason. So I have no loss of respect for this man. Paysafe on the other hand, I can honestly and openly say I could never trust them again. This wasn’t the first time, but hopefully my letter to the CEO and the changes will prevent what they caused me and my family from happening to any other agent and their family. It didn’t help me, but you I’ll have to say it feels good to know that my fight was worth it and Paysafes legal department needs to not only protect the company BUT protect the agents that have been loyal to them for many years. I have no bad reviews on myself as an agent and I deal face to fact with owners every day, but the one that was the main cause (starting point) of the issues has multiple bad reviews out there online. The letter stated ‘I would cause them a bad reputation’…being the reason they felt led to threaten me which was intentional as I stated before.

        This post may look to some as being unprofessional speaking of a partner that I held up high out here, my ISO was the most honest people I know. Because of the relationship we had the communication between us was open at all times… good or bad. I had total trust in their advice and constructive criticism. They never led me in a direction of unethical practices, they believed in me as I was a trusted agent. I received rewards for my loyal which meant everything to me and never will I forget my Florida ISO, what they did for me, and always being there when needed.

        There is only ONE thing that disappointed me throughout this ordeal was the fact that my ISO were told not to talk, basically they were not able to speak to me or risk their own positions with Paysafe. At that time I understood, respected that as I wouldn’t want that. The ONLY way I knew what was going on was from the ones who contacted me on personal cell phones outside of work being phone calls are all recorded from within. That it the ONLY way I knew I was getting my residuals returned.

        I learned this was decided after my letter to the CEO about 3 weeks after I received the letter from legal. I was basically led to believe I was just screwed with no income at all… and they did not care; worrying what the heck I needed to do.

        Once I was told, I requested multiple times to have a confirmed letter from Paysafe redacting the original letter with a letter taking accountability for what they knew was a mistake, that my residuals would be released, I didn’t think that was asking for much, yet never received a thing from Paysafe.

        Now again, this is Paysafe not MCPS. Everything changed once Paysafe acquired MCPS which is fine IF it’s a change for good. Their intentions were to weed out agents that were dishonest, and agents that were “too high maintenance” – meaning my constant questioning of my pay, of unnecessary refunds to merchants causing me to go into the red, for retention making poor decisions and not reviewing he original contract NOR any previous notes of what these owners were doing… it was very clear that these were owners that ‘used the system due to what retention kept doing over and over’ without even blinking, nor taking the time to get anyone involved to ensure the money they GAVE away was correct. The refunds were even calculated incorrectly giving them even a HIGHER refund. I still can’t figure out where ‘he’ got the numbers, yet I have that all printed as well to keep as I knew I’d be needing it.

        ….will continue on next post

  • Jay

    This company is calling merchants telling them they are sending them new terminals because their old ones no longer handle the new type credit cards being offered on the market, thus posing as their current processor. They even act as though they are reading a Merchants statement to them over the phone. Once the terminal arrives they merchant is tricked into downloading it by calling the company and giving them their personal info and bank account info for the download. Once this is done they are locked into stealing from your account as your new processor and its impossible to get them to stop. BEWARE!

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