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(512) 494-9200
Note: As of 2023, the National Bankcard Systems Inc. website is down. It’s currently unclear what this means for the status of the company. If you have any information about the company, please let us know in the comments below.
Company Overview
National Bankcard Systems Inc., established in 1997, is a multi-million dollar credit card processing vendor and merchant account provider. The company also operates under several DBAs including The Merchant Store, The Merchant Equipment Store, and US Point of Sale. National Bankcard Systems is a member service provider for First Data (now Fiserv), Elavon, iPayment (now Paysafe), Total Merchant Services, and Cardservice International.
Not to Be Confused With National Bankcard
It is worth mentioning that National Bankcard Systems could potentially be confused with National Bankcard, a New York-based merchant account provider. There is no connection between the two companies.
National Bankcard Systems Payment Processing
National Bankcard Systems processes most major debit and credit cards for most business types. Their services include EMV card swipers, MOTO, virtual terminals, access to multiple payment gateways, mobile and wireless processing, ACH, and e-commerce solutions.
Cutting-Edge Point-of-Sale Systems
National Bankcard Systems, Inc. offers cutting-edge point-of-sale (POS) systems that help streamline business operations and enhance efficiency. These systems come with built-in features like inventory management, employee tracking, and customer relationship management, allowing businesses to customize their POS setup according to their specific needs.
Mobile and E-commerce Payment Processing
Understanding the importance of digital payment methods, National Bankcard Systems, Inc. provides mobile and e-commerce payment processing solutions. These services enable merchants to accept payments via smartphones, tablets, and online stores, delivering convenience and flexibility to both business owners and their customers.
Integration with Popular Software
National Bankcard Systems, Inc. offers integrated payment solutions that can easily connect with widely-used software systems and applications. This integration capability allows businesses to streamline their financial management processes, leading to more efficient workflows.
International Payment Processing
As a provider of global payment processing services, National Bankcard Systems, Inc. helps businesses expand their reach by supporting international transactions. This feature enables merchants to cater to a wider customer base, while also accommodating the needs of their existing customers who may require international payment options.
Robust Security Measures
National Bankcard Systems, Inc. places a strong emphasis on security and fraud prevention, utilizing advanced encryption and tokenization technologies to safeguard sensitive data. This commitment to security gives businesses the confidence that their customers’ information is well-protected during transactions.
Location & Ownership
National Bankcard Systems is located at 5725 US 290, Austin, Texas 78735. National Bankcard Systems is a Registered ISO/MSP of BancorpSouth, Tupelo, Mississippi; and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, California. Peter Estep is the company’s president, while LinkedIn lists Chris Ortega as director.
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Appears to offer a three-year contract with…
- Complaints & Service: Has received more than…
- BBB Rating: Has an “A+” rating on its Better Business Bureau profile and has received…
- Sales & Marketing: Hires independent sales agents and has received a low…
A selection of National Bankcard Systems’ payment processing services
National Bankcard Systems Reviews and Complaints
Here's What Their Clients Say
Complaint Summary
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Total Online Complaints
10+
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Live Customer Support
No
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Most Common Complaint
Hidden Fees
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Recent Lawsuits
No
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Low Complaint Total
Outside of the BBB, we were able to locate more than 10 negative National Bankcard Systems reviews. Three of these complaints were authored by software vendors who had not been paid by employees of National Bankcard Systems for personal services rendered. These appear to have no bearing on National Bankcard’s conduct as a merchant services provider. We also found eight complaints in the comment section of this review citing poor customer service, unexpected fees, and unauthorized billing. While these complaints reflect poorly on National Bankcard’s customer service, eight complaints in over four years isn’t an especially high complaint volume. If you have your own National Bankcard Systems review to make, please do so in the comments below.
National Bankcard Systems Lawsuits
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against National Bankcard Systems. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
National Bankcard Systems Customer Support Options
As noted above, it is possible that some complaints about National Bankcard are redirected to the much larger payment processors with which it is affiliated. The fact that the company’s website lists no dedicated support information seems to confirm this. The website does list a phone number and email address, though it is unclear how customers will receive support through these. We do not consider National Bankcard Systems a top provider for customer service at this time.
National Bankcard Systems BBB Rating and Report
Our Better Business Bureau Profile Assessment
BBB Summary
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BBB Reports
1
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Multiple Profiles
National Bankcard Systems has been an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau since 2000 and currently scores an “A+”. The company’s alternate business name of “The Merchant Equipment Store” has been accredited since 2004 and is showing an “A+” rating. Given the fact that these two companies share the same address and upper management, we will combine their BBB profiles for the purposes of this review.
National Bankcard Systems Complaint Record
Within the last 36 months, 1 complaint has been registered on one of the company’s BBB profiles.
An “A” Performance Overall
Given the company’s overall complaint rate, we agree with the BBB’s grade at this time.
National Bankcard Systems Fees and Rates
A Closer Look at the Contract
Cost Summary
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Cancellation Penalties
Yes
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Monthly & Annual Fees
Possible
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Processing Rates
1.00% - 4.99%
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Equipment Leasing
Unclear
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A Wide Range of Possible Fees
National Bankcard’s status as a member service provider for five very large processors means that its contract terms are likely to vary greatly depending on the agent setting up the account and a business’ type and time in business. This variability seems to be confirmed in the few available complaints about the company, which cite undisclosed fees, difficulty canceling service, billing errors, charges for unwanted equipment warranties, and higher-than-expected rates in equal measure. The companies that appear to provide processing contracts to National Bankcard do not score very well in this category as a group, so we aren’t inclined to assume the best about National Bankcard’s terms.
Three-Year Contract
We have found some official complaint responses by the company indicating that NBS offers a three-year contract with an early termination fee of $250 unless the client purchases equipment upfront, in which case there is no ETF. In general, business owners are advised to carefully examine the terms of their individual contracts (especially keeping an eye out for early termination fees and PCI Compliance fees) and evaluate whether these terms will work for them.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, National Bankcard Systems also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. The company provides its own proprietary gateway as well as offering services through Authorize.Net, Verisign, and Payment Clearing. However, rates and fees will be determined by which gateway a merchant utilizes. The company’s website does list prices of $4.95 and $39.95 for its proprietary software and Authorize.Net software, respectively. It is unclear if that is a one-time fee or recurring charge. Additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates typically apply to these e-commerce services.
Send Us Your Documents
National Bankcard Systems does not appear to offer contract terms that are competitive with the cheapest merchant accounts. If you have any knowledge of the standard NBS contract, please share it with us in the comment section below this review.
National Bankcard Systems offers access to multiple payment gateways, including its own
National Bankcard Systems Jobs and Employment
Hiring Standards and Ethical Marketing Assessment
Key Points
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Uses Independent Resellers
Yes
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Telemarketing
Likely
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Misleading Marketing
No
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Discloses All Important Terms
No
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Outside Sales Team
National Bankcard Systems utilizes outside sales agents in offices across the country to market its services. The use of independent sales agents is usually tied to elevated complaint rates, and in the case of National Bankcard Systems, it appears to be a minor issue. We have found a handful of National Bankcard Systems reviews accusing the company’s agents of misrepresenting or failing to disclose fees, although specific fee amounts are unavailable.
Possible Complaint Dilution
National Bankcard Systems is partnered with five different processing companies. It is therefore possible that some of the complaints that would normally be targeted toward National Bankcard Systems are being funneled to the online profiles of these other entities. However, it’s nearly impossible to chart whether and how often this might occur. The company’s use of multiple websites and business names also clouds the issue to some extent, as does the similarity of its name to that of National Bankcard.
No Deceptive Ads
As a point in its favor, the company does not appear to engage in any deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials. The company’s low complaint total has qualified it for an “A” rating for this section. If you suspect that National Bankcard Systems is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden charges.
National Bankcard Systems Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts and Opinions
According to our rating system, National Bankcard Systems rates as an above-average credit card processing provider. The company shows very few complaints online despite its reliance on outside sales agents and poorly-rated large backend processors. However, we do not consider it a top-rated overall credit card processor just yet.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Dan
Was promised no hidden fees, now paying all the same fees as my previous processor but at 1.30 percent more and 2 percent more on specialty cards, I was definitely misled. Tried to contact Phil Harris but was on the phone, I said I would wait cause I had already been one the phone with them for two hours, then she said oh I think he is out to lunch, still no response from Phil Harris. Don’t believe it when they tell you they will save you money, I have never in my 19 years in business paid this much for processing.
This post will help: Find and Eliminate Hidden Fees From Your Monthly Bill
-Phillip
Wesley Whaley
Avoid National Bank Card at all costs. They have numerous horrible on line reviews and have business practices that are not legal in all states.
John Finkel
Attempted to set up a service with my company, but was repeatedly forwarded to a very unhelpful salesman Greg Thayer. When I requested to be connected to a different person in the organization, I was instead forwarded to Mr. Thayer a second time, who was very aggressive in addressing the complaints I had towards him. Will not be doing business with this company.
Lindsey
HORRIBLE!!!! My sales agent was a total prick! He actually yelled at me and hung up on me when I tried to cancel my service! He originally told me one thing, but when I read the fine print I found that he didn’t shoot me straight! Tons of hidden fees! Actually, came home to a bill already and I’ve never even plugged the machine in! My sales rep, Greg Thayer, was extremely pushy and unprofessional.
BIG MISTAKE TO USE NATIONAL BANKCARD!
Wesley
National Bank Card is a very shady company. Do not let them have access to your bank account or your customers credit card info.
james
Horrible.
Bill you random amounts then don’t send statement.
Customer service is the long-wait no-answer runaround.
Crooks in my opinion. Or incompetent. Probably the former.
Thomas Jones
This company is horrible! They hit me up with charges totalling several hundred dollars before I even received my credit card terminal. They told me that the charges were an error. Yeah Right! I wanted to believe them, but was I wrong!!! I CANCELLED MY MERCHANT ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY AND SENT THE WIRELESS TERMINAL BACK. I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE THE END OF THE STORY! WRONG AGAIN!! THEY KEEP POSTING FRAUDULENT CHARGES ONTO MY CHECKING ACCOUNT TOTALLING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN ALL OF THIS OUT WITH MY FINANCIAL INSTIUTION IS TIME CONSUMING……MY CHECK BOUNCE BECAUSE OF THEIR FRAUDULENT CHARGES.
DON’T LET MY NIGHTMARE BECOME YOUR LIVING REALITY! STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!!!
Private
Nightmare….Horrible customer service – flip and sassy internal personnel, higher rates than first quoted, restirictive credit limits, no flexibility…just a disaster. Go elsewhere, not worth the hassle. One of our deposits which should have had a 24 hr turnaround was held for 2 weeks – despite the internal Gods working there saying they were holding “nothing”. Disasterous experience….
LINDSEY
Was it hard to cancel your service with them?