National Processing Review

Full Pricing Disclosure

A detailed schedule of rates and fees for businesses of different sizes across different industries is present on the National Processing website. Small to medium-sized businesses are offered different rates depending on if they are a restaurant, retail, or e-commerce merchant. Merchant across those industries all receive interchange-plus pricing as well as a $10 monthly fee. Restaurant merchants are charged a rate of interchange plus 0.15% plus $0.07. Retailers are charged interchange plus 0.20% plus $0.10.While e-Commerce merchants are charged interchange plus 0.30% plus $0.15.

National Processing sets aside a different schedule of rates and fees for larger-scale businesses. Businesses with under $200,000 per month in sales are charged a $59 monthly fee as well as a transaction rate of interchange plus $0.09. Merchants processing over $200,000 per month are charged a monthly fee of $199 and a rate of interchange plus $0.05.

Regardless of a merchant’s size or industry, National Processing does not assess any early termination fees or gateway fees. According to the company’s website, merchants under any of the company’s plans also receive a free Clover Go terminal and reprogramming of their existing credit card terminals. Additionally, rates included under any agreement with National Processing are locked for the length of the contract term.

Straightforward Contract Terms

The National Processing website advertises no annual contracts, and there are no complaints about the company that mention hidden fees. In light of all of the known rates and fees charged by the company and the fact that it offers rates that are competitive with some of the cheapest payment processors, we are awarding National Processing an “A” in this category. If you have any knowledge of the company’s current standard contract terms, please share that information in the comment section of this review. See an older version of the National Processing Merchant Application.

Low Complaint Total

We have approximately eight negative National Processing reviews, and these complaints do not explicitly refer to the company as a scam or a ripoff. In one case (found here), the merchant claims that National Processing has refused to deliver funds totaling $14,013.50 to the merchant. According to the merchant, National Processing stated that the funds were being held by a third party called iCheckGateway, and that National Processing did not have the funds in question. To support this claim, National Processing filed a rebuttal stating that it has not ever received funds from the merchant. The merchant then responded to this rebuttal by including documentation supporting the merchant’s claim that National Processing was serving as the merchant’s processor. The merchant’s second post received a second denial.

Questionable Fund Hold Situation

The details of this complaint are unclear. If the merchant is correct, then National Processing appears to have signed the merchant up for a third-party gateway without the merchant’s knowledge, resulting in a fund hold by iCheckGateway and no clear way for the merchant to recover his funds. On the other hand, it could be that the merchant’s very large sum was held in accordance with iCheckGateway’s policy, and the lack of communication from iCheckGateway has resulted in National Processing wrongfully taking the blame for the situation. Without any way to verify the exact facts of the case, we will refrain from penalizing National Processing too harshly for this complaint. It should be noted, though, that the company’s rebuttal to the merchant’s post seems more interested in denying culpability than in finding a solution for the merchant. In addition, the merchant’s supporting documentation indicates that National Processing was at the very least in communication with the merchant over the issue but could not resolve the problem in a timely fashion.

National Processing Lawsuits

We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against National Processing. Dissatisfied merchants who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.

National Processing Customer Support Options

Other complaints filed against the company describe sudden account cancellation, poor machine functionality, untimely deposits, and poor customer service. The National Processing website lists general phone and email contact information, but it is unclear whether these lines are devoted specifically to customer service.

Clear Complaint Record

National Processing currently maintains an “A+” rating with the BBB and has been accredited since 2008. The company is showing 0 complaints in the past 36 months. The company has received 1 positive informal review. It should be noted that the BBB does not verify informal reviews as it does with complaints.

An “A” Rating

Given the company’s low complaint total and the fact that it has had a BBB profile since at least 2008, we agree with the BBB’s rating.

No Sales Complaints

National Processing appears to market its services primarily through traditional advertising and strategic partnerships. The company also offers an affiliate program and employs ISOs and independent sales agents. However, the company has not received any complaints about these programs.

Original Teaser Rate Quotes

At the time of our previous update, the National Processing homepage listed a couple of teaser quotes that promised “rates as low as $.10 for ACH” and “rates as low as .15% for credit cards.” These rates were significantly lower than the costs that were listed on the company’s Pricing page, which lowered its score in this section.

Transparent Pricing

Since then, National Processing has changed its marketing to promote either the company’s clearly listed interchange-plus pricing or its zero fee program, both of which are much more transparent plans. These plans are plainly described with accurate sample rates, which has improved National Processing’s grade to an “A.” If you suspect that National Processing is charging you undisclosed fees, however, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit.