We take our role in providing guidance and education regarding the card payment industry very seriously. At our own expense, we have vigorously defended our right to continue expose unethical and predatory practices in the industry, successfully defeating every attempt to silence us. However, fending off frivolous lawsuits is costly. To sustain these efforts, one of the ways we generate revenue is through affiliate partnerships with ethical providers. This means that some of our outgoing links connect business owners to trustworthy, low-cost payment processors, which is what most of our readers seek. We see this revenue channel as a win-win-win for everyone involved. Business owners find good processors, processors get good clients, and we are able to continue to provide a valuable service to the small business community. We also recommend and link to many services that do not compensate us. Our priority is to guide you to the best solutions for your needs, regardless of potential revenue. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
All mentions of rate and fee costs are estimations based on publicly available information and client feedback. Actual costs may vary based on a variety of factors unique to your business.
Pros and Cons of National Discount Merchant Services
Pros
E-commerce available
Mobile payment options
Comprehensive payment solutions
Multiple gateway options
International processing capabilities
Cons
Undisclosed fees possible
Potential hidden fees
Inconsistent customer support
Aggressive marketing tactics
Not BBB accredited
Overview
In this NDMS (National Debit Merchant Services) review, we’ll provide a clear look at their credit card processing services, including point-of-sale (POS) systems, mobile payment tools, and e-commerce features. We’ll outline which types of businesses may benefit most, while also highlighting customer reviews to show common trends and concerns. Along with services, we’ll cover pricing, contract terms, and specific offerings so you know what to expect. By the end, you’ll have the insights you need to decide whether NDMS is the right fit for your business’s payment processing needs.
National Discount Merchant Services collaborates with various partners, such as Authorize.Net, CyberSource, ePay+, PaidYET, Paypal Payflow Pro, NMI, and USAePay, to offer a range of payment gateway options. Merchants can use their own computer as a register, monitor and manage transactions via a merchant console website, add a verified seal to their website, and utilize certified shopping carts.
Mobile Payment Solutions
National Discount Merchant Services provides a mobile payment service that caters to businesses requiring the ability to accept payments on the move.
E-Commerce Services
To support the increasing trend toward online shopping, National Discount Merchant Services offers a secure e-commerce payment processing service. This service includes a reliable online payment gateway.
Virtual Terminal Services
National Discount Merchant Services provides a virtual terminal service that is useful for businesses processing orders via mail or phone. This service allows for the manual entry of card details into a secure, web-based system.
Integrated Business Solutions
Beyond payment processing, National Discount Merchant Services offers integrated software solutions that aid in various business operations. These tools include functionalities for payment processing, inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), and data analytics.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Customer Reviews Summary
Only a few negative reviews have been found for National Discount Merchant Services (NDMS), suggesting the company is not involved in scam or ripoff practices. There are no alternative business names associated with NDMS that could be absorbing complaints, and no signs that NDMS complaints are misdirected to its acquiring bank. The primary issues raised in the limited complaints include aggressive marketing tactics and undisclosed fees for businesses with low transaction volumes. We welcome additional reviews of National Discount Merchant Services in the comments below.
Legal and Regulatory Status of NDMS
There are no current class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints filed against National Discount Merchant Services. Clients seeking non-litigious resolution options are encouraged to consider reporting to appropriate supervisory bodies.
Assessment of NDMS Customer Support
NDMS offers standard customer support options, including phone and email contact. However, it is unclear if these channels connect directly to an in-house support team. These support options are typical in the industry and do not qualify NDMS for recognition among the best payment processors for outstanding customer service.
Industry Scores & User Ratings
Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop
5
BBB
N/A
PaymentPop Rating for National Discount Merchant Services
Negative Feedback
There are no negative reviews published about National Discount Merchant Services on the PaymentPop website.
Positive Feedback
National Discount Merchant Services delivered what we needed without overcomplicating things. They walked us through the process, got us running fast, and everything’s been stable since. No billing confusion, no interruptions, just solid service.
No BBB Profile Available
The Better Business Bureau does not maintain a profile for National Discount Merchant Services at this time. We will therefore not factor a BBB rating into this review.
Processing Rates & Fees
Tiered or Interchange Pricing
National Discount Merchant Services does not publicly share its contract details on the website. However, the company does offer tiered and interchange-plus pricing models, along with a minimal $5 monthly fee. NDMS provides interchange-plus pricing specifically tailored for businesses with high transaction volumes. The presence of a multi-year commitment, any early termination fees, or PCI compliance fees remains unspecified on their platform. Potential clients are advised to inquire about these terms directly. A customer mentioned in the comments has reported a $25 account deactivation fee.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
NDMS extends its services to include solutions for online transactions, featuring virtual terminal and payment gateway services prominently on its website. The company lists Authorize.Net, CyberSource, ePay+, PaidYET, Paypal, NMI, and USAePay as its partners for payment gateways. Pricing varies depending on the chosen payment gateway partner and might include additional charges such as gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and extra transaction rates for e-commerce operations.
Few Contract Complaints
While not the most competitive, the contract terms of NDMS are considered reasonable when compared to the market, but they do not align with the offerings of the most affordable merchant account providers. There is no indication that the company engages in the sale of non-cancellable equipment leases, and only a single public complaint references unexpected or high fees associated with the service. This suggests that the majority of NDMS’s clientele may be content with the pricing structure. Businesses seeking alternative options are advised to review our compilation of the top merchant account providers.
Employee Reviews & Sales Practices
Inside/Outside Sales Team
National Discount Merchant Services appears to primarily market its services through a combination of independent sales agents, ISOs, referrals, and strategic partnerships. The use of independent sales agents is commonly linked to elevated complaint rates within the credit card processing industry, but we have not found any NDMS reviews that accuse the company’s sales staff of deceptive tactics. This suggests that the company maintains a higher-than-average degree of control over its sales agents’ conduct.
However, if you suspect that you are being overcharged, you can seek a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden fees.
NDMS Rate Quotes
The NDMS website features a number of advertised pricing plans for merchants. These plans include a card-present rate of 1.39% plus a $5 monthly fee and a card-not-present rate of 1.79% plus $5 per month. The company notes in very small text that these quotes only apply to Qualified swiped transactions and keyed transactions with successful address verification, while transactions that don’t meet these requirements will receive a Mid-Qualified surcharge of 0.75% or a Non-Qualifieddowngrade fee of 1.50%. Despite the fact that these downgrade fees are technically disclosed, merchants could potentially sign up for service with an unrealistic expectation of the rates they will pay. We have accordingly lowered the company’s score in this section.
National Discount Merchant Services Competitors
Compare National Discount Merchant Services to competitors that earned top marks.
National Discount Merchant Services (NDMS) is currently regarded as a dependable option for credit card processing based on all the data available. The company stands out for its minimal number of public complaints and its offering of contract terms that align with industry standards, which suggests a fair approach to its business operations. However, the absence of a Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile for NDMS means that a key source of consumer feedback and accreditation is missing, which could impact the company’s transparency and perceived reliability.
OOour assessment of NDMS remains positive but cautious, as the development of a BBB profile could either confirm the company’s solid practices or reveal issues not currently evident through other channels. In light of this, business owners are advised to thoroughly examine NDMS’s pricing and contract details. Comparing these aspects with those offered by top-rated credit card processors is crucial. Such comparisons ensure that merchants are not only getting competitive rates but also partnering with a processor that consistently demonstrates best practices in terms of fees, customer support, and contract transparency. This careful approach will help businesses secure the most beneficial terms for their specific needs.
