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.
In this review of Partner Payments, we examine a merchant account provider offering credit card processing for both standard and high-risk businesses. The review covers their service offerings, including POS systems, mobile and online payment gateways, virtual terminal services, gift and loyalty programs, recurring payments, and check guarantee services. We also assess their pricing and contract terms, highlighting areas of concern such as undisclosed fees, variable contract terms, potential cash reserves, and transparency in billing. Alongside this, we look at customer feedback and complaints to provide insight into how well their customer support and service actually perform. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether Partner Payments delivers value and reliability for your payment processing needs.
About Partner Payments
Partner Payments Homepage
Launched in 2016, Partner Payments is a merchant account provider that serves most standard and high-risk business types. It is a subsidiary of Secure Payment Systems, a Nevada-based payment processor that has been active since 1996. Partner Payments may also operate under the name Partner Management Group, LLC. and as Inspivo. It is also reported that Revint Solutions purchased Partner Payments in 2019.
Products & Merchant Services
Payment Processing
Partner Payments handles payment processing for most major debit and credit cards, catering to various business types, including small businesses and high-risk industries. Their services encompass payment gateways, mobile solutions, POS systems, MOTO, ACH, gift and loyalty programs, and recurring payments.
Check Guarantee Services
Partner Payments offers check guarantee services that ensure businesses receive the full amount of any approved check at the point of sale, mitigating the risks associated with accepting checks.
Gift Card & Loyalty Solutions
Partner Payments provides gift card solutions designed to increase foot traffic, sales, and customer retention. They help retailers establish and manage store-branded gift card and loyalty programs on various scales.
Comprehensive Payment Solutions Provider
Partner Payments presents itself as a comprehensive provider for all payment processing needs, regardless of business type or payment method. Their offerings include credit and debit card processing, gift card solutions, check guarantee services, and loyalty programs.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Clean Complaint Record
We are currently unable to locate any negative Partner Payments reviews, and there is no evidence to suggest that the company is a ripoff or a scam. The company has been active for fewer than three years, so this low complaint total may rise as the company expands. Nevertheless, the absence of negative feedback is promising, especially in the high-risk processing space where complaints are common regarding fund holds or canceled accounts. If you have your own Partner Payments review to make, please do so in the comments below.
Partner Payments Lawsuits
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Partner Payments. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
Partner Payments Customer Support Options
Partner Payments offers a customer support form and a fax number on its site. While this falls short of our expectations for top-rated payment processors for great customer service, the company has still earned an “A” rating in this category.
Industry Scores & User Ratings
Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop
5
BBB Rating
N/A
PaymentPop Rating for Partner Payments
Negative Feedback
There are no negative reviews published about Partner Payments on the PaymentPop website.
Positive Feedback
Super grateful for Partner Payments! The setup was easy and the customer service has been not only quick, but very helpful. Definitely recommend.
Partner Payments BBB Rating
The Better Business Bureau does not maintain a profile for Partner Payments at this time, but it does have a profile for Secure Payment Systems and Inspivo. Secure Payment Systems currently has no rating with the BBB and is not BBB-accredited, while Inspivo has an “A+” and has been accredited since 2018. The company has received 0 complaints in the last 3 years across both profiles. It also has not received any informal reviews.
An “A” Performance
Given the company’s clean complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time. Readers should note, however, that there are good reasons to be skeptical of the BBB’s rating system.
Processing Rates & Fees
Customized Contract Terms
Currently, there is no publicly available information about the standard Partner Payments contract. However, it’s probable that the company’s pricing varies significantly from client to client. Partner Payments caters to a diverse range of business types, necessitating customized pricing for each applicant. Standard-risk businesses can anticipate terms akin to the typical Elavon contract, which may include a swipe rate of 2.65% plus $0.19, a keyed-in rate of 3.50% plus $0.19, and the option for a long-term equipment lease through Ladco Leasing.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its in-store payment processing services, Partner Payments allocates a section of its website to showcase its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. However, specific pricing details for these services are not disclosed. Generally, additional rates and fees, such as gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates, are applicable to these e-commerce services.
High-Risk Implications
High-risk businesses engaging with Partner Payments should anticipate above-average fees and the potential imposition of cash reserves on their accounts. This practice is customary within the industry due to the heightened risk of chargebacks associated with many high-risk business types. By maintaining transparency with Partner Payments about their business nature and product lineup from the outset, high-risk clients can mitigate the risk of fund holds and chargebacks.
No Pricing Red Flags
Partner Payments appears to offer industry-standard pricing to most clients. However, high-risk businesses should not expect the company’s pricing to match that of the cheapest merchant accounts. If you possess information regarding the standard Partner Payments agreement, please share it in the comment section below.
This section of the website is the only place Partner Payments talks about their payment gateway
Employee Reviews & Sales Practices
Inside/Outside Sales Team
Partner Payments appears to market itself primarily through banking partnerships, referrals, and independent resellers. Independent sales agents are usually linked to elevated complaint rates, but we have seen no Partner Payments reviews that mention deceptive sales conduct or misleading rate quotes. We will assume for now that the company’s sales team performs ethically.
Partner Payments Rate Quotes
Partner Payments does not list any misleading rate quotes or unrealistic guarantees on its website. For now, we don’t see any reason to warn readers against Partner Payments from a sales perspective. However, if you believe that the company has misrepresented itself to you, you can double-check your monthly bill with a third-party statement audit.
Partner Payments Competitors
Compare Partner Payments to competitors that earned top marks.
Partner Payments rates as a reliable credit card processing provider for both standard and high-risk businesses. The company maintains a clean complaint record and avoids deceptive practices. However, specific pricing details remain elusive. As such, business owners should carefully verify all potential fees before committing to service. High-risk businesses, in particular, are encouraged to compare Partner Payments’ pricing with those offered by top-rated high-risk payment processors. This due diligence will help ensure that business owners secure the most suitable and competitive terms for their needs.
