Paystri Review: Fees, Complaints, Comparisons, & Lawsuits

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Formerly Known as “Merchant Consulting Group”

Founded in 2005, Paystri is a merchant account provider that serves most standard business types. The company operated under the name “Merchant Consulting Group” until 2018, when it rebranded to Paystri. Despite its baking-themed branding, the company also resells First Data and Clover products for merchants outside of the restaurant industry.

In 2019, Paystri’s merchant portfolio was acquired by Pineapple Payments.

Paystri Location and Ownership

Paystri is headquartered at 201 Washington St #214, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, and is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, CA. Jonathan Arst is the CEO of Paystri. Brian Shanahan is the CEO of Pineapple Payments.

Paystri Review Table of Contents

  • Costs & Contract: Paystri appears to offer variable contract terms depending on each merchant’s business type and processing history. Alternatively, merchants can choose a month-to-month contract.
  • Complaints & Service: Paystri complaints number fewer than 10 on public complaints forums.
  • BBB Rating: Paystri currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received 0 complaints in the last 3 years.
  • Sales & Marketing: Paystri hires independent sales agents and has received some complaints about its sales practices.
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Paystri Reviews and Complaints

Here's What Their Clients Say

Complaint Summary

Total Online Complaints
<10
Live Customer Support
Yes
Most Common Complaint
N/A

Low Complaint Total

We are currently able to locate a handful of Paystri complaints, none of which accuse the company of being a ripoff or a scam. Complainants mention a poor company culture, dishonest sales tactics, high fees, and unreliable customer support. We have included complaints filed against Merchant Consulting Group because the two organizations do not appear to be materially different. If you have your own Paystri complaint to make, please do so in the comments below.

Paystri Lawsuits and Fines

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

Paystri Customer Service Options

The Paystri website claims to offer 24/7/365 support but only lists a general phone number. We will take the company at its word for now, but merchants should not assume that they will have access to live support. The company’s current customer support options do not qualify it as a top-rated customer service processor.

We have located a single Paystri customer service phone number:

(978) 744-9090 – General Customer Support

Paystri BBB Rating and Report

Our Better Business Bureau Profile Assessment

BBB Summary

Product & Service Complaints
0
Billing & Collection Complaints
0
Advertising & Sales Complaints
0
Guarantee & Warranty Complaints
0
Delivery Complaints
0

Clean Complaint Record

Paystri currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been BBB-accredited since 2008. The company has received 0 complaints in the past 36 months.The company has not received any informal reviews either.

An “A” Performance

Given the company’s low complaint total, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time. Merchants should note, however, that there are good reasons to be skeptical of the BBB’s rating system.

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Paystri Fees and Rates

A Closer Look at the Contract

Don't Fall Into An Expensive Trap. See Who The Worst Processors Are.

Cost Summary

Swiped Rate
2.60%
Keyed-In Rate
3.25% + $0.15
Early Termination Fee
Variable
PCI Compliance Fee
$16
Equipment Lease Terms
$39

Paystri Contract Terms

There is no publicly available information about the standard Paystri rates or contract at this time. As a First Data reseller, it is likely that the company’s standard pricing is similar to that offered by First Data. First Data tends to provide a basic contract of three years with an early termination fee of up to $495 and a built-in equipment lease through First Data Global Leasing.

Paystri-On-The-Go Pricing

The company’s mobile payment processing option, Paystri-On-The-Go, appears to offer a Clover Go device with custom pricing. This plan is intended for merchants processing under $12,000 per month and charges $16 per month, 2.60% per swiped transaction, 3.25% plus $0.15 per keyed-in transaction, and $39 for the card reader.

Industry-Average Terms

We have located a few Paystri complaints that describe higher-than-expected fees, and the company’s pricing appears to be roughly standard for the industry. Given these factors, it is unlikely that Paystri’s contract terms are competitive with the cheapest merchant accounts.

We also encourage merchants to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant accounts.

Paystri Jobs and Employment

Hiring Standards and Ethical Marketing Assessment

Audit Your Current Statement To Find Its Hidden Fees

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Key Points

Employs Independent Resellers
Yes
Advertises Deceptive Rates
No
Discloses All Important Terms
No

Inside/Outside Sales Team

Paystri appears to rely on a combination of telemarketing, independent sales agents, and an in-house sales team to market its products. The use of independent sales agents is typically linked to elevated complaint rates, and we have located a handful of Paystri complaints that mention undisclosed contract terms, incomplete documentation, and misrepresented costs. We have also found a number of complaints from former Merchant Consulting Group agents that describe poor agent support and dishonest training practices.

This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Misleading Quotes

Paystri does not appear to list any misleading rate quotes or unrealistic guarantees in its official materials. If you suspect that Paystri is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden charges.

Paystri Review Summary

Our Final Thoughts and Opinions

Solid Option for Most Merchants

According to all available information, Paystri rates as a dependable merchant services provider. The company’s sales approach and contract terms appear to be about average for the industry, but its complaint total remains low. Even when dealing with companies that rate highly by our standards, we urge merchants to thoroughly examine the terms of any contract they are given and to compare its pricing to top-rated merchant accounts.


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About The Author

Phillip Parker is the creator and author behind this website. He has over 15 years of experience in the credit card processing industry as a journalist, consultant, and former merchant account sales professional. He started this project as a blog to expose merchant services providers that engage in predatory business practices, such as deceptive marketing, misleading pricing, and high-pressure sales tactics. His goal is to help business owners find merchant account providers who serve their industry well while offering fair rates with no junk fees and no long-term commitments.

Phillip has researched over 1,000 payment processors and been quoted in numerous high-profile publications, including the Los Angeles Time, INC Magazine, The Atlantic, and the Miami Herald among others.

Need advice on card acceptance? Schedule a consultation with Phillip.

Phillip’s Top Processor Picks:
Retail, restaurant, e-commerce, mobile, professional services, and invoicing, Phillip recommends Helcim and CDG Commerce.

High-risk businesses, Phillip recommends PaymentCloud and Host Merchant Services.

How Our Ratings Work

Please note that our rating system was overhauled on April 26th, 2023. Reviews dated before this date may not score in accordance with the following.

Star Rating Criteria:

At the start of our research, all processors are awarded five stars. We deduct stars if the processor engages in any of the following:

– One star deduction if the processor has any junk fees.

– One star deduction if the processor does not post its pricing clearly on its website.

– One Star deduction if the processor is suffering from moderate client complaints.

– Multiple Star deductions if a processor is suffering from severe complaints, imposes unjust cancellation fees, markets non-cancellable equipment leases, engages in predatory rate pricing, or may be engaged in illegal activities.

Get all of the details regarding out rating criteria here.

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