Agree with our rating?
Tell us about your experience with Paystri in the comment section below.
(978) 744-9090
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.
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.
Paystri Fees and Rates
A Closer Look at the Contract
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
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.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Customer & Employee Reviews
What Others Are Saying About Paystri