Petroleum Card Services 2023: Reviews & Complaints
(866) 427-7297 Company Overview
Founded in 1999, Petroleum Card Services is a merchant account provider that specializes in providing credit card processing for gas stations. Petroleum Card Services (PCS) is a subsidiary of Paysafe and uses First Data (now Fiserv) as its card processor. Although PCS is not a direct processor, it appears to manage the customer service of its accounts directly instead of outsourcing this service to Fiserv.
Petroleum Card Services Payment Processing
Petroleum Card Services processes all major debit and credit cards for gas station businesses. Their services include EMV card readers and swipers, EBT, wireless payments, and support for many POS terminals.
Petroleum Card Services’ Fleet Card Processing
Petroleum Card Services offers a unique service in fleet card processing. Businesses can accommodate payments via fleet cards, which are often used by companies to manage their fuel expenses. This service offers convenience for businesses and their corporate customers, ensuring smooth and hassle-free transactions.
Mobile Payment Solutions Provided by Petroleum Card Services
Understanding the importance of mobility in transactions, Petroleum Card Services provides a mobile payment solution. This service enables businesses to process card transactions right from a mobile device, enhancing accessibility and convenience, especially important for service stations and mobile fueling services.
E-Commerce Solutions from Petroleum Card Services
With the rise of online commerce, Petroleum Card Services has developed a secure online payment processing solution. This service enables businesses to manage online transactions safely and efficiently, catering to the needs of businesses in the petroleum sector who offer online shopping options or online pre-payments for fuel.
Virtual Terminal Services of Petroleum Card Services
To cater to businesses that process remote transactions, such as pre-orders or deliveries, Petroleum Card Services offers a virtual terminal service. This feature allows businesses to manually enter card details into a secure online system, providing a viable solution for processing remote payments.
Integrated Business Tools by Petroleum Card Services
Beyond payment processing, Petroleum Card Services also offers integrated software solutions to assist in overall business management. These tools cover payment processing, inventory management, CRM, and data analysis, which can contribute to improving operational efficiency and effectiveness for businesses in the petroleum sector.
Location & Ownership
Petroleum Card Services is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, California, and is headquartered at 2243 Park Pl, Minden, Nevada 89423, though their website lists P.O. BOX 2097 Minden, NV 89423. Lori Groboski is listed as the vice president of operations at Petroleum Card Services.
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Offers a three-year contract through iPayment with…
- Complaints & Service: Complaints number fewer than 10 on…
- BBB Rating: Has an “A+” rating and has received 1 complaint and 1 review in…
- Sales & Marketing: Appears to hire independent sales representatives but has not…
Petroleum Card Services Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Key Points |
|
|---|---|
| Total Online Complaints | <10 |
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | N/A |
| Recent Lawsuits | No |
Low Complaint Total
As of this review, only a few negative Petroleum Card Services reviews have been filed online, most of which can be found in our comment section below. Of the complaints, one generally complains about customer service, one appears to be the fault of the merchant and not Petroleum Card Services, and another appears to be an isolated incident that was resolved. Two complaints received responses from a company representative, who addressed the concerns in a professional tone. If you have your own Petroleum Card Services review to make, please do so in the comments below.
Petroleum Card Services Lawsuits and Fines
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Petroleum Card Services. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
Petroleum Card Services Customer Support Options
Petroleum Card Services offers a live phone support number as well as email contact information on its website. This is a level of support that we expect of top-rated processors for great customer service.
Petroleum Card Services Customer Service Number
- (866) 427-7297 – Toll-Free Support
Other Support Options
- Customer service email addresses
- Customer Service – [email protected]
- Tech Support – [email protected]
- PCI Support – [email protected]
- Partner Support – [email protected]
- Sales – [email protected]
Petroleum Card Services Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
Online Ratings Summary |
|
|---|---|
| BBB Reports | 2 |
Under 5 Complaints
Currently, PCS has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2013 and has an “A+” rating based upon 1 complaint filed in the last 36 months. The lone complaint was resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or received no final response.
What Merchants Say
PCS has received 1 negative informal review on its BBB profile. This review describes held funds:
We were switched to PCS by our credit card provider as a cheaper alternative than what we had been using. They have held one of our deposits for over 3 months now without depositing them into our account. Trying to get them transfer our money to us has been nothing but one excuse after another. They are currently blaming the Federal Reserve for not sending our ACH transfer to us (for over 3 months now). All you get is a run around with them and our local rep is no better. I would give them a negative star review if possible. Our next recourse is legal action as it seems to be our only hope.
Clients can avoid situations like this by understanding why processors hold funds.
An “A” Performance
Given the company’s clean complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time.
Petroleum Card Services Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
Key Points |
|
|---|---|
| Cancellation Penalties | Yes |
| Monthly & Annual Fees | Yes |
| Processing Rates | 1.00% - 4.99% |
| Equipment Leasing | Yes |
What Agents Say
According to an agent of Petroleum Card Services, the company offers month-to-month contracts with no cancellation fee. Additionally, the agent stated that Petroleum Card Services passes the wholesale interchange processing cost onto merchants with only a 5 cent ($0.05) markup and no percentage markup whatsoever. These claims sound almost too good to be true, and they are directly at odds with the company’s actual merchant agreement. That contract also includes an equipment lease through First Data Global Leasing which is non-cancellable and typically lasts for 48 months.
What the Contract Says
According to the company’s merchant agreement, Petroleum Card Services fees include a three-year agreement with a $300 early termination fee, a one-time $25 set up fee, an annual PCI Compliance fee of $109, a monthly minimum of $25, an annual membership fee of $75, and a tiered pricing schedule. These terms are more expensive than industry averages and are nowhere near the prices that a representative quoted to CardPaymentOptions.com. However, these exact terms may be outdated or exclusively offered by a specific agent.
Pricing May Vary
If you have any knowledge of whether the document provided on the company’s website is accurate, please share that information in the comment section of this review. For now, business owners should not assume that Petroleum Card Services offers pricing that is competitive with cheap merchant accounts.
We also encourage you to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant accounts.
Petroleum Card Services Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
Key Points |
|
|---|---|
| Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
| Telemarketing | Yes |
| Misleading Marketing | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Outside Sales Team
Petroleum Card Services appears to rely on a combination of telemarketing and independent sales offices to market its accounts, but there are currently no Petroleum Card Services reviews that accuse the company’s sales staff of unethical practices. PCS likely benefits from its narrow focus on a single industry.
This compares favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
No Deceptive Quotes
PCS does not utilize any deceptive advertising or sales tactics that are apparent to us. In light of the company’s low complaint total and its lack of deceptive advertising, we have awarded it an “A” in this category. If you suspect that Petroleum Card Services is overcharging you, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden fees.
Our Petroleum Card Services Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Overall, Petroleum Card Services rates as a mediocre credit card processing company. The main factor lowering the company’s overall rating is its contract, which appears to be very costly. Since PCS is a subsidiary of Paysafe and uses First Data as the card processor, be sure to fully read and understand the terms of your merchant account agreement before signing with this company. You can also score the lowest possible rates by comparing PCS’s pricing to top-rated merchant accounts and forcing all parties to compete for your business.
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Sales & Support: (888) 506-7812
KEITH B MARKOVITCH
To:[email protected] Details
Hi, I was disappointed not to have this matter resolved today.
I am extremely concerned about the large amount of monies I have entrusted to your company.
Apparently, you are not able to resolve this matter, please put me in contact now with the correct person that will resolve this matter immediately. I am now realizing that the PCS company is unorganized and not structured to be able to handle large amounts of transactions efficiently. The customer service is deplorable, the wait periods, disconnects, and incorrect transfers show that PCS does not appreciate its customers.
I can not afford any more waiting periods to discuss this matter by phone, please email me asap.
Keith Markovitch
—–Original Message—–
From: Charlene Campbell
To: KEITH
Sent: Mon, Feb 20, 2023 12:00 pm
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: 497227974886 – PEM XPRESS – Statements
Hi Keith,
I have received the statements and I am reviewing, please give me at least 1 day to review. I will call you with my findings if you have any additional questions. Please give me a call at my direct line 775-552-3071.
Thank you
Olivia E Garrison
I used my debit card on July 1st at Jakes Landing in N. Idaho and because their gas station wasn’t working right, I ran my card twice. I was charged a $74 charge twice as a hold. One dropped off on the 2nd of July. The other has still not dropped off and it’s been 6 days. FEDERAL LAW does NOT allow you to hold a person’s money for longer than a 24 hr period of time. I bought 26.51 in gas and got charged $148. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO KEEP MY MONEY! I am calling a lawyer and my
Daniel Ahn
The PCS holds deposits that last October 2019 They did mistake debit service charged $29,000 instead $290.
Then they refunded.
Now they hold all last week sales.
I have to pay to gas company.
Who should I File for contact to complain ?
CPO
Daniel,
This article may help: How to Make a Payment Processor Release Your Money.
-Phillip
Sahar Nikakhtar
Customer service is the worst. You email them and get no response. You call them and get nothing but rude and unprofessional agents.
USA Manager
B E W A R E…This Company They shutdown our succesful gas station credit card terminal NO REASON and BIG FRAUD they tried TO DEBIT account more then $11.000 .We reported to Bank to PCS PETROLEUM CARD SERVICES FOR FRAUD COMPANY ..AND BIG SCAM GOING OVER THERE ..SUCH A DUMBASS JERK RISK DEPARTMENT …Reported also BBB and Local Polis Department ….
BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE ……They will debit your account till negatif balance ….
Liz Concannon
I am very familiar with this account and why it was shut down. The signor disclosed fraudulent information on the Merchant Processing Agreement, using a social security number that belonged to a decease individual. Also the signor appeared on the Terminated Merchant File after we set them up and once we completed our due diligences we had no other recourse. The manager of the site is the person who filed a complaint with the BBB and because of his non-affiliation with the business the claim was dimissed. At no time did we attempt to debit any funds from the bank account associated with the merchant account. We did in fact hold and divert credit card processing batches for 30 days that totaled approximately $2000.00
Jana Rossorelli
I am extremely disappointed in the quality of customer care I received. Recently, my company’s PIN pad stopped working and wouldn’t allow us to take debit transactions. I contacted the company immediately and was told that another PIN pad would be shipped out next day to arrive in 3-5 business days. After seven days, I contacted them again and told them I hadn’t received it yet. I was told it wasn’t ever shipped. When asked why, I was told they don’t know… they had no record of my original call. The rep then told me that another one would be shipped out immediately and I would receive it the next day. It never came. I called and was told that according to their records, it was processed and set to ship, but then cancelled. And on further inspection, they “found” my original request and said that one had been cancelled as well. I explained that I had not cancelled.. Who cancelled? Who was going to let me know? She had no answers. I ask for a supervisor, and was told that no supervisor was available at that time and that I would be called the next day… I am still waiting for that call… But am looking for another Merchant Service company who can give our company the quality care and attention we need. Apparently, they have enough business and don’t need mine.
Liz Concannon
After further research this merchant was actually calling the network directly instead of our office. Once we were notified of her situation a pin pad was shipped at NO COST to her location the same day and her problem was resolved. AT NO TIME DID SHE EXPERIENCE ANY DOWN TIME OR WAS EVER UNABLE TO PROCESS CREDIT CARDS.