In the late 2000s, as a broke college student struggling to make ends meet, I was contacted by a merchant services company after uploading my resume to a job listings website. This company promised substantial commissions and ongoing residual income for simply persuading businesses to accept credit card payments. It seemed straightforward enough—after all, what business doesn’t need to process credit card payments? Following a phone interview with a persuasive “sales director,” I found myself embarking on what I believed would be an easy job that would significantly boost my bank account with reliable monthly income and large sales commissions. However, the lessons I learned would profoundly change my life in ways I could never have imagined.
After completing my sales training, I hit the ground running, eager to make sales. This broke college student was determined to improve his financial situation! My first attempt at a cold call, with no prior appointment, ended with a burly man in his 50s yelling at me to leave, claiming he had been “totally robbed” by someone like me before. As I hastily exited, puzzled and intimidated by his reaction, I couldn’t help but wonder what he meant. Throughout the day, I encountered similar hostility from other business owners, all expressing disdain for the industry I had been so excited to join that morning. Confused and curious, I decided to shift my approach from selling to listening.
I quickly uncovered that the merchant services sector was riddled with unethical practices, including hidden fees, deceptive marketing, fine-print traps, and much more. It dawned on me that I had nearly been tricked by a dubious company into selling overpriced services under contracts with long-term commitments, all without being fully aware of what I was promoting. Outraged, I resigned from that company but learned that there were indeed ethical credit card processing companies that treated their clients fairly. Over the next four years, I worked for one such company, assisting hundreds of businesses in securing cost-effective processing solutions. Yet, I also met many more who had been misled and trapped in onerous service agreements. Determined to help people steer clear of these unscrupulous providers, I launched this website in my spare time, dedicating myself to researching and sharing my findings on every merchant account provider I could investigate.
Gradually, more and more business owners began to discover my articles. As word spread, search engines started to rank my content highly, amplifying its reach. My efforts were making a difference! Eventually, the website garnered enough traffic to enable me to leave my job and focus on it full-time, a journey that has now spanned over a decade. This path has not been without its challenges; unscrupulous company owners have tried to intimidate and sue me into silence on several occasions. Yet, I have stood firm against each threat. Here I am, continuing to publish reviews and articles, hoping to safeguard others from the pitfalls of the credit card processing industry.
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Martin Swartout
Pogo Merchant Services contacted me at my home phone, leaving a message with my distraught wife. It seems that they were attempting to contact me regarding a “recent application of Pogo Merchant Serivces, credit card processing” in my name and they wanted information and verification.
Given that my wife and I both were recent victims of Anthem Blue Cross’ Data Breech…. where 80,000 clients, us included, had all of our Identify Information stolen… I would think that Pogo would be understanding that I wanted them to call me back.
I did return your call, Susan, and provided information to you that I had not applied for any Pogo services that, as far as I was concerned it was a bogus application and likely the result of someone trying to hijack my identity. Courtesy would dictate that you respond to my queries, wouldn’t you think.
This is the third day since Susan de Angeles called me. I am writing this because, each of the subsequent three days, I have telephone to speak with them 2-3 times each day. I know that Florida is EST and, here in Nevada it is PST but, knowing that, I am knowledgable enough to call them twice during what I would assume to be their business hours (7am-1pm PST), and a third time around 3PST (6PM EST)… when I know not expect to do anything except leave a message.
To Susan de Angeles, of Pogo Merchant Services, I am not impressed. If you are a business considering Pogo Merchant Services, ask whether you wish to deal with someone whose lack of respect and courtesy, in a matter such as this, is demonstrated so clearly. I know that I seek courteous, helpful, professionals when I am looking to develop any professional relationship; that is especially true if money and profits are involved. Perhaps their clientele is based upon those who are not so discriminating as to desire courtesy, service, and response.
Martin Swartout
Dixon's Dawg House
I tried POGO, which was offered through my credit union. TERRIBLE service, inaccessible website, and no answer on the customer service line. I’ve not been open for business very long, but discovered their swipe doesn’t work, so every entry had to be keyed in; which means I pay 3.69% interest rather than the 2.69% they advertised. I am contacting my Credit Union to let them know my experience in hopes that they drop promoting this terrible company. We are using Square in another business for about two years without one problem. I have contacted Square and set up an account with them.