Priority Payment Systems Review

Launched in 2005, Priority Payment Systems is a merchant account provider headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. In January 2013 it partnered with TSYS for its payment processing services, and in 2014 it merged with Cynergy Data, creating Priority Holdings, LLC. In July 2015 the company acquired credit card processor American Credit Card Processing Corporation (ACCPC). Most recently, Priority Holdings merged with M I Acquisitions, Inc., and the combined entity was renamed Priority Technology Holdings, Inc.

Payment Processing

Priority Payment Systems offers an integrated payment processing solution known as MX Merchant, designed to handle all major debit and credit card transactions from a single platform. MX Merchant is customizable to fit individual merchant needs, featuring a virtual terminal, recurring billing, invoicing, and business analysis tools. It includes an iPhone-only mobile app and an iPad-based POS system, which limits options for Android users. Although developed by Priority Payment Systems, MX Merchant is often marketed and sold through various payment processors due to the company’s reseller partnerships. Priority Payment Systems provides specialized services such as LandlordStation for landlord payments, PayRight for healthcare payments, e|tab for online restaurant orders, and CBD payments.

POS Solutions

Priority Payment Systems offers advanced point-of-sale (POS) systems tailored to diverse business needs. These systems support multiple payment types, track sales, and manage inventory, integrating various tasks into one streamlined system to enhance operational efficiency.

Mobile Payment Services

Priority Payment Systems provides mobile payment services, enabling businesses to accept payments via mobile devices. This service is ideal for businesses with dynamic or mobile operations.

E-commerce Payment Gateway

For online businesses, Priority Payment Systems offers an e-commerce payment gateway. This service integrates with existing online platforms and supports various payment methods.

Transaction Security

Priority Payment Systems prioritizes transaction security by employing advanced encryption technologies to protect sensitive financial information. The company adheres to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).

Customer Support Services

Priority Payment Systems emphasizes customer support, offering 24/7 assistance to address client concerns and queries promptly.

Moderate Complaint Volume

An assessment of consumer protection websites uncovers around 50 negative Priority Payment Systems reviews, with some alleging deceptive practices or subpar service. Common grievances include challenges with rate transparency, difficulties in service cancellation, inadequate customer support, and unexpected fund withholdings. Additionally, a few former and current employees have voiced discontent about the work environment. While Priority Payment Systems has professionally responded to several complaints, there is a need for improvement in addressing customer concerns.

Areas for Enhancement

Given the company’s size and tenure, the volume of complaints is relatively moderate, with no significant issues in any specific department. However, ongoing concerns regarding sales tactics and cancellation fees persist, highlighting the necessity for sustained improvement efforts by Priority Payment Systems.

Customer Support Resources

Priority Payment Systems offers a contact form and a dedicated customer support line on its website for client inquiries and assistance.

PaymentPop Rating for Priority Payment Systems

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Priority Payment Systems on the PaymentPop website.

Priority Payment Systems BBB Rating

Priority Payment Systems is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A+ rating. The company has been in business for 18 years and has been BBB accredited since December 14, 2012. However, it has an average customer review rating of 1 out of 5 stars based on 3 customer reviews. Additionally, there have been 32 customer complaints closed in the last 3 years, with 12 complaints closed in the last 12 months. The common themes in these complaints and reviews include issues with billing and collection, unexplained charges, and lack of satisfactory response or resolution from the company.

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Priority Payment Systems, LLC on the BBB website.

Trustpilot Rating Analysis for Priority Payment Solutions

Priority Payment Solutions has an average customer review rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on 57 customer reviews. A significant majority of the reviews (91%) are 5-star ratings, indicating overall positive customer experiences. Common themes in the reviews include appreciation for helpful customer service and efficient assistance in transitioning to Priority Payment Solutions’ services.

Google Maps Rating for Priority Payment Systems

Priority Payment Systems has a 4.3 out of 5 star rating based on 11 user reviews on Google Maps.

ComplaintsBoard Rating Analysis for Priority Payment Systems

Priority Payment Systems has various customer reviews on ComplaintsBoard, highlighting different experiences. The reviews primarily focus on issues such as cancellation problems, withholding funds, delays in payments, and deceptive business practices. There are also mentions of non-funding and fraud concerns. These themes suggest a range of challenges faced by customers, particularly in terms of service reliability and transparency.

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Priority Payment Systems on the ComplaintsBoard website.

Source: ComplaintsBoard

Tiered Pricing Structure

Reports about Priority Payment Systems contract terms are circulating across various consumer protection forums. According to the company’s program guide and customer complaints, the standard contract spans three years with an early termination fee ranging from $200 to over $600. Additional fees include an annual fee of $129.99, a monthly minimum fee of $25, and an unspecified PCI Compliance fee. The company also employs a tiered pricing structure that may not be transparent at the time of signing. Although a company representative mentioned three tiers of cancellation fees—$195, $295, and $495—clients may encounter varying fees based on the Priority Payment Systems ISO they’ve partnered with.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Apart from its in-store payment processing services, Priority Payment Systems offers a virtual terminal and payment gateway through Payeezy, powered by First Data (Fiserv). Payeezy presents two plans—the Basic Plan and Pro Plan. Setup fees, statement fees, and gateway fees are absent in both plans. The Basic Plan charges 2.90% plus $0.30, while the Pro Plan offers a lower rate of 1.89% plus $0.23 along with a monthly fee of $19.95.

Varying Contract Terms

A representative from Priority Payment Systems Gulf Coast asserts that their sub-ISO offers Interchange-pluspricing and transparent fee disclosure. A review of their Better Business Bureau profile supports this claim, showing no complaints in the past three years and an “A+” rating. However, this contrasts sharply with Priority Payment Systems’ overall BBB profile. This suggests that different offices may offer significantly different contract terms. While Priority Payment Systems’ rates overall are not competitive with the cheapest merchant accounts, we recommend reviewing our list of the best merchant accounts.

Similar to Processors’ Contracts

It’s likely that the standard Priority Payment Systems agreement closely mirrors those of its processors, TSYS and First Data (Fiserv), entailing a multiyear contract with an early termination fee. If you possess specific knowledge about the standard Priority Payment Systems contract, please share it in the comments section of this review.

In 2018, Priority Payment Systems encountered a lawsuit related to alleged robocalling, resolved in 2019 for technical reasons. Subsequently, in November 2021, a class-action lawsuit was initiated, citing excessive fees during account cancellations. A 2022 class-action suit merged with the previous case. Clients seeking non-litigious recourse against the company are advised to report concerns to relevant regulatory bodies.

Independent Sales Team

Priority Payment Systems partners with ISOs and independent sales agents to market its services. This is a common hiring practice within the merchant services industry, and it can often result in a sales team that is untrained and unregulated. We are currently able to locate a low-to-moderate number of negative Priority Payment Systems reviews that accuse the company’s sales agents of deceptive sales tactics; specifically, they mention nondisclosure of fees and misrepresentation of Priority Payment Systems rates. We have also located an equal number of Priority Payment Systems complaints filed by current or former employees that describe a work environment with unethical policies and minimal agent support. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Deceptive Advertising

To its credit, the company’s flagship website does not appear to engage in deceptive advertising strategies, so it appears that the sales experience will vary depending on which sub-ISO of Priority Payment Systems is involved. If you suspect that you are being charged undisclosed Priority Payment Systems fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden costs.

It is challenging to fully endorse Priority Payment Systems as a comprehensive credit card processing provider due to a variety of factors detailed throughout this extensive review. The exploration of their services has highlighted a mixed landscape, marked by a diverse range of products and services including advanced POS systems, mobile payment solutions, and sector-specific offerings like LandlordStation and PayRight. However, concerns about their contract terms, particularly surrounding termination fees and the transparency of their fee structure, pose significant issues for potential clients.

While Priority Payment Systems maintains robust security measures and offers extensive customer support, the volume of complaints relating to hidden fees and the challenges with service cancellation calls for a cautious approach. Their use of independent sales agents also raises inconsistencies in customer experience, potentially leading to miscommunications or misrepresentations of service terms. Given these complexities, businesses are encouraged to thoroughly review all service agreements and consider a detailed comparison with other top-rated providers to ensure that they are making the most informed decision possible. For those seeking transparent and reliable merchant services, referring to our curated list of the best merchant account providers will provide additional trustworthy options.