In this review of Redwood Merchant Services, we will provide a detailed overview of the company's credit card processing services. We will cover the range of services they offer, including point-of-sale (POS) systems, mobile payment solutions, and e-commerce capabilities. The review will identify the types of businesses that might benefit from these services. Additionally, we will examine client and customer reviews to highlight common trends and potential concerns. The article will also address the company's pricing structure, contract terms, and specific features provided. By the end of this review, you will understand whether Redwood Merchant Services meets your payment processing needs.
About Redwood Merchant Services
Redwood Merchant Services is a merchant account provider headquartered in Santa Rosa, California. Founded in 1991, the company was acquired by Westamerica Bank in 2005.
Redwood Merchant Services handles transactions for all major debit and credit cards, offering point-of-sale (POS) systems, fraud protection, and data reporting and analysis.
Mobile Payment Solutions
Addressing the need for flexible payment options, Redwood Merchant Services provides mobile payment processing solutions that integrate with most mobile devices. This allows businesses to process transactions securely from various locations.
E-commerce Payment Processing
To support online commerce, Redwood Merchant Services offers e-commerce solutions with secure online payment gateways that encrypt transaction data. These solutions integrate with most online shopping carts and platforms.
Point-of-Sale Systems
Redwood Merchant Services also provides POS systems that manage sales transactions, track inventory levels, and generate sales reports.
Gift and Loyalty Card Programs
Redwood Merchant Services includes gift and loyalty card programs in its service offerings. These programs enable businesses to issue branded gift cards and implement loyalty schemes.
Merchant Cash Advances
Additionally, Redwood Merchant Services offers merchant cash advances, providing businesses with quick access to funds based on future credit card sales. This financing option allows businesses to obtain immediate capital, which is repaid through future credit card transactions.
Redwood Merchant Services Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Customer Reviews Summary
Total Online Complaints
<10
Live Customer Support
Yes
Most Common Complaint
Fund-Holds
Recent Lawsuits
No
Evaluating Redwood Merchant Services Reviews
A search for Redwood Merchant Services reviews reveals a modest number of negative comments. Some of these reviews describe the company as a scam or ripoff, mainly due to unexpected fund holds, often linked to fraud prevention or cancellation policies. Issues with service cancellation are also noted. The fact that most of these complaints are over three years old may suggest improvements in Redwood’s communication and policies since then. We encourage those with recent experiences with Redwood Merchant Services to share their feedback in the comments.
Note: We have adjusted this company’s BBB rating according to our own standards. To better understand why we adjust BBB ratings, please see our Rating Criteria.
Under 10 BBB Complaints
Redwood Merchant Services holds no rating with the BBB and has had 0 complaints filed against it in the last 36 months. As of this review, its parent company, Westamerica Bank, holds a “B-” rating with the BBB and has had 5 complaints filed against it in the last 36 months.
What Merchants Say
Redwood has also received 1 informal review on its BBB profile, but it appears that the review in question was posted in error to the profile and is actually meant for a company with a similar name.
A “C” Performance
Given the company’s complaint rate and resolution ratio, we have slightly adjusted the BBB’s grade to a “C.” Business owners should be aware that there are good reasons to be skeptical of the BBB’s rating criteria.
Redwood Merchant Services Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
Rates & Fees Summary
Cancellation Penalties
Yes
Monthly & Annual Fees
Unclear
Processing Rates
1.00% - 4.99%
Equipment Lease Terms
Unclear
Redwood Merchant Services Pricing
The standard contract for Redwood Merchant Services, detailed in the merchant agreement, outlines a 24-month term with a $295 early termination fee. The documentation and feedback from merchants do not indicate the imposition of a PCI Compliance fee or monthly minimum fees. While the pricing structure of Redwood Merchant Services may not align with the most affordable merchant account services available, there is a notable absence of merchant dissatisfaction regarding the service costs in public reviews.
Contract Complaints
Concerns have been raised in some reviews about Redwood Merchant Services’ practices regarding reserve funds. Certain clients have experienced funds being held until the resolution of outstanding balances. This has led to misunderstandings and frustrations among those who felt their funds were unfairly retained. While reserve policies are standard in payment processing, especially for mitigating risk, clearer communication from Redwood at the contract outset might improve understanding and prevent such grievances.
High-Risk Credit Card Processing
Redwood Merchant Services has been identified as accommodating high-risk merchants, which could explain the reserve-related complaints found among such account types. Businesses classified as standard risk might not encounter the same strict reserve requirements. Merchants are encouraged to review the Redwood Merchant Services Merchant Agreement for a comprehensive understanding of their contract.
For those evaluating payment processing options, considering a range of providers, including those known for competitive rates and terms, is advisable. Reviewing our curated list of the top merchant account providers could provide valuable insights and alternatives.
Redwood Merchant Services appears to partner with ISOs and independent sales agents to market its services. This practice usually results in an elevated complaint rate for companies, as it is difficult for any business to monitor the conduct of independent sales entities. In this case, however, we are currently unable to locate any negative Redwood Merchant Services reviews that accuse the company’s sales team of unethical behavior.
No Deceptive Advertising
Additionally, the company’s website does not appear to engage in any deceptive advertising strategies. We will assign the company an “A” rating at this time, but if you suspect that Redwood Merchant Services is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden costs.
We also encourage business owners to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant accounts.
Our Redwood Merchant Services Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Redwood Merchant Services rates as an above-average credit card processing provider according to our rating criteria. The company boasts a very low number of complaints relative to its size and time in business, which is a strong indicator of customer satisfaction and reliability. Notably, many of these complaints are over three years old, suggesting that Redwood Merchant Services may have improved its practices over time. This track record indicates that the company is attentive to its customers’ needs and is committed to maintaining a positive reputation within the industry.
However, the company’s overall rating has been affected by several factors. The use of ISOs (Independent Sales Organizations) and independent sales agents has led to some merchant confusion and dissatisfaction, particularly regarding cancellation and fraud prevention policies. Additionally, the company’s resolution ratio with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) leaves room for improvement. These issues, while notable, do not overshadow Redwood Merchant Services’ potential to be a competitive player in the industry. Whether Redwood Merchant Services becomes one of the worst-rated providers or emerges as a worthy competitor to the top-rated providers will depend on its ability to enhance transparency, improve customer service, and resolve complaints effectively. Businesses are encouraged to thoroughly research and compare multiple payment processing options to ensure they choose a provider that best meets their needs.
Contact Redwood Merchant Services
Contact & Customer Support
CEO
David Payne
Address
3750 Westwind Boulevard, Suite 210, Santa Rosa, CA
Toll-Free Customer Service
(800) 939-9942
Fiserv Customer Support (accounts starting with "4")
(800) 228-0210
TSYS Customer Support (accounts ending in "9")
(800) 552-8227
RMS Sales
(800) 347-6007
Website
https://redwoodmerchantservices.com/
Testimonials & Complaints
How Did Redwood Merchant Services Treat You?
2 User Reviews
Marcie Lewis
Redwood Merchant Services
HI, me again, the redwood company mentioned in the “what merchants say ” is not our company. Therefore it is false. I have asked before and I will ask again. Please use the phone numbers listed above to clear this up.
kent ledford
DANGER, DANGER DANGER!
RIP OFF!
RUN LIKE THE WIND!
DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
GET YOUR MONEY AND RUN!
I SHOULD HAVE CALLED CHINA!
Sharing your experience influences our rating and helps other business owners make informed decisions. Promotional content and contact information will not be published. Please provide a detailed summary of your experience.
Any unauthorized copying and reproduction of the content of this page, including all meta data and computer code, is strictly prohibited. While the information in the above article is believed to be accurate as of its publish date, the author and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents. The author and publisher shall in no event be held liable to any party for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of this material, which is provided “as is,” and without warranties. Any and all use of trade names and/or marks are for identification purposes only and shall not be construed as a claim of affiliation, or otherwise, with CardPaymentOptions.com, Inc. ("CPO") in any form. The sole purpose of the material presented herein is to alert, educate, and inform readers. It is not intended as legal or financial advice. We may earn revenue if you obtain services from a provider that we recommend. See this page to learn how we support our operations.
Marcie Lewis
HI, me again, the redwood company mentioned in the “what merchants say ” is not our company. Therefore it is false. I have asked before and I will ask again. Please use the phone numbers listed above to clear this up.
kent ledford
DANGER, DANGER DANGER!
RIP OFF!
RUN LIKE THE WIND!
DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
GET YOUR MONEY AND RUN!
I SHOULD HAVE CALLED CHINA!