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Is Retriever Payment Systems Trustworthy? Complaints & Contracts Explained

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Maintained Since: July 26, 2011

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Retriever Payment Systems
Rating
F
1.9/5
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Pros

Enhanced security features
Multiple payment options
Fast transaction processing

Cons

Internet dependency
Transaction fees apply
Hardware costs
Potential technical issues
Limited offline functionality

Update: Retriever Payment Systems no longer operates as a unified organization, but there are multiple independent offices across the country that still use the Retriever brand name. We have left this review up as a general resource for merchants, but we have also published reviews of several individual Retriever offices. Comments on this review are now closed; please see if we have already published a separate review for your specific Retriever office:

Overview

In this review of Retriever Payment Systems, we examine the operations of this network of independently run sales offices, covering their payment processing services, mobile and e-commerce options, point-of-sale features, security measures, and compliance standards. We assess their ability to support multiple payment platforms, deliver fast transactions, and integrate effectively with business systems while weighing the pros and cons of their services based on user experience and technical performance. Our analysis also looks at the company’s business practices, including customer reviews, complaints, sales tactics, employee feedback, and ties to Lease Finance Group. By addressing key concerns such as contract terms, sales methods, and customer support, this review provides business owners with a balanced resource to help them decide whether Retriever Payment Systems is the right fit for their payment processing needs.

About Retriever Payment Systems

Screen Capture of Retriever Payment Systems Homepage
Retriever Payment Systems Homepage

Originally founded in 1993, Retriever Payment Systems was a merchant account provider that was purchased by Iron Triangle Payment Systems in 2006 and subsequently converted into a subsidiary of National Processing Company (NPC), which itself is now a part of Vantiv. Although there is no longer a single, unified organization named “Retriever Payment Systems,” there are multiple independent sales offices across the country that still use the Retriever name and logo. Despite the fact that they share the Retriever brand, these offices function independently of one another. They do not report to a shared parent organization.

This review was originally intended to cover Retriever Payment Systems as a single organization. In light of the fact that there is no longer a unified entity known as “Retriever Payment Systems,” this review will now serve as an overview of all Retriever locations. Merchants should note that pricing, hiring practices, and customer service will vary between the separate Retriever offices; however, we believe that these offices will share certain characteristics as resellers of NPC/Vantiv contracts. NPC is a registered ISO/MSP of Vantiv (formerly Fifth Third Bank). James Oberman is listed as the executive vice president of NPC while Thomas A Wimsett is the president and CEO.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Retriever Payment Systems offers a broad spectrum of payment processing solutions for businesses of all sizes. They support multiple payment types, such as credit and debit cards, ACH transactions, and contactless payments.

Point of Sale

Retriever Payment Systems supports a variety of payment platforms, including EMV, PIN debit, contactless, Bluetooth, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayPal, QR Code, and magnetic stripe (MSR). They provide a range of EMV-enabled countertop POS terminals, PIN Pads, and wireless solutions to businesses in the Bay Area, including Concord and San Francisco.

Mobile and E-commerce Solutions

Retriever Payment Systems provides tools for accepting payments across various channels, recognizing the importance of mobile and online transactions. Their mobile payment solutions enable merchants to process transactions on the go, while their e-commerce solutions facilitate payments through business websites.

Security and Compliance

Emphasizing security and compliance, Retriever Payment Systems adheres to industry standards such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This commitment helps safeguard sensitive data and reduce the risk of fraud and data breaches.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Insight into Retriever Payment Systems Reviews

Our research has identified over 70 negative reviews of Retriever Payment Systems across various consumer protection platforms, with allegations frequently labeling the company as a scam or ripoff. These reviews commonly cite issues such as misleading sales practices, onerous contract conditions, disappointing customer service, and unprofessional behavior from staff. Responses from Retriever Payment Systems to some of these critiques vary in their level of sincerity and utility. The core grievances contributing to the company’s negative perception seem to stem from its sales tactics and contractual terms, showing little to no improvement over time. It’s important to recognize that certain complaints may be misattributed to Retriever when they are actually against NPC, which supplies merchant accounts for Retriever. We encourage individuals to share their own experiences with Retriever Payment Systems in the comments section to enhance our community’s understanding.

Support and Responsiveness at Retriever Payment Systems

Retriever Payment Systems offers customer support, though feedback on the effectiveness and professionalism of this service varies. The company has engaged with some customer complaints, indicating a degree of responsiveness to client feedback.

Customer Support Contact Information

While specific contact details for Retriever Payment Systems’ customer service are not listed, we recommend visiting their official website or referencing your service agreement for the most direct support channels.

This analysis, optimized with key SEO phrases like “reviews,” “review,” “complaints,” “customer reviews,” “customer complaints,” aims to provide a balanced view of Retriever Payment Systems’ service quality while enhancing online discoverability.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop
BBB RatingN/A

PaymentPop Rating for Retrieve Payment Systems

Negative Feedback

This company is awful. I had them for years but they have been steadily declining in quality for the last 3 years. I gave them many chances hoping things would improve but they did not. There are numerous hidden fees, issues with notifying their clients about PCI compliance in a timely manner only to be hit with outrageous, unrefundable fees. I finally got rid of them and there was no warmth when I did. Only, well you owe this and that which was false. I finally asked for my original contract and proved I was correct. RUN as fast and as hard as you can from this company. They will rob you and insist it is the merchants job to know everything without question. My last few interactions with them were combative because I had no other choice as I was being obstructed at every question I asked. I am now using my long time bank for merchant services and they are 1000% better with an accurate fee structure and easy to navigate. This companys website is non existent and there is no where to go to see you fees, etc. This has to the worst company I have dealt with in 30 years of business. BUYER BEWARE. They are sneaky, aggressive and non cooperative.

Positive Feedback

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

Retriever Payment Systems BBB Rating

Retriever Payment Systems has several Better Business Bureau profiles because of offices located in several states, but it shares its main BBB profile with National Processing Company. As of this review, the BBB has cleared the profile for updating, but at our last review, they reported an “A+” rating with 170 complaints filed in the last 36 months (down from 268 as of our last review).

A “C” Score

Although some of these complaints may not have originated with the service provided by Retriever Payment Systems, Retriever is linked closely enough to National Processing Company that we will also award it a CPO-adjusted BBB score of “C.”

Processing Rates & Fees

Retriever Payment Systems Contract Terms

Based on multiple complaints, the typical Retriever Payment Systems rates and contract entail a automatically renewing three-year agreement through National Processing Company, featuring an early termination fee of at least $250. Other charges include a PCI Compliance fee ranging from $49 to $180 per year, an annual fee of $99, PCI non-compliance fees of $19.95 monthly, and various minor fees. These terms might differ depending on the agent and office setting up the account. Some Retriever Payment Systems reviews highlight instances where sales agents modified contract terms, later enforced against merchants. Business owners are advised to negotiate terms assertively and verify any changes to the standard language.

Leasing Through Retriever

Numerous Retriever Payment Systems reviews online allege that the company enrolls merchants in 48-month, non-cancellable equipment leases via Lease Finance Group, a DBA of Northern Leasing Systems. Besides unfavorable contract terms, Northern Leasing is associated with poor service, deceptive advertising, and expensive equipment. Consequently, Retriever Payment’s rating, both in this aspect and overall, has been downgraded due to reported connections with Northern Leasing. We recommend business owners to explore our list of the best merchant services.

Lawsuits & Legal History

No significant class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints specifically targeting Retriever Payment Systems have been identified at this time. However, customers seeking non-litigious avenues to address grievances are advised to report their concerns to appropriate regulatory bodies.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

In-House and Outside Sales Teams

Retriever Payment Systems appears to utilize a combination of in-house agents, telemarketing, and independent sales agents to market its services. Generally speaking, this combination usually results in high complaint rates for a company, and Retriever Payment Systems appears to be no exception. There are currently numerous Retriever Payment Systems reviews online that describe nondisclosure of fees, misrepresentation of terms, unprofessional conduct, and deceptive sales tactics by the company’s sales agents. These issues have been consistently reported over time and do not appear to be tied to a specific agent or office. This does not compare favorably to our list ofbest credit card processors.

Deceptive Rates

One of the Retriever Payment Systems websites (goretriever.com) advertises rates that “start at 1.35%” on its homepage. This figure is the company’s rate for signature debit transactions, and the website makes no mention of the higher “Qualified,” “Mid-Qualified” and “Non-Qualified” rates that clients will pay on the majority of their transactions. We consider this type of rate quoting to be deceptive, since it may give businesses an unrealistic expectation of the rates they will be charged. This is consistent with a number of Retriever Payment Systems complaints that mention their various offices charging undisclosed fees.

Retriever Payment Systems Competitors

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Bottom Line

Retriever Payment Systems is currently rated as a substandard credit card processing provider based on our rating system. A troubling pattern of complaints across its various offices reveals that many customers have been frustrated by the company’s sales practices, unfavorable contract terms, and lackluster customer service. In contrast, positive feedback regarding Retriever Payment Systems’ offerings is scarce.

The company could improve its rating by addressing the issues that lead to these complaints, such as eliminating aggressive sales tactics, reducing excessive fees in its contracts, and reconsidering its partnership with Lease Finance Group. Business owners should be meticulous in reading and understanding all contract terms before committing to a service agreement with Retriever Payment Systems. For a more positive and reliable experience, it’s worth comparing the company’s services and fees to those of top-rated merchant account providers.

Read Actual User Reviews

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Contact Retriever Payment Systems

Contact & Customer Support
CEOMike Swoboda
Headquarters538 Canal St #294, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
Customer Service(800) 210-7101
Websitelocalccprocessing.com