Simpay Review

Founded in 2000, Simpay is a nationwide merchant account provider that serves most standard-risk business types. The company is simply a rebranding of Alpha Card Services, which changed its name in 2017. Simpay claims that it currently supplies equipment and services to over 15,000 merchant locations throughout the United States.

In 2022, Simpay partnered with Fee Navigator.

Payment Processing

Simpay handles payment processing for all major debit and credit cards across various business types. Their offerings include EMV card readers and swipers, POS systems, mobile payment solutions, e-commerce support, gift cards, cash advances, and employee management tools.

Mobile Payments

Simpay provides mobile payment solutions to accommodate the growing use of mobile devices for business transactions. This service enables businesses to process transactions on-the-go or for those with mobile or remote operations.

Point-of-Sale Systems

Simpay offers point-of-sale (POS) systems designed to facilitate sales transactions in physical locations. These systems not only process payments but also support inventory management, sales tracking, and customer relationship management.

Payroll Services

Beyond payment processing, Simpay provides payroll services, helping businesses streamline their payroll operations. This includes handling wage calculations, tax deductions, and paycheck distribution.

Gift and Loyalty Card Programs

Simpay assists businesses in implementing and managing gift and loyalty card programs. These services are aimed at helping businesses retain customers and encourage repeat transactions.

Varied Complaint Volume

Over 15 negative reviews of Simpay have come to light, with some customers labeling the company as a ripoff or scam. The predominant grievances in these reviews center around reports of deceptive or aggressive behaviors by independent sales agents, undisclosed fees and contract terms, and issues with unresponsive or inefficient customer support. If you have your own feedback or review regarding Simpay, we encourage you to share it in the comments section below.

Customer Support Services Provided by Simpay

On Simpay’s website, a customer support email address and contact number are listed; however, details about the services offered through the phone line are currently unclear.

PaymentPop Rating for Simpay

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Simpay on the PaymentPop website.

Simpay BBB Rating

Simpay has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been BBB accredited since 2011. The company has received 6 complaints in the past three years. Only 4 of these 6 complaints was resolved by the company to the satisfaction of the merchant. Simpay has a 1 out of 5 star rating based on 3 user reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.

Simpay has received no reviews in the last 36 months on its profile. A previous review details describe trouble terminating accounts:

Businesses can potentially avoid situations like this by canceling their merchant account without paying a fee.

An “A” Performance

Given the company’s low complaint total, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time. If its complaint total increases, however, we will lower it.

Google Maps Rating for Simpay

Simpay has a 3.8 out of 5 star rating based on 43 user reviews on Google Maps.

Simpay Contract Terms

According to the Simpay program guide (available below), the standard Simpay contract is a five-year agreement that renews automatically for one-year terms following its expiration. Alpha Card Services’ standard contract included an $89.99 annual membership fee, a $35 monthly minimum fee, a $10 statement fee, a $19.99 quarterly regulatory compliance fee (which may be a PCI compliance fee), a $40 monthly PCI noncompliance fee, a $35 chargeback fee, and a tiered pricing schedule.

Simpay Cancellation Fee

There is also an early termination fee associated with most Simpay contracts that begins at $250 but can include the remaining months of a contract. This Simpay fee is a liquidated damages fee, which has the potential to increase a merchant’s overall termination fee by a significant and unpredictable amount. Clients are advised to read the small print of any contract they are given to ensure that they will not be held accountable for more than the $250 cancellation fee (and even this fee is often negotiable).

Industry-Average Terms

We have found some Simpay complaints related to its contract terms, which we feel merit a “D” in this category. We do not believe that Simpay’s contract terms are competitive with the cheapest merchant accounts. See the standard Simpay program guide. We also encourage business owners to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant services.

As per our review, there have been no significant class-action lawsuits or complaints lodged with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Simpay. Clients seeking alternative channels to address concerns with the company are advised to report such issues to the relevant oversight bodies.

Inside/Outside Sales Team

Simpay appears to hire both direct sales representatives and independently contracted sales agents across the country to market its services. We have found several reports in the comment section of our Alpha Card Services review and on other consumer protection websites describing encounters with Simpay agents who failed to disclose important contract terms at the point of signing. These Simpay reviews do not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors. A company representative has stated, however, that it is standard policy for all businesses to be provided with a summary sheet disclosing all fees before signing, and follow-up calls are then made to the client at two-week and then quarterly intervals.

No Deceptive Quotes

To its credit, Simpay does not appear to use any deceptive marketing tactics on its website. If you suspect that Simpay is overcharging you, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit.

Simpay currently holds a 3-star rating, primarily due to the lack of detailed, accessible information regarding their operations. While the minimal number of complaints could suggest that Simpay is a reliable service provider, the absence of transparency concerning their ownership, geographic location, duration of operation, and the specifics of their processing relationships compels us to maintain a cautious perspective.

This opacity hinders our ability to thoroughly assess the credibility and reliability of Simpay’s services. Without more substantial insight into these fundamental aspects, a veil of uncertainty lingers, preventing a more confident recommendation of their services. Businesses considering Simpay should conduct a thorough review and comparison of their pricing structures against those of the highest-rated credit card processors. This comparison is vital to ensure competitive rates and engagement with a service provider that demonstrates both transparency and proven reliability, which are crucial for making well-informed decisions that align with a business’s financial and operational goals.