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Strategic Payment Systems vs Other Processors: What Sets Them Apart

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Strategic Payment Systems

Rating
A
5/5
full starfull starfull starfull starfull star

Pros and Cons of Strategic Payment Systems

Pros

Low-price guarantee
Diverse payment solutions
Merchant cash advances
Multiple support options
A+ BBB rating

Cons

Undisclosed contract terms
Potential cancellation fees
48-month equipment lease
No hardware/software details
Possible setup fees

Overview

In this review of Strategic Payment Systems, we take a closer look at the company’s payment processing solutions, including credit card processing, point of sale systems, and e-commerce services. We examine their pricing, contract terms, and customer feedback to give you a clear picture of what the company provides. The review also evaluates fee transparency, the quality of customer support, and overall merchant satisfaction. By the end, you will understand whether Strategic Payment Systems is the right fit for your business’s payment processing needs.

About Strategic Payment Systems

Screen Capture of Payment Systems Homepage
Strategic Payment Systems-homepage

Strategic Payment Systems is a merchant account provider that was launched in 2011 by 2 founding members of COCARD. The company has an uncommon business structure for a credit card processor, as it compensates its ISOs primarily in shares of stock rather than long-term residual payments. The company was acquired in 2020 by Payroc, though it is still run as its own brand.

Strategic Payment Systems URLs

We have found at least three primary websites for Strategic Payment Systems, and it is likely that each of the following web addresses is associated with a different ISO of the company:

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Strategic Payment Systems provides robust payment processing services for major credit and debit cards. This service ensures businesses can accept payments from widely used card networks.

EBT Processing

Strategic Payment Systems also offers Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) processing. This service allows businesses to accept EBT payments, catering to customers who receive government assistance benefits.

ACH and Check Processing

For businesses that require Automated Clearing House (ACH) and check processing, Strategic Payment Systems delivers reliable solutions.

Mobile Solutions

Strategic Payment Systems supports mobile payment solutions, allowing businesses to accept payments via smartphones and other mobile devices.

Virtual Terminals

Virtual terminals from Strategic Payment Systems enable businesses to process payments without the need for physical card readers.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Minimal Complaints Reported

We have only uncovered one negative review of Strategic Payment Systems (SPS), and even this review stops short of labeling the company as a ripoff. The sole complaint revolves around challenges in canceling services, involving Strategic Payment Systems and NPC, compounded by confusion stemming from the company’s transition from the name COCARD. As this single complaint stands alone across various consumer protection platforms, it is unlikely to significantly impact the company’s overall standing. If you have your own experience or review regarding Strategic Payment Systems, we invite you to share it in the comments section below.

Legal Standing and Penalties

To date, there have been no reported class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints against Strategic Payment Systems. Dissatisfied customers seeking recourse can explore options with relevant regulatory bodies.

Customer Support Options

While Strategic Payment Systems offers direct phone support through its Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs) and backend processors, the quality of service may vary depending on the specific branch a client interacts with. Presently, Strategic Payment Systems does not rank among the top payment processors for exceptional customer service.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop5
BBB RatingN/A

PaymentPop Rating for Strategic Payment Systems

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about Strategic Payment Systems on the PaymentPop website.

Positive Feedback

Strategic Payment Systems provided us with a custom solution that actually fits the way we do business. They’ve been consistent, transparent, and reliable from day one. It’s clear they’re focused on building long-term partnerships, not just selling a service.

Strategic Payment Systems BBB Rating

Strategic Payment Systems currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB-accredited. The company has received 1 complaint in the past 36 months. It has not received any informal reviews, although it should be noted that these reviews are not always subject to verification by the BBB.

An “A” Performance

In light of SPS’s clean complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating. Businesses should be aware, however, that there are good reasons to be skeptical of the BBB’s rating system.

Processing Rates & Fees

Variable Contract Terms

Current information about Strategic Payment Systems (SPS) rates and contract terms is limited. As a reseller of NPC merchant accounts, SPS’s basic contract is likely reflective of NPC’s standard terms. Typically, NPC’s contract includes a three-year term, auto-renewing for two years, with a $250 early termination fee and a $20 monthly PCI compliance fee. However, SPS and its sub-ISOs may adjust these terms as needed.

A standard NPC merchant agreement also includes a 48-month non-cancellable equipment lease. These leases often lead to businesses paying significantly more than the equipment’s actual cost. Additionally, these leases persist even if a merchant agreement is cancelled, independent of any early termination fee payments.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Alongside its in-store payment processing, Strategic Payment Systems promotes its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. Specific pricing for these services is not publicly disclosed. Commonly, additional rates and fees such as gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and transaction rates are applicable to these e-commerce services.

No Contract Complaints

The absence of Strategic Payment Systems complaints regarding pricing and contract terms suggests that SPS might offer satisfactory terms. Nonetheless, it’s uncertain whether SPS’s pricing is as competitive as the most affordable merchant accounts. Readers with insights into the standard Strategic Payment Systems contract, including monthly minimum fees, statement fees, and pricing structures, are encouraged to share their experiences in the comments below.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Outside Sales Team

As noted above, Strategic Payment Systems appears to partner with a large number of independent resellers to market its services at various locations across the country. This sales strategy is often linked to high complaint rates among merchants, but in this case, we are unable to locate any Strategic Payment Systems reviews that describe unethical behavior by the company’s sales team.

This compares favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Deceptive Quotes

As an additional point in its favor, none of the company’s primary websites feature deceptive Strategic Payment Systems rate quotes or other misleading promotional language. If you suspect that Strategic Payment Systems is overcharging you, you can double-check your monthly bill with a third-party statement audit.

Strategic Payment Systems Competitors

Compare Strategic Payment Systems to competitors that earned top marks.

Bottom Line

Strategic Payment Systems (SPS) is currently regarded as a reliable credit card processing provider based on all available information. With just a single public complaint and no signs of deceptive advertising practices, SPS maintains a commendable reputation for transparency. However, our assessment could shift once more details about the company’s contract terms become known.

Readers should consider comparing SPS’s pricing to that offered by top-rated merchant account providers to secure the best possible deal. This careful comparison will ensure businesses obtain competitive rates while aligning their processing needs with a trustworthy partner.

Read Actual User Reviews

All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact Strategic Payment Systems

Contact & Customer Support
Co-founder and CEORick Pylant
PresidentJon Stevens
Headquarters45 Dan Road, Suite 100, Canton, Massachusetts
Toll-Free Customer Support(888) 332-9140
Local Office(781) 828-2523
Fax(781) 828-0449
Websitespsprocessing.net