We take our role in providing guidance and education regarding the card payment industry very seriously. At our own expense, we have vigorously defended our right to continue expose unethical and predatory practices in the industry, successfully defeating every attempt to silence us. However, fending off frivolous lawsuits is costly. To sustain these efforts, one of the ways we generate revenue is through affiliate partnerships with ethical providers. This means that some of our outgoing links connect business owners to trustworthy, low-cost payment processors, which is what most of our readers seek. We see this revenue channel as a win-win-win for everyone involved. Business owners find good processors, processors get good clients, and we are able to continue to provide a valuable service to the small business community. We also recommend and link to many services that do not compensate us. Our priority is to guide you to the best solutions for your needs, regardless of potential revenue. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
All mentions of rate and fee costs are estimations based on publicly available information and client feedback. Actual costs may vary based on a variety of factors unique to your business.
In this review of TAPLocal Now, a marketing firm that also offers merchant accounts and point-of-sale solutions, we’ll explore their service offerings in depth. We’ll cover their payment processing options aimed at simplifying transactions, as well as their digital marketing tools for improving presence on platforms like Google and Facebook. We’ll also look at their customer engagement strategies, including reputation management and text messaging, alongside their web design and marketing services designed to boost interaction and sales. Key factors such as contract terms, pricing, and service packages will be analyzed, with insights drawn from customer reviews, industry ratings, and the company’s sales and employee practices. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of TAPLocal Now’s operations, strengths, and challenges based on real experiences.
About TAPLocal Now
TAPLocal Homepage
Short for Transactions and Promotions, TAPLocal Now is a marketing firm that also provides merchant accounts and point-of-sale equipment to most standard-risk business types. Also known as TAPLocal Marketing, the company is a dba of Paradigm Services, Inc. TAPLocal operates as a reseller of First Data (now Fiserv) products and services, such as Clover POS. The company offers a price-match guarantee and the choice between flat rate and customized pricing. It appears TAPLocal is also going by the name Transaction and Promotions Inc., though there is almost no mention of this name outside of their BBB profile.
Products & Merchant Services
Payment Processing
TAPLocal provides payment processing services designed to streamline the process of receiving payments for businesses. Their offerings include tools to help businesses manage their online presence, such as listing services on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook.
Customer Engagement and Reviews
The company focuses on the significance of customer reviews, offering reputation management services to assist businesses in generating and responding to reviews. They also offer business text messaging services.
Web Design and Marketing
TAPLocal offers web design services to help businesses create an online storefront, which can enhance customer interactions and potentially increase sales. Their marketing services aim to attract customers through platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Bing.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Overview of TAPLocal Feedback
Our research indicates a relatively small number of negative TAPLocal reviews, with a few portraying the company in a dubious light. These reviews primarily express dissatisfaction with the company’s advertising strategies, including concerns over substandard advertisements, disappointing marketing results, and unsatisfactory customer service experiences. Additionally, there are mentions of a larger volume of complaints directed towards Allied Commercial Financial and its associated entities. We welcome and encourage individuals to share their experiences and provide their own TAPLocal review in the comments section below, contributing to a broader understanding of the company’s services.
TAPLocal’s Commitment to Customer Support
TAPLocal now extends comprehensive customer support through both live phone lines and email channels to all clients, signifying a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and service responsiveness.
Industry Scores & User Ratings
Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop
3.7
BBB Rating
N/A
Google Maps
4.8
Average Rating
4.8
PaymentPop Rating for TAPLocal
Negative Feedback
They first approved my account and we got ready to accept transactions. But in 2 hours they stopped our account without we being able to make a single transaction.
Horrible company and I feel lucky that we do not need to work with them.
TAPLocal BBB Rating
The Better Business Bureau currently assigns an “A+” rating to TAPLocal (as Transaction and Promotions Inc.). It is worth noting that Allied Commercial Financial previously had an “F” rating with the BBB and now has an “A+”. TAPLocal has received 0 complaints in the past 36 months.
An “A” Performance
Given TAPLocal’s resolution effort and its corporate history, we see no reason to adjust the BBB’s rating at this time.
Google Maps Rating for TAPLocal
TAPLocal has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating based on 443 user reviews on Google Maps.
Positive Feedback
I’ve been with many Business Listing companies, and TapLocal is by far the best I’ve put money towards. They provide services that care for your needs, so no DIY, and at an affordable price. Thank you, TapLocal, for all that you’ve done.
Negative Feedback
Great sales pitch sounded like they could be really helpful and know what they are doing. Sales pitch ended up being very misleading, couldn’t carry through with what they said, very uninformed of facebook policy etc. Than just disappeared and no further communication with us. Don’t recommend
Processing Rates & Fees
TAPLocal Contract Terms
TAPLocal presents five comprehensive pricing packages combining marketing and payment processing services, all under fixed monthly fees determined by 2% of the business’ monthly sales volume. Although the company may offer standalone marketing or payment products, the pricing for these services is not listed on its website.
TAPLocal Pricing Plans
TAPLocal’s pricing plans, namely Entry Level, Growth Stage, and Biz Booster, offer marketing services alone or bundled with payment processing. Specific costs for these plans are not disclosed.
Previously, the company provided different plans with listed costs, which may be of interest to readers. The “Starter” plan, priced at $299.99 monthly, targeted clients processing up to $5,000 monthly. It encompassed a free mobile reader, reputation management, review generation, a custom website, text message advertising, and over 60 online listings. The Builder plan, at $399.99 per month, catered to businesses processing up to $10,000 monthly, offering the same features as the Starter plan. The Standard plan, priced at $499.99 per month, aimed at clients processing up to $15,000 monthly, offering the Builder plan features plus a Clover POS system instead of a mobile reader and 100 custom gift cards. The Professional plan, at $599.99 monthly, targeted businesses processing up to $20,000 monthly, providing the same features as the Standard plan. The Ultimate plan, priced at $699.99 monthly, intended for businesses processing up to $25,000 monthly, offered the same features as the Professional plan.
Allied Commercial Financial Contract Terms
Clients who opt for TAPLocal’s payment processing services independently of an all-in-one package may encounter pricing resembling that of Allied Commercial Financial. According to client grievances, the standard Allied Commercial Financial contract involves a multi-year commitment with a variable early termination fee and a lengthy, non-cancellable equipment lease. Although other TAPLocal fees are integrated into the contract, available complaints do not specify the exact costs of PCI compliance fees, monthly minimum fees, statement fees, and per-transaction fees.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its brick-and-mortar payment processing services, TapLocal also features its virtual terminal and payment gateway services on its website. However, the pricing for these services is included in the monthly plans offered by the company.
Allied Commercial Financial “Program Costs”
Business owners have reported that Allied Commercial Financial sales representatives often tout locked-in low rates in exchange for a fixed monthly “program cost” of up to $79. One source who reached out to us regarding the company indicated that this is the standard sales pitch used by Allied Commercial Financial. Complaints suggest that this TAPLocal Now fee essentially constitutes a non-cancellable lease for credit card processing equipment, with some customers experiencing increased fees rather than the promised savings. One complaint (accessible here) recounts TAPLocal COO Blake Zinke employing this exact strategy while working as a sales representative for Paradigm Direct and Entrust Bankcard.
Expensive Contract Terms
Although TAPLocal’s flat-rate pricing simplifies its offerings compared to competitors, it does not necessarily translate to lower costs. While the company advertises a starting monthly rate of $0 for flat-rate processing, businesses processing over $20,000 monthly could likely secure payment processing for less than $499.99 monthly through a cost-effective merchant account provider. While TAPLocal’s inclusive marketing services may contribute to justifying its higher cost, certain negative reviews suggest otherwise. We recommend readers explore our list of the top merchant services available.
TAPLocal offers virtual terminals and payment gateways along with other services
Lawsuits & Legal History
No records of class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints have been identified against TAPLocal. Clients looking for alternative dispute resolution methods are advised to report their issues to pertinent oversight organizations, a step that can lead to constructive outcomes.
Employee Reviews & Sales Practices
Inside/Outside Sales Team
TAPLocal appears to primarily use a combination of inside and outside sales reps to market its services. The use of outside reps is commonly linked to elevated complaint rates within the credit card processing industry, and we have found a few TAPLocal reviews that cite misleading tactics or undisclosed terms. These TAPLocal complaints are related to TAPLocal’s marketing services rather than its payment processing products, with most of them describing lackluster advertising efforts and high monthly costs for the services delivered. This trend may indicate that the company does not use the same merchant-services sales approach as Allied Commercial Financial. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
Allied Commercial Financial Complaint Details
It is worth mentioning Allied Commercial Financial’s sales approach because both companies are operated by the same people. Allied Commercial Financial complaints describe a sales procedure that is typical of the industry: persistent, unwanted telephone calls trying to set up a “qualified” appointment, which are then followed by a visit from a sales rep who promotes a monthly “program cost” that is in fact a long-term, non-cancellable equipment lease. A company representative has stated that these sales agents are “direct employees” of the company rather than independent contractors.
Complaints Under Other Names
It is worth noting that these complaints bear strong similarities to complaints filed against Paradigm Direct, Entrust Bankcard, and MobiSquad, all of which are Arizona-based businesses that are linked to current or former employees of Allied Commercial Financial by client complaints. It is unclear at this time whether TAPLocal has an active relationship with Paradigm Direct, Entrust Bankcard, or MobiSquad, but the overlap of current and former employees suggests that the sales tactics used at Entrust, Paradigm Direct, and MobiSquad could have been adopted by TAPLocal. In any case, the company’s marketing practices have yet to attract the same complaints as its affiliated companies. If you suspect that TAPLocal has misled you about your merchant account pricing, you can double-check your monthly bill with a third-party statement audit.
TAPLocal Now Competitors
Compare TAPLocal Now to competitors that earned top marks.
TAPLocal is currently evaluated as an average credit card processing provider based on the information available to us. The company maintains affiliations with several merchant account providers that have garnered less favorable reviews, which might influence its own reputation. Additionally, the contract terms provided by TAPLocal are considered standard for the industry, without any notable benefits or red flags at this stage. As TAPLocal continues to serve clients and expand its operations, there is potential for this rating to shift, depending on how the company’s market presence evolves and how it manages customer relations and service delivery.
Businesses considering TAPLocal for their credit card processing needs should undertake a detailed comparison of the pricing and terms it offers against those available from top-rated merchant account providers. This is crucial not only to ensure competitive pricing but also to guarantee service quality and reliability. By comparing TAPLocal’s offerings to those of leading providers in the industry, businesses can make an informed decision that aligns with their financial goals and operational requirements, ensuring they select a partner that best suits their long-term needs.
