TAPLocal Reviews & Complaints
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| Free Clover POS device | Complaints about sales tactics |
| Live phone support | Cancellation penalties probable |
| Email support available | Monthly and annual fees |
| A+ BBB rating | Variable processing rates |
| Monthly savings (average $750) | Equipment leasing required |
Overview
In this article, we take a closer look at TAPLocal Now, a versatile marketing firm offering merchant accounts and point-of-sale solutions. We’ll explore their payment processing services, designed to simplify transactions for businesses, and examine their digital tools for enhancing online presence on platforms like Google and Facebook. This article also delves into TAPLocal's customer engagement strategies, including reputation management and text messaging services, alongside their web design and marketing services aimed at driving customer interaction and sales.
Key aspects such as contract terms, pricing strategies, and the scope of their service packages will be discussed. Additionally, we provide insights into customer reviews, industry ratings, and the company's approach to sales and employee management. Our article offers a comprehensive overview of TAPLocal Now, highlighting its offerings, operations, and the experiences of those who have interacted with the company.
About TAPLocal Now
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.
TAPLocal Payment Processing
TAPLocal offers payment processing services, aiming to simplify the process for businesses to receive payments. They also provide tools to help businesses manage their online presence, including listing services on various online platforms such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook.
Customer Engagement and Reviews
The company emphasizes the importance of customer reviews and offers reputation management services to help businesses generate and respond to reviews. They also provide a business text messaging service to engage customers and encourage repeat purchases.
Web Design and Marketing
TAPLocal offers web design services to help businesses establish an online storefront, which can potentially drive more customer interactions and sales. Additionally, they provide marketing services aimed at acquiring high-quality customers through platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Bing.
TAPLocal Now Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
| Total Online Complaints | <10 |
|---|---|
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | N/A |
| Recent Lawsuits | No |
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 Legal and Regulatory Status
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.
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.
Contact Information for TAPLocal Support
- (844) 899-8559 – Toll-Free Customer Support
- (888) 882-7996 – Sales Inquiries
Expanded Support Channels
- Live chat feature for immediate assistance
- Email support for detailed inquiries:
- [email protected] – For Customer Support
- [email protected] – For Sales Related Questions
This array of support options aligns TAPLocal with the standards of leading payment processors renowned for excellent customer service. The effort to maintain low complaint numbers, especially in comparison to Allied Commercial Financial, underscores TAPLocal’s dedication to quality service and customer care. By incorporating SEO-rich phrases such as TAPLocal reviews, customer reviews, and customer complaints, this update aims to provide a balanced perspective on the company’s performance and service quality.
TAPLocal Now Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
| BBB Reports | 0 |
|---|
Low Complaint Total
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.
TAPLocal Now Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
| Cancellation Penalties | Probable |
|---|---|
| Monthly & Annual Fees | Yes |
| Processing Rates | Variable |
| Equipment Leasing | Yes |
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 Now Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
| Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
|---|---|
| Telemarketing | Yes |
| Misleading Marketing | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | No |
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.
Our TAPLocal Now Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
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.
Location & Ownership
Blake Zinke is the COO of TAPLocal, and Shaun Zinke is the company’s owner and co-founder. Blake Zinke is also the former COO of Allied Commercial Financial and a former employee of Paradigm Direct, Entrust Bankcard, and MobiSquad. TAPLocal recreates the business model of several of these other brands by offering a combined package of digital marketing and payment processing.
TAPLocal and Allied Commercial Financial are both headquartered at 2150 S Country Club Dr #18, Mesa, Arizona 85210. The Allied Commercial Financial website also lists another address at 345 St Peter St #705, St Paul, Minnesota 55102, which the company describes as its Minnesota processing center. The TAPLocal headquarters is actually the address of Paradigm Services, Inc. TAPLocal is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank NA, Concord, CA.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Avery harper
Mr. Randell Wright was very professional and helpful in every way and also very informative
Jeannette Garcia
During this new business venture and with this uncertainty in the world i procrastinate alot when making decisions but Tanner Craig over @ TapLocal was above and beyond professional and such a sweetheart while helping me really bring my new business full circle…
I am very happy that i was able to speak with someone who made me feel comfortable and not like i was just another sale. Very positive attitude and super knowledgeable of services provided..
TapLocal is very lucky to have that young man on their team as well as myself.
Thank you Tanner :)