The Merchant Solutions Review

The Merchant Solutions, founded in 1999, is a small merchant account provider based in Woodland Hills, California. We have located one complaint online claiming that TMS is a reseller of Global Paymentscontracts, but we were unable to verify this claim as of this update. The Merchant Solutions also appears to resell the products of First Data (Fiserv).

Payment Processing

The Merchant Solutions offers services for accepting credit cards, debit cards, EBT, gift cards, ATM transactions, and checks. Their payment processing also includes address verification, cardholder verification value, point-of-sale (POS) systems, card terminals, Fleet Card acceptance, and e-commerce solutions.

Mobile Payment Services

The Merchant Solutions provides a mobile payment service in response to the growing trend of mobile transactions. This service allows businesses to process credit card payments using mobile devices.

POS and Card Terminal Options

The Merchant Solutions offers a range of point-of-sale (POS) systems and card terminals, from traditional countertop models to mobile and wireless devices.

Merchant Cash Advance

The Merchant Solutions also provides a merchant cash advance service. This option offers businesses a lump sum of cash in exchange for a portion of future credit card sales.

Gift and Loyalty Programs

The Merchant Solutions offers customizable gift and loyalty program solutions aimed at helping businesses attract and retain customers. These programs can include features like custom branding, mobile compatibility, and analytics reporting to meet the specific needs of different businesses.

High Complaint Total

There are more than 50 negative reviews of The Merchant Solutions (TMS) across various consumer protection websites, with many of these complaints posted within the past year. Several complainants outright accuse the company of being a ripoff or a scam operation. Common themes include undisclosed fees, difficulty reaching a representative, problems with leased equipment, and termination or “restocking” fees exceeding $900. This complaint total is somewhat high for a company as small as TMS, and it therefore merits a “D” grade in our opinion. If you have your own review of The Merchant Solutions to share, please do so in the comments below.

The Merchant Solutions Customer Support Options

TMS offers a dedicated support phone line and an email form on its website. However, these channels appear to fall short of the support levels offered by top-rated payment processors for customer service.

PaymentPop Rating for The Merchant Solutions

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about The Merchant Solutions on the PaymentPop website.

The Merchant Solutions BBB Rating

The Merchant Solutions has an average customer review rating of 4.43 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau website based on 14 customer reviews. The company has received 3 customer complaints in the last 3 years, with 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.

Source: Better Business Bureau

Trustpilot Rating Analysis

The Merchant Solutions has an average customer review rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on 48 customer reviews. The reviews overwhelmingly reflect positive experiences, with 100% of the reviews rated as 5-star. Common themes in the reviews include exceptional customer service, efficient and supportive staff, and satisfaction with the company’s credit card processing services.

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about The Merchant Solutions on the Trustpilot website.

TrustLink Rating Analysis

The Merchant Solutions has a 3.9 rating based on 19 reviews and complaints on TrustLink. The reviews include a mix of positive and negative feedback. Positive reviews often highlight good customer service and efficient problem-solving, while negative reviews frequently mention issues with billing, charges, and customer service.

Source: TrustLink

Three-Year Agreement

Based on complaints filed on various platforms, it seems that The Merchant Solutions (TMS) offers a standard contract lasting three years with automatic renewal. The contract includes an annual fee of $79, a PCI compliance fee of $99, and an early termination fee of $395 or more. Additionally, clients have reported being obligated to long-term equipment leases with early termination fees ranging from $350 to $400.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Aside from its in-store payment processing services, The Merchant Solutions advertises its virtual terminal and payment gateway services on its website without disclosing pricing. One complaint mentions that TMS relies on Authorize.Net or PC Charge Pro for its online payment gateway. If Authorize.Net is used, clients can expect a per-transaction fee of 2.90% plus $0.30, a daily batch fee of $0.10, and a monthly gateway fee of $25. Additional rates and fees, including technical support fees, may apply.

Not Competitively-Priced

In terms of fees and terms, The Merchant Solutions falls within the industry average, earning it a “C” rating in this section. Business owners seeking more competitive contract pricing may find better options with a low-cost merchant account provider. We also recommend consulting our list of the best merchant accounts for potential alternatives.

We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints filed against The Merchant Solutions. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting their concerns to the relevant supervisory organizations.

Widespread Sales Complaints

There is evidence that The Merchant Solutions utilizes independent sales agents in addition to online advertising to market its services. Independent sales agents are often paid by commission and are therefore motivated to sign clients to the most expensive contract terms they can. For this reason, they are often linked to high complaint totals. As expected, a large number of The Merchant Solutions reviews on this and other consumer protection websites mention undisclosed fees, incomplete representation of rates, and a disconnect between what agents promise and what they ultimately deliver. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

$1,000 Savings Promotion

The Merchant Solutions’ homepage previously advertised a “$1,000 Savings Guarantee,” stating “If we can’t save you money on processing, we’ll give you $1,000!*” The terms and conditions of this promotion currently cannot be found on the website. Instead, it appears businesses must contact the company directly to learn more about the exact terms of this promotion.

No Deceptive Quotes

We have lowered the company’s score in this section to a “C” to reflect this consistency. To the company’s credit, the website for TMS does not appear to engage in any deceptive marketing tactics. Clients are advised to thoroughly review their merchant agreements with The Merchant Solutions and to renegotiate their contracts if hidden fees are suspected.

The Merchant Solutions currently rates as an average credit card processing provider. Despite its seemingly small size, the company has accumulated a higher-than-expected number of complaints. The contract terms that have been reported are not particularly competitive, especially when compared to those offered by the top-rated credit card processors. Adding to these issues is the company’s higher-than-average number of complaints filed with the BBB, which further impacts its overall rating. Businesses are encouraged to explore other providers and carefully compare their options to ensure they receive favorable terms and reliable service.