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Can You Trust The Merchant Solutions? What Merchants Are Saying

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The Merchant Solutions

Rating
D
2/5
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Pros and Cons of The Merchant Solutions

Pros

Customizable loyalty programs
Mobile payment services
Reliable customer service

Cons

Variable processing rates
High complaint volume
Hidden fees reported
Potential cancellation fees
Equipment lease problems

Overview

In this review of The Merchant Solutions, a California-based merchant account provider, we examine their services in detail, including rates, fees, contract terms, and common customer complaints alongside industry ratings. We cover their payment processing options ranging from traditional methods to mobile solutions, as well as POS systems and card terminal offerings. Our analysis also looks at their merchant cash advance program, gift and loyalty card services, and insights from employee reviews, customer feedback, and legal history to provide a balanced perspective. In addition, we evaluate customer support and overall online ratings to help businesses understand The Merchant Solutions’ reputation and standing in the payment processing industry.

About The Merchant Solutions

Screen Capture of Merchant Solutions Homepage
The Merchant Solutions Homepage

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 Payments contracts, 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).

Products & Merchant Services

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.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

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.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop5
BBB Rating4.43
Trustpilot Rating4.8
TrustLink3.9
Average Rating4.37

PaymentPop Rating for The Merchant Solutions

Negative Feedback

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

Positive Feedback

The Merchant Solutions took the time to understand our business and set us up with exactly what we needed. The transition was smooth, the pricing is fair and clear, and their team has been incredibly responsive every step of the way. It’s been refreshing to work with a company that actually delivers on what they promise.

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.

Negative Feedback

This company is schisters!! I am looking into a class action Lawsuit, There are hundreds of people complaining about the same thing that I have gone through, I had canceled 13 months ago, and sent back the square reader, They kept charging my account sending me statements saying not a ***** ******* I had canceled my account I thought that was just logistics on their part, Why put NOT A BILL in red on the paperwork!!! And now after 13 months I don’t have the proof cause I got a new phone, I’m out to a tune of $1052 dollars, And they’re telling me I didn’t cancel which I absolutely did and they know I have never used their services, Shame on them!!! If they don’t file a class action lawsuit I will *** them in court.
– Complaint from January 29, 2023

Positive Feedback

We can always count on this company to deliver the ideal solutions exactly when we need them. Based on our experiences, their customer service is unrivaled in its efficiency and responsiveness. Making the switch to their services was undeniably the best decision we’ve made and we couldn’t be more satisfied with the results.
– Review from August 9, 2023

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.

Positive Feedback

Merchant Solutions is an exceptional merchant credit card company. The company I was with previously raised my rates substantially. I researched 8 companies to choose a new one. Brandon Casillas was my Account Executive. He was extremely responsive, answered all my questions patiently and gave me a rate that will save me money. Anais Laurent, in Customer Service, helped me with documents, and get set up with PCI. She also corrected a mistake that I made with the paperwork. She was efficient, clear, supportive, informative, and gave great explanations. In this day, it is unusual to have such personal and amazing customer service!! I highly recommend The Merchant Solutions.

I found the Merchant Solutions one of the best companies processing credit/debit and all kinds of payment cards. They are very professional, super quick response, and highly committed to their clients’ needs. Their customer service is the best. Every time I called, they are ready to support. Their staff members are very knowledgeable about what they are doing.

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.

Negative Feedback

please don’t trust this company they are say some do some just part how make money after you cancel still charge 10 out of 0 lots of good company in tx
– Complaint from October 24, 2020

The only good comments on this website are all in the same 2 days, in a row, this should be proof enough that they make their own fake reviews to get business. Now, coming to my experience with this company, they are pretty much scam artists. Please do not trust them with your business.
– Complaint from March 1, 2014

Positive Feedback

Nakisha had gone out of her way to assist me in ALL my needs. From the time I switched from an Exxon branded gas station to my own private label we had to make sure my credit card machine was up and running with all the major credit card companies.
– Review from November 21, 2011

We have found the company to be responsive and easy to work with.
– Review from June 30, 2020

Source: TrustLink

Processing Rates & Fees

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.

The Merchant Solutions e-commerce
The Merchant Solutions offers a variety of e-commerce services

Lawsuits & Legal History

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.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

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 Competitors

Compare The Merchant Solutions to competitors that earned top marks.

Bottom Line

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.

Read Actual User Reviews

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

Contact The Merchant Solutions

Contact & Customer Support
CEO and ChairmanAbdulali Mithani
Headquarters21550 Oxnard St., Suite 700, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Toll-Free Customer Support/Sales(888) 707-2836
Technical Support(800) 228-0210
Websitethemerchantsolutions.com