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Is Transparent Merchant Services a Good Choise for Your Business?

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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.

Transparent Merchant Services

Rating
A
5/5
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Pros and Cons of Transparent Merchant Services

Pros

Transparent pricing structure
Positive industry reviews
Month-to-month contracts
No setup charges
Free equipment options

Cons

Annual PCI fee
Potential hidden fees
Possible high rates
Limited hardware options
Learning curve present

Overview

In this review of Transparent Merchant Services, we take a closer look at the company’s credit card processing services. Their offerings include point-of-sale systems, mobile payment options, and e-commerce features designed for different types of businesses. We’ll highlight which businesses may benefit most from these services. We’ll also review client and customer feedback to identify common trends and concerns. In addition, we’ll cover pricing, contract terms, and included services. By the end, you’ll know whether Transparent Merchant Services is the right fit for your payment processing needs.

About Transparent Merchant Services

Screen Capture of Transparent Merchant Services Homepage
Transparent Merchant Services Homepage

Transparent Merchant Services is a merchant account provider based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The company offers standard credit card processing solutions for all business types, but what sets it apart from most of its competitors is its unique pricing model. Similar to Payment Depot or BaseRates Merchant Services, Transparent Merchant Services charges merchants a flat monthly rate with a per-transaction fee of interchange plus a fixed dollar amount. This means that Transparent does not keep a percentage of each sale for itself, which could make it appealing for merchants with high average tickets who want the cheapest credit card processing possible.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Transparent Merchant Services processes most major debit and credit cards.

POS Solutions – Ingenico

Transparent Merchant offers POS (Point-of-Sale) solutions through Ingenico, a well-known provider of payment processing hardware. These systems are designed to facilitate secure and efficient transactions in physical retail environments.

Walker Mobile Payment Equipment

For businesses requiring mobile payment solutions, Transparent Merchant provides Walker mobile payment equipment. These devices allow businesses to accept payments on the go using smartphones or tablets.

Poynt 5 Virtual Terminal

The Poynt 5 virtual terminal offered by Transparent Merchant allows businesses to process payments without the need for traditional hardware. This device functions as a portable terminal that can be used to manually enter payment information for remote or in-person transactions.

PCI Compliance via Conformance

To ensure the security of cardholder data, Transparent Merchant offers PCI compliance services through Conformance. This service helps businesses adhere to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring that sensitive information is handled according to industry regulations.

Payment Gateway

Transparent Merchant’s payment gateway service provides businesses with a secure online platform to process digital transactions. The gateway acts as a bridge between the business’s website and payment networks, ensuring that payments are authorized and processed securely.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Clean Complaint Record

Transparent Merchant Services reviews, garnered from various consumer protection websites, show very few negative experiences. Notably, there are no suggestions online that the company is involved in fraudulent activities. The minimal number of Transparent Merchant Services complaints suggests the company’s commitment to providing excellent customer support and resolving issues efficiently. If you have a Transparent Merchant Services complaint, we encourage sharing your experience in the comments below.

Transparent Merchant Services Lawsuits and Fines

As of our latest research, there are no outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Transparent Merchant Services. Merchants seeking non-litigious resolution of disputes with the company can find guidance on how to report concerns to supervisory organizations.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop1
BBB RatingN/A

PaymentPop Rating for Transparent Merchant Services

Negative Feedback

I’ve left many different forms of messages for their sales dept. to contact me as a potential customer, but my efforts were fruitless. Can you imagine a company not responding to a potential customer’s numerous messages???? I shudder to think how they treat their existing customers!!!! **POOR SALES SERVICE**

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Transparent Merchant Services on the PaymentPop website.

Transparent Merchant Services BBB Rating

Transparent Merchant Services currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and was formerly accredited since June 2014 but no longer is accredited. The company’s BBB profile has only existed since June 2014 as well, but it has not accumulated any formal complaints in that time. There are also no unverified reviews posted about the company in the BBB’s “Reviews” section.

An “A” Performance Overall

Given the company’s clean complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating. This strong performance with the BBB is a major reason why we recommend Transparent for dentist merchant accounts, pharmacy merchant accounts, mechanic merchant accounts, and other professional services.

Processing Rates & Fees

Two Plans to Choose From

Transparent Merchant Services offers two primary pricing plans: Pro and Elite. The Pro plan entails a flat monthly fee of $64.97 alongside a per-transaction fee of interchange plus $0.15, tailored for merchants handling up to 500 transactions monthly. On the other hand, the Elite plan, priced at $99.97 per month, includes a per-transaction fee of interchange plus $0.09, catering to merchants processing over 500 transactions monthly. Additionally, for businesses exceeding $100,000 in monthly transactions or $1.2 million annually, the company provides customized Enterprise merchant account pricing.

Month-to-Month, No Termination Fees

Both lower-tier pricing plans come with a month-to-month agreement devoid of early termination fees or setup charges. However, there is a $99 annual PCI Compliance fee levied on the third billing cycle. The company also provides point-of-sale equipment, which can be rented for $9.95 monthly, purchased outright for $249, or offered for free to businesses processing over 300 transactions monthly. Overall, while these Transparent Merchant Services rates are reasonably competitive within the credit card processing industry and boast high transparency, merchants are advised to calculate costs based on their transaction volumes and applicable pricing tiers prior to enrollment. We encourage merchants to explore our list of the top merchant accounts and thoroughly review their Transparent Merchant Services contract.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Clean Complaint Record

Transparent Merchant Services appears to utilize traditional advertising methods and in-house, W2-employed sales agents to market its services. This tactic is generally preferable to hiring mill strategies because it ensures a greater degree of control over agents’ conduct. We are currently unable to locate any Transparent Merchant Services reviews that accuse the company’s sales staff of deception or nondisclosure, indicating that the company places an emphasis on forthright sales pitches.

This compares favorably to our list ofbest credit card processors.

Understanding the Rate Calculator

As of this review, the Transparent Merchant Services website features a tool for calculating your potential savings through the company. This tool is useful for merchants who are currently on interchange-plus pricing because it draws a direct comparison between Transparent’s markup above interchange and a merchant’s existing markup above interchange. Merchants who are on tiered pricing should note that the tool assumes an average interchange rate of 1.6%, which may be more or less than the average interchange rate each merchant typically receives.

True to Its Name

To its credit, the company’s website does not promote any outright deceptive “teaser” quotes. Transparent’s pricing is fully disclosed for anyone to view, which is a major reason why we consider it a top-rated merchant account provider.

Transparent Merchant Services pricing calculator
Transparent Merchant Services’ pricing calculator

Transparent Merchant Services Competitors

Compare Transparent Merchant Services to competitors that earned top marks.

Bottom Line

Transparent Merchant Services ranks as a quality provider according to our rating criteria. The company distinguishes itself through month-to-month agreements featuring transparent pricing, with minimal online complaints—a testament to its reliability. This clarity and flexibility reinforce its appeal for many businesses seeking straightforward, commitment-free contracts.

Despite its transparency, the company’s pricing may not be the most cost-effective solution for all business types. Merchants processing fewer transactions at higher volumes will benefit most from Transparent Merchant Services’ pricing model. As always, it’s crucial for merchants to assess their transaction patterns carefully to determine whether this pricing structure aligns with their business’s specific needs, and compare the company’s offerings against other providers to ensure they secure the best value.

Read Actual User Reviews

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

Contact Transparent Merchant Services

Contact & Customer Support
Managing PartnerDustin Sparman
Headquarters1776 N. Scottsdale Rd #845 Scottsdale AZ 85257
Toll-Free General Customer Service(623) 920-0231
Fax(866) 316-9993
Websitetrytransparent.com