United Merchant Services Review

Payment Processing

UMS’ processing utilizes their U PAY series of payment solutions, which includes a mobile swiper, a virtual terminal, a recurring billing solution, an online payment option for retailers, a proprietary middleware called U Charge that supports EMV, and a POS system.

Some Cause For Concern

More than 15 negative United Merchant Services reviews have been found on various consumer protection websites. The majority of these complaints highlight issues like misrepresented contract terms, unfavorable equipment lease agreements, unauthorized billing practices, allegations of scam policies, and difficulty reaching company representatives. These concerns suggest potential areas where United Merchant Services could improve transparency and customer relations.

United Merchant Services Lawsuits and Fines

No current class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints have been identified against United Merchant Services. Merchants seeking non-legal resolutions for disputes are encouraged to report their experiences to appropriate supervisory bodies.

United Merchant Services BBB Rating

United Merchant Services is not an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau. At the time of this review, United Merchant Services maintains an “A+” rating, with 0 complaints filed in the last 36 months.

The company has received 1 informal review in the last 36 months. The sole review is negative in tone. The review details unexpected fees and poor customer service:

Issues may arise during the contract term of a merchant agreement. This makes excellent customer service an invaluable aspect of any merchant account provider.

Worthy of an “A” Rating

Given the company’s complaint volume and resolution ratio, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time. However, merchants should be aware that there are valid reasons to be skeptical of the BBB’s reviews.

United Merchant Services Contract Terms

The United Merchant Services program guide outlines a 3-year agreement with an early termination fee of $395 or Liquidated Damages, whichever is greater. A monthly minimum fee of $25 is mentioned, though it is specified that this fee applies only to certain programs. The variability in contract terms is also influenced by the company’s use of independent resellers, leading to potentially different terms from one agent to another.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

United Merchant Services also promotes its virtual terminal and payment gateway services without disclosing specific pricing. Additional rates and fees, such as gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and extra transaction rates, generally apply to these e-commerce solutions.

Beware Equipment Leases

Some merchants have reported being signed up for equipment leases through MBF Leasing, associated with the “F”-rated provider Northern Leasing. Complaints focus on the lease terms rather than the processing services, mentioning 48-month contracts, high payments, difficult-to-reach customer service, and significant early cancellation fees. According to a company representative, United Merchant Services rarely endorses Northern Leasing contracts, with less than 1% of merchants in such agreements. Merchants should inquire about lease terms and consider purchasing equipment outright.

We encourage merchants to review our list of the best merchant services for better options.

Some Negative Reports

United Merchant Services appears to allow sub-ISOs and independent agents to market its services, which is a standard industry practice that generally results in higher complaint rates against a company. At this time, we are able to locate multiple negative United Merchant Services reviews that cite nondisclosure of contract terms and misrepresentation of fees by United Merchant Services agents. Some of these complaints were possibly filed against agents or branches that may no longer be affiliated with the company, but the overall themes of the complaints are consistent.

This does not compare favorably to our list ofbest credit card processors.

Slamming Allegation

One particularly alarming complaint from October 2016 describes an in-person sales encounter that strongly resembles “slamming.” To its credit, the company does not appear to engage in any deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials. However, the common emphasis on poor sales practices across the company’s complaints has lowered its score to a “C.” If you suspect that UMS is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden charges.

United Merchant Services, now operating under the name bluu, continues to navigate the competitive landscape of merchant services with a mixed reputation. Despite its efforts to rebrand, the company shows a moderate number of complaints for its size and time in business, suggesting room for improvement in its service delivery. One of the primary concerns associated with bluu is its tendency to sign merchants up for less-than-competitive contract terms, which can put businesses at a disadvantage compared to other providers offering more favorable conditions.

Adding to these concerns are allegations of slamming and numerous merchant complaints accusing bluu of being a ripoff. These issues highlight potential gaps in the company’s sales practices and customer relations, which prospective clients should consider carefully. On a positive note, bluu’s overall rating has improved since our last update, reflecting a decrease in its complaint rate. However, despite this progress, the company still does not measure up to the most reliable top-rated credit card processors in the industry. Merchants are advised to thoroughly vet bluu’s contract terms and compare them to those of more highly rated providers to ensure they are securing the best possible deal for their payment processing needs.