Universal Transaction Processing 2023: Reviews & Complaints
0330 99 99 300 Company Overview
Founded in 2013, Universal Transaction Processing is a merchant account provider that serves retailers of all sizes in the UK. The company uses Barclays as its backend credit card processor, which is surprising considering that the UK merchant services industry typically relies on companies like First Data (now Fiserv) and Global Payments. The company also provides merchants with virtual terminal services.
Universal Transaction Processing Payment Processing
Universal Transaction Processing appears to process all major debit and credit cards for most business types. Their services include EMV card readers and swipers, POS solutions, mobile solutions, access to virtual terminals and payment gateways, and cash advances.
Universal Transaction Processing: Mobile Payment Solutions
For businesses that operate on-the-go or in varying locations, Universal Transaction Processing provides mobile payment solutions. These services enable businesses to process payments via mobile devices, expanding the range and flexibility of business operations.
Universal Transaction Processing: E-Commerce Solutions
Universal Transaction Processing also offers e-commerce solutions. These services are designed to facilitate secure online transactions, enabling businesses to operate online stores and accept payments digitally.
Universal Transaction Processing: Virtual Terminal
The virtual terminal service offered by Universal Transaction Processing allows businesses to process card-not-present transactions. This service is especially useful for businesses that take orders over the phone or through mail order.
Universal Transaction Processing: POS Systems
Universal Transaction Processing provides point-of-sale (POS) systems that not only process transactions but also offer additional functionalities like inventory management, sales analytics, and employee management.
Universal Transaction Processing: ATM Solutions
Lastly, Universal Transaction Processing offers ATM solutions, enabling businesses to provide cash withdrawal services. This can be a value-added service, especially for businesses in high traffic areas or those that deal with cash-based transactions.
Location & Ownership
Michael Ault is the founder and CEO of Universal Transaction Processing, which is headquartered at Sapphire Plaza, Watlington St, Reading RG1 4RE, UK.
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Appears to offer variable contract terms that may resemble that of Barclaycard Merchant services which potentially include an…
- Complaints & Service: Complaints number fewer than 10 on…
- BBB Rating: Does not have a profile with…
- Sales & Marketing: Appears to hire independent sales agents and has received…
Universal Transaction Processing Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Online Complaints | <10 |
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | N/A |
| Recent Lawsuits | No |
Low Complaint Total
We are currently able to locate fewer than 10 negative Universal Transaction Processing reviews, and there is no evidence that the company is a ripoff or a scam. The available complaints cite hidden fees, misrepresented rates, fund-holds, persistent sales calls, and poor customer service. Universal Transaction Processing’s low complaint record may be partially explained by the fact that it has only been active since 2013. It may also be because clients receive their credit card processing statements from Barclays and post complaints about Barclays rather than UTP. In the absence of any evidence that this is occurring, we will assume for now that Universal Transaction Processing simply offers solid customer support and does not maintain policies that generate large numbers of complaints. If you have your own Universal Transaction Processing review to make, please do so in the comments below.
Universal Transaction Processing Lawsuits and Fines
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Universal Transaction Processing. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
Universal Transaction Processing Customer Support Options
UTP offers phone and email support to all of its users, which is our basic expectation of any top merchant account for great customer service. It therefore receives an “A” in this section.
Universal Transaction Processing Customer Service Numbers
- 0330 99 99 900 – Support
- 0330 99 99 300 – Sales
Other Support Options
- Customer support email address at [email protected]
Universal Transaction Processing Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
No BBB Profile
The Better Business Bureau does not maintain a profile for Universal Transaction Processing at this time. We therefore will not factor a BBB rating into this review.
Universal Transaction Processing Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
| Item | Result | >
|---|---|
| Cancellation Penalties | Yes |
| Monthly & Annual Fees | Yes |
| Processing Rates | 1.00% - 4.99% |
| Equipment Leasing | Yes |
Variable Contract Terms
There is currently very little public information available about the standard Universal Transaction Processing contract. The company does not share its pricing or contract terms on its website, and there are currently very few Universal Transaction Processing reviews that list specific rates or fees. One UTP complaint in the comment section of this review states that the company offers a 48-month contract with an early termination fee that can reach up to £25,000, which is a staggering amount. It does not seem likely that Universal Transaction Processing charges termination fees that are this high very often because it would almost certainly be mentioned in more merchant complaints. The cost of the early termination fee referenced in that complaint may indicate that the company includes a liquidated damages clause in its contracts.
Partnership With Barclays
Universal Transaction Processing uses Barclays as its processing bank, which may mean that Universal Transaction Processing clients receive their statements from Barclays. Universal Transaction Processing rates and fees may be similar to those offered by Barclaycard, which generally provides an 18-month contract term with a variable early termination fee. Under a typical Barclaycard merchant agreement, a flat fee of 1.25% applies to all transactions. A monthly fee is attached to each option. Countertop terminal services are assessed a monthly fee of £15, while portable terminals cost £20, and mobile payments are the most costly at £25.
The Universal Transaction Processing website states that the company customizes its pricing and terms for each individual business, but that its costs include a monthly terminal rental fee and per-transaction rates.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, Universal Transaction Processing also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. However, pricing is not disclosed on either of those services. Additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and additional transaction rates typically apply to these e-commerce services.
Review Your Contract Carefully
In the absence of any concrete information about the Universal Transaction Processing contract or pricing, business owners should be prepared to forcefully negotiate for lower pricing before contacting the company. Businesses are also encouraged to compare UTP’s pricing to the cheapest merchant account providers. If you have any knowledge of the standard Universal Transaction Processing contract, please share that information in the comment section below this review.
We also encourage business owners to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant accounts.
Universal Transaction Processing Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Uses Independent Resellers | Yes |
| Telemarketing | Yes |
| Misleading Marketing | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | No |
Outside Sales Team
Universal Transaction Processing appears to utilize telesales and independent sales agents to market its products and services. The use of telemarketing and independent agents is commonly tied to elevated complaint rates due to business’ general distaste for sales calls and the difficulty of managing independent agents. Predictably, we are currently able to locate a number of Universal Transaction Processing complaints that describe higher-than-expected rates, undisclosed fees, and annoying telemarketing calls.
This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
No Deceptive Rates
Although the number of complaints is relatively low, their content indicates that the company does generate some negative feedback with its sales approach. To its credit, Universal Transaction Processing does not list any misleading rate quotes or guarantees on its website, but we have lowered its grade slightly due to its complaints. If you suspect that you are being charged hidden Universal Transaction Processing fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit.
Our Universal Transaction Processing Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Universal Transaction Processing rates as an above-average credit card processing provider for UK businesses according to our rating criteria. Business owners should be aware, however, that we do not have specific details regarding its standard contract. We will continue to monitor client feedback about the company and adjust our rating as more information comes to light. UK businesses that are interested in alternatives to UTP should consider a top-rated mobile UK credit card processing app.
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How Did Universal Transaction Processing Treat You?6 Responses
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Afson Ali
UTP are trying to scam there way by making a false agreement with my company and demanding £1500 because they are saying i signed a agreement with them for 48 months contract first of all i don’t even have there card machine nor did i ever applied for any card machine from UTP when i confronted them saying that could you provide the agreement paper went through the agreement and saw so many false information has been inputted on that agreement as
mobile number wrong, my name was inputted wrong, my email wrong, the agreement was falsely signed wrong, not even my signature, and the person who signed behalf of UPT her name is Laura Woods she has falsely fill the complete agreement with false information which dose not even reflect with my company when i confronted them saying that UTP have a third party who provide them with these information because i never approached UTP if i did then they should provide a valid email which is not even my email and Laura woods has stated that the agreement was sent to my email and i have signed the agreement and sent it back to her were i have prove that the email is not even active then one she has put on the agreement UTP have denied that they don’t use any third party to provide customers information all there agreement has been done directly with there sales which is completely wrong as the id and valid document which they had was given by a third party who provides all the information to them
i have information who those third party was because last year i did get 2 card machine through this agent who provided the card machine from paymentsense, and 123send and i did provide my ID copy of the driving lience and utility bills and copy of the cheque book plus they needed a photo of the running busniess to make sure it’s all genuine all these were provide to this agent who also promots UTP card machine to customers the same documents were sent to UTP but most of the information which was given to UTP were false and wrong and with out verifying the information they signed the agreement with a false signature via electronically laura woods used that false email twice a copy of that was provide but both emails were sent to the same email but the server IP address are different the agent who provide these information to UTP we’re super connections i have there full information
and now what UTP have done is they have transferred to a debt collection
saying i have terminated my agreement did speak to them and provided and explained that the agreement was not done by me and did not sign and the relevant information are wrong in the agreement and said they could check that my company did not do any transaction through there card machine because the agreement was signed on 11th February 2022
it’s almost 8 months they could check no transaction were made by there card machine as i have already two active card machine for my company then why should i apply for another one the debt company and UTP are one joint company with the same director these both company’s are run by same director so they have agents out there working behalf of UTP and providing them with customers personal information and creating false agreement to trap customers and forcefully ending them up on a agreement
will be grateful if anyone could advise me how to deal with this and to make a complaint to the consumer department or any other department regarding about these false agreement that UTP are creating and then conning by transferring the file to there debt company to gain the money
Rupert Cherryman
The worst decision made to change from paymentsense to UTP. Sales rep made it clear they could match the service level including online reporting and clear Z prints. After 2 days of trying to establish why we had an inferior service we stopped using the machines and expected UTP customer service to resolve our issues. No attempt was made by them other than to threaten court action and then send to a debt collector. UTP miss sold and misrepresented their service. Check out google reviews to see genuine reviews of how bad a service they provide.
One star is too generous!
Colin Doherty
I got a cold call from these guys today. Typical scripted lines designed to catch you so they can then manipulate the information you give toward their biased and dubious sales practice. When I called the guy out for what he was doing he then started talking over me and behaving like a petulant child. Even after the call ended he then rang again and started laughing down the phone. AVOID!
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
Garry Prentice
UTP is the worst company I have ever had dealings with in 20 years of business.
The quality of customer services is absolutely diabolical, we have had 4 years of hell with this company and still having problems and not once as any of the problem been any cause of ours.
The day we signed up with them was the biggest mistake, they sent us the incorrect machines we had to send those back and wait for correct ones then the rep said he would be here to set them up for us but never saw him again.
Time after time the machines would not work or connect so we would spend hrs on the phone going through different questions trying to sort them out we would have whole weekends without any machines working.
Then we found out they were charging us for 7 machines and we only ever had 4 so had to wait for a credit. In the end it got so bad we went and got 4 new contract with another company so we could run our business and still pay for the utp ones even tho we weren’t using them
After about 12 months of not using them we phone utp for a settlement figure to get rid of 2 machines we paid the settlement do that left us with 2 of their machines which was not being used.
A few months later we phone to get the settlement figure on the remaining 2 machines only to be told we are out of contract and if we wanted to cancel just send a email saying that which we did.
We thought great this nightmare was finally over, they were collecting the machines on the 1st of December they were never collected then weeks later we start receiving invoices for money what we owed I phone up again go through the story again only to be told to ignore the invoice their mistake, weeks later more invoices I phone again only to get a apology saying ignore the invoice you owe us nothing and all contracts are dead.
We ask for a email to confirm this it never came and April 2019 they are asking for money and saying the 2 contracts are still live.
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
K sahni
Absolutely rubbish service with illiterate staff.
not aware of any issues call again and again for same issue for 45 days still no resolution.
Ian Turner
I have just received a contract from UTP the rates are reasonable but the contract is for 48 months, the agreement has been written in lawyer speak but from what I can make out there is a maximum termination charge of £25000. I questioned the length of the agreement and never heard back from them