Valued Merchant Services Review

Valued Merchant Services utilizes telemarketing and independent sales agents to market its services. Although these practices are usually tied to elevated complaint rates, Valued Merchant Services does not seem to be plagued by the usual problems associated with them. We were able to locate one complaint online describing a persistent and irritating series of telemarketing calls made by the company, but this complaint was responded to by a company representative in a proactive and professional manner.

According to the standard merchant account program guide provided by the Valued Merchant Services website (available below), the company’s standard contract is an agreement with First Data for five years that includes a $395 early termination fee. Other fees include a one-time application fee of $199, an annual PCI Compliance fee of $120, and a $15 monthly minimum fee. In the event that a merchant is also signed up for an First Data Global Leasing equipment lease through the company, that lease is subject to a liquidated damages fee. The company’s use of independently contracted sales agents means that it is possible for contract terms to vary depending on the agent setting up the account, and some deviation from the standard contract is to be expected in nearly all cases depending on a merchant’s business type, size, and time in business.

Although these terms are much less competitive than industry averages, we are currently unable to locate any Valued Merchant Services reviews that complain about the company’s contract terms. It is possible that such complaints have instead been registered with the customer service department and online profiles of First Data, but we have seen no evidence of this. See the Valued Merchant Services Program Guide.

A search of other consumer protection websites reveals that Valued Merchant Services is showing zero complaints accusing the company of being a ripoff or a scam. This absence of complaints suggests that Valued Merchant Services has a responsive and available customer service department, but it is also possible that the company’s clients are instead dealing with First Data customer support. Either way, the low complaint volume inclines us to award Valued Merchant Services an “A” in this category.

Note: We have adjusted this company’s BBB rating according to our own standards. To better understand why we adjust BBB ratings, please see our Rating Criteria.

Valued Merchant Services has been an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau since 2012 and presently holds an “A+” grade. Within the last three years, a total of two merchant complaints have been registered to its profile. One has been categorized under billing and collection and one under problems with products and services. One was successfully resolved, while the other either was resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or did not receive a final response from the merchant. Since we believe that “A+” ratings should be reserved for companies with zero complaints, we have adjusted the BBB’s rating to an “A.”