Accepting credit cards - what company NOT to use

[A.K]

IMS - International Merchant Services
55 East 63rd Street
Westmount, IL 60559

http://www.ims.com/

My co workers and I have had nothing but problems with this company.
*"accidental" $95 charges (2 months in a row)
*Uppping the monthly fees right after we signed up with them
*They were rude to me trying to close my account - the lady actually HUNG UP on me (and I was not being rude or anything at all... I understand how to be nice to people in call centers!!!!)

There were other issues, I just can't think to put them into words right now.



My suggestion: work with your bank where you have your business account, work with someone at your local branch who will help you if you end up having probs with the account, and make copies of everything you sign, and read everything you sign.

 

[Pompal 09.]

great tips moose_goose! I've never heard of this company, but I know mine has been nothing but a pain to work with. Unfortunately I'm signed into a contract and can't shop around for a while yet...

 

[walk 112 ??l?]

great tips moose_goose! I've never heard of this company, but I know mine has been nothing but a pain to work with. Unfortunately I'm signed into a contract and can't shop around for a while yet...

Usually on the monthly statement you get it will list some sort of change to teh fee structure, like "visa implimented an new charge.."
You can call before the "effective" date of that new charge to say that you do not agree to the new fee and they have (?) to let you out of your contract. Guess it's a loophole...

 

[Krista]

Accepting credit cards - what company NOT to use

IMS - International Merchant Services
55 East 63rd Street
Westmount, IL 60559

http://www.ims.com/
.

I live right near here. Too bad you aren't closer, you could march right in there and speak to someone who couldn't rudely hang up on you.

 

[Jessica J]

I recently switched my processing to Elavon through their partnership with Costco.

So far, it's been pretty good - but it's only been a month...

Watch out for periodic rate increases with this company (I profusely vented about them in another thread). The nice lady I talked to said rate increases are in my agreement and statements "in fine print". Sure.

Also, they did not put a tip line on my credit slips. AFTER I specifically asked the local rep and he told me it would be no problem. I was in a massage while he was setting up my terminal and came out to find a note "Sorry I couldn't set up the tip line. As a massage therapist you are not supposed to accept tips. Thanks, Tom". Going back and forth with this doofus and calls to the call center didn't resolve anything. I understand tipping is a whole separate discussion BUT...Is this really a good way to handle this?

I am in a 3 yr contract with Elavon and I will be looking for another company when it expires.

 

[happygolucky]

Beware of any provider that mentions SECURITY METRICS.

SM is not a credit card provider, they do "web site security scans". I used to have my service through a local provider. I started receiving threatening messages on my statements that if I do not comply with Visa/MC security requirements I will be fined $500,000. You had to complete a lengthy questionnare suited more more a large company like Wal Mart and have your web site scanned for holes. I had my site professionally done by a very reputable company. I sell GC's but at the time it was done thru PayPal. I got tricked into doing an annual scan ($99). Sure enough they found a plethora of problems and to fix them I needed to download software by Security Metrics. They were persistently calling me. When I tried getting an explanation what the problems were the tech named Casey would talk down to me, sigh patiently etc. I may be a female and a dumb masseuse but I studied computer science for a year so I have the basic idea how things work. Casey would patiently sigh again and tell me that I wouldn't understand so he wouldn't bother explaining it to me. They treated my web designers like crap, too. I had a number of heated arguments with the local business who got me into this mess so the harassing calls stopped but I never got my $99 back.

Another MT, a friend, had their service thru them as well. They tricked her into doing quarterly scans of her web site for $300. She does not even sell GC's online! All her web site has is her address and list of services. Their rationale was: what if someone hacks into your web site, sets up a shopping cart, someone buys a GC and then they take the shopping cart down. And you will never know. That's why you need peace odf mind through Security Metrics.

So keep in mind: Security Metrics - bad news. I personally don't recomme3nd doing business with anyone who does business with Security metrics. They are bad news and all they want is your money.

 

[Rachel]

Also, they did not put a tip line on my credit slips. AFTER I specifically asked the local rep and he told me it would be no problem. I was in a massage while he was setting up my terminal and came out to find a note "Sorry I couldn't set up the tip line. As a massage therapist you are not supposed to accept tips. Thanks, Tom". Going back and forth with this doofus and calls to the call center didn't resolve anything. I understand tipping is a whole separate discussion BUT...Is this really a good way to handle this?

Interesting. I was able to get the tip line on my machine - no problem. I had to go thru tech support to get it reprogrammed, but it's there and working just fine. Perhaps you should call again...

I did call and complained. The sales rep I talked to at the HQ was actually very nice and tried changing it for me (she said her fiance is an MT so she must understand out issues!). She said that their security department would not let them change my code. She asked me if I did any skin care services and in fact, when the account was set up I had an esthetician (am looking for a new one now). The rep said that then they should've allowed the tip line. Tried again - same result.

I think I am the only MT in town who doesn't have the tip line. Everybody else had no problem setting it up with their providers.

When I was arguing with the intial sales rep (local) he told me that according to Visa/MC policies there are only 3 types of businesses that are "allowed" to accept tips: hair salons, restaurants and ... fast food restaurants!

To me it seems more like Elavon's interpretaion of Visa/MC policies.

 

[Hockey Girl]

We work with IMS, and have not had a problem yet. (Knock on wood!)

 

[Jujus L]

I use http://www.propay.com it's a bit more expensive than others but I have found no hidden fees. I do have a very small cc business so the small annual fee is perfect for me.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I use http://www.propay.com it's a bit more expensive than others but I have found no hidden fees. I do have a very small cc business so the small annual fee is perfect for me.

Ditto! They're not the cheapest but since I'm a really small practice, I found they're the way to go. They also haven't j3rked with me

I hope that those of you with cc company problems have better luck. It IS frustrating to get messed with.

Hugs!
~Jyoti

 

[brendan y.]

I use http://www.propay.com it's a bit more expensive than others but I have found no hidden fees. I do have a very small cc business so the small annual fee is perfect for me.

Ditto! They're not the cheapest but since I'm a really small practice, I found they're the way to go. They also haven't j3rked with me

I hope that those of you with cc company problems have better luck. It IS frustrating to get messed with.

Hugs!
~Jyoti

I am looking at maybe signing up with ProPay. Calmhead247 and Jyoti would either of you be willing to share you experiences with them with me. I know both of you have said they aren't the cheapest. I am curious as to which 'program' you sign up for with them and if you use the reader, if you call in or do it online, any problems you have ever had with them, if you get the card or transfer to your bank account and how transferring has been for you... all those questions. You can PM me if you prefer! Thanks!

 

[Animal Craze]

gpcmassage...

I have the premium package for $59.95/yr. If you want anything higher you have to show a history of accepting cedit cards. The only anoying thing is a transaction limit of $500. It is a $3000 a month limit but if you sell a gift certificate for more than $500 you have to process it as 2 seperate transactions. Fee wise it's only $0.35 extra but it is annoying.

I call the number in using my cell and I do an imprint recipt for the client and myself. The card reader seems good but it doesn't tell you if the card is declined until you hook it up to your computer, then you have to track down your client and get another cc#.

I also like using the debit card they give you. Since I don't use my massage money to pay bills,(I massage PT) I don't have to wait for it to be transfered to my checking account. I only use my massage money to purchace items that I could use a credit card on.

hope this helps!

 

[AchatCialis]

I am not happy with Charge

They put me in a package the is too expensive for my practice. So for me to get out of my contracte I need to pay $300 because it is a 3 year commitment.