Total Merchant Services is a merchant services provider that allows small business owners to process payments through card terminals and POS systems. We compiled Total Merchant Services reviews from our own website plus looked at user reviews from around the web to determine what their customers think about the company. We also compared the most popular pricing options for small business owners.
For an in-depth comparison of three top merchant services provider, read our buyer’s guide.
Total Merchant Services Customer Reviews
Average Rating: Poor
Overall Experience: Poor
Pricing: Poor
Ease of Use: Average
Customer Service: Poor
Summary of User Reviews
We scoured hundreds of reviews and determined that Total Merchant Services has generally negative ratings. Here’s what we found:
What Total Merchant Services does well:
Users who gave Total Merchant Services a positive review, although very few, said that their issues were resolved when they asked for support.
What Total Merchant Services does not do well:
Users who gave Total Merchant Services a negative review said that they experienced a lot of problems while using their service — hidden charges, higher fees, withholding of funds without legitimate grounds, and bad customer service. Users also complained about being charged a termination fee — which was either not disclosed to them initially or supposedly no longer applicable (but still is because of TMS’ auto-renewal policy).
Most Helpful Positive User Review
One user who gave Total Merchant Services a positive review on BBB said that although the payment processing device he received didn’t come with a manual, the tech support who attended his call answered his inquiries accurately and quickly. He also mentioned that the device was easy to use.
Most Helpful Negative User Review
“After six years of processing with this company, I cancelled my account to go with another processor. A week later, they charged my bank account $195 early termination fee! After six years! I was told it had a 3 year contract when I signed up. In all the fine print of the contract it says that it will automatically renew every year for 1 year at a time. The only way to cancel without a termination fee is to give them written notice within 30 days prior to the annual renewal. Making it nearly impossible to cancel without the fee. Since I was 3 weeks past my annual renewal date the $195 fee applied to my cancellation! So once you’re in it’s hard to get out! Never had one problem with their service aside from high fees. But after 6 years I think I had paid my dues without being penalized again!”
—Jeff M.
Other Total Merchant Services User Reviews from Around the Web
Here are a few other resources for finding helpful Total Merchant Services customer reviews. We rated the review sites on a scale from poor to excellent based on how trustworthy and useful the reviews seemed.
263 Complaints | |||
| *Average Rating as of June 30, 2017 | |||
Total Merchant Services Pricing
Although Total Merchant Services’s website indicates that they guarantee “low payment processing rates,” these rates and fees are not currently published on their website. However, according to Credio’s report of the company, TMS’s fees range from 1.69% – 2.3% depending on the type of transaction, and monthly fees range from $10 – $25.
| Type of Payment | Retail Rate | Retail Fee Per Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card | 1.69% | $0.20 |
| Debit Card | 1.49% | $0.20 |
| Online | 2.30% | $0.25 |
| Administrative Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Account Fee | $10 |
| Monthly Minimum Fee | $25 |
| Monthly Gateway Fee | $15 |
Also, based on the reviews we read, it seems that the company charges an early termination fee ranging from $295 to $399. This amount is charged when accounts cancel before the initial three-year agreement is over and for accounts that cancel after the contract automatically renews.
For more information on how credit card processing fees work, read our guide.
Compare Total Merchant Services Competitors
Not sure if Total Merchant Services is the right merchant services provider for you? Check out our merchant services buyer’s guide comparing three top providers.
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Gerardo Acosta
Review SourceOrganic
Nothing
Total lack of customer support
Everything, they provide such a terrible service, please beware about this company!
Review SourceOrganic
Jeff M.
Review SourceOrganic
After six years of processing with this company I cancelled my account to go with another processor. A week later they charge my bank account $195 early termination fee! After six years! I was told it had a 3 year contract when I signed up. In all the fine print of the contract it says that it will automatically renew every year for 1 year at a time. The only way to cancel without a termination fee is to give them written notice within 30 days prior to the annual renewal. Making it nearly impossible to cancel without the fee. Since I was 3 weeks past my annual renewal date the $195 fee applied to my cancellation! So once you’re in it’s hard to get out! Never had one problem with their service aside from high fees. But after 6 years I think I had paid my dues without being penalized again!
Review SourceOrganic
Ky Mack
Review SourceOrganic
This is the most deceptive and unprofessional company I have ever encountered.That closed my account because the said one of my customers name did not match the name on the account .
Even after I provided all the information showing otherwise. On top of this , they are holding over a thousands dollars of my funds for 180 days for I don’t know what. I tried to refund the transactions nback to the customers since most of them prepaid for the service , but the would not release the funds back to the customers, stating they had to hold the funds t cover charge backs from payments that I already received . Go figure.
So now these customers are responsible for potential chargebacks of other customers?These people really are crooks .STAY AWAY
Review SourceOrganic
Pam Wangsness
Review SourceOrganic
I was solicited by Total Merchant Services, HD, 21650 Oxnard St, suite 1200, Woodland Hills, Ca 91367 – 1-888-848-6825, They told me they would provide a merchant processing machine for no charge, they have no contract, and claim no hidden fees as stated all over the Internet. After reviewing other reviews I decided to refuse delivery of the processing machine, refused and returned immediately it as return to sender. Once I refused delivery I believed the purported contract would be null and void. I do not have the processing equipment and this company is Aware I never took delivery and returned it “return to sender-refused” as confirmed and stated by Kevin and Anthony. While preparing banking for my CPA I noticed I’ve been charged monthly since July 2015 for services never received or provided for a total of $576.30 to date. These charges appear under another company name “Global Payments Bankcard Processing.” I called this morning 3-2-2016 and began with Sarah who transferred me to Kevin, whom continued to be condescending, and informed me I would have to pay $399+ for closing fees to close the account for equipment and services I’ve never took possession of nor received. I don’t have the equipment, never took delivery of the equipment and this company won’t do the right thing and simply close an account that was never activated by me in the first place. I would like the fees refunded and the account closed. I even offered to allow them to keep the already charged fees for nothing and apply to the closing fees and simply close the account and no more charges. Anthony kept telling me he would only close account if I paid the $399+ fees and unless I authorized the fees the account would remain open and each month I would be charged a processing fee for “services” that I don’t receive nor am able to receive nor wish to receive from such a unscrupulous company.
Review SourceOrganic
Kris.K
Review SourceOrganic
scammers ,crook and the fraud, Please stay away from Total Merchant Services if you don’t want to be ripped off… And the Customer Service is horrible!!! Steal yours money…….
Review SourceOrganic
Chris
Completely agree!!!!! Scammers!!! Constantly giving you the run around! Fees turned out to be way more than they said!