Review Retail Merchant Services based in Milton Keynes

[ddraffan]

I would like to advise anyone who may be considering using this company's services to read the following information. Retail Merchant Services, based in Milton Keynes provide a credit and debit card processing service. They employ a large number of self-employed commission motivated sales reps who predominantly cold call owners of small to medium sized businesses in the UK to request a meeting to introduce their services. Please beware, the contract agreement you will be asked to sign includes a number of clauses which will cost you a significant amount of money should you decide to end the contract at any time. The facts you need to consider are: you will be tied into a 36 month contract, yes, 3 years; you will be charged a £100 cancellation fee and a £80 terminal refurbishment fee at the time of ending your contract and you will be charged a minimum processing fee. Given these excessive fees which probably will not be brought to your attention during the initial meeting with the sales rep, it is difficult to recommend this company's services, especially when there are more honest and transparent card processing service providers to choose from. Please feel free to ask any questions you have regarding dealing with this company, I would be happy to provide a frank and honest appraisal of my personal experiences.

 

[Lucky7CompSolutions]

My last company I was with had them and they got ripped off by them, they force you into a club thats only good if you need the benefits and the customer service was terrible.

 

[ddraffan]

They cold called me and basically lied about the terms and conditions included in the contract. More fool me for trusting the Retail Merchant Services rep! They have generated a cancellation fee which is around 25% more than I owe and simply won't listen to reason. I've reached the conclusion that they view cancellation fees as a revenue stream and adopt heavy handed almost bully like practices to scaremonger people into paying them money. They are threatening me with court action if I do not pay in full. My circumstances are that I have absolute concrete evidence of the money I have paid them so basically have no hesitation in going to the small claims court to have the matter dealt with fairly. I've also decided to allocate time every week for the foreseeable future to circulate to as many people as possible how this unreputable company operates. I'm in the process of having a blog/forum review site developed which will be aggressively promoted online. The objective is nothing less than to place a review link at the top of Google for any person who has been contacted by Retail Merchant Services and goes online to review the company and read other peoples experiences so they’ll be able to make an informed decision whether to use them, or not. There's other card processing company's out there who operate transparently and do not charge excessive cancellation fees.

 

[vchimp]

u r right. after 6years with RMS i had enough of their customer service. changed 5terminals last year. Had so much inconvenience caused by RMS. recently found out from my phone bill, i am paying for my data downloaded from RMS into the card machine(not mention in contract). when i call to enquire, was told by RMS customer service its my own problem because my BT phone plan does not cover special service number 0844 701 6306. (bt confirmed its a reversed data call) watch out downloading time between 0100am-0500am. had changed terminals, reset on the phone with technical department and RMS customer service. promised no more downloading will be charged to me. at the end, its all useless because they cant control because RMS only provide customer service, ELAVON does bank payment clearance and terminal, another technical company is incharge sofeware data. Right now, i am looking the best way to get out RMS without paying them. Has anyone gone to Ombudsman or FSA or any better suggestions?

 

[vchimp]

I would like to advise anyone who may be considering using this company's services to read the following information. Retail Merchant Services, based in Milton Keynes provide a credit and debit card processing service. They employ a large number of self-employed commission motivated sales reps who predominantly cold call owners of small to medium sized businesses in the UK to request a meeting to introduce their services. Please beware, the contract agreement you will be asked to sign includes a number of clauses which will cost you a significant amount of money should you decide to end the contract at any time. The facts you need to consider are: you will be tied into a 36 month contract, yes, 3 years; you will be charged a £100 cancellation fee and a £80 terminal refurbishment fee at the time of ending your contract and you will be charged a minimum processing fee. Given these excessive fees which probably will not be brought to your attention during the initial meeting with the sales rep, it is difficult to recommend this company's services, especially when there are more honest and transparent card processing service providers to choose from. Please feel free to ask any questions you have regarding dealing with this company, I would be happy to provide a frank and honest appraisal of my personal experiences.

I am in same situation like you. Did RMS charged you for downloading data into card terminal? Watch out a special service number 0844 701 6306 usually around 0100am-0500am. Its not said in the contract, RMS customer service told me it's mine problem because i didnt choose a phone plan include 0844 numbers ??

 

[ddraffan]

Thanks for the info regarding Retail Merchant Services based in Milton Keynes. This is a new charge which I wasn't aware of up until now! It's literally unbelievable the lengths this company will go to stealth like extract money from it's customers. Could I ask you to visit a blog site I've set up, please do a Google search for 'review retail merchant services in Milton Keynes' for the link and provide further details. The more of us who report this sort of under-handed behavior by Retail Merchant Services, the more chance less business owners will be duped by them in the future.

 

[LMDServicesUK]

Hi

I read this thread with interest, suffice to say this company is well known in our industry for its approach and style, and sadly we often come across Merchants who signed up with them and only then have realised what they have signed up for, or have left such a bad taste that everyone else in our industry gets tarred with the same brush..

We also ask for long term contracts but we are very clear re the benefits that we offer in return, as in any agreement if you commit to a business long term you should get an appropriate benefit back.

However in fairness nearly every Merchant account provider requires a min monthly service charge, so this is quite normal, but using an 0844 number and then charging you to use it.. That is a new one, and certainly not something that we operate, in fact we prefer to provide a BB based terminal, so we can directly update your terminal at zero cost to the Merchant..

As mentioned, if your dispute is with RMS re your merchant account, threatening to use the Court/taking legal action will normally get them off your back, however if you are in a lease agreement with their partner business MR plc that is another matter completely.

My honest advise AVOID if at all possible, they make the Banks look customer friendly !

Rgds

Mark
LMD Services

 

[ddraffan]

I was originally with Cardsave who I found 100% above board. They didn't charge me a minimal transaction fee and were totally upfront and honest in describing their service. Unfortunately as you know, I got duped by Retail Merchant Services into swapping and paid the price accordingly. My disappointment is firmly directed at Retail Merchant Services and I am glad to say I owe them nothing now. I paid my dues and drew a line under the experience. However I felt so strongly at how I was treated that I have taken the decision to expose this company's unfair operating practices. The blog is beginning to bubble and I'm estimating it will take approx six months for the site to be sitting side by side with Retail Merchant Services parent site. The aim, very simple, to provide anyone who has been contacted by a Retail Merchant Services rep a heads up on what they might be getting into. It really is about time someone stood up to this unregulated company.

 

[ddraffan]

I forgot, it's interesting, if you look at other negative reviews on this forum, Retail Merchant Services have tried to talk down the discussion by replying. I wonder why they aren't chipping in here! Feel free to chip in if you want to Retail Merchant Services...

 

[vchimp]

I am surprised to know it's new about the downloading data. My merchant account with them 6years, only last christmas shop was closed, during that period 0844 numbers came to my attention especially odd hours timing appeared on the bill. Only god knows how much i have been paying them all these years. When i enquire RMS, from their responses (answering in a very robotic manner), you knew its nothing new to them, im not the only one affected. Asking for proof of paper bills, again RMS does not deal with programming terminal software, another company is responsible. Briefly, a customer service rep and another guy from so called technical dept verbally on the phone reset the config on the terminal, told me to disconnect the battery behind and then put it back. Surprised!!! "TAMPERED" on the screen, no machine for the next 3days. He assured me new terminal will not automatic download. Following month, my bill still shown 0844 number after all inconvenience caused to me.
Basically, last 8months have changed 4terminals(have to wait 2-4working days no machine) and 1battery faulty recall. What sort of benefits do you guys think is good for your business ???

 

[ddraffan]

I think it would useful if Retail merchant Services responded to this query. There's obviously some confusion regarding this matter and I guess it's only fair to hear both sides of the argument.

 

[LMDServicesUK]

Chaps

re the pain you are suffering re RMS, assuming you are stuck in contracts that have at least another 18m to run, why not ask RMS to swap out your terminals for IP Broadband ones, this way the terminals can be updated over IP and no phone call required..

However I would get a written commitment from them re this 0844 o/b update calls will not happen if you have an IP terminal..

Alternatively if you do have less than 18m on your contract, we might be able to help..

Please PM me if you would like to discuss further.

Rgds

Mark
LMD Services

 

[LMDServicesUK]

Hi ddraffan

Re your comment "they didn't charge me a minimal transaction fee and were totally upfront and honest in describing their service", in your response to my recent post, the charges I mentioned are levied by the Merchant account provider, not CardSave who are the reseller only.

The Merchant account provider which I believe in your case would have been Streamline would have billed you a min fee if your monthly transaction fees fell below a set minimum which could range from £ 10 to £ 25 depending on who the Merchant account provider is.

In fact you would never notice it unless business in a month was very low on cards, as normally your charges would be above this threshold.

Hope this helps clarify this issue.

PS can you PM details of the blog you are setting up, am most interested to learn more.

Rgds

Mark
LMD Services

 

[baguette]

RMS are not registered with the FSA, nor do they, or any reseller for that matter, have to be. Is is Evalon thaqt are registered. I have written to my MP to see if this situation can be changed. I urge anyone who has had difficulties to report all this to Trading Standards, keep sending them updates. it can only be a matter of time before TS look into RMS in depth.

 

[kulture]

Hi ddraffan

Re your comment "they didn't charge me a minimal transaction fee and were totally upfront and honest in describing their service", in your response to my recent post, the charges I mentioned are levied by the Merchant account provider, not CardSave who are the reseller only.

The Merchant account provider which I believe in your case would have been Streamline would have billed you a min fee if your monthly transaction fees fell below a set minimum which could range from £ 10 to £ 25 depending on who the Merchant account provider is.

In fact you would never notice it unless business in a month was very low on cards, as normally your charges would be above this threshold.

Hope this helps clarify this issue.

PS can you PM details of the blog you are setting up, am most interested to learn more.

Rgds

Mark
LMD Services

I am with STreamline, and I do not get charged any minimum. I also have very low fees and because of the way my business works, I can have very low months where next to nothing is taken on my B&M card machine. So I have known months where I pay less than £5 in fees IN TOTAL.

It is all down to what you can negotiate.

 

[David A]

Thought I'd chip in here, as we had a visit from a very nice chap from RMS who didn't hard sell at all. I was very impressed, particularly as he went to pains to point out that we need to ensure we weren't in a fixed-term contract with our current provider.

That was a month ago, and what with holidays, we have only just managed to check and confirm that we are not in a fixed term contract. Thus I called and they have just sent me over the contract.

Ha!

Yes we save on rent and transaction fees, but there are hefty termination fees plus the following two clauses:

7.1 RMS may terminate this agreement at any time by giving you at least one month's notice in writing. On termination by either party then a charge equal to the balance, if any, of the first 36 months membership fees which remain unpaid or if you have entered a successive 12 month membership period then a charge equal to the balance, if any, of the remainder of the 12 month’s successive period, plus a cancellation charge of £100 multiplied by the number of terminals ...

Thus, on a whim, RMS could terminate and then charge the remainder of any term!

8.1 We may from time to time alter any charges/fees or otherwise and alter any term of this agreement by giving at least one month's notice in writing ...

So, even with lower day-to-day rates to hoik new customers in, RMS can increase any rate or fee more than once during the initial 3-year fixed term.

It is also clear that their sales reps can say anything they like to get you signed up as their contract states

1.1 ... You acknowledge that in applying for membership of RMS you have not relied upon any representation made to you or any statement or sales literature by or on behalf of RMS

The above is a side agreement, the main one supplied is with Evalon who will charge an annual PCI compliance fee of Scan: £100 / SAQ £30; there is also a £20 annual administration fee.

Thus this would be a very expensive contract to sign and is a true case of Caveat Emptor: let the buyer beware!

 

[baguette]

Hi David,
Thanks for adding to this thread.
Retail Merchant Services must be exposed as being at the rogues of the market.
With reference to 1.1 that is not a strong enough 'get out clause' for them as there is the:
The Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008,
[Copy & paste the above into a search engine]
Which states:
3.—(1) Advertising which is misleading is prohibited.
(2) Advertising is misleading which—
(a)in any way, including its presentation, deceives or is likely to deceive the traders to whom it is addressed or whom it reaches; and by reason of its deceptive nature, is likely to affect their economic behaviour; or
(b)for those reasons, injures or is likely to injure a competitor.

According to my Trading Standards team, who got my contract rescinded, 'presentation' includes what is said during the sales presentation.

As RMS have already been visited by Milton Keynes Trading Standards, you may want to consider passing this infomation onto your own Trading Standards or even the Office of Fair Trading.

You have had a lucky escape

 

[LMDServicesUK]

Thought I'd chip in here, as we had a visit from a very nice chap from RMS who didn't hard sell at all. I was very impressed, particularly as he went to pains to point out that we need to ensure we weren't in a fixed-term contract with our current provider.

That was a month ago, and what with holidays, we have only just managed to check and confirm that we are not in a fixed term contract. Thus I called and they have just sent me over the contract.

Ha!

Yes we save on rent and transaction fees, but there are hefty termination fees plus the following two clauses:
Thus, on a whim, RMS could terminate and then charge the remainder of any term!

So, even with lower day-to-day rates to hoik new customers in, RMS can increase any rate or fee more than once during the initial 3-year fixed term.

It is also clear that their sales reps can say anything they like to get you signed up as their contract states

The above is a side agreement, the main one supplied is with Evalon who will charge an annual PCI compliance fee of Scan: £100 / SAQ £30; there is also a £20 annual administration fee.

Thus this would be a very expensive contract to sign and is a true case of Caveat Emptor: let the buyer beware!

It is good to see that Merchants are becoming wary of RMS, and their fascinating clauses designed to lock unwary Merchants into painful auto renewing contracts with no guarantees over the rates.

If you are still looking to do a review of your Merchant Processing costs, or are unhappy with the service you receive, and want to reduce your costs, I would be more than happy to undertake a Business review for you, and provide you a quote without any obligation.

Our offer is based on a 5 year term, however in return we offer CAPPED rates (your rates and rental can never increase), inclusive 7 x 24 Customer service, and we will pay your PCI fees for the 1st year, and our contracts have no auto renewal clauses.

If this sounds of interest please do PM me and I will see what we can do for you. At worst I will advise you to stay as you are (good deal currently) or best I will be able to offer you a worthwhile saving on your current charges, which can in some cases be up to 40% on what you are currently paying.

We pride ourselves on offering the right solution for a Business, and if we cannot improve on your existing service, or do not have an appropriate solution for you, we will always advise you accordingly.

Kind regards

Mark

 

[Gem148]

I am in the same situation as alot on here. I have been conned into signing up with them and now am being asked for over £1000 to leave or court action.i haven't even used the machine and it went back as soon as it arrived. There customer service is shocking. How have you all got on have you had to pay. Wish I'd of read these reviews before there isn't one good one

 

[vchimp]

I am in the same situation as alot on here. I have been conned into signing up with them and now am being asked for over £1000 to leave or court action.i haven't even used the machine and it went back as soon as it arrived. There customer service is shocking. How have you all got on have you had to pay. Wish I'd of read these reviews before there isn't one good one

Go Trading Standards ask for advise. RMS contracts are very misleading. Nothing new, their usual tricks, ask you to pay or go to court. Even threaten to blacklist your credit rating. So far, I have known people left RMS without paying, 1year on, no trouble joining other cards company. Good Luck!!

 

[Gem148]

Thank you. It's so distressing and really needs to be stopped. I've reported them to the bbc watchdog programme too so fingers crossed you never know. I'm also in touch with trading standards. If anyone else would like to do the same it may help the more of us there are. I spoke to a man today from Rsm who sounded American extremely rude he had offered to cut my bill to £600 but still it's a lot of money

 

[baguette]

Hi Gem148
I had my contract rescinded, but not until Trading Standards got involved. Retail Merchant Services are very good at denying everything. The salesman who called on me said 'you have a 30 day cooling down period' - he lied, but I found another of his victims a few weeks later via this forum who was told exactly the same thing. The salesman Philip Pounder then called at at another business where he was recorded making the same misleading and fraudulent statement. When I approached Retail Merchant Services with this, they ignored it, but it was enough for Trading Standards. You can go via the Office of Fair Trading too, some others have had contracts cancelled. Retail Merchant Services have a habit of phoning you to discuss the situation, I suggst you get a voice recorder, about £40, and record all the calls as they will make staements you cannot verify, however it's better if you write to them. They do not want to go to court, they do not want the publicity

PM me if you would like more help

 

[David A]

I have been misguided and conned into a contract with retail merchant services by one of their reps. I have been in talks with the customer care team about this and have emailed that I want to terminate my contract. All promises to phone me back have not been met, the customer care department were going to phone me back and they haven't. I have been in touch with the consumer help line and they have given me some advice but I would be grateful if anyone else who has gone through this mess could give me some help on how best to deal with this situation?

RMS rely on their contract. You cannot argue anything in relation to this using the telephone.

Do not talk to them by telephone anymore, even if they do phone you.

First you must write including a cronology of events, including the instances when you have phoned and they have said they will phone you back.

Second you must dispute the terms of the contract and the means by which they got you to sign it.

Third, ask then to cancel the contract with immediate effect, and to not levy any termination charges.

Only by having written evidence (even e-mails) can you fight these companies.

 

[baguette]

I agree with everything David A has said. Retail Merchant Services will still try to settle this by phone, it's another way they can deny any & all. buy a digital voice recorder - about £40 - then you can record the conversations, thier responses & promises will help you later. Did the salesman make any claims during his 'presentation'? You may be covered by this legilastion
‘The Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008’ this will counter any claim they make in their T&C 1.1 ... You acknowledge that in applying for membership of RMS you have not relied upon any representation made to you or any statement or sales literature by or on behalf of RMS.


Keep a timeline of all events, including a precis of what was written or said.



When you write, always send letters 'signed for', it costs a little extra but you go online and get proof of delivery & the signature of the recipient. If they dont reply, write again. Keep copies and the proof of post/delivery.


Finally go to Trading Standards. TS Milton Keynes have already visited Retail Merchant Services about thier business & sales practices and got my contract with them rescinded - so there is hope.

You can also report Retail Merchant Services to the Office of Fair Trading as their contract is 'unfair' as in 1.1 and also 7.1 RMS may terminate this agreement at any time by giving you at least one month's notice in writing. On termination by either party then a charge equal to the balance, if any, of the first 36 months membership fees which remain unpaid or if you have entered a successive 12 month membership period then a charge equal to the balance, if any, of the remainder of the 12 month’s successive period, plus a cancellation charge of £100 multiplied by the number of terminals ...

Good luck


Keep the forum posted

 

[ddraffan]

May I just reiterate the previous comments which are absolutely 100% correct and valid. I started this string because I went through a similar experience with RMS.

Do not pay them a penny, report them to the Financial Ombudsman and inform RMS you have taken this action.

As already mentioned, do not speak to them over the phone, insist written correspondence is the only way you will communicate.

Do not be bullied into thinking a debt collection company called REMAS will come knocking at your door. This is RMS's in-house team who's sole tactic and aim is to pressurize you into thinking you must pay up or suffer further consequences. In fact they have no legal powers to demand anything from you, so don't fall into their trap.

I have also started an online blog and information site which is performing well on Google, page 1 alongside Retail Merchant Services parent site which must be a total pain in the bum for them!

The URL is:

all the w's then .business-card-payments-merchant-services-milton-keynes.co.uk

Its a bit long winded but works. There's loads more useful information on the site and contact details for all the organizations who can support you to beat RMS and most importantly, affect their bottom line.

The ultimate aim would be to force this company to cease trading. Only by collective action can we achieve this aim, so spread the word. Let's show RMS they cannot ride rough-shot over honest hard working business owners and think they can get away with it.

 

[LMDServicesUK]

I have been misguided and conned into a contract with retail merchant services by one of their reps. I have been in talks with the customer care team about this and have emailed that I want to terminate my contract. All promises to phone me back have not been met, the customer care department were going to phone me back and they haven't. I have been in touch with the consumer help line and they have given me some advice but I would be grateful if anyone else who has gone through this mess could give me some help on how best to deal with this situation?

I am sorry to hear you have become another victim of RMS's sharp practices, and I would strongly recommend all the advice as already given to you by other posters on this thread.

The key criteria to fight your case is to document all the meetings you had with RMS and what you did or did not agree, did YOU complete the paperwork, or was it all done by the rep (e.g. can you confirm everything that was completed on the app form was agreed with you ?).
When you received your agreement again did it reflect what you had agreed to.

Fortunately there is some new legislation re miss-selling which is mentioned by another OP that might help you, so put everything in writing to them, explaining how you have been miss-sold and offer to go to Court so you can air in Public just how badly you have been treated, as in our experience RMS do not want their dirty washing being aired in public.

Rgds

Mark

 

[baguette]

I am in the middle of a developing battle with these con-merchants. Having lost my lease I told them I was ceasing trading, and they informed me of the cancellation charge. I stopped the direct debit before they got any further cash. They never contacted me to collect the terminal, so I sent it back by recorded delivery.

I had given them 7 weeks written notice that I was cancelling the account. They did not acknowledge this and today asked for the cancellation fees AND three years membership, over £488 quid. Fortunately they do not have access to my account now, I have legal training, and I have proof of the cancellation of the account, and will make every effort to publicise their shameful conduct, and make others aware of it. I shall report them to the FSA for misconduct and will notify them that I will only communicate in writing and intend to take legal action against them for malpractice. I'm not kidding, on principle these sharks deserve to be resisted and exposed, they are a disgrace to the financial industry and I'm furious that they've tried to get one (or two) over on me.

Sorry to hear about your lease, I nearlty had that a few years ago.

Going to the FSA would be a waste of time as they and all other resellers are not regulated - that's a seperate channel to pursue. However I suggest the Office of Fair Trading and Trading Standards. so many of us have now contacted BBC Watchdog with details about RMS there may be enough of a story to get them involved. Adverse media publicity is somethingthey would shy away from

I paid for a check recently and found there have been no County Court claims against Retail Merchant Services. Thet means nobody has taken them to court or they have always settled out of court - worht considering

 

[Wedding Lady]

I have been caught out with these people. Is there any way to fight them. I wasn't told of any termination fee and because I had to close my shop due to ill health, they are trying to get another £1000 out of me, I would like to know how to fight them with this. any help would be appreciated. thank you.

 

[LMDServicesUK]

I have been caught out with these people. Is there any way to fight them. I wasn't told of any termination fee and because I had to close my shop due to ill health, they are trying to get another £1000 out of me, I would like to know how to fight them with this. any help would be appreciated. thank you.

Read the posts on this thread and follow the advice given. The key is to show you were knowingly miss-sold by the RMS rep and that the agreement was never clearly explained to you, and then let them take you to court, our experience to date is that they will not want their business techniques being tested in a court.

Contact your local trading Standards Office as well and raise a formal complaint with them as well.

Good luck

Mark

Cancel your DD's and do not let them bully you..

 

[Wedding Lady]

Thank you for your advice, they are pretty aggressive in their approach. will take your advice thank you again.

 

[baguette]

Hi Wedding Lady

I agree with everthing LMD says. Use Trading Standards, Retail Merchant Services are already in their spotlight and it worked for me, you can also try the Office of Fair Trading it has worked for some other aggrieved RMS users. Do write to them, sending your letters 'signed for' - it's about £1.70, then go online and print out the proof of delivery. When I was writing to them only about 1 in 3 letters were responded to and any lack of response will add to your case - you can use e-mail, as again it is written evidence, however do not accept phone calls from Retail merchant Services unless you have a way of recording them.

Have you had any letters from their debt collection agents REMAS?

Keep in touch

 

[Wedding Lady]

Hi thank you for your reply, I have spoken to an agent and when I could get a word in, I said I would be contacting TS. I said their policies are in need of investigation. (That was after she wouldn't give any leeway in the fees dept. But they are trained to not back down). So I contacted TS and said I wasn't told of the fees. Also thinking back Im sure I didn't sign up for 4 years either. Not something I would logically do. The RMS agent said that all the information is on the front of the contract and easily seen. They play on the fact that we don't scrutinise the contracts. And when we may it's too late. They are asking for £1,027 for 3.5 years left, its extortion. The reps, as someone else said, were very slick and 'nice'. I know I asked them the right questions like "what about termination fees in case...." and I know they said there werent any otherwise I wouldn't have gone ahead, that being one of my personal policies. TS said to do what you have said to write etc and wait for a response. So here goes and it has helped being on here as I don't feel tooooo alone, thank you

 

[Andrew Jackson]

Hi All
I too am being fleeced by Retail Merchant Services
I joined them in May 2010 and moved to Cardsave this month for a better deal.
That's over 3 years ago.
I rang RMS and asked if I was in a contract with them and they replied no.
I signed up with Cardsave first and then cancelled RMS.
2 days later a very aggresive lady called Lesley rings from RMS saying she wants paying for termination of contract- £216 please how would I like to pay?
I thought this must be a scam and told her so.
I asked her to email some evidence that I owed them something.
An eamil came for termination fee £180 plus VAT - £216
A terminal deposit fee for £600 - this has been returned
I'm suspecting they will dent receipt of terminal!
How can I be charged for termination of contract after 3 years??
It's so ridiculous it still could be a scam and if it's true it is a scam!

Please can you supply details of website damning RMS as I would like to contribute to it.

 

[Andrew Jackson]

Hi Wedding Lady

I agree with everthing LMD says. Use Trading Standards, Retail Merchant Services are already in their spotlight and it worked for me, you can also try the Office of Fair Trading it has worked for some other aggrieved RMS users. Do write to them, sending your letters 'signed for' - it's about £1.70, then go online and print out the proof of delivery. When I was writing to them only about 1 in 3 letters were responded to and any lack of response will add to your case - you can use e-mail, as again it is written evidence, however do not accept phone calls from Retail merchant Services unless you have a way of recording them.

Have you had any letters from their debt collection agents REMAS?

Keep in touch

Hi
I have just posted earlier to this problem of RMS and their charging scams.
I have had a letter today from REMAS.
Tomorrow I will speak to Trading Standards and Office of Fair Trading
Thanbks for your interest - any help would be appreciated.

 

[LMDServicesUK]

Hi All
I too am being fleeced by Retail Merchant Services
I joined them in May 2010 and moved to Cardsave this month for a better deal.
That's over 3 years ago.

Please can you supply details of website damning RMS as I would like to contribute to it.

Andrew, have a look for posts by ddraffan, he has created the website and blog.

See post below

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=293331

Rgds

Mark

 

[baguette]

Hi All
I too am being fleeced by Retail Merchant Services
I joined them in May 2010 and moved to Cardsave this month for a better deal.
That's over 3 years ago.
I rang RMS and asked if I was in a contract with them and they replied no.
I signed up with Cardsave first and then cancelled RMS.
2 days later a very aggresive lady called Lesley rings from RMS saying she wants paying for termination of contract- £216 please how would I like to pay?
I thought this must be a scam and told her so.
I asked her to email some evidence that I owed them something.
An eamil came for termination fee £180 plus VAT - £216
A terminal deposit fee for £600 - this has been returned
I'm suspecting they will dent receipt of terminal!
How can I be charged for termination of contract after 3 years??
It's so ridiculous it still could be a scam and if it's true it is a scam!

Please can you supply details of website damning RMS as I would like to contribute to it.

Hi Andrew

business-card-payments-merchant-services-milton-keynes.co.uk

this is the site you need to post on.

It is my understanding that debt collection agencies have to be licenced by the FSA. I checked back in March when I too received a letter from REMAS and they are not registered!
Their address makes you believe they are in a differnt part of Milton Kenyes, however when you send 'signed for' letters the signature is identical to that received at Retail Merchant Services. The web address for REMAS is registered to Matrix House, the same as Retail Merchant Services, and alough there is not website for REMAS, the domain is theirs until 2014. Write to them saying you are in dispute with Retail Merchant Services, they should not follow up. Dont expect a reply

 

[David A]

It is my understanding that debt collection agencies have to be licenced by the FSA. I checked back in March when I too received a letter from REMAS and they are not registered!

Not the FSA, but the OFT.

Any firm involved in the collection of debt, even B2B must have a consumer Credit Licence, and that category specifically mentioned on their licence. Like you, I can find no mention of RMS, REMAS or anything similar to them in the Consumer Credit Register.

Although the OFT currently deals with licences, this is being morphed over to the Financial Conduct Authority by 1 April 2014.

So, if anyone gets a letter from REMAS as a debt collector, it should be immediately referred to their local trading standards department.

 

[IndividualityDilemma]

What I find most interesting about this thread, and some of the sites being mentioned is that they're all owned/run by employee's of PaymentSense ... a rival of this Retail Merchant Services company.. Can someone verify this is the case? Sources tell me this is infact true... Assuming it is, it's a crying shame that in this day and age, people are resorting to such low tactics..

I haven't had any direct dealings with this business myself, but know someone who has...Seem's alot of us are making a few simple human errors which can only be rectified by following a few simple rules :

1. Don't offer to see one of these money hungry field sales people if you really don't want to.
2. If you do, don't sign anything until you have read every little detail on the contract/terms and conditions.
3. If you don't read everything and are then "stung" by something you didn't read, perhaps you are your own worst enemy and shouldn't be so trust worthy! Plus, we have to expect charges these days.... we're all subject to them in some shape or form. It's how most companies make money; lets face it

I do feel for anyone who feel's they have been stung, but equally, the blame has to lie somewhere and you are only accountable for the place where you sign and all the small print that lays above it.

Unsure what becoming a keyboard warrior will solve if I'm brutally honest folks. But, to each their own.

Again, I haven't had any dealings with this business but I bet if I did with their competition, I could find something to glare at that I didn't like the sound of.

Also, a colleague has just told me that "RMS" as they're affectionately known, have won some industry based awards lately... ironically enough for outstanding service.

Funny that.

 

[Forumfan1]

One reading the above thread I find things very misleading.

On one hand the information is interesting seen as though I will be a first time Terminal user and was looking for quotes.

On the other hand Why is it that the comments posted from a couple of individuals are both working for the competition.

In my experience of business I find all the statements to be taken with a pinch of salt as its -biased- and very bad practice for companies to "bad mouth" there competitors.

 

[LMDServicesUK]

It is great to see new members of the forum who are reading the various posts about RMS, and then wanting to comment.

However you are mistaken, in so far as your comments about the majority of the negative posts being placed about RMS are from PaymentSense employees, they are in fact for the most part Merchants who have been bitten by them not PS...

Please do not make such generalised assertions without at least evidencing your claims. In my experience we do not need to fan the flames whatsoever RMS's own merchants are doing that very nicely thank you.

Whilst I do represent PS (however they do not employ me) I see examples of RMS and others sharp practice on a regular basis, and they do operate on the edge of what I would call ethical practice.

However I also agree re the comments about Merchants entering into contract without actually understanding what they are signing, this is as much an issue as well,. Caveat Emptor is as valid now as it ever was..

Ask questions and make sure you are happy with what you are committing to, before you sign.. simples.

Mark