Which Merchant Services Provider?

[laurap]

I've been trying to sort out a new merchant services provider for taking CNP card payments a small office. I've had rates from all the names under the sun. I'm currently with Global Iris and have had quotes beating my current rates from Handepay and PaymentSense.

It seems these 2 companies could save me a packet but they seem to both be ringing little alarm bells. I think this is mainly because the people I am speaking too are salesmen and they are both more interested in getting me to sign on the dotted line rather than making me confident that they are offering the best service.

Their prices are pretty similar so just wondering if someone independent from these two companies can give me some advice. In an ideal world I would just stay with Global Iris who seem pretty good too me but they are unable to improve on their current price with me and the cost saving from these others is just too good to ignore.

 

[rogdodge]

Check out independent merchant services. They are supposed to give free unbiased, independent advice. They aren't card processors but they shop around most of the major card providers for the best deals.

 

[laurap]

Thank you for taking the time to post but as your only 2 posts plug the same company it does seem that you maybe have an affiliatation to them!

Any other independent advice from users/customers would be appreciated...

 

[RickM]

Have you looked into iZettle? They recently rolled out a chip and pin reader service - pretty decent rates. I think you pay something like £45 for the reader, which uses bluetooth to connect to a smartphone or iPad (which can also be used to take payments and as a POS system).

(Note: I've only tried iZettle a couple of times using the iPhone adaptor)

 

[laurap]

Thanks Rick but their rate seems to be 2.75% for everything. I'm currently paying about half that for credit cards and small pence for debit cards.

Anyone with any knowledge of Handepay and PaymentSense want to encourage me on their use or put me off rather than pointing me in different directions. I've done my shopping around, just want to know if the payment saving they are offering is as good as it sounds or have the sales people they employ just got me interested to sting me after I've signed on the dotted line?

 

[Sparx]

Handepay - Good company, use Streamline/WorldPay for merchant accounts who are well regarded.

Payment Sense - Long contracts (5 years?), can't comment on service I've heard both good and bad.

 

[laurap]

Thanks Sparx - yeah PS were 5yr contract and HP were 3yr. I'm not too bothered about length as long as there is no little detail in the contract that allows either of them to muck about with the rate once the agreement starts.

I struggle to read anything good on either company but I put this down to the fact that people only write about bad experiences! The only bad points I can find are about hidden or changing charges once signed up.

 

[PayPoint net]

Have you tried a merchant comparison tool? (electronic-payments.co.uk)

 

[Sparx]

Very true. Personally I would go for Handepay due to past experiences. PS probably do the job well also but that's just me!

 

[Aceframer]

dont go with Handepay unless you have a good memory and dont mind sending them letter by recorded delivery, they have a nice clause in their contract that if you dont give a years notice they roll you over for 2 more years. and will not under any circumstances let you out of it

 

[JudoPay]

Hi LauraP

My company Judo Payments offers a pay as you go card acceptance solution, but our business is focused on face-to-face transactions. I have heard of both Handepay and PaymentSense and know that with PaymentSense MOTO accounts there are no lengthy contracts as the contract is usually to do with the lease for the physical terminal. Hope that helps!

 

[jcoatesjones]

dont go with Handepay unless you have a good memory and dont mind sending them letter by recorded delivery, they have a nice clause in their contract that if you dont give a years notice they roll you over for 2 more years. and will not under any circumstances let you out of it

It is 3 months notice, simply give notice as soon as you start the contract and you're all done in that respect, this is what I inform my merchants to do.

Correct, we are in partnership with Worldpay/Streamline and they will process about 1 in every 2 transactions in the UK.

I have moved to Handepay from a few other providers I have worked for, and there is a reason for it. I have not been with them very long at all, but without speaking from the company, they operate very ethically.

If you want to ask any off the radar questions Laura, feel free to ask me.

 

[laurap]

Thanks for your help everyone. It seems from all your comments that neither are necessarily out to rook me but I could be stuck in some tricky to get out of contract if I don't read through paperwork carefully. Think I will just read through both contracts and see what one looks the fairest and go from there.