** Note that this company is NOT the same as Wholesale Payments Direct, a Canadian-based merchant services provider. **
Automatic Surcharging Program / Free Credit Card Processing
Wholesale Payments includes a video on its website about its automatic surcharging program, where you can pass the costs of processing to your customers. The company claims that this results in “free” credit card processing, though it should be noted that there are still fees. The video explains that you would price your goods or services as “cash price” and if customers choose to pay with a credit card, a 3.5% fee will be added when they checkout. Note that surcharging is prohibited on debit cards and prohibited entirely (credit and debit) in 10 states.
Processing Services
Wholesale Payments lets you take virtually any type of payment, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners’ Club, JCB, EBT, corporate cards, checks, and gift cards. The company allows for in-person payments at traditional brick-and-mortar locations such as restaurants and retailers or online payments for commerce stores or order-by-phone businesses. Wholesale Payments can also help pay-at-the-pump gas stations and convenience stores get set up to accept major credit and debit cards as well as fleet cards like Voyager and WEX. Processing in-person can be done with wired or wireless terminals, depending on your preferences. Related Article: How to Take Fleet Cards like Voyager and WEX.Checks
The days of accepting and depositing paper checks are gone. Instead, there’s a more convenient option: electronin check conversion. With a connected check reader, you can accept a paper check and “convert” it into an electronic transaction at the time of sale, deducting the funds automatically from the customer’s account and eliminating trips to the bank. Additionally, Check Guarantee can reduce the risk of bad checks by following simple procedures that limit your liability and transfer it to your processor. Funds are typically available in 2-3 business days.Gift Cards
With Wholesale Payments’ gift card program, you can choose from pre-designed or custom cards tailored to your business. Additionally, you can decide if cards will be issued in pre-determined amounts or custom dollar values. Cards are reusable and can be issued and redeemed through your processing equipment. Reporting is included so that you can track the success of your program.Cash Advances
Businesses that need access to fast money for business expenses can apply for the merchant cash advance program. Unlike a traditional loan, cash advances don’t have an interest rate or a fixed monthy payment amount. Instead, you’ll essentially “sell” some of your future credit card sales in exchange for money upfront. Then you’ll repay that advance of money through an automatic deduction of a portion of your daily credit card sales. Read more about the Pros and Cons of Merchant Cash Advances.Equipment Options
For traditional countertop credit card machines, Wholesale Payments offers universal Verifone models, including the popular Vx 520. If you’d prefer a mobile reader for your smartphone or tablet, Wholesale can offer a mobile app and secure card readers so you can take payments on the go.Rates and Fees
Wholesale Payments doesn’t publish anything about traditional rates, fees, or pricing models on its website. Several reviews mention cancellation fees of $495, but that may change. The company does post information about it’s automatic surcharging program, discussed above. As noted, the automatic surcharge program has a $45/month fee, and debit cards may also incur charges. The good news is that you can still request a quote to review privately, with no sales calls. CardFellow’s quote request tool lets you get quotes from as many processors as you’d like without revealing your contact info. Best of all, it’s completely free. Try it now!Wholesale Payments Reviews
Wholesale Payments has quite a few customer reviews available online. Unfortunately, many of them are negative, accusing the company of deceptive practices. However, there are positive reviews as well, stating that the company has great customer service. Let’s take a look at what people are saying on popular review sites.Better Business Bureau
Wholesale Payments has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2007 and currently has an A+ rating. The company has 3 positive reviews, but 6 negative reviews, along with 23 formal complaints lodged with the BBB. The positive reviews say that the company is great, saves businesses money, and provides good customer service. The negative reviews claim that salespeople didn’t give accurate information about costs, wouldn’t provide a copy of the contract, and engaged in bait-and-switch tactics. Some reviews state that Wholesale Payments claimed to be the business’ current processor in an attempt to get them to sign a new contract. The formal complaints allege that Wholesale Payments changed contract terms after signing, that the business was misled about costs and pressured into signing contracts, that the company didn’t provide services as agreed, and that Wholesale forges signatures on applications. Wholesale Payments responds to the complaints on the BBB’s website, but in most responses does not offer a resolution that the complainant is happy with. In some cases, Wholesale Payments simply shifts the blame to the customer and says that the customer signed a contract.Google Reviews
Wholesale Payments has 37 reviews on Google Reviews for an average 3.4-star rating. The 4- and 5-star reviews praise Wholesale as an excellent company to work with, upfront and honest, with efficient and helpful customer service. The reviews then drop to 1-star – there are no 2 or 3 star reviews at the time of this writing. The 1-star reviews complain of sales reps showing up in person after being told the business isn’t interested over the phone, slow delivery of equipment, expensive cancellation fees, poor customer service, and deceptive about costs.
Ben Dwyer
Ben Dwyer began his career in the processing industry in 2003 on the sales floor for a Connecticut‐based processor. As he learned more about the inner‐workings of the industry, rampant unethical practices, and lack of assistance available to businesses, he cut ties with his employer and started a blog where he could post accurate information about credit card processing. As the blog gained in popularity, Ben began directly assisting merchants in their search for a processor. Ben believes in empowering businesses by providing access to fair, competitive pricing, accurate information, and continued support. His dedication to transparency and education has made CardFellow a staunch small business advocate in the credit card processing industry.
