Heartland Payment Systems Deceptive Selling Practices, False Promises, Lack of Integrity, Unresponsive, Kansas City, Missouri
As a customer with several larger locations, it is frustrating to know we are treated second hand and had our rates increased throughout the process. Big claims on debit services have been highly proclaimed, especially as Heartland claims to be the only one doing this. In comparison, we are paying more, not less and we had our fees and monthly charges increased based on the new savings so that they could make addition "service and mandate funds" on me each month.
Heartland raised my rates randomly a year ago because one of our locations that processed over a million dropped 200,000. Since my volume dropped "over 10%" per the 800 number I spoke to. I was tired of arguing but I decided at that time it was more hassle to leave and didn't realize the impact until later.
Then I get all of this marketing at my locations. Wow. They banked on this d**k Durbin Dollar regulation, which many get through other processors but they lie and say you don't, to make them look better. Wake up, Merchants! I pulled all 8 of our businesses away in the two states and won't be back. I will let others know about the GAME.
Be in the know! I switched two months ago and my current provider is also giving me interchange on regulated Durbin, only I am paying much less now and not punished with scolding additional monthly costs or "mandated fees" which I am told don't exist. I am getting money as fast and my service is great when I need it, which is rare.
When a company like Heartland continually preaches how great they are to everyone in the public and their employees feel they have to defend you on sights like this due to the obvious brainwashing that is going on over there - actions speak much louder than words do.
They don't put the money where the mouth is and you are a statistic, business owners. I would rather have a company EARN my business than simply put believe they are the ELITE ego sales people and call centers that screwed a couple of my businesses into believing they are the safest, only regulated, pass through company giving the Durbin Dollars back. Has anyone bothered to put them in their place. If I were other CC companies, I would sue them for lying.
My new experience is that I am very happy I moved our multimillion dollar businesses and happy to be away from a company who stretches truths and hides behind their false promises. Maybe they believe they are that great, but the truth is quite the contrary. Get real.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
David
Briarwood,New York,
Professional Merchant Services Salesman
#4UPDATE Employee
Fri, December 06, 2013
This report has the flavor of an ex-employee or competitor. The language and terminology within it suggest one who is well versed in my field. Amoung other things, the average business owner would say just that, 'Business owner', not 'Merchant'.
I have been in this field since 2007, and have been with a few different companies. I actually chose to go with Heartland specifically because I could not ever beat their rates, and almost every one of their customers let me know that even if I could beat them, they would not leave anyway because of the service. That sounded like a company I wanted to work for.
Maxine
Rockport,Texas,
United States of America
The rest of the story
#4UPDATE Employee
Sat, May 26, 2012
As a processor in the industry for 18 years and employee of heartland for 11 years this sounds totally false. Heartland is very careful and conservative on pricing. A 200,000 thousand drop in volume on 8 locations, doing 1 million each is a wrinkle. No one would sneeze at that. If it is 8 locations doing a total of 1 million and one under performs 200,000......It would still be overlooked. Something is missing.
Perhaps the writer fudged a bit on his volume when signing up, say used his largest statement of the year, and proclaimed he does that every month. When time revealed the truth and he was exposed he blamed the company. since our volume dropped over 10% they raised my rate.
I know That is False. Our margins are not that thin and not one merchant rate has been changed over 10%. Additionallly, we do not randomly raise rates. When an account goes on the underperforming list people are called and solutions are discussed. Often many months go by in an effort to work with the merchant and wait for his business to get back on track.
I do question the part about the call center. They do not handle pricing. This sounds like a competitor or ex employee, jealous of Heartland's community spirit with a full daycare for employees children, magnificent lunch room and full workout facilities. With our "call center" employees happy, healthy, and a sense of family we really take good care of our merchants and treat them like family. And if something cannot be resolved over the phone, we go in person. I have helped many merchants whose corporate headqtrs are in another state here on a local level. This happens all over the country, everyday. Many Thanks.
Imwithstupid
Kellogg,Idaho,
United States of America
Get Real
#4UPDATE Employee
Fri, May 25, 2012
This is obviously a disgruntled former employee who couldn't cut it or a competitor.
I talk to merchants every day and few of them even know what Durbin is, let alone speak about it with the cavalier tone this person uses. They run their business, they don't spend hours poring over legislation and scrutinizing their statements! That's why so many of them are being taken advantage of by people like the one who wrote this post!
Also, it's easy to see whether a merchant is getting the regulated Durbin passed though to them, when a statement is looked at. Don't take our word for it... take it to your accountant and ask him what you're getting charged! If it's more than .05% +.22, it's too much - period! He'll tell you!! The plain simple truth is that out of the hundreds of statements I've looked at since October 1, very few processors are passing through the mandated debit rates.
For any merchants out there with large average transactions like auto or tire repair, call a Heartland rep in your area to sit down with you and make sure you're getting the break on debit fees you should be! After all, it's your money!
I have merchants saving hundreds of dollars a month just from the Durbin Amendment savings alone!
Don't be fooled by these make believe posts! Your Heartland rep will be happy to supply you with a list of very happy customers in your area as well, so make sure you ask! You might even know them!!