Complaint Review: Nova Merchant Services LLC

I was approached by Jacob Stanley with Nova Merchant Services and was told I could save over $100/month on credit card processing.  He told me there was a 90 trial period and I could cancel at any time in the 90 day period and there would be no early termination fee and after 90 days I would be in a 4 year contract and the fee to cancel would be $195.

I told him I would consider it, but would do some research and let him know in a few days.  He told me I needed to fill out an application and it would take 5 days to get approval, so I could let him know if I wanted to continue, after he received approval.  

When I started to sign the "application" I stopped and told him it said Equipment Lease and  I'm not not leasing equipment!!  I own my equipment and I don't lease anything.  He laughed and told me everyone freaks out about that!  He said it wasn't a lease, that they provide equipment in the $39.99 flat rate which was also supposed to cover all other fees, except for 1.1% processing on sales.  He assured me (many times) that I could decide if I wanted to continue, after he had me approved.  I said to him several times that I wasn't committing to anything that day and he said he knew that and we'd talk later in the week. 

The next day I looked up the company and saw several complaints against them and called and told him I didn't want to move forward. After trying to talk me into going forward, he agreed to cancel everything out.  A few days later I received a letter from First Data about a non-cancelable 48 month lease for equipment.

The sales rep, Jacob Stanley, told me he didn't know how this happened and that he'd cancelled everything and he'd find out what was going on and let me know.  I talked to David Schneider which was Jacob's sales manager and he said he had no control over what Jacob said I was stuck in the 4 year contract and that First Data would come after me with all their resourses.  I refused delivery of the equipment and put a hold on my checking account. I didn't get any copies of anything I'd signed and Mr. Schneider said he'd fax them to me, but never did.

I talked to Jonathan Cohen, regional manager, and he told me to email him everything that had happened. I then received a call from Steven Morgan, who said he was the East Coast Sales Manager. He said they had put a freeze on my account and that Nova or any company associated with them could not take money out of my account.  I specifically asked about First Data and he said yes that included First Data. I found out later that this was not true!  He said they wouldn't hold me to the contract, they had many satisfied customers and didn't have to make someone stay with their company that didn't intend to use their services. He asked that I'd meet with Jacob one last time to finalize things and help Jacob to be a better salesperson. The meeting was set up for Feb. 3rd but he didn't show up.

I called and Jacob said there was no need for him to come and that he'd make sure everything was cancelled. He called back and said he'd talked to the processing company and to First Data and everything was cancelled and I didn't have to worry anymore - everything was taken care of. Total Lies!!!! 

The next day First Data called and said nothing had been cancelled and there had never been a "freeze" put on my account.  There had been no contact at any time from anyone at Nova.  So - Jacob Stanley lied and Steven Morgan flat out lied to me.  

I have sent emails and have called and left voicemails for Jacob Stanley, Jonathan Cohen & Steven Morgan since 2/7/14 many, many times and none of them will answer or return calls or emails.  I have never dealt with such deceiptful people in business!!!  I don't understand why they have to lie and trick people - why not be honest and offer a good product????