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  • Report:  #636121

Complaint Review: United Bank Card

Harbortouch | United Bank Card REVIEW: Customer Satisfaction Commitment: Harbortouch values each merchant it serves, realizing exceptional customer service is as important as competitive pricing, innovative products. The company offers award winning customer support which is handled entirely in-house available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, completely free of charge to all of their merchants. The company also stands by its equipment, offering a lifetime warranty on all POS systems. Additionally, professional installation and ongoing training are included with every POS order.


*UPDATE: Recognized by Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Program as a safe business service – Harbortouch pledges to always resolve any issues - feel safe, confident & secure when doing business with Harbortouch, Recognized by Ripoff Report Verified™ as a safe business service.

  • Reported By:
    David — Fresno California USA
  • Submitted:
    Tue, August 31, 2010
  • Updated:
    Tue, October 29, 2013
  • United Bank Card
    PO Box 4006, Clinton, NJ 08809
    Nationwide
    United States of America
  • Phone:
    1-908-638-5326
  • Web:
  • Category:

I had been with United Bank Card for 5 years when I switched over to another credit card processing company. When I called them to cancel my account they told me there would be a $250 termination fee. I asked them what was early and they said prior to 3 years. I told them I was with them for 5 years. They said that they (unbeknownst to me) automatically rolled me over for another 3 years after the first 3 years and that even though I was 2 years into the 2nd three year term I couldn't terminate without paying the "early termination fee" ($250).

They faxed a form for me to sign but I didn't sign it because I didn't want to pay the early termination fee. It's been almost a year now and I get strangely labeled and varying charges on my monthly bill (anywhere from $5 to $95) even though I haven't used their service in almost a year.

They won't go away. Lately they have been threatening to send me to collections. Last month they sent me a FINAL Due balance of $129.50 and 30 days later got another FINAL Due balance of $479.32.

How can I protect myself from these scammers? I think they need to hear from the Attorney General. I can't afford an attorney. I am a small 1 man business.

8 Updates & Rebuttals


readb4signing

United States of America

Hey Dogstar

#9Consumer Suggestion

Mon, September 12, 2011

How much of a markup in profit do you place on your products to sell to the consumer?  Do you own a convenience store that offers coke products at a merchant's cost of 38 cents per bottle to your consumers or do you mark up that bottle to reflect $1.49 or higher?  Are you in the clothing business where your costs for a pair of blue jeans are $15, yet you sell that item for $55?

How pathetic you are to blame the processor, yet you are in the same boat.  We all need to make a profit to survive, yet you want to blame the processor.  The credit cards are anywhere from 0.95% to 2.95% depending on the card itself.  There are over 315 different Visa and MasterCards alone.  The credit card companies are making the big bucks, so you need to vent your frustrations to those companies rather than the processors.  Not everyone can buy wholesale, some pay retail, and you are a retailer.  You're just as guilty as the people you point your finger towards.  We're all in it to make money, so stop your griping and quit crying.  As to Hell, I won't be there.  For you to even suggest that statement, you must be doing something wrong, like taking advantage of the American consumer.

Pathetic.

All processors carry a standard 3-year agreement, unless notified by the agent.  Don't blame UBC, blame yourself.  Blame the credit card entities--Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express.  You blame the processor, yet you probably own a few plastic cards as well.

If you don't like the processor, stop taking cards from your consumers and enjoy/absorb the loss in revenue.

Stop whining and grow up.


readb4signing

United States of America

Standard Contract/Agreement

#9Consumer Suggestion

Mon, September 12, 2011

As with any processor, unless noted by the agent who has control over the Early Termination Fee, a standard contractual agreement between a merchant and it's processor is 3 years.  Obviously either your agent did not disclose this to you or you were not paying attention or you agreed to the terms.  After being with the company, maybe you were approached by another processing agent who offered you a better deal and thus, you wanted to pull out from your agreement.  As with any service, such as cell phones and satellite tv services, there are binding fees if one voids the agreement.  You voided the agreement with UBC and thus, you were assessed an early termination fee.

It is pathetic that merchants cry when they have to pay an early termination fee, yet they mark up the costs of all their goods so they can make a profit as well.  Why not allow your customers to walk in your establishment and pay your costs per item?

You signed a contract; you are responsible for the fees.  It is sad that you lied and cried to get your ways with the BBB.


Boudreaux

United States of America

It's not YOUR MONEY!

#9General Comment

Mon, September 12, 2011

It's not your money, but the consumer's money.  They pay goods at your business, of which you chose to mark up 200 to 300 percent to gain profit.  Credit Cards are unsecured cards, meaning there is no money behind them for that person's account, but mainly money lent to them based on their signature and credit scores.

As to reading the contract of a UBC agreement, the termination fee is listed on one of the pages; in clear view of the merchant's eyesight.  You do not need to read anything but the 4-page agreement.  I have owned and operated a business and have taken cards for payment.

If it were not for credit cards or debit cards, then your sales profits would be reduced by 77%.  Cards are a convenience so consumers can spend more at your establishments, and processing companies do take a risk behind every card that you accept.

Therefore, stop crying and own up to your mistakes!  Stop taking cards and see how much of a drop in revenue per month.  Today, more people carry less cash and rely on their debit or credit card for purchases.  If you cannot hang with the big boys, then accept cash only.


Dogstar

escondido,
California,
U.S.A.

to always read agreement. Employee #3

#9Consumer Comment

Sun, September 11, 2011

It is obvious that your don't own or have never run your own business.  The merchant contracts are so confusing and convoluted, it is impossible to completely read and understand everything in the half hour you have to read and sign it.   A merchant would have to carry a lawyer around in their back pocket.  A lot of companies refuse to give the contract to the merchant to read over ahead of time citing competition reasons
Many times the cancellation fees are hidden or unclear.  I stayed past my obligated contract only to
discover that I had been tricked into  being automatically entered into another contract because I didn't terminate in a ridiculous small time frame.  THis type of business dealing is unfair and deceptive and no other business in America operates this way.   You are a moron for even suggesting that a credit card processors have the right to charge you a $250 fee to quit their lousy service after their contract has already run its course. 
Also, merchants are not charged 1.5% to swipe a credit card.   The majority of cards are rewards cards that charge 3% and when you add up all the fees and bullshit charges these credit card processors add on, the cost of using cc processing is 3-5% of GROSS.  So even in the best situation, the cost can take 6-10% of your profit.    Plus if you collect sales tax,  you get charged to do that.  (costs me $600 a year to collect sales tax).
Let me make one more thing clear.   ITS OUR MONEY!!!.  Most card transactions are done as a convenient alternate to cash.   THe processors assume no risk since they are just moving money from one account to another.  Why should we pay 3-5 % for this service? 
See you in Hell.


BBASPORTS

Howard Beach,
New York,
United States of America

File a complaint with BBB

#9Consumer Suggestion

Thu, August 18, 2011

I had the same problem with United Bank Card they would not
canceled service after 5 months because they said I signed a 3 yr contract
which I didn't. After calling them several time and calling Paymentouch who
actually signed me up I decided to file a complaint with the BBB and in 3 weeks
I got a letter thought BBB that my account is closed with no $250 fee. I do not
know how but they have a rating of A- with the BBB maybe thats why it was easy
for me to get out they want to keep that rating. But try that file a complaint
online with BBB you might get better results.


readb4signing

United States of America

Always read agreement

#9UPDATE Employee

Fri, June 24, 2011

I cannot understand why merchants do not read the agreement before they sign.  As with me, I submit a checklist for the merchant and have them sign it after reading the application.  Why?  Because after being with my company for a few years, they chose to cancel and cry that I didn't alert them to the cancellation fee, of which I fax them a copy of the signed checklist.  Furthermore, I ask the merchant if I can do anything to make it easier for them, such as placing a lower termination fee or not charging one at all. 

I am there for my merchants, because their sales pay my bills.  Credit card processors are a business, like many others.  Whenever my merchants gripe about being charged 1.5% on their credit card sales, I then intervene and ask them if I can walk into their store and select anything I want and pay their costs?  They reply no, that they are a business and need to mark up their products for profit. For merchants to take a credit card for sales, much more is involved in just accepting that card.  Processors absorb the many risks behind that credit card. Funny how credit card processors get bit in the a*s by these merchants, yet the merchants don't want to abide by the agreement between them and the processor.

Now, Obama and Congress have their hands into everyone's business; now merchants have to file all their credit card sales and such to the government, so the government can regulate ALL sales between the merchant and it's processor.

So, next time Mr. Merchant, if you have a gripe and want to cancel, pull out the agreement and re-read.  You will find out that the fees are justified.


Chris rotondi

HAMPTON,
New Jersey,
U.S.A.

Resolution

#9UPDATE Employee

Wed, June 08, 2011

United Bank Card, Inc. (UBC) currently serves over 125,000 merchants, and while we strive for perfection, we realize that it may be impossible to satisfy all of our customers at all times. We take customer service very seriously and work diligently to resolve any complaints in an expeditious manner. I am reaching out to you to try to resolve the issue you have had with our company. Despite our greatest efforts, we recognize problems or misunderstandings may still arise. We have noticed that in many of the complaints on the Rip Off Report the customer is actually unhappy with an independent sales representative, a leasing company or some other third-party entity that is not controlled by United Bank Card. We regret that these situations occur and will work diligently to resolve them when they do. United Bank Card sincerely tries to do the right thing in every situation. This approach is how we have consistently maintained an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau in addition to receiving numerous awards for our quality operations and service including awards for Best Customer Service by the Green Sheet, our industrys leading publication. We are also a five-time consecutive Inc. 500/5000 honoree and have been ranked on Deloittes Fast 50 list of fastest growing technology companies. In addition to our accolades in the business world, we also try to make a difference as a responsible corporate citizen by supporting various charitable causes. Through our Pennies for Humanity program and charity poker tour as well as other initiatives, we have helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for a number of philanthropic organizations. I hope that this message has conveyed the standards that our company strives to uphold and has convinced you that any issue you may have had with us was an isolated incident. Please feel free to contact me using the contact information below and I will do my best to resolve your issue in a professional and timely manner. Customer satisfaction is the highest priority at United Bank Card and I look forward to helping you resolve your problem.


Chris rotondi

HAMPTON,
New Jersey,
U.S.A.

Resolution

#9UPDATE Employee

Wed, June 08, 2011

United Bank Card, Inc. (UBC) currently serves over 125,000 merchants, and while we strive for perfection, we realize that it may be impossible to satisfy all of our customers at all times. We take customer service very seriously and work diligently to resolve any complaints in an expeditious manner. I am reaching out to you to try to resolve the issue you have had with our company. Despite our greatest efforts, we recognize problems or misunderstandings may still arise. We have noticed that in many of the complaints on the Rip Off Report the customer is actually unhappy with an independent sales representative, a leasing company or some other third-party entity that is not controlled by United Bank Card. We regret that these situations occur and will work diligently to resolve them when they do. United Bank Card sincerely tries to do the right thing in every situation. This approach is how we have consistently maintained an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau in addition to receiving numerous awards for our quality operations and service including awards for Best Customer Service by the Green Sheet, our industrys leading publication. We are also a five-time consecutive Inc. 500/5000 honoree and have been ranked on Deloittes Fast 50 list of fastest growing technology companies. In addition to our accolades in the business world, we also try to make a difference as a responsible corporate citizen by supporting various charitable causes. Through our Pennies for Humanity program and charity poker tour as well as other initiatives, we have helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for a number of philanthropic organizations. I hope that this message has conveyed the standards that our company strives to uphold and has convinced you that any issue you may have had with us was an isolated incident. Please feel free to contact me using the contact information below and I will do my best to resolve your issue in a professional and timely manner. Customer satisfaction is the highest priority at United Bank Card and I look forward to helping you resolve your problem.

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