Base Commerce provides credit card processing services for businesses. This article will review the company's service offerings, pricing structure, contract terms, and customer feedback. We will evaluate the transparency of their fees, the quality of their customer support, and the overall satisfaction levels reported by their clients. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of what Base Commerce offers and whether their services meet your business's payment processing needs.
In 2020, Base Commerce was acquired by Nuvei. It appears that the company is still being operated under its own name; however, the Base Commerce website mentions that they will be moving soon.
Base Commerce offers comprehensive payment processing services, accepting all major debit and credit cards. This ensures businesses can cater to a wide customer base, facilitating seamless transactions and enhancing customer satisfaction.
EMV Card Readers and Swipers
The company provides advanced EMV card readers and swipers, aligning with the latest industry standards for security and efficiency. These devices help merchants safeguard against fraud while ensuring quick and reliable payment processing.
POS Solutions
Base Commerce's Point of Sale (POS) solutions are designed to streamline retail operations. These systems integrate seamlessly with various business models, offering robust features that support inventory management, sales tracking, and customer relationship management.
ACH Payments
Their ACH payment services enable businesses to process electronic payments directly from bank accounts. This service is ideal for recurring billing and large transactions, offering a cost-effective and reliable alternative to traditional payment methods.
Mobile Solutions
Base Commerce also caters to the growing need for mobility in business with its mobile payment solutions. These solutions allow merchants to accept payments on-the-go, using smartphones and tablets, thus expanding their operational flexibility and reach.
Virtual Terminals
Virtual terminals provided by Base Commerce enable businesses to process payments without physical card readers. This service is particularly beneficial for phone or mail order transactions, ensuring secure and efficient payment processing.
e-Commerce Solutions
Through its BaseLink platform, Base Commerce offers robust e-commerce solutions. This platform supports online businesses by providing secure payment gateways, shopping cart integration, and comprehensive transaction management, facilitating a smooth online shopping experience for customers.
Base Commerce Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
Customer Reviews Summary
Total Online Complaints
<10
Live Customer Support
Yes
Most Common Complaint
Sales Representatives
Recent Lawsuits
Yes
Low Complaint Total
We are able to locate very few negative reviews about Base Commerce, which makes it unlikely that the company is a ripoff or a scam. One complaint we found describes an issue with the company’s customer service, citing difficulties with a member of the Base Commerce risk department who was allegedly rude to the client. Another complaint mentions issues with sales representatives. It is unclear how much of the company’s current customer base consists of clients and how much consists of ISOs or developers, but it appears that both groups are able to resolve their issues successfully through Base Commerce’s customer service channels. It is possible that some complaints intended for Base Commerce are mistakenly filed against the company’s ISOs or its acquiring bank, but we have found no evidence that this is actually occurring.
Base Commerce Lawsuits and Fines
In 2015, the company was one of several defendants in a class-action case regarding an illegal telemarketing scheme that scammed companies and individuals and companies out over $1 billion dollars. Lead plaintiff Rita Dos Santos alone lost $350,000 dollars as part of the scam and filed suit against TelexFree and TelexElectric, defendants whose technical infrastructure supported the scheme. Other companies, including Base Commerce, were co-defendants who were professional and financial service providers who the suit alleges were complicit in the telemarketing Ponzi scheme. Base Commerce alone is alleged to have intervened on behalf of TelexFree to perpetuate the scam, as court documents reflect:
In addition, Base Commerce and Hughes intervened in a dispute between TelexFree and GPG, another Defendant
and payment processor, in order to insure a continued cash flow to TelexFree. Base Commerce was compensated for these services in excess of two and half million dollars.
The case was settled in 2017 as the SEC fined the defendant $1.8 million dollars and ordered the payment of restitution to victims of the scam.
Base Commerce Customer Support Options
Base Commerce offers phone and email support to clients, and these channels appear to have a resolution rate that rivals the best payment processors for great customer service. Though Base Commerce has a low complaint total, we have assigned it a “C” rating in this category due to its legal history.
Base Commerce formerly had its own profile with the BBB, but it has now been combined with Nuvei’s. Nuvei currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not accredited with the BBB. The company has received 24 complaints in the past 36 months. 7 complaints were resolved to the satisfaction of the merchant. The other 17 complaints were resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or did not receive a final response.
What Customers Say
Nuvei has also received 16 informal reviews through the BBB, most of which were negative in tone. It should be noted that most of the reviews do not refer to Base Commerce. However, the most recent complaint does mention issues with a company that also sold to Nuvei:
I originally signed up with Pivotal Payments they sold to Nuvei without my knowledge or consent to get out before hand. They have been gouging me with fees to which I never agreed too. AND their PCI compliance is outrageous! I’ve been nothing but compliant answering all of their stupid questions and yet they still ***** you ***** per month for that, not including the monthly fees and their anniversary fees etc…. I never signed up for that! RUN AWAY from this fraud company as soon as you can!
In light of Base Commerce’s complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time. Readers should note, however, that there are good reasons to be skeptical of the BBB’s rating system.
While detailed information on Base Commerce’s pricing is scarce, the company typically operates under a one-year contract that clients can terminate with a 30-day notice. Base Commerce’s website promotes interchange-plus pricing and emphasizes the absence of long-term contracts, monthly fees, surcharges, or cancellation fees. They seem to offer customized pricing solutions, tailoring their rates to suit the unique needs of each business or development team, which implies a range of potential pricing structures.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
Base Commerce also highlights its virtual terminal service and proprietary payment gateway, the Base Commerce Payment Gateway, as part of its offerings. Specific pricing details for these services are not provided on the website. Generally, additional charges such as gateway fees, technical support, batch fees, and other transaction rates are expected for e-commerce services.
No Contract Complaints
The lack of public complaints concerning Base Commerce’s pricing suggests that most clients are content with the fees and contract terms they receive. For individuals with insight into Base Commerce’s standard contract terms, including any PCI compliance fees or monthly minimum fees, sharing in the comment section below this review would be helpful. Based on the available information, Base Commerce’s contracts are anticipated to be competitive with cost-effective merchant accounts.
We recommend our readers explore our selection of the best merchant accounts for more options.
Base Commerce appears to primarily market its services via a combination of traditional advertising, independent resellers, and strategic partnerships. It is unclear at this time whether the company uses independently contracted sales agents to directly sign new clients, but it does allow ISOs to resell its products and merchant accounts. This practice can sometimes lead to increased complaints for a company, but in this case, we are unable to locate any Base Commerce complaints that mention the company’s sales team.
As an additional point in its favor, Base Commerce advertises that it provides interchange-plus pricing to its clients. Overall, the company does not appear to engage in any sales tactics that we would consider to be deceptive. If you suspect, however, that Base Commerce is overcharging you, then you can double-check your monthly bill with a third-party statement audit.
Our Base Commerce Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
Base Commerce is recognized as a trustworthy credit card processing provider based on current information. The company has maintained an impressively low level of public complaints since its inception, which speaks to its consistent service quality and customer satisfaction. Additionally, its advertised contract terms are typically very competitive, making Base Commerce an appealing choice for businesses seeking reliable and cost-effective payment solutions.
However, our rating for Base Commerce could change as more details emerge regarding its full contract terms. The lack of publicly available comprehensive information means prospective clients should exercise due diligence. Readers are encouraged to carefully compare Base Commerce’s product offerings and pricing against those of other top-rated merchant account providers. By conducting a thorough comparison, businesses can ensure they secure a solution that best fits their unique needs while also obtaining the most favorable pricing.
Location & Ownership
Base Commerce is a registered ISO/MSP of Commercial Bank of California, Los Angeles, California; Fresno First Bank, Fresno, California; and Esquire Bank, Jericho, New York. The company maintains its headquarters at 1375 N Scottsdale Rd #400, Scottsdale, AZ 85257. Brian Bonfiglio is the president and CEO of Base Commerce, while John Kirchhefer serves as the company’s CAO.
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In the late 2000s, as a broke college student struggling to make ends meet, I was contacted by a merchant services company after uploading my resume to a job listings website. This company promised substantial commissions and ongoing residual income for simply persuading businesses to accept credit card payments. It seemed straightforward enough—after all, what business doesn’t need to process credit card payments? Following a phone interview with a persuasive “sales director,” I found myself embarking on what I believed would be an easy job that would significantly boost my bank account with reliable monthly income and large sales commissions. However, the lessons I learned would profoundly change my life in ways I could never have imagined.
After completing my sales training, I hit the ground running, eager to make sales. This broke college student was determined to improve his financial situation! My first attempt at a cold call, with no prior appointment, ended with a burly man in his 50s yelling at me to leave, claiming he had been “totally robbed” by someone like me before. As I hastily exited, puzzled and intimidated by his reaction, I couldn’t help but wonder what he meant. Throughout the day, I encountered similar hostility from other business owners, all expressing disdain for the industry I had been so excited to join that morning. Confused and curious, I decided to shift my approach from selling to listening.
I quickly uncovered that the merchant services sector was riddled with unethical practices, including hidden fees, deceptive marketing, fine-print traps, and much more. It dawned on me that I had nearly been tricked by a dubious company into selling overpriced services under contracts with long-term commitments, all without being fully aware of what I was promoting. Outraged, I resigned from that company but learned that there were indeed ethical credit card processing companies that treated their clients fairly. Over the next four years, I worked for one such company, assisting hundreds of businesses in securing cost-effective processing solutions. Yet, I also met many more who had been misled and trapped in onerous service agreements. Determined to help people steer clear of these unscrupulous providers, I launched this website in my spare time, dedicating myself to researching and sharing my findings on every merchant account provider I could investigate.
Gradually, more and more business owners began to discover my articles. As word spread, search engines started to rank my content highly, amplifying its reach. My efforts were making a difference! Eventually, the website garnered enough traffic to enable me to leave my job and focus on it full-time, a journey that has now spanned over a decade. This path has not been without its challenges; unscrupulous company owners have tried to intimidate and sue me into silence on several occasions. Yet, I have stood firm against each threat. Here I am, continuing to publish reviews and articles, hoping to safeguard others from the pitfalls of the credit card processing industry.
If you believe in my mission and wish to contribute, please share my articles on your websites and social media. Thank you for visiting!
Testimonials & Complaints
How Did Base Commerce Treat You?
1 User Reviews
Tristan Lucy
Base Commerce has truly revolutionized the way we do business! Their cutting-edge payment solutions have significantly streamlined our transactions and boosted our revenue. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with their team, as they were incredibly responsive and tailored their services to meet our unique needs.
Since partnering with Base Commerce, our customers have been enjoying a seamless checkout experience, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. The platform’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for our staff to manage payments efficiently, saving us valuable time and effort.
With Base Commerce, we feel confident in the security and reliability of our payment processes, allowing us to focus on growing our business without any payment-related worries. We couldn’t be happier with the results and highly recommend Base Commerce to any business looking to take their payment systems to the next level.
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Tristan Lucy
Base Commerce has truly revolutionized the way we do business! Their cutting-edge payment solutions have significantly streamlined our transactions and boosted our revenue. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with their team, as they were incredibly responsive and tailored their services to meet our unique needs.
Since partnering with Base Commerce, our customers have been enjoying a seamless checkout experience, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. The platform’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for our staff to manage payments efficiently, saving us valuable time and effort.
With Base Commerce, we feel confident in the security and reliability of our payment processes, allowing us to focus on growing our business without any payment-related worries. We couldn’t be happier with the results and highly recommend Base Commerce to any business looking to take their payment systems to the next level.