Dharma Merchant Services Reviews & Complaints

Dharma Merchant Services Logo
Overall Score
5
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How did they treat you?

Overview

In this review of Dharma Merchant Services, we will look at the company's straightforward approach to credit card processing. We’ll break down Dharma’s pricing structure, comparing their fees to other processors. We’ll also review their contract terms, highlighting any potential pitfalls or advantages. Customer support is another area we'll cover, providing insights into the quality and availability of their service. Additionally, we’ll include feedback from actual users to give you a well-rounded view of what to expect. By the end, you should have a clear understanding of whether Dharma Merchant Services meets your business’s payment processing needs.

About Dharma Merchant Services

Founded in 2007, Dharma Merchant Services is a merchant account provider based in San Francisco, California. A certified green eco-friendly business, the company advertises that it donates a percentage of its net profits to non-profit organizations. Dharma Merchant Services is a low-cost payment processing option for the healthcare industry, including for hospitals, EMS, rehab clinics, walk-in clinics, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and veterinarians. The company prominently advertises interchange-plus pricing and Level 2 and 3 processing.

Dharma Merchant Services Homepage

Dharma Merchant Products and Services

Payment Processing

Dharma Merchant Services has partnered with Clover to offer mobile and tablet-based POS options for merchants. They offer the Clover Mini station for $499 with a $10 monthly fee, which includes Clover's PRO software. Additionally, they resell the flagship Clover POS solution for $1,349 per device, which includes a full cash drawer, built-in fingerprint scanner, and high-speed printer. For mobile EMV payments, Dharma offers Clover Flex. Their preferred EMV terminal solution is the FD-130 terminal, which supports EMV processing, Chip-and-PIN acceptance, tip adjustment, and PIN bypass.

Point of Sale Systems

Dharma provides POS systems suitable for retail and restaurant environments, enabling businesses to manage sales, inventory, and customer information effectively.

Virtual Terminal

Dharma’s virtual terminal allows merchants to process credit card payments without physical equipment, making it ideal for phone or mail order transactions.

Mobile Payments

Dharma offers mobile payment solutions, enabling businesses to accept payments through mobile devices, providing flexibility for merchants operating in various locations.

Merchant Cash Advances

Dharma provides merchant cash advances, offering immediate funding to businesses based on their credit card sales.

E-Commerce Solutions

Dharma’s e-commerce solutions facilitate seamless online sales, including integration with popular shopping carts and secure payment gateway options.

Non-Profit Discounts

Dharma focuses on serving non-profit organizations by providing special rates and tailored solutions to meet their unique needs.

B2B Processing

Dharma specializes in Business-to-Business (B2B) processing, offering solutions to facilitate payments between businesses.

Reduced Rates for Restaurants

Dharma has recently lowered its rates for restaurants, bars, and quick-service restaurants, offering a rate of interchange plus 0.15% plus $0.07 to cater to the needs of these low-average-ticket businesses.

Dharma Merchant Services Customer Reviews

Here's What Their Clients Say

Customer Reviews Summary
Total Online Complaints <10
Live Customer Support Yes
Most Common Complaint N/A
Recent Lawsuits No

Low Complaint Volume

We have located only one Dharma Merchant Services review that accuses the company of being a ripoff or a scam. Across various consumer protection websites, there are only a handful of complaints against the company, most of which either state that their applications were rejected by Dharma or vaguely describe “bad” experiences. The majority of online reviews about Dharma are positive testimonials. If you have your own review of Dharma Merchant Services to share, please do so in the comments below.

Dharma Merchant Services Lawsuits and Fines

We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against Dharma Merchant Services. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting their concerns to relevant supervisory organizations.

Dharma Merchant Services Customer Support

This generally spotless complaint record is likely a result of the company’s transparent marketing and rate structure, along with an effective customer support staff. Dharma’s website provides an email form and designated local and toll-free customer support phone numbers. These channels appear to efficiently handle issues, even when compared with top-rated credit card processors for customer service.

Dharma Merchant Services Customer Service Number

  • (866) 615-5157 – Toll-Free Customer Support

Other Support Options

Dharma Merchant Services Online Ratings

Here's How They Rate Online

Online Ratings Summary
BBB Reports 2

No BBB Complaints

Dharma Merchant Services has been an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau since 2010 and has an “A+” rating as of this review. The company has had 2 complaints through the BBB in the past 36 months. 1 complaint was resolved to the satisfaction of the client. The other complaint was resolved to the dissatisfaction of the client or received no final communication.

An “A” Performance Overall

Considering Dharma’s clean complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time. Readers should note, however, that there are good reasons to view the BBB’s information with skepticism.

Dharma Merchant Services Fees, Rates & Costs

A Closer Look at The Contract

Cost & Fees Summary
Cancellation Penalties Yes
Monthly & Annual Fees Yes
Processing Rates Interchange +
Equipment Leasing No

Fully Transparent Rates

Dharma Merchant Services offers clear interchange-plus pricing with rates of interchange plus 0.15% and $0.07 per in-store transaction, 0.20% plus $0.10 for e-commerce, and 0.15% plus $0.07 for restaurants. The company operates without long-term service agreements and charges a $20 monthly fee, which covers PCI compliance. Upon service termination, there is a $25 account closure fee.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

For its virtual terminal and payment gateway services, Dharma Merchant Services uses the MX merchant platform, charging interchange plus 0.20% plus $0.10. The platform is free of gateway fees, but other features may incur charges, including $25 monthly for ACH processing, $20 for B2B processing, $10 for recurring billing, and $25 for an account updater. Additional costs, such as technical support and batch fees, may also apply to these e-commerce services.

Level 2 and Level 3 Processing Services

Dharma Merchant Services provides Level 2 and Level 3 processing, specifically for B2B and B2G transactions, which require different interchange rates and technology to handle the necessary data for these transactions. These specialized services are tailored for B2B and B2G purchases.

Ideal For High-Volume Businesses

Dharma Merchant Services is optimally suited for businesses with monthly processing over $10,000, often referring smaller merchants to other providers. Retail merchants processing above $100,000 per month can access particularly low rates, aligning Dharma with enterprise-level processors.

No Contract Complaints

The company’s transparent interchange-plus pricing model, along with its relatively low additional fees, positions Dharma Merchant Services favorably in the industry. The lack of complaints regarding their standard contract terms supports an “A” rating by our assessment criteria.

For more options, readers are recommended to explore our curated list of the best merchant accounts.

Dharma Merchant Services Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs

Should You Work For Them?

Jobs & Marketing Summary
Uses Independent Resellers No
Telemarketing No
Misleading Marketing No
Discloses All Important Terms Yes

Complete Pricing Disclosure

Dharma Merchant Services appears to utilize its client network, its website, and community outreach efforts to market its services. There is no indication that the company partners with independent sales entities at this time. Additionally, the Dharma Merchant Services website actively promotes interchange-plus pricing and lists the company’s full fee schedule for anyone to view.

This compares favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Red Flags

We cannot find any negative Dharma Merchant Services reviews regarding the company’s sales approach at this time; we therefore award the company an “A” rating in this category. That said, it is always a wise idea to get a professional analysis of your contract with a third-party statement audit.

Our Dharma Merchant Services Review Summary

Our Final Thoughts

Based on all available data, Dharma Merchant Services stands out as an exemplary credit card processing provider. The company has earned its strong reputation through transparent pricing, consistently excellent customer service, and its commendable focus on eco-friendly practices and non-profit initiatives. These distinctive qualities make it especially appealing to businesses that value social responsibility alongside efficient payment processing.

Nonetheless, it’s always prudent for readers to meticulously review their contracts, even when working with highly regarded payment processors like Dharma. Understanding the fine print will ensure that the terms align with their business goals and needs, allowing them to fully leverage the benefits while avoiding unexpected challenges.

Location & Ownership

Dharma Merchant Services is a registered ISO/MSP with Synovus Bank, Columbus, Georgia. The company itself is headquartered at 3739 Balboa Street #105 San Francisco, CA 94121. Jeff Marcous is the co-founder and CEO of Dharma Merchant Services.

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Testimonials & Complaints

How Did Dharma Merchant Services Treat You?

4 User Reviews

Tell Us How They Treated You

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Copyright

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