Simpay Review

Rates and Fees
75/100
Truth in Advertising
50/100
Consumer Reviews
80/100
Customer Support
65/100
4

Best for

Simpay is best for restaurants, retail, and other brick-and-mortar businesses that are comfortable with long-term contracts.

Specializes in

Simpay serves a diverse set of customers. The company provides more than payment processing. It also offers business management tools, fraud protection, sales growth programs, gift card processing, payment processing and loan services. Simpay has particular strengths with systems for processing gift card- and customer loyalty programs.

Pricing Summary

Setup Fee: $0

Monthly Fee: Undisclosed

Swipe Rate:  1.00% - 4.99%

Keyed-in Rate:  1.00% - 4.99%

Early Termination Fee : $250+

Contract Terms:

3 Years
Visit Simpay

Business owners are in perpetual motion, and anything that takes them away from their core responsibilities hurts the bottom line. Simpay states that its mission is to make the lives of business owners simpler by taking on the burden of payment system management. Whether or not it accomplishes this falls on how efficient its automated processes are.

We have found that the Simpay processes provide a moderate level of convenience and ease, which can be fairly valuable for busy locations that need POS processing.

Simpay Overview

 

Simpay has been in the payment processing industry since 2000, though it was known as Alpha Card Services until 2017. The company is a mid-sized processor, serving approximately 15,000 merchant-clients. It provides payment processing terminals, delivering most by courier or outside independent salespeople.

Simpay keeps its focus on brick-and-mortar businesses, helping them manage payment processing, but it also offers online, tablet, and smartphone payment options. Also, Simpay provides payroll services that are highly adept at handling irregular employee compensation, such as tip income. The company's business building tools help boost sales. For example, it offers gift-card programs that create unique themes that help bring customers in the door.

Its corporate headquarters is at 1210 Northbrook Dr #475 Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, 19053. The company is sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., of Walnut Creek, California. Lazaros Kalemis serves as the head of Simpay.

Quick Facts

Head Quarters

Trevose, PA

Year Founded

2000

CEO

Lazaros Kalemis

Employees

50

Merchant Provider Risk Tolerance

What We Like

Zero setup fee.

User friendly products.

Payroll processing tools.

Business development technology.

Domestic telephone support during business hours.

What We Don't Like

Early termination fee.

Three year contract.

Employs independent sales agents.

Public pricing is not available.

All important terms are not disclosed.

Industries Served

  • Clothing & Apparel
  • Convenience Store
  • Electronics
  • Gas Station
  • Healthcare
  • Marketing Agency
  • Medical
  • Moving Companies
  • Personal Service
  • Property Management
  • Restaurant / Bar
  • SAAS
  • SEO & SEM Services
  • Thrift Store
  • Web Design Services

Business Types Served

  • Ecommerce
  • High Volume
  • Information
  • Low Risk
  • Mobile
  • Mom & Pop
  • MOTO
  • Online
  • Retail / Card Present
  • Small Business
  • Wholesale

Simpay Products & Services

 

Hardware and Software


Simpay wants to save its merchant customers time, and it does so by offering a suite of tools to simplify business management. What can its systems do quicker, better, and at a lower cost?

Card Processing

The user-friendly systems save time.

POS Systems

Its payment terminals are geared for busy retail locations.

EMV Processing

Simpay makes this quick and straightforward to install.

Mobile Payments

With Simpay, merchants can accept payments from anywhere in cyberspace, including online and smartphone processing.  

Value-Added Services


Merchants seeking services beyond payment processing should consider Simpay. It offers payroll services, which can be particularly advantageous to small businesses. The company advertises its payroll services as efficiently handling taxes. In addition, employers gain access to 300 payroll reports and security protocols. The software integrates with Quickbooks and other accounting software.  

Sales building tools provide merchants with opportunities to drive new business, increase repeat business, and access cash for business development. Simpay offers a gift card program that allows clients to generate promotions that target new business. In addition, Simpay products have capabilities for creating digital marketing programs, special offers, and text or email promotions aimed at existing customers. Also, merchants benefit from available cash advances that can be applied to business development activities.

Supported Payment Types


Simpay supports debit-, credit, and gift card payments. Its products also process online payments through payment gateways and virtual payments. Clients can also manage returns through the system. Simpay also offers multi-currency payments.

 

 

 

Simpay Payment Processing

  • Credit Card Processing
  • Credit Card Terminals
  • Debit Card Processing
  • EBT Acceptance
  • EMV Processing
  • Gift & Loyalty Program
  • Merchant Cash Advance
  • Mobile Payments App
  • Online Payments
  • Payment Gateway
  • POS Equipment
  • Virtual Terminal

Simpay Billing & Invoicing

  • Mobile Payments
  • Multi-Currency
  • Online Payments
  • Payment Processing

Simpay Advertising & Sales

 
Simpay conducts business through a network of both direct sales representatives and independent sales agents. It markets its products across the country, often trying to convince merchants to change from a competitor.

According to customer reviews, some Simpay agents are better than others. While under the Alpha Card Services brand, many merchants reported agents failing to fully disclose contract terms, leaving them paying more than expected or feeling trapped in a contract they thought would be more flexible.

The company asserts it requires sales agents to fully disclose all terms and that new customers must receive a summary sheet explaining all terms. Also, Simpay ensures customer satisfaction through a mandatory two-week follow-up call for new customers and quarterly calls from then on.

A website review shows that the company explains its terms and conditions and appears not to publish any misleading information.

 

Truth in Marketing

Discloses All Important Terms

No

Public Pricing Available

No

Simpay Pricing, Rates & Fees

 

Simpay does not publish its rates, but many of its fees are likely negotiable. Before signing up with Simpay, merchants should shop around and try to negotiate a lower price. Sales agents interested in commissions may quote a high price to strengthen their negotiating position but have little choice but to match or beat other offers in this competitive industry.

When it operated as Alpha Card Services, its standard contract included an $89.99 annual fee. There was also a $35 monthly minimum fee, a $10 statement fee, a $19.99 PCI compliance fee. It also charged a $40 monthly PCI noncompliance penalty and a $35 chargeback fee.

Simpay uses a tiered pricing schedule. Rates are negotiable, and high volume processors can win significant discounts.

Pricing at a Glance

Pricing Model

Tiered Pricing

Swiped Rate

1.00% - 4.99%

Keyed-in Rate

1.00% - 4.99%

Mobile Payment Rate

Virtual Terminal Rate

1.00% - 4.99%

Monthly Fee

Undisclosed

Payment Gateway Fee

Variable

Batch Fee

Variable

Early Termination Fee

$250+

PCI Compliance Fee

$19.99/quarter

Equipment Lease Terms

Variable

Address Verification Service (AVS)

Application Fee

Account Setup Fee

$0

Gateway Setup Fee

Variable

Annual Fee

$89.99

Monthly Minimum

$35

Statement Fee

$10

Simpay Contract & Terms

Compared to the competition, Simpay has a long, inflexible contract with steep early termination fees. The five-year contract is one of the longest in the industry. Suppose you want to change providers without paying the early termination fee. In that case, it is essential to note that the contract automatically rolls over for one year if you fail to cancel within the required time window.

The termination fee minimum stands at $250. On top of that, Simpay charges "liquidated damages" for early termination. Liquidated damages are the figure the company calculates it lost due to the cancellation, which is unpredictable over a five year contract. Merchants are wise to negotiate for a more predictable and less costly cancellation clause.

 

Contract Length

3 Years

Early Termination Fee

$250+

Simpay Setup & Support

 

Setup Highlights

  • Documentation / Knowledge Base

Support Highlights

  • Domestic Phone Support (Business Hours)

Simpay Complaints, Ratings & Reviews

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has accredited Simpay since November 2011. The company has maintained an "A+" with the BBB. Simpay has had three complaints in the last 36 months. One complaint related to the product or service and two regarded billing and collection. All complaints have been resolved.

Ratings

BBB

A+(3 complaints)

Google

N/A

Facebook

N/A

Yelp

No Reviews yet

Reviews

Total Online Reviews

60+

Total Online Complaints

15+

Lawsuits

None

Simpay Alternatives

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