Preferred Card Services Review

Preferred Card Services Overview

Preferred Card Services Products & Services

Hardware & Software

Preferred Card Services offers various types of hardware and software to meet their merchant customers’ needs. Options for equipment and software include:

Wired credit/debit card readers
Wireless card readers
Software such as Authorize.net, PCCharge and ICVerify
PIN pads
Check readers
POS Systems

In addition, the company also stocks all of the supplies merchant customers might need to process payments, including carbonless paper and chargers or plugs.

Value Added Services

Preferred Card Services offers several value added services for its merchant customers, including:

An online reporting tool where merchants can get in-depth information about their accounts.
A gift card and loyalty card program.
A cash advance program for merchants in need of additional cash to run their businesses.

They also offer educational videos for merchants through their website.

Supported Payment Types & Services

Preferred Card Services has the ability to support multiple types of payments. On the company website, they list:

All types of major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express)
Mobile payments
Online payments
Electronic checks
Gift cards
Google Wallet

Preferred Card Services Payment Processing

Preferred Card Services Billing & Invoicing

Preferred Card Services Advertising & Sales

Truth in Marketing

Preferred Card Services Pricing, Rates & Fees

There is very little information to be found online about Preferred Card Services’ pricing and fees. However, because the company is a reseller for First Data, it is likely that all of the same pricing and fees apply. The company’s fees are as follows:

Swiped rate - 2.69% + $0.19
Keyed-in rate - 3.69% + $0.19
Virtual terminal rate - 2.90% +$0.30
Payment gateway fee - $25
Batch fee - $0.10
Early termination fee - up to $495
PCI compliance fee - $19.95
Equipment lease terms - Locked, 48 months

Although Preferred Card Services is a reseller for First Data, these fees are not unchangeable. The company does have the ability to adjust them based on a business’s risk profile, monthly volume or other factors.

Pricing at a Glance

Preferred Card Services Contract & Terms

Preferred Card Services offers variable contract terms, which are different for each merchant, depending on the type of business they own.

Merchants have not left any contract-related complaints online. This suggests that the company communicates about contract terms well and that they do not use deceptive practices when bringing on new merchants.

Preferred Card Services Setup & Support

Preferred Card Services is not completely clear about how long it might take for merchants to get their services set up. However, on their website, they do indicate that it is possible for merchants to begin accepting payments as soon as “today.”

When merchants are in need of customer support, Preferred Card Services has a phone number prominently displayed on their website. Merchants may also email their sales team or fill out a contact form.

Preferred Card Services Complaints, Ratings & Reviews

BBB Rating

Preferred Card Services is not currently accredited through the Better Business Bureau, and so, they do not have a rating. In the last 36 months, the company has not received any informal reviews or complaints on the BBB website.

Other Online Reviews

Many online reviews for Preferred Card Services indicate that complaints that have been filed against the company were actually meant for another company posing as PCS. The company has taken many steps to speak with merchants to let them know of the confusion.

There was one complaint that was filed against Preferred Card Services that stated that the merchant was being charged the PCI compliance fee when the merchant believed they had gone through all of the appropriate steps to avoid being charged this fee.