Prodigy Payment Systems (a.k.a. Encore Payment Systems) lied, ripoff, overpriced, dishonest Addison Texas

I am a former independent contractor with Encore Payment Systems-which also operates a division under the name Encore Payment Systems, and worked for the company for a year and a half, and must say that the company is very reputable and fair.

Sure Prodigy and Encore charge $97/month for CERTAIN credit card processing SYSTEMS, but to put it across like that is VERY misleading. Prodigy and Encore also offer credit card processing machines for as low as $29 a month, it depends on the type of system one wants and the features a business desires.

Saying what this individual says is like saying "ABC Chevrolet charges $75,000 for cars, when anyone can find a new car on the internet for as low as $12,000, therefore ABC is overcharging consumers $63,000", without mentioning that the $75,000 car is a Corvette while the $12,000 car is a Chevy Cobalt; there is simply no comparison outside the fact that they are both cars with 4 wheels, a body and an engine.

The $97/month Encore credit card processing system is top of the line, while the $29/month is rather generic-but will do a basic job for a low-volume business that doesn't want many specific perks.

And yes, I called the corporate office EVERY DAY, 5 days a week, 4-5 times a day, at every appointment for a year and a half. While I had to get used to that process, I grew to understand that many outside sales representatives simply just won't show up to certain appointments, and then the lead that the company purchased and the appointment the company used company funds to pay a telephone agent to set and confirm, would be a lost investment.

By calling in at the merchant's location, you confirm that you didn't waste the company's funds and showed yourself worthy of the investment it would take to generate and distribute more leads to you.

As for your cell phone bill, you either get a plan with enough included minutes to cover your usage, or you get a flat-rate unlimited minutes plan since all your calls are made from your home area; there are plenty of plans for as low as $30 a month that give the user unlimited local and long distance usage when used within their local calling area, so the cell phone bill being sky-high is a cop-out.

This individual goes on to say that Encore and Prodigy charges overpriced credit card processing rates, then goes back to speak about the price of the processing equipment. Processing equipment and credit card processing rates are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

Encore always charged the most competitive rates in the market, and I regularly beat 99% of the rates that merchants currently had. I averaged 1 new account daily from my 4-5 appointments, which wasn't fantastic, but definitely paid the bills, and qualifies for the bonuses by the way, which begin to kick in around 10 accounts a month. I am not the most skilled salesperson in the world, but if you follow the training and do what you are supposed to, the service sells itself.

Sales is a tough field, and it sounds like this person is simply a disgruntled salesperson who is looking for someone to blame for shortcomings. Notice this person never says that Prodigy and Encore didn't pay them on time, or didn't deliver what they promised, because they always do! All companies will have someone complaining about them, but when a company makes claims and delivers on those claims, that's all you can ask of them, and Prodigy and Encore Payment Systems does this.

I just felt compelled to write this rebuttal because Encore and its managers always treated me and my customers very fairly, and I hate to see their reputation tarnished by a spoiled-sport.

Adeeb
Savannah, GA
U.S.A

Adeeb,

So what if there are some systems as "low" as $29 per month? That is still OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE! $29 per month for 48 months works out to $1392!! And that is over a thousand dollars MORE for the lease, than you could spend to PURCHASE a credit card machine! In fact, some companies even offer their credit card machines FREE, just so you will use them for processing.

It doesn't matter whether it's $97/month or $29/month. At the end of the day, either is WAY too expensive, and businesses are much better off getting less expensive systems. Encore Systems / Prodigy Payment Systems simply charges WAY too much for their credit card systems.

You make the argument that $29/month is too much for a credit card processing system. Again, just like cars-credit card systems come in different models with all types of features. A Kia and a BMW are two very different types of cars at two very different prices.

For someone who finds that $97/month or $29/month is "too much" then they always can either use a machine they buy from someone else or use a machine that they already have or was given to them. It won't likely be the latest technology and will likely be much slower and have less features, but not everyone needs all features.

The point is, you make a complaint against the company as if they LIE to the business owner when indeed they DO NOT LIE. I've hooked up someone's credit card processing on a ZON JR XL machine, which was made in the 1980's. It is as basic as a credit card processing machine gets, but if that's what the merchant wants then that's what they get!

And guess what? It cost them $0 a month when they used their own machine-they only paid for the processing rates, of which Encore and Prodigy offer some of the lowest in the entire country. No merchant is lied to under any circumstance, and if they are then Encore and Prodigy are quick to fire them!

Selling any item to an individual or business at any price is not at all "ripping them off" if they are given the correct information, and that's what we were taught to do when representing the company.

Having worked for the company for a year and a half I can say that your claim that you cannot make money working for the company is simply inaccurate. I fed, clothed, and sheltered myself and my family with the money I made at Encore, and were it not for the fact that I work for myself now, I would still be there full-time.

In response to these rebuttals...

This ex employee responding was a outside sales rep. I was a manager employed by Encore at the headquarters in Addison, Texas. I know what the "real deal" is because I was involved with all meeting regarding this company. Again, I was not a 10-99 or a contractor. I worked full time as a salaried management employee.

Just so you know Adeeb, Dustin or any other outside rep.

Encore Payment systems recruits the desperate sales person. You truly do not have to hold any experience in the sales field nor any education above high school. Encore has a recruiting department just to find broke, bored, or desperate people in need of "quick" money. There are a few people who do make money as an outside rep. Yes, a very small few of them do make good money but none of them make six figures. No one including employeed team leaders, trainers, or managers make six figures. The upper level executives surely do but no one else. I know because I was in management and was a very accomplished employee. I left on my own and they basically begged me to stay. Outside sales reps come and go daily. I can assure you that maybe 5 percent stay over a year. If you are a scam artist, liar, or high pressure sales person, this is the job for you. The reason that outside reps are to call in is because Encore thinks ... 1.) You are not going to truly go to your appointments because you are not trust worthy. 2.) You are a weak sales person so the team leader is going to try and high pressure the consumer into an instant sale.

Trust me...Encore considers the outside reps as the worker ants. They could care less about you and they know that other desperate suckers will fall for this position. Again, there is a seperate recruiting department just to recruit sales people daily. They are ALWAYS hiring for outside sales reps.

Regarding the lease vs buy situation on the machines..

Never lease! It is a rip off. Yes, you can deduct that amount on your taxes but it is not "basically" free as they train the sales rep to say. You can not cancel that lease even if you leave Encore. NEVER LEASE!

Buy the machine out right. You will save thousands versus a lease. Purchase your machines from someone else, not the proccessor. The machines do range in price and options but overall no machine truly cost over $1000.

Overall....This industry is a scam. These companys are hoping that the consumer has no idea on the pricing of the machines or hopes that they do not do their research. Not everyone in business is smart.

There you have it...From the horses mouth!

Ok the rebuttal to end all rebuttals:

The last person refers to me in his response my name is Dustin Caldwell I have been an independent contractor with Encore and Prodigy since Jan. of 06. He makes references about the inside recruiting practices, I can assure that I was neither Broke Board or Desperate when I started with Encore. I have started owned and operated 8 successful businesses and I am only 27 years old. When I started with Encore I did my research not just into the company but also the industry as a whole, and what I learned about other companies was sometimes disturbing.

After talking with several trusted business associates in my local area, I learned that there are some predatory companies and for sure some sleazy sales reps. But the one thing I found in common with other companies was their lack of RESIDUAL pay to their reps. Think about it, a company gives you the ability to make "quick cash" by selling accounts but gives you no reason to make sure at the end of the day the merchant is happy.

Prodigy sets up a reasonable goal for their sales reps, and after you reach that goal you participate in a residual income program which can be very financially rewarding. The key thing here to understand is that an Outside salesmen doesn't always represent the company the way the company deserves to be represented. This is a common issue in the outside sales industry and men smarter then me have tried to figure out how to fix the issue and have failed. So yes Encore and Prodigy have to use a recruiting department as do pretty much every other business obviously on a varying scale, and lets face it sometimes you have to sift through the trash in order to find trustworthy people with the company's and customer's best interest in mind.

As far as the costs associated with doing business with me are concerned it varies some merchants are able to see the value of all the extra features we offer and some are not. Some lease, some buy and many simply reprogram their existing equipment. Understand that in the end the merchant has received enough information to make a educated decision. And What no one has mentioned on this Report is that by leasing equipment you can increase the merchants revenue by 1,000's a month which in turn justifies the expense. Just like in any other business decision Return On Investment is what is important and is what I sell based upon, if it doesn't make sense to do certain things don't do them. Also you do not need to lease anything in order to be successful in this business, with a few hundred accounts you can earn enough to support a normal household.

Everyone always wants to point the finger at someone else, I am sick of people passing the buck due to their own failures. You FAILED and your angry but please don't place the blame on others, some of us really enjoy what we do and don't need your whining!

I have helped many merchants that are not only happy with my service but we have also become very good friends this does not happen with companies or sales reps that misrepresent themselves and their companies. So please remember to base your decision on the facts not some whiners venting.

And unlike the other whiners I am glad to put my cell phone number 503-881-1420 if you want more information or would like to do business with a respectable company and honest rep don't hesitate to call.

Dustin Caldwell
DMC Industries Inc
Salem Oregon
younginc@comcast.net

Ok the rebuttal to end all rebuttals:

The last person refers to me in his response my name is Dustin Caldwell I have been an independent contractor with Encore and Prodigy since Jan. of 06. He makes references about the inside recruiting practices, I can assure that I was neither Broke Board or Desperate when I started with Encore. I have started owned and operated 8 successful businesses and I am only 27 years old. When I started with Encore I did my research not just into the company but also the industry as a whole, and what I learned about other companies was sometimes disturbing. After talking with several trusted business associates in my local area, I learned that there are some predatory companies and for sure some sleazy sales reps. But the one thing I found in common with other companies was their lack of RESIDUAL pay to their reps. Think about it, a company gives you the ability to make "quick cash" by selling accounts but gives you no reason to make sure at the end of the day the merchant is happy.

Prodigy sets up a reasonable goal for their sales reps, and after you reach that goal you participate in a residual income program which can be very financially rewarding. The key thing here to understand is that an Outside salesmen doesn't always represent the company the way the company deserves to be represented. This is a common issue in the outside sales industry and men smarter then me have tried to figure out how to fix the issue and have failed. So yes Encore and Prodigy have to use a recruiting department as do pretty much every other business obviously on a varying scale, and lets face it sometimes you have to sift through the trash in order to find trustworthy people with the company's and customer's best interest in mind.

As far as the costs associated with doing business with me are concerned it varies some merchants are able to see the value of all the extra features we offer and some are not. Some lease, some buy and many simply reprogram their existing equipment. Understand that in the end the merchant has received enough information to make a educated decision. And What no one has mentioned on this Report is that by leasing equipment you can increase the merchants revenue by 1,000's a month which in turn justifies the expense. Just like in any other business decision Return On Investment is what is important and is what I sell based upon, if it doesn't make sense to do certain things don't do them. Also you do not need to lease anything in order to be successful in this business, with a few hundred accounts you can earn enough to support a normal household.

Everyone always wants to point the finger at someone else, I am sick of people passing the buck due to their own failures. You FAILED and your angry but please don't place the blame on others, some of us really enjoy what we do and don't need your whining!

I have helped many merchants that are not only happy with my service but we have also become very good friends this does not happen with companies or sales reps that misrepresent themselves and their companies. So please remember to base your decision on the facts not some whiners venting.

And unlike the other whiners I am glad to put my cell phone number 503-881-1420 if you want more information or would like to do business with a respectable company and honest rep don't hesitate to call.

Don't get involved with this company either as an employee or as a customer. Also don't do business with America's Premiere Mortgage company out of Livonia Mi. The owner is Mike Hyman and is a very big crook.

I own Merchant services company.and this what i tell my salesmen
Options:
Leave it in their hands. Ask your customer if they would like to lease or purchase and give them the 2 prices, this way you are giving them choices. This helps your customer decide what is right for them, and gives you more validation as a sales representative.

Determining Leasing Prices and Payout
What is a fair price that I can offer to my customer at the same time, allowing me to make a profit?
First, ask yourself; what did you pay for the terminal?

Good rule of thumb is always offering the same lease price and purchase price for the same kind of equipment, and don't get greedy.I know you want to make money; however, I do not want to put customers out of business because they could not afford their lease anymore. Here is an example:

Purchase Price for You: $300.00
Offering Purchase Price: $600.00 OR
Offer Lease Amount: $29.95 X 48 Months
Look at your lease grades.
If their credit were a B score (which is very typical) then you would fund $885.00**

Offer Lease Amount: $25.95 (to beat your competition and make your merchant happy)
Credit Score B: You would fund $520.00**

A note about leasing:
Many companies still are having their agents sell leases for $99-$300.00 a month for 48 months. I do not encourage, nor support those kinds of sales reps that lie. If you feel, you can write a $150.00 or more lease for 48 months to a customer, knowing that your price was only $300.00 you are not the kind of agent I'm looking for.
I want you to succeed and grow with us, as well as your merchants. I have been in business for 4 years now, and strive to ensure my merchants do business with me for the next 10 years.

If leasing is the way they need to go, for whatever reason, great! Nevertheless, when deciding what to charge your merchant, please remember: merchant happiness and referrals are key!
If your customer is happy with you, they just might tell another business. If they are unhappy, they will tell a hundred and reported at www.ripoffreport.com!

this is what i offer my ISO

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NO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE TO BECOME AN AGENT!!!

Joseph, are you suggesting that businesspeople are infantile and cannot make a reasonable decision on their own? Perhaps the "Nanny State" should jump in and make all decisions for businesses? Why stop there, how about for everyone? Many businesses don't have even the $500-$900 needed to purchase a decent credit card machine, so they lease it. They understand there are lease finance charges involved in this. News flash: 99.99% of these people have bought a car or truck, and many of them have financed it to own it or lease it, and could have saved THOUSANDS if they bought their car outright! In fact, MOST small businesses rent and lease the property they house their business in, and whether they put 2 years or 20 years in-they get ZERO in return for tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars in rental fees. Looks like ripoffs are everywhere if we use your reasoning, and the whole car financing industry and property rental industry should be shut down due to being a ripoff. The truth is, business owners know and understand all this from the beginning, and CHOOSE to lease-that's their right to do so.

As for Michael, I understand you probably have a better inside view of Encore/Prodigy since you worked at home office, but you have no true view of the reps. I was not in any way "desperate" and came with plenty of sales experience-in fact I am a salaried sales executive for a major corporation right now; I simply needed a job that matched my skill set. I am very principled and abhor deceptive practices and refuse to use them. With that in mind, I stayed with Encore for 1-1/2 years and while I did not make 6-figures, $25-$30 annually is realistic keeps your head above water. I'll go further to say that I was never promised 6-figures and was never told that the average rep makes 6-figures by management or by any trainer. It was a tough job as I said, but I appreciated the company and hate to see it bad-mouthed by ill-intentioned people.