Encore Payment Systems "The salesmans dream job- preset appointments" is an overpromised nightmare Addison Texas

I guess I left my resume on Monster.com and I got an Email from this company. My resume had nothing to do with what I was looking for, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I called the guy back on the email he sent and he gave me his pitch. I showed concern because %99 of the jobs on Monster.com are "bunk". Plus, it sounded too good to be true. Still, I thought that I had nothing to lose. He pressured me into taking a 6 hour online training course and use 400 minutes of my cell phone. I was really turned off by this. After I confirmed that I would take the training course he said that another guy would call me in an hour for the final interview and the "Final Decision". So, in this hour I felt stressed so I looked the company up, and WOW! So many negative reviews and feed-backs. I know all companies have some negative reviews, but d**n! So, when the guy called I said "no thanks". And then..... He said this; "NEXT TIME SOMEONE CALLS YOU FOR A JOB BE READY TO TAKE IT! YOU DON'T GET WHAT YOU WANT, YOU TAKE WHAT YOU ARE GIVEN!" That doesn't sound professional to me. Add it all up people, read the reviews, are you really expecting something different? I thank all the people who were willing to write about this, it saved me time and money and we need to stick up for one another in these bad times. Best of luck to all of you and God bless!

Dustin, and anyone else employed by considering employment, doing business with, or considering doing business with Encore Payment Systems aka Prodigy Payment Systems or Momentum Payment Systems please read on...

Here's the thing; Encore Payment Systems is operated by the same staff that operated a company called Certified Merchant Services.  In 2002 the FTC filed a suit on behalf of customers who charged the company with deceptive sales practices including but not limited to modifying contracts after the deal was done.  In 2004 Certified Merchant Services was sold and almost a $24,000,000.00 settlement was paid to the FTC...  Ironically Encore was started in 2004 and I kid you not; look at the list of Executive and Director level employees; it's readily available on their website.  Then google each of their names + Certified Merchant Services...  All I'm saying is old habits die hard; would you really want to do business with a company that has already been called to the carpet by the FTC?  FYI; the suit against Certified Merchant Services was the first of its kind...  Think about who you give access to your bank accounts.

If you are an employee or customer who feels they have a story to tell about their experience with Encore Payment Systems, Prodigy, or Momentum please visit www.encorepaymentinfo.info and send an email to the address listed there explaining your experience.  We are working with the media and have been in touch / staying in touch with the FTC concerning this organization.

I have been with them for 3 days and have 15 appointments all but 1 was a no show and that 1 had just changed services with in the last 30 days and told the appointment setter that same thing she had a recording of the call. During the phone and online training they said appointments would be very close to one another. I do not call 56 mile close do you?. In th3 three days i spent $40 in pre paid minutes and used them up, When i complained about these problems to my sale manager (james Kiss) he said you have to spend money to make money and i understand that but when i asked why i was sent on such crap appiontments and why they were not qualified appointments lika a attorneys office they sent me to all they do is big big medical, wrongfull death and stuff like that where they dont get paid by the clients up front and they have no need for this type of service or the dntist office where the appointment setter was rude and set the appointment by stating that when i showed up if they didnt take the serrvice i would give them (yes me my self) a $100 out of my pocket which i did not do she proceded to scream and yell at me. So now i QUIT and look forward to this company to get sued

James

james29135s@yahoo.com

Dustin, I suggest that you compare Encore to the big guys. They are big guys because they do it right. Please consider looking at another processing company to work for...the bigger the processor the more accountability to you and your merchants. Also, there is a reason the larger merchants use one of the top 3 processors - First data, Elavon and Bank of America...Bigger in this case is better...There is power in numbers. First Data processes for Walmart... Get it?
Also, they all provide very good customer service too.

You seem smart enough to figure it out. In fact with your Encore track record you would be compensated more with trhe larger processors. Congradulations you are on your way to more pay and something you can be proud of instaed of having to defend...

Best Regards,
LC

Dustin, I suggest that you compare Encore to the big guys. They are big guys because they do it right. Please consider looking at another processing company to work for...the bigger the processor the more accountability to you and your merchants. Also, there is a reason the larger merchants use one of the top 3 processors - First data, Elavon and Bank of America...Bigger in this case is better...There is power in numbers. First Data processes for Walmart... Get it?
Also, they all provide very good customer service too.

You seem smart enough to figure it out. In fact with your Encore track record you would be compensated more with trhe larger processors. Congradulations you are on your way to more pay and something you can be proud of instaed of having to defend...

Best Regards,
LC

Dustin, I suggest that you compare Encore to the big guys. They are big guys because they do it right. Please consider looking at another processing company to work for...the bigger the processor the more accountability to you and your merchants. Also, there is a reason the larger merchants use one of the top 3 processors - First data, Elavon and Bank of America...Bigger in this case is better...There is power in numbers. First Data processes for Walmart... Get it?
Also, they all provide very good customer service too.

You seem smart enough to figure it out. In fact with your Encore track record you would be compensated more with trhe larger processors. Congradulations you are on your way to more pay and something you can be proud of instaed of having to defend...

Best Regards,
LC

Dustin, I suggest that you compare Encore to the big guys. They are big guys because they do it right. Please consider looking at another processing company to work for...the bigger the processor the more accountability to you and your merchants. Also, there is a reason the larger merchants use one of the top 3 processors - First data, Elavon and Bank of America...Bigger in this case is better...There is power in numbers. First Data processes for Walmart... Get it?
Also, they all provide very good customer service too.

You seem smart enough to figure it out. In fact with your Encore track record you would be compensated more with trhe larger processors. Congradulations you are on your way to more pay and something you can be proud of instaed of having to defend...

Best Regards,
LC

Dustin, I suggest that you compare Encore to the big guys. They are big guys because they do it right. Please consider looking at another processing company to work for...the bigger the processor the more accountability to you and your merchants. Also, there is a reason the larger merchants use one of the top 3 processors - First data, Elavon and Bank of America...Bigger in this case is better...There is power in numbers. First Data processes for Walmart... Get it?
Also, they all provide very good customer service too.

You seem smart enough to figure it out. In fact with your Encore track record you would be compensated more with trhe larger processors. Congradulations you are on your way to more pay and something you can be proud of instaed of having to defend...

Best Regards,
LC

So you are telling me that your customers in salem oregan are happy paying $97 a month for 48 months for an encore 9000? I remember you braging and pumping your stellar sales of the system on our conference calls, as well as how much money you were making of those leases. So I'm more than sure your customers will still be satisfied after reading this report that they got a great deal. he he! God man, I hope encroe is kicking you some cash because if your coustomers get wind of the fact that most savey business owners only pay $60 a month (which is still a rip off) for encore 9000 systems your entire town will have the proud reputation of being the most ignorant and foolish town in the u.s..
For your sake I hope your customers dont read this.

good luck

Lenghty but worth the read...

I am writing this report in response to Tim from Kansas City, Missouri. This is for anyone who wants to know the truth about Tim's complaint. To start off it is only fair that I admit that I have a dog in the fight; I am a 1099 independent contractor with Encore Payment Systems and have been since Jan 06.

First off Tim talks about a training class that he almost makes seem as though Encore forced him to attend, he had a choice to invest in his future and decided with his own mind what he wanted to do. The costs involved were 100% voluntary with that said I would have gladly spent that money knowing what I know now about this opportunity.

Following this complaint Tim continues bashing Encore Sales Appointments which are set by Encore on behalf of their sales force. I have seen the telemarketing center with my own 2 eyes I have also read the only corporate approved calling script which says nothing about "Dropping off Any Info". With that said there are more then 100 people making the calls, there is a possibility that out of 100 there are a couple of people not following the procedures, these people if caught are dealt with in a serious manor (usually resulting in termination).

I have taken over 600 appointments from Encore, and sure not every one of them was I welcomed by the merchant but what other company will spend upwards of $2500 a month for MY sales appointments. Tim also had the option to build his portfolio using self generated leads which if he was such a strong sales person he should have exercised this option if he was unhappy with the other results.

As far as having the sales force call into the corporate office, I was not 100% excited about this concept in the beginning either. But when I understood that this was the best way for Encore to run Checks and Balances on their inside staff I now understand and have NO problem with this neither has any merchant I have ever worked with. What Tim did not understand is that Encore was spending money trying to help him get sales. And had every reason to make sure that the salesman showed up at the appointment and that the merchant was present. To run their business any other way would be a waste of time and money! As a side note Tim received and signed paperwork before running his first appointment that explained this policy and the reasons Encore has this procedure in place.

Tim continues to discuss Encore's compensation plan, he breaks down each level of success, what he does not note is that these are all listed as projected income they are in no way a exact amount this is very common in commission based pay positions within any industry. Tim talks about Encores base price of 1.89% and .25 per transaction, he states that these rates are not competitive which is NOT true as I have saved many merchants money using these exact rates. Anyone that truly understands sales, understands that a person only gets what he puts into his business back out! A true business man would not have turned his back in only 3 months.

Basically what Tim says in short order is that he expected more then what he got. This has nothing to do with Encore but more to do with Tim's own personal efforts, ever think maybe this business is not for people like Tim? But rather then admit his own shortcomings Tim feels better bashing someone else.

Tim talks about Equipment that Encore saleman can lease but does not force him nor any merchant to sign for. The merchant is told both verbally and in writing what a 48 month non cancelable lease is, the merchant makes the decision in the end. As far as prices are concerned I have found Encore to be fairly priced considering the competition in this industry.

I was in NO way forced to be 1099ed in fact I was informed as Tim was that for the first 3 months I and everyone else was 1099ed but after a 90day trial I would be given the option to become a employee and receive a W2-W4. I choose to remain 1099ed for personal and tax related reasons but I was informed of this in the beginning and given the option after 90 days to decide for myself.

Next Tim complains about the cost of doing business, his complaints are as follows: plane ticket $423(avoidable) Hotel $292 (avoidable or $50 per night (2) at Comfort Inn) Gas $60 per week (cant expect to get sales sitting at home) Business cards $72 (plenty of places offer them cheaper) Cell Phone Bill (encore offers a cell phone bonus which has always covered my costs)

As a previous business owner Tim sounds to me like a person who does not understand that there is always a cost of doing business. He also makes it sound like its Encore's fault he failed when in all reality it is his own fault, but it makes him feel better to bash Encore.

I say this with 100& confidence, Encore is a good company with a great compensation plan. In just 10 short months I have become a Top Salesman and believe that if anyone including Tim really wanted those results Encore has the tools to make it happen. I challenge anyone to contact me regarding this subject including but not limited to Tim. I would love to share my insight with anyone looking at Encore as an income opportunity.

Dustin Caldwell
Presidents Club
Encore Payment Systems
Cell 503-881-1420
Email younginc@comcast.net