Leaders Merchant Services Review


Leaders Merchant Services
PO Box 1911
Camirillo, CA 93012
Phone: 800-310-1883
www.leadersmerchantservices.com

Updated: June 2023

Leaders Merchant Services is a first-rate merchant account provider with strong debit and credit card processing solutions for all types of merchants. They offer guaranteed low rates with no hidden fees. Their exceptional customer service is available 24/7/365, making it ideal in an always-on internet sales environment. For merchants who want to get started immediately, they provide same day account approvals with high approval rates and a generous 30-day trial. Leaders Merchant Services is an excellent option for both new merchants and those transferring from another provider because they offer a great combination of affordable rates, smart processing solutions, and quality service.

Overall Cost – Rates & Fees
Leaders offers very aggressive rates and fees, starting at 0.49% for swiped transactions and 1.79% for keyed-in transactions. Transaction fees range from $0.17 – $0.31 and there are no statement fees at all. In fact, they offer a $500 guarantee – awarded to you if they can’t save you money on your current processing costs. In addition, Leaders advertises no hidden fees while providing free credit card processing equipment and set-up. Just as with any merchant provider, the rates and fees you get will depend on a number of factors, including the type of cards you accept, the type of account you intend to open, the type of transactions you process, and other specifics. Bottom Line – Leaders puts their money where their mouth is with their $500 guarantee so you can rest assured they will be extremely competitive with rates and fees.

Customer Service
Leaders has one of the largest customer service departments in the industry. They run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Each merchant gets a personal account representative and timely technical support should problems arise.
Customer service is one feature that new merchants seem to take for granted. But ask any merchant already accepting credit cards and they will tell you how critical customer service can be. In fact, it is just as important as rates and fees.

Credit Card Processing Options
Leaders supplies their merchants with every type of credit card processing option, which includes retail, internet, wireless/mobile, phone and mail. They also customize solutions for merchants that have more complex, or multiple processing needs.

Internet
You will need an on-line payment gateway, which securely accepts and transmits data over the internet. Information is verified and payment authorized in seconds. Leaders offers several internet solutions. The most popular method is the Authorize.net payment gateway, which allows merchant s to use virtual shopping carts or PC Charge (software that allows you to key-in transactions on a PC). Whether customers or your staff is entering credit card information, Leaders has a software solution.

Retail
There are a vast array of processing options available: dial up or dual-comm terminals, integrated POS solutions, mobile options including the iPad and iPad Touch and a virtual terminal with an Internet gateway account. Leaders has a solution for just about any retail processing need. Terminals and set-up is free with Leaders.

Wireless & Mobile
Wireless and mobile solutions are great because they offer flexibility not previously available. Wireless solutions include the Hypercom M4230, Nurit 8020 GPRS and Verifone Vx610. There are two general types of mobile options, either swiped or keyed-in transactions. Leaders can get you set up with your current smartphone (Android, iPhone, Blackberry and others), with either their free iPhone application or ROAMPay.

Mail & Telephone
There are two ways you can process mail and telephone orders. The first is with a virtual terminal – using the Internet and a secure payment gateway. This virtual terminal is on-line, and you can access it 24/7. The second option is PC Charge, which turns your computer into a secure terminal. PC Charge software allows you to key in data over your computer and transmit it using an analog phone or your internet connection.

Reliability/Credibility
Leaders has been helping merchants accept credit cards for over a decade, with more than 100,000 merchant accounts served. No single merchant account provider goes without complaints, but the vast majority of merchants are satisfied with Leaders. This is clearly demonstrated by their 92% client retention rate. Leaders is one of the largest companies in the industry and have worked hard to build a strong reputation in the marketplace.

Additional Features
• Money clears next day for eligible merchants
• Free AMEX and Discover set-up
• Free Authorize.net online account
• Business Cash Advance available
• Check Guarantee
• Gift Cards program
• One of the largest chargeback and fraud departments in the industry
• Premium Customer Care Program with various benefits that give peace of mind if your equipment should ever have problems
• On-line access to your account where you can monitor everything (iAcess)
• QuickBooks solution
• Manual Imprinters