TransTech / First American Payment Systems of Fort Worth, Texas, a credit card processing firm, has swindled University Motors out of $5,000.
University Motors, opened in January, 1975, and incorporated in the State of Michigan in 1989. We are in the automotive service trade, dealing specifically with MGs and other classic British sportscars. We have automobiles in our shop today from Illinois, Massachusetts, and Colorado, as well as Michigan. We have bench service jobs in our shop from Florida and Pennsylvania, as well as Michigan. We have had credit card service since about 1980.
We frequently receive telephone solicitations by credit card processing firms offering us low rates. We have always rebuffed these cold sales calls. However, Mr Robert Westing, a former customer, approached us in person, representing TransTech Merchant Group, and showed us dramatic savings if we changed to his firm. We made that change about the beginning of September. For two months our credit cards, whether swiped or keyed in, were processed and deposited into our account without incident.
On Thursday, October 19, we attempted to key in a customer's card from Florida for about $3500. The charge was not immediately approved. We had to call our customer and ask him to call his bank to authorize the payment, which he did. The next morning we received a telephone call from Jeremy #3, representing TransTech, who told us that he would not process the card. Further, he told me that we were not allowed to key in transactions.in all our conversations with Mr Westing, the ability to key in cards was stated as paramount, as so many of our sales come from out-of-town owners. Jeremy suggested that things were not on the up and up? How could we possibly have a customer from Florida? Further, he stated that we were not authorized to key in cards. This was not the service promised to us by Mr Westing, so I cancelled my contract with TransTech on Monday, 23rd October in a letter delivered by certified mail and by fax. Later in the day, that Monday, we received a phone call from a woman at TransTech or First American Payment Systems asking for us to re-instate our business. She told us that Jeremy's refusal to process was a one time event. One time too many! She asked if there was anything she could do. I told her she could tell her superior about the treatment we received from Jeremy, and that she could help us return our credit card machine that we purchased, outright, from TransTech.
On Friday, 27th October, I began to attempt to get a refund on the equipment we had purchased from TransTech. During three hours on the phone, mostly on hold, I spoke to at least seven individuals from TransTech, from First American, from LSG (the leasing company), including Charles Montgomery who was listed as Robert Westing's superior. Everyone I spoke to pointed me to someone else. Finally I came upon Curtis #7125, a? Level two? Supervisor. He told me, at 1:30 in the afternoon, that he or someone from TransTech would be back with me later that day.By the close of business no one had called.
I have asked for a refund on my Merchant Pro 3. But that's not all!
Later on Friday, 27th October, Jeremy called our business.? I haven't heard back from you,? He said. I explained that TransTech was no longer our credit card processor and that he was the reason.
On Monday, 30th October, we received a letter from TransTech about the $3500.00 charge. Caroline, my wife, business owner, and bookkeeper, returned the call to find Jeremy. He explained that because we had not credited our customer for the $3500, that the money HAD been charged against the customer's card, and that TransTech would hold that money for 180 days before returning it to our customer.
So now, I have $1500 in a machine I neither want nor need? AND, I have $3500 charged to my customer who most certainly will not allow me to charge his card again for the same amount. I lost a week's worth of receipts until my new card processor was up and running (we returned to our local 5/3 bank); I have an upset customer; and I'm out $5,000.
The actions of TransTech, their representatives Charles Montgomery, Curtis #7125, Robert Westing, and Jeremy #3, have been deplorable, shameful, and immoral, if not criminal.
I implore TransTech and/or First American Payment Systems to return my client's money and to repay University Motors for the redundant equipment.
The details:
TransTech Merchant Group
First American Payment Systems
300 Burnett, Suite 300
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Agents for the TransTech
Jeremy: 800 701 2831 Option #3
Charles Montgomery: 866 471 1099 x 5742
Curtis: 800 789 8897 x 7125
Robert Westing: 888 415 0004
Robert Westing: 616 813 9432
Pam: 888 590 1863 x 7018
I will GLADLY report that TransTech has made good on my complaints. The only redress I seek is the return of my customer's money and a refund for my equipment.
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