Companies such as Crescent make the vast majority of their money by selling (actually leasing through a separate leasing company) the actual processing terminals/printers. These terminals/printers cost a company such as Crescent about $200 and they have the uneducated small business owner sign a lease (typically 48 months) that will cost them anywhere from $2400 - $3000. A sales person can make anywhere from $200 - $400 in commission for the sale. A company such as Crescent will also make additional money with numerous (usually hidden and complicated) monthly fees. There are now probably over 50 of these "merchant processing companies" preying on the small business owners of America. They all pretty much operate in the same way. They buy lists of small businesses and have commissioned telemarketers call them to set-up appointments for the commission only Outside Sales Representatives. Crescent is the first to use lap tops with a "canned" video/PowerPoint" presentation.
All of these companies have the same style operation. Very low overhead with most of their employees being 1099 independent contractors with no benefits. Most reps. Last only a few weeks or months because they find the "preset appointments" or leads are poorly qualified. Some of these companies have to disclose to the customer that they have been found guilty by the FTC for illegal and predatory business practices.
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