In Spring of I received a postcard addressed to my business from Cardservice International saying "Triple your sales! Accept credit cards from your customers!"
And I have been told by others that it does help. However, mine was a very small business, only going out and doing shows with my crafts at the time. I decided that accepting credit cards might help, so I contacted the sender of the postcard.
I chose to "purchase" the Linkpoint 9100 wireless credit card terminal, and I was told by the representative on the phone that this particular terminal would be approximately $2400, payable monthly for 24 months, and that the terminal would be mine when payments were completed.
I was informed when I purchased this terminal that there were some places in the country, mainly small towns, where there would not be a wireless signal, and that I would have to plug it into a land line for it to function. I accepted this, and I was able to use the terminal in Chicago for shows. However, one year later I was informed that the wireless towers servicing this machine were being removed from Chicago, rendering my terminal completely useless to me for its intended purpose.
In my opinion, this is a breach of contract on the part of Cardservice International.
In June of I called Cardservice International, who then informed me that I was under a leasing contract with MBF Leasing, a company whom before this time I had no idea I was dealing with. I knew that my terminal was coming from a different company, but I had no idea that I was under contract to them. I was under the assumption that any contracts I had were with Cardservice International alone.
I was told that I still had 24 months left at $100.52 per month to pay on the terminal, which would then make it a $4800 piece of equipment when I was told that it was a $2400 piece of equipment. I also found out that it was not my personal equipment, but that it was only a lease, and that I would have to return the terminal after four years. I tried to explain to the representative on the other end of the line that I had been lied to, and that this was a 2-year contract to purchase, not a 4-year contract to lease. I tried to explain to him that I had been tricked into signing a contract that had nothing to do with what I had been told. This fell absolutely the most unsympathetic ears that I have had the misfortune to contact.
The representative informed me that I still had 24 months to pay on the machine, and that it was a non-cancelable contract, and wanted to hear nothing about the dilemma that I was in because of fraudulent practices.
I had to close my bank account and open another checking account to keep MBF Leasing from removing funds. When I talked to the representative and told him what I had done and that they would no longer be allowed to dip into my account, he became very indignant and said to me, "You mean you did this without contacting US first?". I said "Absolutely. I don't trust you and I will not allow you access to my accounts." I told him I would pay once per month with a postal money order.
I have sent one every month, on time, on the same date that they always removed money from my account, and still I receive harassment calls every hour on the due date demanding that I speak to their account department and tell them why they don't have their money. I am also receiving threatening letters telling me that I have defaulted on the contract, which I have not. I have paid them every month. They are threatening to take legal action, even though I have sent them a money order every month.
I keep receiving invoices from them asking me to give them my bank information, however, I refuse to give it to them because of horror stories I have read on consumer complaints about other people who have had bank accounts cleaned out.
I have been having physical ailments due to the undue stress caused by their threats and harassment. My home is in jeapordy, and my business is no longer functional, partially due to the unethical practices of companies such as these. I have been unable to take credit cards because of this situation, and therefore I have lost business, and am now in the process of closing my business due to the situation.
I am hoping that there is someone out there who can take these companies on and put them in their place. I have contacted my lawyer, the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission about my situation. The Attorney General is next on the list to be contacted, and hopefully they can take these people to task.
If there is anyone else out there who has found themselves in a similiar situation, I strongly urge you to contact these agencies so that there is enough information and complaints to get these offices to move on this company.
Linda
Palestine, Illinois
U.S.A.
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