On August 29 a representative from Integrity of Texas called to schedule an appointment to sell me merchant services for my wedding business. I explained to the gentleman that I had recently registered my company name and was not ready to purchase equipment. The representative, Jonathan Morse continued to explain how much money in the long run he could save me and that all I had to do was listen to what he has to offer. I agreed to me with him.
During our meeting at my home I informed Jonathan that my clients preferred paying by check or cash and I that only one or two ask to pay by credit card. Jonathan insisted I would need both merchant services even though I told him I was not ready to make any big purchases.
He continued to sway my decision by telling my he could lower my monthly payments and that the check reader would help me identify fake checks and if a check came back Integrity of Texas MBF Leasing would take care of the collection and would reimburse my business immediately and that they would collect the fee from the person who wrote the check plus the face value. I would only be charged 30 cents per transaction at a monthly fee of $30 and there was absolutely no hidden costs or fees.
The credit card service was at offline debit rate of 1.57% and 25 cent per transaction with a monthly fee of $20. I was also told to encourage my clients to use the debit over credit option. What he neglected to tell me was if they paid by debit I would be paying a higher fee for debit over the credit purchases which would also include batch fees, higher statement fees and a higher percentage fees.
In the end I changed my decision and signed the receipt form for the equipment. I also asked if for some reason I decided to discontinue my services with them was I able to cancel my account? Jonathan said absolutely yes, all you have to do is return the equipment to the company and that would be the end of it. During our meeting there was never a contract agreement present and the only thing I did get a copy at that time was the merchant receipt order form. A few weeks later I received the equipment, copy of the agreement and a letter requesting I provide proof of insurance per the agreement. When I reviewed the contract I noticed that the majority of it was written in someone elses handwriting other than mine and that I could not recall ever signing this agreement. When I contacted Integrity of Texas I explained to them I never saw this contract and was not told I would need insurance. They requested I tell my insurance company to put Integrity of Texas on my insurance stating their equipment was in my possession and that Nationwide Insurance would cover all damages if any should occur. I contacted my insurance company and explained their request and they had said that they would not change my insurance and that as long as the equipment was in my household it was covered.
As the weeks went on I started see statements coming in for $188 monthly charge and then a $30 charge. I contact them numerous times asking them why I was begin charged for so much money when we agreed on lower monthly rate. The lady said she was sorry for in confusion I might have, but if I review my contact it says exactly how much I would be paying and I again stated I never saw the contract in the first place and if I did I would have never agreed to their terms to monthly fee of $174.90 for 48 months. She went on to say there was nothing she could do about it and for me to just pay what is expected per the agreement.
I was furious with her remark and asked her to close my account this moment.integrity of Texas indicated that they would cancel my processing services, but was not able to do anything about my equipment leasing agreement since it was non-refundable and could not be cancelled. So I contacted MBF Leasing and was told that I could return the equipment to them, but would still be charged a monthly fee since the agreement can not be cancelled UNLESS I was able to find someone else to take over the lease or buy the equipment for $7,000. I told them I didn't have that kind of money besides the fact I was told that I could get out of this with no problems if I so decided. MBF Leasing said the representative I spoke to was trained well and that I must have misunderstood him. I also told them that I was going to cancel my account and asked if they could stop the automatic withdrawals from my account and simply mail me the bills. MBF Leasing and Integrity of Texas said no way I could do that. They must have an account to withdrawal from and no they can not send payments through the mail. I've decided to go ahead and close my account and take my chances like everyone else. I will also go and report to the BBB nationwide and the Attorney General of Texas as well as file a forgery report against them.
MBF Leasing and Integrity of Texas is a scam' a huge rip off on small businesses. We need to find a way to get this message across to everyone we know and to put an end to this madness. If and when a class action lawsuit begins you can be sure of one thing and that is I will be there to help bring them down!
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