by Ben Dwyer Ignite Payments is First Data’s independent sales agent channel and was founded in 1988 as Cardservice International. Acquired by First Data in 2001, Ignite Payments serves businesses in the United States and boasts one of the highest merchant approval rates in the industry, approving most merchants in 2 days or less. The company offers a range of services, including payment processing, equipment, security programs, industry-specific solutions, and more.
It’s important to note that there are multiple independent sales agents for Ignite Payments, with their own names, locations, and services. As such, specific available services, rates, customer service, and other details may vary. Most of the independent sales agents for Ignite Payments use the Ignite Payments name with an additional descriptor, such as “Ignite Payments New York City” or “Ignite Payments Group II” but some use an entirely different business name, as is the case with “InstantMerchant.” This profile will focus on the offerings and reputation of Ignite Payments, LLC, the company directly owned by First Data and reachable with the contact information included in this profile.
The company is headquartered in California. Ignite Payments, LLC is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo.
Services
Ignite Payments offers a range of services for businesses, including card processing in-store and online, a loyalty program, equipment, and security solutions.
Card Processing
Ignite Payments offers card processing for traditional brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce businesses or a mixture of both. Businesses can accept major credit and debit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and more. The Payeezy eCommerce Solution protects customer payment information when your customers pay online, and offers an easy payment solution with mobile-ready checkout. Ignite helps reduce abandoned shopping carts and offer flexibility in payment choices by supporting PayPal, Google Checkout, Bill Me Later, gift cards, and more.
Loyalty Program
Ignite’s Perka Solution is the customer loyalty program available to Ignite customers. Perka allows businesses to reward regular customers and ensure repeat business, as well as create incentives to encourage new customers to come in. Businesses can choose to provide special offers to customers’ phones with the Perka app and reward customers who make a purchase or take a desired action.
Equipment
Ignite Payments suggests First Data’s Clover Station for brick-and-mortar stores needing a POS solution. The Clover Station features a sleek design, removable cash drawer, and small counter space footprint. The Clover Station includes a touchscreen, automatic software updates, inventory tracking, and support for optional peripheral equipment.
Additional equipment may also be compatible with Ignite Payments/First Data processing services, including basic terminals, check scanners, touchscreen POS displays, mobile payment and contactless payment technology, and more. Businesses who already own equipment can contact Ignite Payments to determine if the equipment is reprogrammable and compatible with Ignite Payments processing.
Equipment offered through Ignite Payments includes industry-specific system packages, including the First Data Retail Solution and First Data Restaurant Solution, as well as basic processing equipment. Ignite Payments offers equipment leasing with monthly payments for businesses who don’t want to purchase a terminal outright.
Security
Ignite Payments helps businesses process payments securely by utilizing encryption and tokenization. As a First Data independent sales agent, the company offers the TransArmor Solution as a standard feature on accounts. TransArmor provides multiple layers of protection against cyber attacks and fraud, and includes a liability waiver of up to $100,000 in case of data breaches. Ignite may be able to help businesses reduce their PCI compliance scope and costs. More information about protections is available at First Data’s TransArmor page.
Reporting
For managing back-office business and marketing functions, Ignite Payments supports the First Data Insightics Solution. Insightics offers the ability to track customer spending trends, create and manage customer profiles, compare sales with competitors in similar businesses, and more.
Rates and Contract Terms
Ignite Payments doesn’t disclose rates or contract terms on their website. As there are multiple resellers of Ignite services, rates and terms may vary. Businesses will need to contact Ignite Payments directly to receive a quote and information about contract terms, if any, and any applicable early termination or cancellation fees
Reviews
Ignite’s online reputation is mixed. Additionally, some reviewers interchangeably refer to Ignite and First Data, so it’s unclear if the reviewer is attempting to contact Ignite or if they’re contacting First Data directly.
As mentioned in the introduction, Ignite Payments has multiple resellers under various versions of the Ignite Payments name. This makes it difficult to accurately determine which reviews are specific to which ‘company’ and illustrates one of the many challenges for businesses basing decisions on processor reviews.
Ripoff Report has several complaints for Ignite Payments (or Ignite Payments/First Data jointly). Complaints allege being charged higher rates and fees than quoted, Ignite Payments holding large sums of money instead of depositing it to the business’s bank account, unresponsive customer service, and Ignite Payments deducting funds without authorization after attempting to close processing accounts.
Because there are multiple independent agents, there are multiple Better Business Bureau pages for Ignite Payments. The Better Business Bureau page that is called Ignite Payments, LLC has been accredited since 2005 and currently boasts an A rating, the highest available. Ignite shows 3 complaints closed with the BBB in the past year, with 8 complaints closed in the past 3 years. 5 complaints are in the “Problems with Product/Service” category 2 complaints are in the “Billing/Collection Issues” category, and 1 complaint is in the “Advertising/Sales Issues” category. Details of the complaints are not currently available.
1 complaint is listed as satisfactorily resolved, while for the remaining 7 complaints the BBB states they have either not heard back from the complainant or the complainant was not satisfied with Ignite Payments’ response.
Ignite Payments includes a “Tips and Testimonials” section on their website, but as of summer 2015, it only includes tips for using Ignite/First Data products, such as the Clover Station. There are currently no testimonials or awards available on their website.
