CDGCommerce Review
Merchant Maverick's Rating: (5 out of 5)
Last Updated: March 22nd, 2011.
Logo:
Get Started With CDGcommerce | Need More Help? Click Here
Overview:
CDGcommerce is an excellent merchant account provider with offices in both California and Virgina. Most of you have probably noticed that the bar for a perfect 5 out of 5 rating is pretty high here at Merchant Maverick. CDGCommerce has passed that bar with flying colors.
In an industry, where unethical business practices have in some cases become the norm, CDGCommerce doesn't compromise. They've been in business for over a decade, yet I literally had trouble finding a single complaint about them. Even the neutral reviews that I've seen don't discredit them in any way. Check out this WebHostingTalk thread and this GIDForums thread to get an idea of what I'm talking about. The general consensus is that CDG takes their merchants seriously. A much needed breath of fresh air if you ask me.
Their focus on obtaining business through referrals and partnerships puts them in a position where the "hard-sell" approach becomes unnecessary. They understand how much more powerful word-of-mouth can be, but also how accountable it can make them.
They have a great testimonials section with fully-disclosed (i.e. full-name/business name) testimonials, they don't lock you into a contract that charges a cancellation fee, they offer a free payment gateway and they provide their merchants with an educational resource center. What more could you want?
5 out of 5 it is.
Get Started With CDGcommerce | Need More Help? Click Here
Date Established:
1998.
Location:
San Pedro, California and Chesapeake, Virginia.
Domain Name(s):
www.cdgcommerce.com.
Parent/Partner Company:
Doesn't look like CDGcommerce is a subsidiary of any other company.
Type:
Registered ISO/MSP.
Acquiring Bank(s) (Acquirer):
First National Bank.
Payment Processor(s):
CDGCommerce processes its own transactions.
Payment Gateway(s):
Authorize.Net or QuantumGateway.
Do you need help setting up your payment gateway? Visit the Payment Gateway Integration page for more info.
Trust Symbols:
The CDGcommerce BBB profile has an excellent "A+" rating as of this post with only 1 complaint in the last 36 months.
Negative Reviews:
I'm pleased to say that I couldn't dig up any negative reviews on CDG. You can see from their BBB profile that they've only had 1 complaint in the last 36 months, which is awesome. Being in business since 1998, I would expect more unhappy customers from them. So either they're very good at reputation management, or what I'm suspecting is, that they're actually a great company.
Common Complaints:
Can't have any common complaints, if I don't even have a single complaint.
Verifiable Testimonials/References:
CDGCommerce has a big list of testimonials on their site. I contacted most of them, and received two responses so far. Both merchants were extremely happy with their accounts, and assured me that they weren't paid or incentivized in any way by CDGcommerce to write their testimonials.
Security/Privacy:
Their digital application is secured by McAfee.
Customer Service:
I've personally experienced CDG's customer service, in addition to the responses that I've heard from references and other friends. They're staff is very helpful, knowledgeable and operates with a great deal of integrity.
Contract Duration:
The sales rep told me that they don't have any contract terms.
Cancellation Fee:
No cancellation fee either (be sure to read your contract).
Interchange-Plus Pricing:
CDGcommerce does offer interchange-plus pricing, but it varies from business to business. Be sure to ask them about it though.
Seasonal Downtime:
Seasonal downtime is offered, but you must be in business at least 6-months out of the year.
Product/Service Offering:
Internet/Online (e-Commerce), Retail, Mobile/Wireless.
Product/Service Specialty:
CDGcommerce' self-proclaimed "primary area of expertise" is in the online/internet field. Great news for all you e-Commerce site owners.
Don't forget to leave your review and rating in the comment section. 
No trackbacks yet.
Sign Up Today!
As Seen In
September 2nd, 2009 - 10:38
I’ve been think of CDG Commerce as a reseller for my clients. I am really interested in the Quantum Gateway. Thanks for the review and I now leaning their way!
September 2nd, 2009 - 11:02
Robert,
Thanks for the comment. Glad to know that I was able to help. Let us know how it goes.
June 16th, 2011 - 17:17
What is the Quantum Gateway?
June 17th, 2011 - 13:30
The Quantum Gateway would be CDGcommerce’ equivalent of Authorize.Net. It’s their own in-house payment gateway, which they offer for free.
February 8th, 2010 - 11:26
Thanks for the great website, this is the best comparison resource I have found! (I tried to click the main contact button but that page isn’t loading for some reason.)
One suggestion as to a tip you might add…I have been researching the best payment solution for a non-profit theatre company, and it took me a while to find out that none of the “special deals” you see for non-profits offer a custom payment solution — all of them involve leaving the main website to go to a “donation page” on the provider’s website. I kept hoping that there might be a custom payment solution with a discounted rate for non-profits, but no such luck. (Since it is a professional theatre company with a good percentage of older patrons, we really want people to stay on the site).
So, my advice to non-profits in a similar situation would be to go with a provider that uses QuantumGateway, since they seem to offer slightly better rates than Authorize.net, although I think some of the 5-star companies on this site that use Authorize.net would probably be great also. I like how QuantumGateway keeps it simple (we have our own database, so we don’t really need a fancy API, though they offer one if you want it), e.g. http://www.quantumgateway.com/view_developer.php?Cat1=1 and http://www.quantumgateway.com/view_developer.php?Cat1=3.
I think we will probably go with CDG Commerce. Thanks again!
February 8th, 2010 - 12:23
Matt,
Thank you for the great post! As this site gains a following, it will be comments like yours that will help make our reviews even better. I definitely plan on adding industry specific criteria to my reviews in the near future, but as of now, I’m just trying to keep up with the number of MSPs that are out there. That’s a full time job in itself.
Again, thanks for the great post. Please check back and let us know how it went with CDGCommerce. It would be great if we could hear your experience with them in the following sequence: Initial Setup, Mid-Term and Long-Term. I know that relationships can last for years, and problems can come up at any time during your relationship with your provider, but if we know that you’re still happy with their customer service 6-months or 1-year into your relationship with them, then that’s great info for all of us.
Take Care.
Btw, I fixed the contact page issue…oops!
May 22nd, 2010 - 08:01
Great site! We’re launching a new company and the thorough information that your site provides is very helpful.
One thing – you gave kudos to CDG for Twitter and Facebook pages, yet neither is really that engaged. They’ve tweeted once with only 6 followers, and their Facebook page is a ‘friend’ page rather than a business page (and only has 11 friends).
I may have missed something, but was a bit confused.
It doesn’t matter much to their processing, but I agree with your attitude that having a social media presence allows their customers to be fully engaged and their service transparent.
May 22nd, 2010 - 14:25
Thanks for the kind words. Glad to help.
I agree with you, CDG should definitely step their game up in that department.
Feel free to call or email if you have any questions.
August 20th, 2010 - 14:59
Thanks for the website as well as well as your quick correspondence, this definitely made my searching easier.
Been looking around and found that CDG seems like a good and overall cheap company, been kind of paranoid about hidden costs, but this company seems to only charge 10 dollars a month for everything (excluding charge costs). even the $79 fee for the “free” CC machine (amazon cost $398) was less than other total costs from some banks I was looking at. Though may buy my own alternative terminal so the 79 isn’t charged.
One negative though is when I called them the first time, I was told that their terminal doesn’t accept multiple-users (phone sales), the second time that no CC machine accepts multiple-users (online sales chat), then the last time that it does accept multiple users (phone technical support).
- The terminal actually does, it appears to be maybe the only 3 hypercom that has this ability per the hypercom webpage. A cheaper option for this is the T7 Plus, an older but still useful machine at $180 (main neg. is no IP connector) that supports up to 20 merchant accounts.
August 23rd, 2010 - 19:08
Good site!
Question: If CDG has 5 starts, why aren’t they in your Top 10?
August 25th, 2010 - 00:21
I’m not sure I understand you here Joe. Technically, I don’t have a top 10. I do have a comparison chart where the providers are ranked based on their rating (1 to 5), and CDGCommerce is right there on that page.
October 11th, 2010 - 11:57
Called them twice today during their business hours. Was on hold for more than 5 minutes. At the end, phone systems said, “All of our agents our busy helping customers, at the tone, please leave a message.”
June 16th, 2011 - 17:16
That would turn me off reeeeeal fast!
October 25th, 2010 - 16:38
Just wondering if CDGCommerce offered data portability, which seemed to be important to merchants writing comments for other providers.
October 29th, 2010 - 23:03
I would highly recommend CDG commerce. I have moved away from Elavon\Auth.net to CDG\Quantum and it should save us $750-1000 annually. They were very helpful throughout the signup process and I was approved and setup in 48 hours.
Thanks also to this website for their helpful guidance.
November 20th, 2010 - 09:54
I am a new CDG Customer and so far I love the service. I’m an Artist and work shows in the fall and I have not had one problem. The easy access to the Quantum Gateway allows for ease of input as well as access to data and reports.
Great so far. Thanks!
January 4th, 2011 - 13:50
Helen, I just want to ensure you’re still satisfied- I’m really trying to pick a provider to go with and CDG seems good. Any recent feedback would be great. I’m really concerned about hidden fees.
January 12th, 2011 - 12:22
I am very pleased with CDG. I was also worried about hidden fees but have not had a problem. I love the ease of technology! I take payments on my iPad. Love it. Helen
December 8th, 2010 - 18:44
Thanks to your website, I had merchant services companies for my retail location narrowed down to CDG and a local bank. I spoke with somebody from CDG through the live support and email, and he was very helpful and quick to reply.
- CDG only uses qualified and non qualified rates – transactions that would normally be processed at the mid qualifying level are processed at the non qualifying rate.
-CDG’s non qualifying rate is a SURCHARGE, that is, you would be paying the qualifying rate in addition to the non qualifying rate for those transactions. This is pretty important, and being new to this, something I didn’t know to look out for until I did some more research.
Although CDG may still be very cost effective for some companies out there, I’m expecting to process a good number of rewards cards that would rack up fees, and my local bank is giving me a better offer.
February 19th, 2011 - 12:03
I really appreciate your website. It has helped so much with my search for the perfect merchant service providers.
I went ahead and am currently signing up with CDG Commerce, however I would just like to point out that although their prices are spot on, their customer service and response to emails have been less than stellar. It took them around 2 days to respond to some emails and no one ever seems to be available when I call. They also do not have support on the weekends, so if anyone ever plans on asking questions, it’s best to do so during M-F.
Like with any other provider, before you sign with them, make sure you read and fully understand their contract before submitting anything. I haven’t spotted any fees out of the ordinary and their prices really are very competitive especially with Quantum Gateway. I’ll be doing the AIM Emulator, because my hosting provider requires it, so I may provide an update on the ease of set-up.
Also they advertise they can set you up in 5 minutes. That is so not the case! Given that you need to fill out the application online then wait for them to reply and they then send you list of instructions to do and you must fill out and fax/scan and email the official application/contract…..this whole process will definitely take you more than 5 minutes. Also make sure to do it on a weekday because if you have any questions, they cannot be reached during the weekend (even through email). Its definitely not an “Instant Activation,” but with their great prices I’m more than willing to overlook their mediocre customer service and application process.
February 20th, 2011 - 09:42
I must say that I am very disappointed in CDG commerce. I filled out an extensive application and the processing took a lot longer than they originally said it would. I also was DENIED because they decided I was a life coach and financial advisor and they do not approve those categories. I am a licensed psychologist with an excellent reputation, perfect credit, an office with staff and have been in business for 25 years!!!! If you are a psychologist, forget applying with them as they apparently have no understanding of the business !!!!
February 24th, 2011 - 17:18
I too do not recommend CDG Commerce. After the extensive application (see my first entry). I was denied because my business has foreign customers. Like the entry above, I too have perfect credit. It really is not so much their company that’s bad, but their bank. As stated in a recent email from them, it was because their bank is VERY CONSERVATIVE. They really should have let their applicants know that ahead of time, instead of wasting our time filing for an application that may have a potential in being denied. I am so disappointed in CDG Commerce and if you have foreign customers, I DO NOT recommend using them!
April 22nd, 2011 - 21:17
I had a terrible experience with this company. These guys are discriminative, xenophobic and not man enough to come out and say it.
I’m a US citizen with a US bank account living and operating a business in the US for a US audience. After I fulfilled all their requirements with flying colors they denied my application because I was born in a foreign country. They kept claiming that my domain name is registered under a non-US address, which is simply not true.
The truth is they are suspicious of me because my name sounds foreign to them and they’re not open minded enough to admit that they think of immigrants as second class citizens.
CDG Commerce prides itself on being American but their prejudice, xenophobia and dishonesty is distinctively anti-American. Boycott them: say no to hatred and discrimination.
June 16th, 2011 - 17:14
Could U be more specific abt what they did or didn’t do to warrant such a bad review from U.
June 12th, 2011 - 00:59
You should take another look at CDG Commerce. They offer a “free” wireless terminal but require a $79.00 PER YEAR replacement fee + $20.00 monthly fee in addition to other regular fees. Not sure your rating of them is accurate.
But still, thanks for the great website!
Thanks.
Chris
June 15th, 2011 - 16:16
Thanks for the comment Chris, I appreciate your insight. I agree with you that “free” is not the best word to be using in this situation, but I think that detail is minor considering the upside to this company.
Btw, can you tell me where you found the $20/month? I only see a $10/month merchant fee. I hope I’m not missing it somewhere.
In regards to the other regular fees that they charge, I have to say that they are much lower than other companies that I’ve reviewed.
No annual fee.
No setup fee.
No monthly minimum.
No contract.
No cancellation fee.
No payment gateway fee.
No AVS fee.
That’s hard to beat!
June 17th, 2011 - 16:39
Hi,
The $20. monthly fee was for a wireless terminal and that’s what I need as a DJ. If it is $20. , really not too bad for wireless. Maybe I’m mistaken? please see link.
http://www.cdgcommerce.com/wireless-services.php
Thanks
Chris
July 6th, 2011 - 00:40
Chris,
I apologize for the delay. You’re right, the $20 is for wireless.
Thanks!