Clover Credit Card Machine Scams: Everything You Need To Know To Avoid Getting Fleeced
Advertiser Disclosure: Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.
There is a lot of buzz surrounding First Data’s tablet-based POS products: Clover Station, Clover Mini, and Clover Flex. Now there’s even Clover Go, a mobile POS solution. Bank of America Merchant Services also heavily promotes Clover products. But unlike iPad POS systems, you can’t just download the app and test out the POS. You have to buy the complete hardware package to see Clover in action. This has led many merchants to places like eBay, looking for a deal. Unfortunately, it has also led predatory merchant services companies to sell business owners more than they bargained for.
According to Clover’s website, there are about 3,000 partners offering Clover, and it’s possible there are many more. Clover even admits that there are shady resellers undercutting their prices and that those systems are not legitimate. However, considering that a Clover Station goes for about $1,400 up to about $1,800 from Clover.com (which sells at MSRP), some merchants might balk at the price, look at eBay, and say, “These guys are selling it for a lower number, so why shouldn’t I go with them?”
In this article, I’ll explain why you need to be very careful where you get your Clover machine from and how you can ensure you choose a high-quality Clover provider.
Table of Contents
- What’s All The Fuss About The Clover System?
- But Can’t You Just Reprogram A Clover POS Machine?
- Why You Shouldn’t Buy Your Clover Credit Card Machine From The Cheapest Source
- How Can You Avoid A Scam & Get A Good Deal On A Clover Register?
- Not So Sure A Clover Device Is Right For You? Try These Options
- The Bottom Line When Shopping For A Clover Credit Card Machine
What’s All The Fuss About The Clover System?
Since the switch to chip cards rolled out in 2015, many merchant services companies have developed new hardware solutions with integrated EMV-compliant chip card readers, as well as NFC readers for acceptance of contactless payments via digital wallets like Apple Pay and Android Pay. We recently reviewed some of the new EMV and NFC card readers on the market, which you can read about and compare here.
So it’s no surprise that First Data, one of the biggest processors in the US, put together an attractive, EMV-compliant hardware and software bundle. Unlike standard tablet or smartphone POS software, which uses interchangeable hardware, to use Clover you must buy one of First Data’s proprietary tablet, stand, and card reader bundles. This requires an initial hardware investment of about $500 to $1,800 per register (depending on which model you buy), and that hardware is useless to you if you decide to switch systems.
Still, it’s an alluring and sleek suite of products, with the Clover Mini ($749) representing competition for the similar reader and software combo offered by Poynt—another new-wave POS hardware developer. The even smaller Clover Flex ($499) is comparable in form to the Poynt 5 smart terminal. Square offers a similarly priced EMV- and NFC-enabled POS (Square Register, $799) and smart terminal (Square Terminal, $399). Whichever one you use, the fact remains that these new-school POS products are fairly expensive, and business owners are looking for a way to get their hands on them at a discount.
-
- Clover Mini POS system
-
- Poynt POS system
But Can’t You Just Reprogram A Clover POS Machine?
Generally speaking, many merchant services providers can reprogram traditional terminals so you can reuse equipment from your previous provider. Clover doesn’t allow that—your device is locked to whatever merchant services provider you got the machine from. No reprogramming means you can’t buy a used device. This also means you can’t just buy a cheap machine on eBay or Amazon and take it to your MSP and let them reprogram it.
So why is that a problem?
The problem with an un-reprogrammable system is that you will be stuck with whichever merchant services provider you buy your Clover from. And well, not all merchant service providers are created equal. Some of them have good customer service, some have terrible customer service. Some charge lots of hidden fees, others are fair and straightforward about the fees they charge. Some require years-long service contracts, while others are month-to-month. As you might imagine, being stuck with a poor-quality merchant services provider is a nightmare for any small business.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Your Clover Credit Card Machine From The Cheapest Source
Not only are Clover machines not reprogrammable, but not all Clover terminals you’ll find for sale online are even “official.” This means you may not get access to Clover’s technical support, warranties, Clover Security/TransArmor protection, etc.
So, just because a provider is promising insanely low rates doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good value in the long run — especially if you’re stuck with a junk system that Clover itself doesn’t even stand by! In fact, a low-priced Clover system (I’ve seen Clover Stations priced as low as $250 on eBay) with too-good-to-be-true rates (“starting at 0.1% + $0.04!”) is a red flag and almost certainly a scam. As I mentioned, many Clover resellers charge hidden fees, which means that the transaction fee that they advertise definitely does not tell the full story about how much you’ll really pay.
Want to leave your Clover service contract and buy a whole new system? Depending on the provider your Clover contract is with, you won’t even be able to do that—unless you pay hefty fees such as an early termination fee and liquidated damages. Potentially, you could be out many thousands of dollars if you pick the “cheapest” Clover system.
Merchant Services Scams On eBay
Low-priced Clover machines on Amazon or eBay are sold by very small payment providers using many of the sales tactics that we hate to see in MSPs, including misleading rates, and no other helpful information. Some might not even link to their own website or make mention of any kind of warranty.
If you buy a Clover machine somewhere like eBay or Amazon, unless you read the item description carefully, you might not even notice that you must sign a processing agreement in order to receive the machine. Signing on with a merchant services provider is not something to be taken lightly. These contracts can end up costing you thousands of dollars in overpayments and termination fees, as well as countless hours of headaches. Certainly, neither eBay nor Amazon are the best forums for evaluating these services and contract terms.
What’s happening here is that resellers of First Data’s payment processing services (like Ignite Payments, a subsidiary brand of First Data Merchant Services with many independent offices and agents) are selling merchant accounts under the guise of Clover Station POS hardware. They get you to agree to the purchase of the machine and then pressure you into signing the contract in order to receive the machine.
How Can You Avoid A Scam & Get A Good Deal On A Clover Register?
The best way to purchase Clover POS is to sign up for a merchant account with a reputable reseller that you research in-depth. Don’t just sign up with a company because they have the lowest equipment price on eBay or Amazon. Those credit card processors are just trying to trick you into signing up for a merchant account without having carefully considered your contract terms, processing fees, customer support, and other important factors.
The Best Clover Service Providers
| heading | Clover Corporate | Payment Depot | National Processing | Dharma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Official Clover Store | Payment Depot | National Processing | Dharma Merchant Services | |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Provides all Clover products | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Rate matching and negotiable quotes | Varies | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Fair entry-level quote standard | $29/mn 2.3% + 0.10¢ for in-person transactions | $49/mn 0.00% + $0.15 markup | $10/mn 0.20% + $0.08 markup | $10/mn 0.20% + $0.08 markup (Must process $10K+ per month) |
So, if you shouldn’t buy on eBay or Amazon, where should you buy a Clover POS?
The first place we recommend shopping for a Clover system is on Clover.com, especially for low-volume businesses processing less than $10K/month (as Clover’s flat-rate pricing is a great deal for those businesses). Even though they charge more for their hardware, Clover.com offers the flexibility of month-to-month contracts, with a reasonable monthly service charge, and flat-rate credit card transaction fees. Clover clearly discloses its rates and terms online, with a few different plans to choose from, depending on your sales volume and industry.
Here are a few more things to like about purchasing a Clover POS from Clover.com directly:
- Interest-Free Installment Pricing Available: This is not a lease; you own your system outright after you pay all your installments. For example, you can purchase the Clover Station for $1,399 outright or pay three installments of $466, after which the hardware is yours.
- Easy Returns & Refunds: You can return your Clover hardware for full refund within 60 days—You pay only for return shipping and there is no cost to exit your contract (even after the 60 days are up), which you can do at any time.
- Discounts On Additional Devices: For instance, on the “Register” plan for clover Station, you pay $39.95 per month for your first device and $9.95 per month for each additional device, per business location.
- 24/7 Support: Contact Clover’s support team to troubleshoot hardware, software, or payment issues anytime, day or night, either via phone or email.
As mentioned, there are also other reputable Clover resellers who provide good rates and terms on Clover systems—some examples include Payment Depot, National Processing, and Dharma Merchant Services. Some of these resellers provide interchange-plus pricing, which might make more sense than flat-rate for higher-volume businesses. To get a better idea of which specific merchant services companies to buy your Clover from (and which companies to avoid), read The Best (And Worst) Companies To Get a Clover Credit Card Machine From.
If you’re worried about costs, it’s important to note that POS equipment is a business tax writeoff; small business loans can also be an option for purchasing POS equipment. Whatever you do, just don’t lease or rent a POS terminal, as you’ll end up overpaying and stuck in an ironclad contract with a system you’ll never even own outright.
Not So Sure A Clover Device Is Right For You? Try These Options
Clover is powerful and flexible, and the all-in-one hardware designs are a major part of the appeal. But other providers can offer a similar experience, perhaps without as much headache and maybe for less cost. If you’re open to POS options other than Clover, read The Best Clover Alternatives & Competitors For Any & Every Type Of Small Business.
Also, read about a few specific providers below that are popular alternatives to Clover.
Square
Free merchant account alternative
Square is another easy-to-use small business POS, but it’s more flexible than Clover in that it doesn’t require a merchant account and you can use it with any device. Square offers flat-rate pricing with no monthly fee. Like Clover, Square is also suitable for virtually any type of business but works best for low-volume businesses. If you prefer an all-in-one hardware setup like Clover offers, Square has the Square Register, which is comparable to the Clover Mini, and Square Terminal, which is most similar to the Clover Flex. Or, you can use the proprietary Square Stand (pictured above) with an iPad setup. If you’re considering Clover, I would definitely do some comparison shopping with Square to see how they stack up in terms of their hardware, features, and pricing.
ShopKeep
Alternative POS software using Clover hardware
ShopKeep is an interesting option because it is the only other POS software that runs on Clover hardware. If you like the Clover hardware but operate a quick-service or specialty retail setup, you might prefer to use ShopKeep over Clover’s software, as ShopKeep offers some useful features for these industries, with colorful buttons and an intuitive UI. However, you also have the option to use ShopKeep with an iPad or Android register setup. ShopKeep also offers affordable monthly pricing and in-house payment processing with interchange-plus rates. As for the quality of ShopKeep itself, they are reliable and known for their strong customer service. If you’re interested in alternative POS software that runs on Clover hardware, I recommend downloading a free ShopKeep account to test out on your iPad or Android.
SwipeSimple By Payment Depot
Budget-friendly POS with high-quality merchant services
As mentioned, Payment Depot is a quality merchant services provider from which you can buy Clover. However, Payment Depot also offers a less-expensive system called SwipeSimple that runs on Apple and Android devices with either a free Bluetooth reader or an all-in-one PAX terminal (pictured above), which is similar to the Clover Flex. Low-volume merchants can get their own merchant account with flat-rate pricing for just $10/month; higher-volume merchants can qualify for interchange-plus pricing. Payment Depot is a more basic system than Clover, but if you just need quality payment processing services and don’t need advanced features or snazzy register hardware, SwipeSimple By Payment Depot could be perfect for you.
The Bottom Line When Shopping For A Clover Credit Card Machine
Clover can be a good fit for a variety of small businesses in the retail and restaurant industries. It’s a good general all-in-one system and is super easy-to-use for POS newcomers. However, it can be expensive, and its feature set isn’t that advanced out-of-the-box. You also can’t reuse the hardware with another system of your choosing if Clover doesn’t work out for you. If you are on a budget, have industry-specific needs, and/or want a more flexible system, I’d recommend taking a look at some Clover alternatives and seeing how they compare.
The key takeaways for navigating the sea of Clover resellers are as follows:
- Don’t buy on eBay or Amazon, opting instead to purchase from Clover directly or from a well-vetted merchant services provider.
- When buying a Clover system, don’t settle for less than a month-to-month contract, flat-rate or interchange pricing with no hidden fees, and the option to purchase your Clover system outright instead of leasing or renting.
The Best Clover Service Providers
| heading | Clover Corporate | Payment Depot | National Processing | Dharma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Official Clover Store | Payment Depot | National Processing | Dharma Merchant Services | |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Provides all Clover products | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Rate matching and negotiable quotes | Varies | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Fair entry-level quote standard | $29/mn 2.3% + 0.10¢ for in-person transactions | $49/mn 0.00% + $0.15 markup | $10/mn 0.20% + $0.08 markup | $10/mn 0.20% + $0.08 markup (Must process $10K+ per month) |
Here is some further reading you should do as you continue to shop for a POS system:
Based in New York’s Hudson Valley, Tom has written for Merchant Maverick since 2013. His work is cited by publications including TechCrunch, Washington Business Journal, and Bank Advisor. He currently serves as Partner Marketing Manager, where he works to connect exceptional brands with the readers they serve best.
Latest posts by Tom DeSimone (see all)
- Is Square Right For Your Business? - October 28, 2019
- Find The Best Point Of Sale System For Any Business - March 9, 2017
- The Best Mobile & Low-Volume Payment Processing Solutions - February 22, 2016
- Did Square Kill Flint Mobile? What Flint’s Processing Shutdown Means For The Future Of Mobile Payments - February 16, 2016
- What Is Peer-To-Peer Lending? - November 18, 2015
I’ve been in the industry for a very long time. This iteration of hardware/software solutions is by far the most advanced technology we have ever seen. The absolute 2 leading solutions are Square and Clover. The software options, customization potential and ease of use are second to none.
Square is a TPP and thus, doing business with them is an absolute risk. I can’t tell you how many of my customers I got because Square shut them down and held 10’s of thousands of dollars from them, won’t talk to them, won’t take a phone call, nothing. That being said, their hardware and software is amazing and they have affordable monthly plans for the hardware (albeit their processing is a bit expensive). You can only use a Square device on Square’s Payfac processing and their pricing is not negotiable.
Clover also has a great set of hardware and open market for app developers to create new functions. In fact, many of the dinosaur POS companies have started bringing their old, out of compliance POS systems up-to-date by adding Clover hardware (such as a mini). One draw back to the Clover (as with Square) is that you cannot re-purpose/resell a Clover system (other than the Clover Go mobile Card Reader) unless the buyer is planning on using the same merchant services company that you use. This is by design of the hardware/software developer, First Data. So buying a Clover off of someone on eBay is pointless UNLESS they are actually setting you up with a merchant account at the same time.
So I disagree with the article on one point. It is not a scam simply because they are selling you a discounted Clover with a merchant account attached. In fact, it would be a scam if they WEREN’T doing that. Not to say there are not scams out there, because there certainly are, but they come in all hardware/processor configurations. Clover, Square, Poynt, everything. Just do a google search or BBB search or hell, search this website for Square complaints and you will see thousands of people calling it a scam.
Your safest bet is to be smart. Ask questions like
“Is there a contract/termination fee?”
“Is there a contract grace period?”
“What are the monthly fees?”
“Is the rate flat or is that a mark-up over interchange (wholesale)”
“Are there any annual fees?”
“Instead of leasing equipment, can I rent, or purchase outright?”
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hello, I am in the process of opening a beauty supply store. And i spoke with a guy about a clover POS. My partner and I are planning to buy the system without the monthly business. Is this a good idea?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
we had a clover station and used for 4 months in 2015. Paid in full no contracts.
How do i use it now for our new business. I know we will have to have a merchant service for credit card processing. My concerns are wiping out the restaurant info on the clover and adding our new service business. any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Dee
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Dee, When Clover released its newest iteration of Station in 2018 the data transfer process became quite tricky for users of older models. You should be able to use the old Clover if you are setting up a merchant services account from scratch and didn’t previously have one. In terms of wiping old data and replacing it, I would think this is something that a Clover rep may be able to help with either in person or over the phone. Hope this helps!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I am a Senior Business Consultant and can tell you with Clover that you had with the restaurant information, as long as you are using the same provider they should be able to “factory reset” the station and reprovision it with your new information but, you will have to embark on a new agreement and application with the provider. If you have any questions or problems please feel free to contact me via e-mail and I will be glad to help. I am not and will not ask you to work with myself but as a consultant on the Clover system I would like you to stay with it as I feel it is the best and most user friendly but, others may not feel the same.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Check Out Our Preferred Credit Card Processors 🏆
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
No early termination fee
Pricing model
Rate matching / Negotiable
Visit Site
Visit Site
Visit Site
Visit Site
*All of our preferred processors use fully transparent Interchange-plus pricing.
We've done in-depth research on each and confidently recommend them.
Does anyone have experience with repairing a cracked Clover screen? Clover’s site claims to repair them, but conversations with them state otherwise. It seems excessive to have to pay for an entire unit to replace what should be a rather inexpensive screen.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Tom,
Clover does offer repair but we can’t see on their site if they offer this service for free. Clover’s customer support is notoriously spotty so keep trying! It definitely should be something they help you with.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi, I have a brand new mini clover I purchased/leased from First Data. Any ideas where/how to re-sell it?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Mari,
We have heard of them being sold on eBay, so that may be worth looking into if you are not bound by a lease contract.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Clover is a complete JOKE. They will scam you every way they can. Go with Square or something like that. They will sell you a $2000.00 paper weight. You cannot use the system unless it is for there POS. You get a nice setup but not worth it at all. I only used mine for 5 months and enough was enough. So I have a nice system that I can not use. They will not let you have the play store even though it is an android device. You can only download something if it is in their app market. Also if you do decided to use it beware of American Express. Clover will charge you a crap ton to process them. Once again Square no matter what type of card it is a FLAT rate. Clover has a different rate for each and every type of card.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
THe Clover system must have some major issue with it. The scammers are pushing for it to be used for their scams hard. This one wants me to process his card, give me $1500 for a measurement if I give the home owner $3000 for the keys. Red flag for certain. Form what I can see, CLover must have some huge security hole that allows them to run a charge on fraudulent cards without getting caught right away.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Someone has contacted me from a weird cell phone number telling me they want to buy a filtration system from me and put a 3500 down payment but they want me to use clover to process it. Alarm bells are obv ringing but what is their actual scam?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
This is happening to me now as well….wow!!! They are calling me from a Google voice number. I should say texting me .. they wont call me . They are asking if they can pay more for my service and I can pay the Limo company from there. Its for event coordinating. I looked up company and I saw your message here so now I know it is definitely a scam.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
It just happened to me too! I got a residential cleaning service and a “customer” contacted me to do a deep cleaning service to his recently “bought” home. I checked online several real estate agencies and ALL of them have the property listed for sale. He insisted that, in order for him to proceed with the payment I had to get Clover. He uses a Google voice number and texted me but he didn’t call.
I wish I could legally do something, but I am not sure what my options are.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Same thing happening to me right now, someone offering to pay for my training services. Claims they’re hearing impaired and can only text, willing to overpay for my services only if I get Clover app.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Check Out Our Preferred Point of Sale Software 🏆
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Best For
Monthly Fee
Free trial
Visit Site
Visit Site
Visit Site
Visit Site
We've done in-depth testing of each and confidently recommend them.
Why would you buy any hardware, when you can go for as-a-service model(Software, Hardware etc.)? Clover range is available as-a-service, for a small monthly fee.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Recently terminated by Square. Emergency backup was Paypal. Looking for a POS system compatible with Paypal. Any options should I decide to stay with them?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Robert,
I found this list of Paypal’s POS Partners on their website. You can check our reviews of Vend, Lavu, TouchBistro and Erply (all excellent choices). I hope that helps!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Why do I keep getting emails for PCI compliance.?. Also my fees have been more than anticipated by your company..
Please help me in understanding this.
Jodi Boehm
Park & Bark Mobile Spa
701-425-2221
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
is there some way to report a clover company who has scammed me into a long expensive contracr?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Julie,
You could try reporting to First Data’s BBB page, or perhaps leave reviews on blogs such as ours, to spread the word. Best of luck to you!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
What is your thoughts on buying a clover system through Amazon
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Taleah,
Buying from Amazon comes with all the same risks of buying on eBay, unfortunately. If you pursue this, I’d caution you to read the fine print. The one sold via Amazon Prime has this fine print “REQUIRES A MERCHANT PROCESSING ACCOUNT WITH CHORDPAY AND A $39 PER MONTH FEE (APP USE, UPDATES, 24/7 SUPPORT/TRAINING). THIS HARDWARE IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH ANY OTHER MERCHANT PROCESSOR EXCEPT CHORDPAY. Instructions for setting up the Merchant Account will be emailed and will be included with the Clover shipment.” I strongly recommend referring to this article’s (the one you are commenting on) section on “The Best Place to Buy a Clover POS System”. Best of luck to you!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, For making my decision easy. Don’t have ALL the time in the world to do their work while running a small business wearing ALL the hats. ALL merchants service providers are crooks. Okay, crooks was little bit harsh, but ALL merchants service providers say something and when you get the statement at the end of the month: ALL those fees…OMG. Will keep POS separate and merchants service providers sepaRATE. Wrote review first time in life. Again thank you for wonderful information Shannon and comments from your readers.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hello can someone please help me I think someone may be trying to scam me… my dad is a house painter and they told him they could not pay him unless it was with CloverGo & they will not do business with us unless we buy it
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Jessica, that does sound like a scam to us. Be careful!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Learn More About Our Preferred Lenders
Get Started
See Our Review
Get Started
See Our Review
Get Started
See Our Review
Get Started
See Our Review
Get Started
See Our Review
you should look into PATRON PAL /WORKS – It’s a cloud based POS/Gift Card solution
with no hardware, contracts and a low monthly fee Thats it. Outside of buying plastic cards if needed.
it’s great.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Pressured into signing a 4 year lease with VMS / Clover. What a nightmare it has been. We were conned into this contract which was very misleading. It was to save money processing credit cards at lower interest rates. The guy convinced us that the money we saved was worth the $100 per month for the equipment. It turns out that there are many fees. 25.00 fee whether you use the machine or not. $20 non PCI compliant fee for not clicking on first data or whatever, and filling out a survey every month – which takes about 30 minutes to an hour to go through that. You’ll never get that time back in your busy life. $39.00 annual for – for what I don’t know. 5.00 tax fee for figuring your tax. $5.00 statement fee. $50.00 fee for the priviledge of making a credit card company richer. And then you got Clover lease fees of $114.95 each month – There are so many fees and so many phone numbers that you don’t know who to call. Every time we call we are referred to someone else and to a different company. I called Clover on May 25th and was on hold for 1 hour and 1 minute. Every once in a while someone would cut in and say, please be patient. We unplugged the machine and went back to using simplify online. Best deal. No hassles. I may have signed the lease but I feel we were led like a lamb to the slaughter. Anyone want to buy the rest of this lease let me know. We still owe 2 years 10 months.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I bought the Clover system through Bank of America loved it you were able to do everything you needed to on it.
I had a computer repair business but we close down when we tried to return the system they did not wanted nothing to do with it we still owed for the system they told us we owe over $4,000 just for the services and we still have to pay for the system each month if I would have known this I would have never bought this system
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hello People,
A sales person lured my Wife to sign a contract for Clover, we had a hair salon that we had to close down. When we called to cancel and return equipment all they said is that we can not return or cancel and that we still have to make monthly installments which is ridiculous.
This phrase is whats on the contract .
“You cannot cancel this lease durning the lease term for any reason , you do not have a free trial period , you duty to make your monthly lease payment is absolute , unconditional and irrevocable and is not subject to any offset deduction defense or counter claim.”
Can someone advice how to exit this shit hole scam , ASAP ?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I currently had a vape shop that I closed down. I had purchased the clover mini and register system. Since I was still in my contract of course I owe a hefty sum. The machine is still practically still brand new. If I give it back to first data they will not take any money off my bill. So can’t I just sell it and recupe some money to help pay them off? I know that it has to be used with Wells Fargo as that’s who the merchant was through. I’m definitely not looking into scamming anyone, just want to know my options now that I got roped.. Hope this helps in answering thank you.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I am currently opening a new vape shop. I may be interested in using that equipment so long as wells fargo merchant services will provide services for me to sell both Eliquid and Hardware online through the clover online store app. May merchants will not do vape products through eccomerce( I am finding out) and only some will premit vape hardware but very few do both.
feel free to reply back to this. I will contact wells fargo now to see where they fall into this group.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I have a system used no more than 3 months, and includes a mini Clover. All boxed up in original boxes and perfect condition, since my restaurant closed. Would so LOVE to sell it! Based on the comments though, not sure this is possible? The contract was with First Data.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I would be interested in buying it, if my bank accepts it as my processing system. I currently use the clover mini.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Randy,
“I currently had a vape shop that I closed down. I had purchased the clover mini and register system. Since I was still in my contract of course I owe a hefty sum. The machine is still practically still brand new. If I give it back to first data they will not take any money off my bill. So can’t I just sell it and recupe some money to help pay them off? I know that it has to be used with Wells Fargo as that’s who the merchant was through. I’m definitely not looking into scamming anyone, just want to know my options now that I got roped.. Hope this helps in answering thank you.”
I worked for First Data and was on the Clover Development sales team and worked closely with the Beta sales team (just so you know I kind of know what I’m talking about). If you were to resell it there are a few items to be careful of.
1. If you leased it DO NOT SELL IT. If it’s a lease you do not own it and you will still have to pay the monthly lease until the end of it’s term THEN you will have to pay for it if you can’t return it at the end of the lease.
2. If you sell it the person you are selling it to is going to be roped into using Wells Fargo for their processing. (I wouldn’t to that to my worst enemy even if their business was next to mine).
3. There is no system/procedure in place for you to wipe it before selling it. This means if your merchant account is still open and you send that mini off to the buyer it’s still attached to your merchant account. Most likely any fraud would be caught by First Data (That’s who Wells uses for their processing) but there is a risk of the person pulling out their credit card and doing a refund onto it. That money would come out of your account and be put onto the buyers card. (small risk but I’ve seen it happen similar to this.)
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Randy as someone that worked for first data as well as the clover development team how would u suggest someone buy a clover for their business? go straight through the clover website? i bank with wells and it seems by your response you don’t think banking w wells is a good idea?
Best,
Tina
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Check Out Our Preferred Credit Card Processors 🏆
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
No early termination fee
Pricing model
Rate matching / Negotiable
Visit Site
Visit Site
Visit Site
Visit Site
*All of our preferred processors use fully transparent Interchange-plus pricing.
We've done in-depth research on each and confidently recommend them.
If you have the option to use a different service do so before you regret it. I was singed up for them as a complementary (obligatory) package of my checking account. Their service is unreliable. My business had to start using PayPal (I’m not getting paid to mention them). Clover services was masked underneath the bank’s “Merchant Service”. Once their service proved useless I tried closing the account to find out there is a $500 early termination fee or a monthly fee that I need to pay until the 3 year contract ended. The contract went on as the back account forced me to maintain it. Two month before the 3 year contract ended they charge the $500 early termination fee. Now I’m stuck in their collection department which is efficient unlike their customer service. Beware of the Clover scam.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Do they ruin you’re credit
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I am being told that these systems can work with our micros pos system for emv credit card processing. Has anyone else tried this? Were there any glitches??
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
hello I am using clover, but i am facing two different problem
1 – how one can get the employees weekly report and their working hrs and their tips
2- Where can i see the cancelled tickets as i doubt waiters are taking money and they cancelled the tickets
3- how can we see at the end of the week what we have earn, how much we have paid and how much tax we need to pay back?
please answer the above questions
Thanks
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I had a restaurant that closed and I declared bankruptcy. I have a barely used complete Clover system including a mini-Clover – all elements and in perfect condition. It was discharged in the bankruptcy and I am not using it, so can I sell it and can someone else use it with their own merchant services account? The one I have was through First Data.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Marva,
You could sell it, BUT you would need to tell whoever buys it that they can ONLY process with whoever you were previously using. No other sales organization can reprogram it. Including the phone number of your processor with the Clover would be the best way to do it. It is a tough call though because whoever buys the Clover is at the mercy of the processor and has no leverage when negotiating rates.
This is one of the major downfalls of Clover in my opinion.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
This was a VERY helpful response – the only one with real info so far!! Truly appreciate this!! Since I retained the Clover through my bankruptcy, which was discharged, I would really like to sell it since it is is pristine condition and barely used.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Trust me on this one, from someone who fall twice for the lease of the equipment. DO NOT LEASE THE EQUIPMENT. Make sure you find money to buy it and have not lease at all. Borrow the money from someone or do whatever it takes because if you lease, you are entering in a contract that they called “uncancellable” (which I might be wrong but that word is not permitted in any contract) and the buyout of the contract is prohibited. I hope this helps.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Oscar is right. NEVER lease equipment. We have seen people pay thousands of dollars for a terminal that could have been purchased brand new for less than $300. You are always better off buying the terminal because if a processor gives you one for free they will most likely be overcharging you on the processing or locking you into a long term contract in order to make up the cost over time.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Tom,
This is a great summary of the issues/problems with Clover. We receive many calls from merchants who bought Clover through ebay or BofA and unfortunately we are unable to reprogram it. The only option is to buy another machine or stay with the original processor. Clover has a lot of potential but as it stands now, it is probably the most polarizing piece of equipment that we sell. Merchants either love it or they hate it. Due to the reprogram limitations and the fact that you can’t trial it before you buy it, researching to see if it is the best POS system for you is very important. Our sales team will help answer questions about Clover POS system and can also talk about some of the alternatives. We suggest reading the POS reviews on Merchant Maverick to look into the numerous Tablet based POS systems as well as Clover. I hate hearing about merchants who are stuck with machines that cannot be reprogrammed. I hope people read this article before buying a Clover online.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Check Out Our Preferred Point of Sale Software 🏆
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Visit Site
Read Review
Best For
Monthly Fee
Free trial
Visit Site
Visit Site
Visit Site
Visit Site
We've done in-depth testing of each and confidently recommend them.
hi i run a bridal store from home and i also do lots of local events in my area and was wanting to get the clover that i can take anywhere with me like a ipad and run of the wifi or my hot spot and wanted the clover that does not need to be plug in at all time and to be able to run off a battery, my friend has the mini and it needs to be plug in at all times when u plug it in and unplug it shuts down, and she not happy with it and wants to switch to the mobil clover where u can full charge it and then to be able to take it anywhere to accept credit cards and set up at the events and local shows without no power and to be able to run off the hot spot or the wifi and where i can run off the hot spot for my phone and i meet lots of customers around my house and would like to take the clover with to process the payments on the go as well yes i know they have that to go unit by clover but i like the clover to be able to take on the go so my friend has her for about 4 days is she able to switch to the the clover that does not need to be plug in at all time.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Lisa,
You would most likely want to look at the Clover Mobile or the Clover Go. The Clover Mobile is available with the full POS system software (Additional $29/mo) as well as a large screen. It comes with a base stand that charges it as well as a wireless printer that can be clipped to your belt or carried. This machine is popular with pay at the table restaurants and food trucks since it can be taken with you and does not need to be plugged in. The Clover go is a mobile card reader similar to Square. It just plugs into a smartphone or tablet and allows you to process on the go. We also have other non clover options for mobile swiping. If you are wanting a full POS system then Clover Mobile may be a good option for you. If you are just looking to run a few transactions away from your store, you may be better off with a simple card swiper that works with your phone or tablet. Some of the tablet based POS systems may also be an option for you since you will be running off of a hot spot. Keep in mind with Clover Mobile, it cannot be reprogrammed, so you are essentially locked in with whichever processor you choose. This also limits your options if you want to try to resell it one day too. If you are not going to be processing regularly and just have a couple transactions to process from time to time, you may also do well with a simple solution like Square.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Lisa I have used the Clover Go Mobile device at my home business and outside my home on occasion. It plugs right in your device. It will accept chip cards and you can swipe as well. I liked the reader very sturdy. It will need to be charged after so many swipes through the provided usb cord.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi, I am looking at the different types of credit card/pos system for my business. I was wondering about the information that is stored in the pos systems, who has access to them and will it be confidential? We will be relying all our business information on these pos systems and who knows who has access to them from the companies?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hello Jane,
This is a common concern with cloud-based POS software. You don’t need to worry, because all of your data is completely confidential. It is heavily encrypted and highly secure. Your information is totally safe and private.
Best,
Jordan
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I purchased (not leasedf) a Clover POS from Bank of America BAMS, and have been running it for 14 months. I now want to switch to Payment Depot. I have been told I must buy a completely new Clover POS (at minimum, the display unit) since the first one cannot be reprogrammed. Is this correct?
If so, I am planning to backup and then upload existing customer and inventory (item) data, although I believe that transaction data will not be portable. Any advice?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
RLS,
Who told you that you would have to buy a completely new system? I doubt this is true, but you should ask Payment Depot to confirm.
In regards to the business data, I’m not positive how First Data’s reporting/analytics system handles data export, but every system allows the export of data as far as I know. Since you’re just taking data from one First Data system to another, the transition should be pretty simple, but I haven’t tested it personally. You’re going to want to ask First Data about this.
Best,
Jordan
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Jordan,
Yes, the folks at Payment Depot did tell us this: BofA has not confirmed (no surprise). But here’s a quote from a review of the Clover POS that I found on another, reputable website:
“You must order your hardware through your [merchant services] processor…. Worse, however, is your unbreakable marriage to your processor. Hardware is either purchased immediately for $999+, or spread out over the course of an ironclad, frustrating-to-escape-at-best lease.
And what if you do leave? You hate your processing rates, and you’ve paid off your hardware — so you pay the early termination fee and go. Clover hopes you enjoy your thousand-dollar paperweight.
That’s right: your hardware bundle works ONLY for the processor from whom you purchased.
Pretending, for a moment, that you love Clover and merely seek better pricing from a new First Data ISO, YOU STILL HAVE TO BUY A NEW HARDWARE BUNDLE [caps added]. Your current unit cannot, under any magical circumstances, be reprogrammed…”
We can’t believe it either!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Update — Just received confirmation from our Bank of America Merchant Services rep:
“Regarding the Clover station, you are correct. It can only be programmed by Bank of America Merchant Services.”
It’s pretty clear that most of my sales data will be lost once (if) we move our processing business elsewhere. Our customer files and item and category files are, I assume, available for us to upload to the new unit. These will not, however, attach to past customer purchase information.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I accidentally posted on the wrong clover pos. I think it was the mini/mobile instead of the Clover Station. For that i want to apologize.! I have not yet tried out the mobile but i’m in the process of ordering it.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Learn More About Our Preferred Lenders
Get Started
See Our Review
Get Started
See Our Review
Get Started
See Our Review
Get Started
See Our Review
Get Started
See Our Review
I recently purchased a second hand clover station on ebay, from a private seller. I havent seen the equipment yet, but I do know that a menu is currently programmed in it and will have to be deleted or modified for my bar/tavern. I think I just found someone that had the station in their business and most likely got burned. If this is some sort of scam, when will someone request that I sign something? I plan to use my current credit card processor and run the charge through as cash on the clover. Whats not in the register in cash should be the sum of the credit card charges, and a receipt should be in place of the missing cash…This was my only option, as I too was hooked into a credit card machine lease FOR 60 MONTHS!! Yikes…I was upset to find later that the machine costs about $200. THanks
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Tom, great article and thanks for including Payment Depot as a reputable place to purchase Clover products! We’re really excited about these new products and what they can do for the modern small business.
I recently wrote an article comparing the price, features, etc. of the Square Stand and the Clover Station that your readers may find helpful.
https://paymentdepot.com/square-stand-vs-clover-station/
Have a great weekend!
Valerie | Payment Depot
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Valerie,
Great article! Thanks for the link.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.