First Data Global Leasing (FDGL) Review

Pros

• Full line of Clover terminals and POS systems

Cons

• Total payments greatly exceed the value of equipment
• Long contracts
• ETFs
• Poor customer service and support

What Is First Data Global Leasing?

First Data Global Leasing (FDGL) is Fiserv’s equipment-leasing division. Merchant acquirers and resellers in the US and Canada refer terminal and POS equipment leases to FDGL, which owns the lease agreement and handles billing, customer service, and collections.

FDGL leases payment terminals and POS hardware, including equipment offered through Fiserv and its reseller network. Leasing can reduce the upfront cost of obtaining equipment, but long-term payments may add up to far more than the hardware’s purchase price.

First Data Global Leasing earns a low rating because of its costly lease structure, limited transparency, and complaints involving difficult-to-cancel agreements and customer support. We recommend purchasing payment hardware outright whenever possible rather than committing to a long-term equipment lease.

Products & Services

First Data Global Leasing is an equipment-leasing company, not a payment processor. It provides payment terminals and POS hardware through Fiserv and its network of merchant services providers and resellers.

Available equipment may include:

• Credit Card Terminals: Fiserv offers countertop and portable terminals that support EMV chip cards, magnetic-stripe cards, and contactless payments.
• Clover POS Systems: Merchants may be offered Clover hardware such as the Flex, Mini, Station Solo, or Station Duo. Available models and software plans depend on the reseller and merchant agreement.
• Mobile Card Readers: Clover Go allows businesses to accept in-person payments using a compatible card reader and mobile device.

FDGL equipment is provided through a lease rather than an outright purchase. Because available hardware, monthly payments, and lease terms vary, carefully compare the total lease cost with the price of purchasing the same or similar equipment.

Fees & Rates

FDGL does not publish standard lease pricing online. Monthly payments depend on the equipment, lease length, reseller, and terms of the individual agreement.

Merchants are also required to insure leased equipment. They can provide proof of their own coverage or enroll in FDGL’s Equipment Protection Program for an additional cost.

FDGL leases are noncancelable during the initial term. Merchants who want to exit early must request a quote to buy out the remaining lease obligation rather than simply return the equipment and stop making payments.

Because long-term lease payments can significantly exceed the cost of purchasing comparable equipment outright, calculate the full cost over the entire lease term before signing.

Sales & Advertising Transparency

First Data Global Leasing does not maintain a dedicated public sales website or publish standard equipment pricing, lease payments, or contract terms online. Most merchants encounter FDGL through a Fiserv merchant acquirer, independent sales organization, or reseller.

Fiserv confirms that hundreds of merchant acquirers in the US and Canada refer terminal leases to FDGL. Once the agreement is established, FDGL owns and administers the lease and handles billing, customer service, and collections.

Because equipment, monthly payments, and lease terms are typically presented by third-party sales representatives, merchants should request the full lease agreement and calculate the total cost before signing. Make sure all equipment charges, insurance requirements, lease length, buyout terms, and end-of-lease options are provided in writing.

Contract Length & Early Termination Fee

FDGL equipment leases cannot be canceled during the initial term. Returning the equipment or canceling your payment-processing account does not automatically end the lease.

Merchants who want to exit early must request a buyout quote for the remaining obligation. Depending on the quote, they may be able to return the equipment or pay to keep it.

Lease lengths and other terms vary by agreement, so review the contract carefully before signing. At the end of the initial term, merchants may:

• Purchase the equipment for a quoted amount
• Return the equipment
• Continue renting it month-to-month

If no option is selected, the lease may automatically continue on a month-to-month basis. Because lease payments can exceed the cost of buying comparable hardware, calculate the total cost over the full term before enrolling.

Customer Service & Technical Support

FDGL provides customer support by phone, email, and through the urLease online portal. Merchants can use these channels to request lease documents, obtain buyout quotes, review end-of-term options, and ask questions about billing or equipment returns.

Fiserv and Clover provide separate technical support resources for payment terminals and POS systems. Depending on the issue, merchants may need to contact FDGL about the lease and their processor, reseller, Fiserv, or Clover for help with the equipment itself.

Merchant complaints frequently mention difficulty resolving lease cancellations, billing disputes, and other contract-related issues.

User Reviews

FDGL’s status as a division of Fiserv means that it doesn’t have its own separate BBB profile. Unfortunately, the company’s responses to complaints are very generic, and it doesn’t appear to offer any relief to merchants trying to cancel their lease without having to buy out the remaining months of their agreement.

At ConsumerAffairs.com, there are over 400 reviews giving the company a rating of just 1.2 out of 5.

Negative Reviews & Complaints

Common complaints about the company include:

• Undisclosed fees
• Poor customer support
• Charges on closed accounts
• High fees

Positive Reviews & Testimonials

Unsurprisingly, there are few positive reviews about FDGL. The few common praises we saw included:

• High-quality equipment
• Equipment works as expected
• Some reps are helpful and supportive

Final Verdict On First Data Global Leasing

First Data Global Leasing provides access to quality payment terminals and Clover POS hardware, but its long-term, noncancelable lease agreements make it a poor choice for most small businesses.

Buying equipment outright will usually cost less than making lease payments over several years. Before signing any equipment agreement, compare the full lease cost with the hardware’s purchase price and review the cancellation, buyout, insurance, and end-of-term terms carefully.

First Data Global Leasing earns a low rating because of its costly lease structure, limited pricing transparency, and complaints involving billing, contract terms, and customer support.

Businesses interested in Clover or other Fiserv-compatible hardware should compare providers that sell equipment outright or offer flexible, short-term rental options.

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