I am just fuming: Nova Info Systems = BAD

[lynnzop[$]]

I take credit/debit cards for my jewelry business. When I signed up with Nova Info Systems, it was at the direction of the bank that I have my business account with.

I have since realized that the Nova charges are outrageous, especially for a small business owner. So I did some research, talked to some fellow artisians, and found that Propay is The Way To Go.

Tonite I tried to cancel my merchant account with Nova. Since I've been with them over 2 years, I thought I was past the penalty for early contract termination point, but I'm not.

It's going to cost me $200 to cancel my frigging account. Or I could hold out with them and pay $45/mo until April, then cancel for no penalty, and pay their stupid high fees if I process with them.

(Don't even get me started with the dumb twit that I talked to in the beginning of the phone call who told me (and when I clarified with her TWICE, confirmed, so there's no excuse of "misunderstanding") that Nova would charge the $200 penalty if I backed of their contract at any time....today, in 6 months, or in 60 years. It took all of my best Crucial Conversations skills (thank God I took that class last month) to get out of my reptile brain by the time her supervisor came on the phone. I was really proud of myself though...I did calm down and was able to hold a rational conversation with the supervisor, who gave me the skinny that the $200 penalty is only for the third year of the contract. After that you can cancel with no penalty.)

I already set up my Propay account ($34.95/YEAR) and I plan to use them for my processing. I plan to tell Nova to go to hell as soon as I get the paperwork (do the math, it makes sense), but I wonder if there's any recourse. According to them, there is a clause in the contract that I signed (yes I did, and I remember clearly the 2-year part, but not the third year part) that states the penalty clause, but it seems really outrageous. I haven't decided if I'm going to pursue that end or not.

Anyway. Just venting at this point. And telling anyone and everyone who wants to take credit cards NOT to use Nova Info Systems.

[thinkerlady[$]]

Wow. That is as bad as some cell phone contracts.

[Magick1]

Ouch Lynn. Sorry to hear about the trouble. That stinks and does sound exactly like the cell phone plans.

[MiracleMax]

That really sucks, you're definitely better off just cancelling. I know Mary Kay does the ProPay thing, but I'm not sure if I'll sign up for it or not. I'll have to look into it some more.