Tru Blu Pay Review

Tru Blu Pay is a fresh face in the payment processing sector, having launched in 2019. The company, located in Portland, Oregon, offers various merchant services by reselling contracts from major payment processors such as First Data (Fiserv). Tru Blu Pay offers essential services such as handling payments through credit cards, debit cards, EMV chip transactions, mobile payments, and e-commerce solutions. The company presents itself as a flexible supplier that can serve the requirements of different types of businesses, such as retail, e-commerce, and high-volume sellers.

Tru Blu Pay primarily targets small and medium-sized businesses across a variety of industries. This includes traditional brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce platforms, and businesses requiring mobile payment solutions. The company also serves industries with higher risks and specific requirements, including businesses in apparel, convenience store, and personal services sectors. Although Tru Blu Pay caters to all types of businesses, its services are especially beneficial for smaller businesses that require affordable, adaptable payment solutions that do not come with the hefty price tags often seen with larger providers.

One of the key selling points of Tru Blu Pay is its ability to offer a wide range of payment processing solutions that are customizable to the specific needs of different businesses. The company emphasizes providing a fully integrated POS system that is both reliable and efficient, making it appealing to businesses looking for streamlined operations. Moreover, Tru Blu Pay’s mobile payment options enable sellers to take payments anywhere, which is especially helpful for companies that operate on the move or participate in trade shows and events.

Another unique selling point is the adaptability of their agreements, however, this can have both positive and negative consequences. Tru Blu Pay’s contracts are typically associated with First Data, so even though they provide extensive services, there are instances of strict contract terms, including lengthy commitments with substantial early termination penalties. Despite these challenges, Tru Blu Pay positions itself as a cost-effective solution by not charging setup fees and offering variable monthly fees, which can be appealing to businesses looking to manage their costs effectively.

Services and Solutions Offered

Tru Blu Pay positions itself as a versatile payment processing provider, offering a range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses. From traditional retail operations to e-commerce platforms, the company provides a robust infrastructure to handle various payment methods securely and efficiently.

Payment Processing: Tru Blu Pay offers a comprehensive suite of payment processing services designed to accommodate various business needs. Their offerings include credit card processing, debit card processing, ACH payments, and mobile payments. Businesses can process transactions securely through POS systems, e-commerce platforms, or mobile devices. Tru Blu Pay is known for its ability to handle both in-person transactions and online sales, making it suitable for a wide range of business models.

Security Features: Ensuring security is crucial for every business that deals with financial transactions, and Tru Blu Pay tackles this issue by implementing strong security measures. The company adheres to PCI standards to guarantee all payment processing meets industry regulations for data protection. Moreover, Tru Blu Pay utilizes sophisticated encryption protocols to protect confidential data during transactions. Their services include tools for preventing fraud, which assist businesses in identifying and reducing potential risks before they have a negative impact.

Integration Options: Tru Blu Pay provides seamless integration with various e-commerce platforms, POS systems, and accounting software. This flexibility allows businesses to incorporate Tru Blu Pay’s payment processing services into their existing systems with minimal disruption. Tru Blu Pay’s solutions can seamlessly integrate with both popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and custom POS systems for any business.

Mobile Payment Solutions: Tru Blu Pay offers a range of mobile payment options, including dedicated apps, mobile POS systems, and QR code payments. These solutions allow businesses to accept payments on the go, catering to the growing demand for mobile and contactless payment methods. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for businesses that operate in dynamic environments, such as trade shows or pop-up events.

Recurring Billing and Subscription Management: Tru Blu Pay offers strong solutions for managing subscriptions and recurring billing for businesses that depend on regular payments. Such tools enable companies to streamline the billing procedure, guaranteeing timely payment collection without the need for manual involvement. This particular function is particularly beneficial for businesses that operate on a subscription model, as it enables them to have a consistent income flow while also decreasing administrative costs.

Pricing and Contract Terms

Tru Blu Pay offers a pricing structure that is generally in line with industry standards but has some nuances that potential clients should be aware of. Understanding the pricing and contract terms is crucial for businesses to ensure they are getting the best value without unexpected costs.

Pricing Structure: Tru Blu Pay utilizes a combination of pricing models, including interchange-plus pricing, flat-rate pricing, and tiered pricing. The interchange-plus pricing model is commonly preferred by companies because it adds a consistent extra charge to the fees determined by credit card companies, which makes the expenses clearer. On the other hand, Tru Blu Pay also provides tiered pricing, which groups transactions into different levels (qualified, mid-qualified, and non-qualified) and charges different rates for each level. This model can sometimes result in higher costs for businesses, particularly if many of their transactions fall into the higher-rate tiers. Flat-rate pricing is also available, providing a predictable rate for all transactions, which can be simpler for small businesses with lower transaction volumes.

Transparency: When it comes to pricing transparency, Tru Blu Pay has received mixed reviews. The company does not disclose detailed pricing information on its website, which can make it challenging for businesses to fully understand their costs upfront. Additionally, there have been reports of hidden fees and unexpected charges, particularly related to equipment leases and early termination. This lack of upfront clarity means that businesses should carefully review their contracts and ask detailed questions before signing up. It is advisable to request a full breakdown of fees, including any potential charges that could arise over the course of the contract.

Contract Length and Terms: Tru Blu Pay typically requires a three-year contract, which is common in the payment processing industry. However, businesses should be aware that these contracts often come with a four-year equipment lease, which can be difficult to cancel. The company’s contracts may include early termination fees, which vary depending on the specific terms agreed upon. It is vital for businesses to be certain of their commitment before entering into an agreement, as the fees involved can be significant. Furthermore, the inflexibility of fixed-term contracts may restrict adaptability, especially when a company’s requirements evolve.

Customer Support and Service

Tru Blu Pay offers a range of customer support options designed to assist businesses with any issues they may encounter. However, the quality and availability of this support have been points of contention among users, making it essential to carefully consider these aspects before choosing their services.

Availability: Tru Blu Pay’s customer support operates primarily during standard business hours. Unfortunately, there is no indication that they offer 24/7 support, which can be a significant drawback for businesses that operate outside of typical hours or require immediate assistance during off-peak times. This limited availability may pose challenges, particularly for those who need urgent support during weekends or late-night hours.

Support Channels: The company offers multiple avenues for support, such as telephone assistance, email, and an online form for contact. Nevertheless, the absence of a dedicated live chat feature or a comprehensive online resource library like a detailed FAQ section or user guides hinders the quick and convenient access to assistance. Phone assistance is generally offered during operating hours, though specific information regarding the exact hours or prioritization of various channels is not well-detailed. Email assistance is available as well, though the speed of responses may fluctuate, causing frustration for businesses in need of prompt solutions.

Responsiveness and Quality: Customer feedback on the responsiveness and quality of Tru Blu Pay’s support has been mixed. Some users have reported positive experiences with the support team, noting that their issues were resolved effectively. However, others have expressed dissatisfaction, particularly regarding response times and the resolution of complex issues. There have been instances where users felt that support staff lacked the expertise needed to address their concerns adequately, leading to prolonged issues and frustration.

User Experience and Interface

Tru Blu Pay’s platform is designed to cater to a broad range of users, from small businesses to larger enterprises, with a focus on providing a straightforward and efficient user experience. However, the effectiveness of its interface and the overall user journey can vary depending on the specific needs and expectations of the business.

Ease of Use: The Tru Blu Pay platform is generally regarded as user-friendly, with a clean and intuitive interface that allows users to navigate through various features without much hassle. The dashboard is designed to present key information clearly, enabling users to access important functions such as transaction history, payment processing, and account management with ease. However, some users have noted that while the interface is functional, it lacks advanced customization options that could benefit more tech-savvy users who prefer to tailor their tools to specific business requirements. The simplicity of the interface can be both a strength and a limitation, depending on the complexity of the user’s needs.

Onboarding Process: Tru Blu Pay offers a relatively straightforward onboarding process, designed to get new users up and running quickly. Setting up usually includes a sequence of guided steps that assist users in configuring their payment processing systems, such as setting up a POS terminal, integrating with an e-commerce platform, or enabling mobile payments. Nevertheless, certain users have mentioned that the initial setup process could be more seamless, especially in terms of connecting with external systems. The company provides limited training resources, which may require users to rely on customer support for more complex setups. The onboarding experience is generally positive for straightforward implementations but may present challenges for businesses with more intricate requirements.

Reporting and Analytics: Tru Blu Pay provides a range of reporting tools that are essential for businesses to track their financial performance and gain insights into their operations. The platform includes standard reports such as sales summaries, transaction details, and deposit reports, which can be accessed directly from the dashboard. Users also have the ability to customize these reports to better suit their specific needs, although the level of customization available may not be as advanced as some competitors. The analytics features, while useful, are somewhat basic, focusing on essential metrics without offering deeper, more nuanced insights that some larger businesses might require.

Compliance and Regulatory Adherence

Tru Blu Pay prioritizes adherence to industry regulations to safeguard businesses and customers during transactions. The company’s goal is to offer a safe payment processing environment by following strict standards and utilizing strong security protocols.

PCI Compliance: Tru Blu Pay ensures that its services comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which is a critical requirement for any business that handles credit card information. PCI DSS compliance involves a series of security measures designed to protect cardholder data, including encryption, secure storage, and regular monitoring of transactions. Tru Blu Pay follows these standards rigorously, ensuring that all transactions processed through its platform are secure. This compliance helps businesses avoid hefty fines and potential breaches that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.

Data Privacy: Data privacy is another key focus for Tru Blu Pay, especially in an era where data breaches and privacy concerns are increasingly prevalent. The company implements strict data privacy policies to protect sensitive customer information. Although specific information regarding their GDPR compliance is not extensively publicized, it is likely that Tru Blu Pay follows relevant regulations, particularly for businesses in the European Union or interacting with EU customers. These measures in the policies are probably data encryption, access controls, and routine audits to make sure customer information is handled responsibly and securely.

Anti-Fraud Measures: To further safeguard businesses and their customers, Tru Blu Pay employs a range of anti-fraud technologies and protocols. These measures include real-time transaction monitoring, which helps detect and prevent fraudulent activities before they can cause harm. The platform likely incorporates tools such as address verification services (AVS), card verification value (CVV) checks, and machine learning algorithms to identify suspicious behavior. These anti-fraud measures are critical in reducing the risk of chargebacks and fraudulent transactions, which can be costly and damaging to businesses.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

Versatile Payment Options: Tru Blu Pay supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, ACH payments, and mobile transactions. This versatility allows businesses to cater to various customer preferences, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Integration Capabilities: The platform has good integration with common e-commerce platforms and POS systems, facilitating the incorporation of Tru Blu Pay into businesses’ current operations. This smooth integration minimizes the necessity for significant alterations to existing workflows.

Security and Compliance: Tru Blu Pay is PCI DSS compliant, ensuring that all transactions are secure and meet industry standards. The platform also employs robust anti-fraud measures, such as real-time transaction monitoring and encryption, which help protect businesses and their customers from fraud and data breaches.

Comprehensive Service Range: The company offers a full suite of payment processing services, including recurring billing and subscription management, which is particularly beneficial for businesses with subscription-based models.

Weaknesses:

Lack of Pricing Transparency: One of the main drawbacks of Tru Blu Pay is the lack of clear and upfront pricing information. Many users have reported unexpected fees and charges that were not disclosed during the initial setup. This can make it difficult for businesses to accurately predict their costs and may lead to frustration.

Contractual Obligations: Tru Blu Pay usually asks businesses to commit to lengthy agreements, commonly lasting three years and including fees for ending the contract early. The absence of adaptability can pose a major drawback for companies looking to switch providers or modify services to accommodate changing needs.

Customer Support Limitations: While Tru Blu Pay offers multiple support channels, including phone and email, the quality and responsiveness of their customer service have received mixed reviews. Some users have reported slow response times and difficulties in resolving issues, which can be problematic for businesses that require timely support.

Basic Reporting and Analytics: Although Tru Blu Pay provides essential reporting tools, the level of detail and customization may not meet the needs of businesses seeking more advanced analytics. This limitation could be a drawback for companies that rely heavily on data-driven decision-making.

In conclusion, although Tru Blu Pay provides various advanced features and services, potential customers should consider its pricing system, contractual obligations, and customer service quality. These factors must be carefully considered in relation to the platform’s strengths to see if it fits the company’s specific needs.

Customer Reviews and Reputation

Tru Blu Pay’s reputation in the market is a mixed bag, with customer feedback reflecting both positive and negative experiences. Understanding the broader consensus around the company can help businesses make informed decisions.

Online Reputation:

Tru Blu Pay has garnered a varied online reputation. While it is relatively new to the market, having been established in 2019, it has accumulated both praise and criticism. The company has received an average rating on various review platforms, with some users appreciating its services, while others have raised concerns. The most common feedback points relate to customer service, transparency in pricing, and the overall ease of use of their platform. On the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Tru Blu Pay has a low rating, reflecting some dissatisfaction among its user base.

Common Praise:

Clients who have had good experiences with Tru Blu Pay frequently point out the platform’s flexibility and wide range of services. Numerous users value the extensive selection of payment processing choices such as credit cards, ACH payments, and mobile transactions. Another commonly mentioned benefit is the platform’s capacity to seamlessly connect with different e-commerce platforms and POS systems. Furthermore, certain users have commended the security elements, specifically the adherence to PCI DSS standards, offering reassurance to businesses managing delicate customer information.

Common Complaints:

On the flip side, there are recurring complaints that prospective users should be aware of. A significant number of users have expressed frustration with Tru Blu Pay’s customer support, citing slow response times and difficulties in resolving issues. Another common concern is the lack of transparency in pricing, with several customers reporting unexpected fees that were not clearly outlined during the onboarding process. The rigidity of the contract terms, including long-term commitments and substantial early termination fees, has also been a point of contention for many businesses.

In summary, while Tru Blu Pay offers a range of robust services, potential users should weigh the pros and cons based on the feedback from existing customers. The company’s online reputation suggests that while it may serve the needs of many businesses, there are notable areas where it could improve, particularly in customer service and pricing transparency.

Comparison with Competitors

Tru Blu Pay operates in a highly competitive market, where payment processors vie to offer the most comprehensive services at competitive prices. Understanding where Tru Blu Pay stands relative to its competitors can help businesses decide if it’s the right fit for their needs.

Market Position:

Tru Blu Pay is positioned as a mid-tier payment processing provider, appealing mainly to small and medium-sized businesses. Tru Blu Pay has less recognition and a smaller market share when compared to big industry players such as Square, PayPal, and Stripe. Yet, it competes by providing a wide variety of services, such as credit card processing, ACH payments, and mobile transactions, in line with what bigger competitors offer. Tru Blu Pay’s niche lies in its ability to cater to businesses that need customized payment solutions, particularly those with specific needs in terms of integration and security.

Feature Comparison:

When comparing Tru Blu Pay to its competitors, several key differences emerge. For instance, Square and PayPal are known for their ease of use and transparent pricing models, often with no long-term contracts and no hidden fees. In contrast, Tru Blu Pay requires a long-term contract and has been criticized for its lack of pricing transparency, with reports of hidden fees and complex pricing structures. In contrast, Tru Blu Pay provides specialized integration choices for different e-commerce platforms and POS systems, which may not be as flexible as those offered by some of its top rivals. Moreover, while bigger competitors such as Stripe provide advanced developer tools and extensive global coverage, Tru Blu Pay places a greater emphasis on offering strong security features and adhering to PCI DSS standards, which can be a valuable benefit for businesses handling sensitive information.

Conclusion

Tru Blu Pay provides a diverse selection of payment processing services that come equipped with robust security measures and integration choices, catering to the needs of small to medium businesses. Nevertheless, prospective users need to be careful about its pricing clarity and contractual conditions. Businesses need to thoroughly assess their requirements before making a commitment to Tru Blu Pay.

FAQs

What is the minimum contract length for Tru Blu Pay?

Tru Blu Pay typically requires a minimum contract length of three years, with an associated equipment lease that often extends to four years. Businesses should be aware of early termination fees if they decide to exit the contract prematurely.

Does Tru Blu Pay offer support for international transactions?

Tru Blu Pay mainly centers its attention on transactions within the country. Although it can assist with certain overseas transactions, it is crucial for companies operating on a worldwide scale to verify their exact capabilities with Tru Blu Pay directly.

How does Tru Blu Pay handle chargebacks and disputes?

Tru Blu Pay provides tools for managing chargebacks and disputes, including real-time monitoring and fraud prevention features. Businesses are advised to closely follow the dispute resolution process to minimize financial impacts.