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What is a reputable, low-cost, non-PayPal merchant account to accept credit cards online?

roxie110 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:19:28 -0800

What are some reputable, low-cost, non-PayPal merchant accounts that enable you to accept credit cards online? Extra credit question: what are the best designed and lowest cost Web store options? I've been using PayPal for years to sell on Ebay, but want to open up a standalone web store and accept credit cards directly.

So my question is a two-parter:

1) Who out there has a good, reputable, low-cost merchant account to directly accept credit cards online? My business volume will probably be a couple thousand dollars a month to start, but hopefully as I move sales from Ebay to my Web store, it will be several times that. I'm tired of shoveling money into Ebay/Paypal's pockets, so I'm open to any suggestions. My biggest concern, besides cost, is protection against fraud. PayPal does have certain protections for the seller against unauthorized credit card payments, and I'm terrified of losing hundreds of dollars to bad apples if I go to a non-PayPal merchant account. Any insight on that?

2) Can anyone recommend a Web store that's easy to set up, allows for a certain level of customization, and has sophisticated inventory management? I've spent some time trying to set up a ProStore Business-Level account but refuse to open it because their inventory management is a joke if you have more than 10 or 20 items (I generally have 150-200). The entire interfaice is utterly slow and counterintuitive--though maybe I'd need to upgrade to Advanced to get more functionality. The upside is that it synchs inventory with your Ebay store, and it would be hard to let that go, as I'm constantly adding new items to the store. Any suggestions?

MANY THANKS for your help!!

merchant account important for a site that might need to feel non-bargain-basement?

lorimer — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:27:50 -0800

Merchant account versus just paypal/google checkout, for a handcrafts site that will offer some high-end items (c. $20 to $180 range)? I want to sell my "fine handcrafts" online (from my own site, not through Etsy/etc.). I might sell other people's too, like an online high-end crafts gallery with sales.

My stuff has been selling well in person at some shows/fairs -- and I'm good with HTML -- but I have no experience with selling anything online.

For my existing sites, I have a web hosting package that happens to include one SSL certificate I'm not otherwise using (GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium Certificate).

The question is whether to consider getting a merchant account (and dealing with potential chargebacks, fraud, etc.), because I already have SSL... or to forget that and stick with just Google Checkout & PayPal as dual checkout options. Or am I missing some hybrid solution in the middle?

Is Paypal's "Website Payments Standard" merchant account program any good?

ZenMasterThis — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 07:27:14 -0800

Anyone have experiences good/bad as a merchant with Paypal's "Website Payments Standard" merchant account program? Currently paying Authorize.net $50/mo. Paypal's program seems a lot cheaper. They promise:

* No monthly fees
* No set-up fees
* No cancellation fees
* Transaction Fees of 1.9% to 2.9% + $0.30 USD

Is this too good to be true?

I'll buy that for a thousand dollars... but no credit please.

lockle — Fri, 19 May 2006 13:00:50 -0800

My work wants to accept payments online but doesn't want to accept credit cards. Most banks issue debit cards that work as credit cards. Is there a way to determine the difference? Several years ago my boss went through some tough financial times that almost made him declare bankrupcy. He is a religious and moral man and after taking several credit courses, has become convinced that the whole concept of personal credit is immoral in some aspect.

In addition to the moral implications of accepting credit cards, there are some business decisions. I work for a company that does landscaping, landscape lighting, irrigation, and installs Christmas Lights during the holidays. There have been one or two occassions where customer was unhappy with an aspect of the work and rather than working with us to resolve it or with the BBB, they instituted a chargeback.

Currently when a customer accepts the service, we go and physically pick up a check or ask them to mail it. This year for the holiday lighting services, repeat customers will be able to just log into the website and select what service they want again this year.

We would like to be able to offer them the convience of online payment without accepting actual credit cards.

Gold stars for anyone that can suggest a payment processor that would allow us to just accept cards on the PULSE (ATM) network as well as electronic checking.

Need a non-sucky merchant account.

spilon — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:25:19 -0800

Any recommendations for a quality e-commerce merchant account services provider? I currently use Authorize.net and Concord. While I like Authorize.net quite a bit, I am experiencing very poor customer service and various "gotcha!" type hidden charges from Concord. The reseller I originally used to establish the account, Merchant Express, has been no help whatsoever. I would like to replace Concord, and keep Authorize.net if possible. Can anyone recommend a company that isn't a total nightmare to do business with?

Easy, Cheap, Reliable Third-Party Merchant Accounts?

brownpau — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 10:01:29 -0800

Suggestions for easy, cheap, reliable third-party merchant accounts? I've looked at 2CO and charge.com, but first I eagerly seek the voice of experience. BTW, I have very simple needs: I'm just looking to resell a couple of quaint domain-and-hosting packages for family and friends both here and in the Philippines. They'll have VISA and Mastercard and basic net knowledge.

Paypal, or anything else that requires US-residence or a registration, is not an option.