Accepting payments on a website

[Thoreau]

I'm looking for some sort of service/system that would allow me to take payments on my website for lan parties. To say the least, PayPal sucks and has sadly been the only affordable and "trustworthy" payment provider in the past.

Any ideas on providers that would at the very least allow me to accept payments (credit card or otherwise) for something like this?

Ideally the new provider would also have a way for their system to post to my servers when a transaction goes through, thus letting my own database also keep track of payments made, amounts, etc.

Any thoughts/recommendations greatly appreciated =)

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Thoreau
I'm looking for some sort of service/system that would allow me to take payments on my website for lan parties. To say the least, PayPal sucks and has sadly been the only affordable and "trustworthy" payment provider in the past.

Any ideas on providers that would at the very least allow me to accept payments (credit card or otherwise) for something like this?

Ideally the new provider would also have a way for their system to post to my servers when a transaction goes through, thus letting my own database also keep track of payments made, amounts, etc.

Any thoughts/recommendations greatly appreciated =)

http://www.charge.com

they have pretty good rates. i believe they require a 6 month or 1 year commitment depending on your credit.

 

[Thoreau]

yikes, credit checks. those things are the main reason, aside from financial liability, that i've steered clear of merchant accounts in the past. might be worth looking into again though.

Edit: Hmm, this part is kinda enticing...

"With our free online application, you can start accepting credit cards on your web site in less than 24 hours! In addition to accepting credit cards on your web site in real-time, you will also receive our simple-to-use, web-based credit card processing terminal so you can process transactions manually."

Specifically the part about being able to also process transactions manually. That would make it possible to also take payments at the door for entrance. hmmmmmmm...

 

[Thoreau]

bumpage

 

[DeviousTrap]

How much do you plan on processing (in dollars per month)?

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Thoreau
yikes, credit checks. those things are the main reason, aside from financial liability, that i've steered clear of merchant accounts in the past. might be worth looking into again though.

Edit: Hmm, this part is kinda enticing...

"With our free online application, you can start accepting credit cards on your web site in less than 24 hours! In addition to accepting credit cards on your web site in real-time, you will also receive our simple-to-use, web-based credit card processing terminal so you can process transactions manually."

Specifically the part about being able to also process transactions manually. That would make it possible to also take payments at the door for entrance. hmmmmmmm...

yes, there is a website you log into. you then enter CC#'s and Customer Info. voila.

you can also set it to recur. so you can have recurring payments.

it's cool.

 

[Thoreau]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
How much do you plan on processing (in dollars per month)?

That's the kicker, really low volume. Sporadic as well. We try to have events as often as possible, but history shows us having them about once ever 3-4 months. Each event might generate the need to process up to around $800 (if we're lucky).

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Thoreau

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
How much do you plan on processing (in dollars per month)?

That's the kicker, really low volume. Sporadic as well. We try to have events as often as possible, but history shows us having them about once ever 3-4 months. Each event might generate the need to process up to around $800 (if we're lucky).

you are probably better off working something out with someone that you trusts and that trusts you.

to get decent rates you have to process a minimum of mb $300 / month or so.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

2Checkout

 

[Thoreau]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
2Checkout

Looking over 2checkout, it seems that they are very similar to a former employer of mine in that they assess a reserve amount. That, and they also charge for wire transfers.

One item that would be almost 100% required would be the ability to access funds from transactions as soon as possible after the transaction posts, similar to Paypal's option of having a visa check card that draws on account balances.

As registration fees come in, we need to be able to use that money asap to purchase equipment, concessions, rent the venue, tables, chairs, etc.

 

[DeviousTrap]

I'll have to second the 2checkout recommendation for you. 2Checkout is relatively instant, basically everything is delayed by 2 weeks and a couple percent is held in reserve, but you get the majority of funds. There is no fee for wire transfers, only if you want them to send you a check.

 

[Thoreau]

Just curious, but has anyone ever heard of free-merchant.com?

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Thoreau
Just curious, but has anyone ever heard of free-merchant.com?

their rates are exactly the same as what charge.com has on their website.