Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I tried to call PayPal a couple times and never was actually able to talk to a representative.  I found hidden in their website however, it looks like you can. 

If you have a "business account" with paypal you can use PayPal "Virtual Terminal".  So essentially you take down the credit card information either through some sort of software program or one of those credit card things that slide a carbon paper receipt over the card.  Then when you get to a computer with internet you log into PayPal, start up their "Virtual Terminal" and manually enter the transaction information into their website.  PayPal will process the transaction and deposit the money into your PayPal account.

Costs are

Monthly Fee: $30

Per Transaction Fees: (Dollar amounts are monthly sales)

$0.00 USD - $3,000.00 USD 3.1% + $0.30 USD
$3,000.01 USD - $10,000.00 USD 2.7% + $0.30 USD
>$10,000.01 USD 2.4% + $0.30 USD

Again, the merchant account puts the money into your bank account and paypal holds it in their account, which I absolutely do not like.  They limit what you can take each month.  I opted for a merchant account, but am doing e-commerce only, so paypal is too much of a pain because the money doesn`t go into your account, but theirs.

I don`t intend to go with PayPal.  With a $30 monthly fee, they`re actually more expensive than my local bank.  I don`t get why people advocate them.  Maybe if you only sell online.  Plus it`s nearly impossible to actually talk to someone on the phone at PayPal if there`s a problem.

paypal has the most horrible customer service.


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Lee Waltham
The SIP Marketing Group
http://www.sipmarketinggroup.com
info@sipmarketinggroup.com
Skype Id: sip.marketing

There`s a solution known as "Dial Pay" that may be what some of you out there are looking for.
Basically, it`s a return to the `olden days` when there were no credit card terminals, you just get authorizations over the phone.  So for you `mobile` merchants out there, it would work something like this:  You would simply dial a toll free  number on your cell phone, punch in the data on your phone keypad (account number, expiration date, amount, etc.) and the operator will give you an authorization number (or decline as the case may be). If authorized, your money shows up in your bank account within a couple of days. Rates are reasonable, higher than `swiped` rates with a terminal, but for most of you we`re talking about pennies here.  The only real downside to Dial Pay is it normally carries a $95 one-time setup fee, but I can arrange to have that waived for forum subscribers.  Also, normal monthly fee is normally $10, I can cut some slack for forum scribers here also. So the only real start up expense would be a manual imprinter and some vouchers which are available thru us, eBay, or whatever...this is a necessity to physically imprint the card and get customer signature as well as record the authorization number.  If anyone needs to know more about Dial Pay, please contact me.
One final note: This is a real, permanent merchant account, not a one-time deal, so this is for small merchants with on-going business needs, not once-a-year vendors.

AMSPCS
amspcs@juno.com
www.MerchantServices-help.com

I`ve never heard of Dial Pay before but it sounds like a good idea. I have a couple of retail clients who do shows and they use the carbon credit card slips, have the customer sign and process when they get to a computer. I believe one of them uses Authorize.net and is happy with it. To me, that seems like they`re putting a lot of trust in the consumer that their credit card *will* actually work. (so far we haven`t had any problems but ...) I mean, if you`re handing over the goods, it may be worth it to pay a little more in fees to ensure that you *are* going to get paid.

Paypal is good for starting out but it has it`s limitations. I wouldn`t use it for this situation.



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Marisa Snow, Snow Business Solutions
You run the business, we`ll run the numbers!
Visit us on line at www.SnowBusinessSolutions.com

Probably a combo of paypal and merchant account may be best.  I am planning to be a rep for a few businesses and they wont accept any payment with paypal, but other sites if I wish to place an order online it goes directly to paypal, as that is what they use.  The cost of paypal depends on what kind of merchant service you use.  The standard is not expensive and you could take the credit card numbers down, all the info and then place the order on your site yourself on behalf of the client.

The problem with the solution proposed by KATT33 is this:  You record the credit card information and the customer walks away with your product.  Then, several hours later, you attempt to process the card and, guess what, you get a `decline`  You`ve lost your merchandise AND your money.  Not a very good idea to say the least.

Again, your solution is Dial Pay.  All you need is a cell phone through which you get  your authorization on the spot, right in front of the customer.  Then it`s done...once you get your authorization your money winds up in your bank account.  Simple as thatl.

Since you are a small merchant, the challenge for  you is to get a Dial Pay account that doesn`t kill you with fixed fees.  $30 per month for a Paypal account is kind of difficult to swallow.
I know several processing plans that will fill the bill for you nicely.  Feel free to contact me if interested.  .

AMSPCS
www.MerchantServices-help.com
amspcs@juno.com

My policy is even on site they see samples, brochures etc... , but unless I had a computer with me to do the transactions then and there, they only get their merchandise once payment clears.  Even wholesale, my policy is no merchandise is sent to anyone until payment clears, don`t like it they don`t shop with me.

I understand your `no money no merchandise` policy.  But don`t you think that might put you at a slight competitive disadvantage??  After all, what if one of your competitors has a more friendly policy?  Lets face it:  Customers want their stuff NOW, they don`t want to wait.   Yes, it`s easy to say `if they don`t like it they can shop elsewhere`--but is that REALLY the way to optomize a business and treat customers??  No disrespect meant, but I feel your policy is better suited for 1940 than for 2008.    In 2008, customers expect and demand more.  You can`t hope to complete in today`s market using yesterdays technology and methods.  And there`s really no reason to put yourself at a competitive disadvantage with dependable affordable technology at your fingertips.  Sorry.

AMSPCS