Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Entrepre,
Have you ever looked at other credit card processors like Link point or Authorize.net?
These company`s have a lower transaction fee and a lower percentage. As a reseller for both, Linkpoint and Authorize.net

I can help you get the best deal. perhaps a Zero Set up fee.
From previous experience with Pay Pal Pro? I didn`t like it`s features...I can do the same with the regular pay pal.
About changing the Pay Pal Log on top yes you can change it.
All you have to do is host your Logo Image on a secure Server.. meaning it has to be https: or if not your customers are going to get a warning that say, something like "This web site may contain unsecured images" Click yes to proceed...
So if your customers are willing to put up with it then thats the way to go.
The Shipping feature is good but so is almost every Payment gateway out there.

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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

Yes, I was looking into Authorize.net and other gateways. I talked to a couple of merchant account providers as well, like BJs and Discover Network. BJ`s (Chase) would be $50 a month (monthly fee plus gateway fee) plus $199 for Authorize.net and $19.95 application fee, on top of the transaction fees and percentage rate. Discover just had a $24.95 annual fee but their percentage was 3.05% for internet sales. They didn`t mention a gateway fee but I assume there probably is one. PayPal is $20 a month with a  2.2% to 2.9% and .30 transaction fee, and that`s it. I made a table with all of the fees from each one I looked at and PayPal seems to make the most sense. I looked at about 5 others besides these that I mentioned.
My CC sales range from $40 to $400 per transaction, so the percentage and other fees matter more than transaction fees to me.

I want to make sure I go with a reputable company. You`re welcome to PM me with your prices.

Customers can pay with Paypal without ever signing up.  The "Guest" option is very useful and means you don`t have to offer a separate service just for those who are wary of using an online payment service.  A note on the website to let customers know that they can use Paypal without signing up may convince a few potential customers who are on the fence to make a purchase. 

Paypal has also been exceedingly shady in past years, often siding with some customers who post fradulent claims for refunds while ignoring outright laundering schemes at other times.  The burden of proof is also on the seller or business if a customer does file any kind of claim on Paypal.  With that said, Paypal has shaped up and went after scam artists with a vengeance.  The simple fact that Paypal integrates the ability to ship using USPS or UPS is very useful.  (The USPS, however, offers a separate plugin for your site if you don`t like using Paypal.)

Besides Paypal, Authorize.net is the best non-Paypal non-bank option out there as others in this thread have said.  One other recommendation is to see what merchant account services your bank offers.  If you happen to have a history with them, they may be able to offer rates competitive even with Paypal coupled with a face you`ve known for years.

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"Forget inspirational quotes to keep you going. If by doing what you do, you get an hour every day to relax, be with the ones you love in comfort without doing wrong, then it is all worth it." -Anon.