17 replies to this topic

[jtrotter]

For those who accept credit cards-who do you use? Has anyone used Charge.com? Any bad experiences with them or others? How aboput PayPal?

[djoctagone]

Credit cards . . . there's a tag for that.

[patjr]

This can be a very challenging problem.

It all comes down to what your volume is. If you have BIG volume, then you can be in charge and call the shots. For a little guy like me, not so much. I ended up with using intuit cause the monthly fee is very low and I don't have a lot of volume. Someone has mentioned google checkout but I could never figure that one out and I don't think they even have a customer service department?

Good Luck, and if you find a good one, POST BACK so we can all hear the good news!
Pat Jr.

[threadsemb]

I'm not that big on chasing down savings of a part of a percent on the rate or pennies on transaction charges, it is more important to me to have a method to easily collect from my customers.

For that I use Billing Solutions integrated with my Quickbooks. I just confirm the transaction with an invoice I e-mail out of the program and the customer pays it as a matter of course 9 times out 10. You can snail mail invoices right from the program which I have needed on occassion for certain customers and you can e-mail statements which also can be paid online.

I love it!

[pizazz]

Hi,
I am also looking to evaluate... We are currently using Elavon which is PPAI's suggested supplier that is supposed to give us a discount. They do and then all of a sudden they increase the rate. This has happened to me 3 times in the last 3 years. It is also hard to stay on top of. I just looked at ASI and their Access group that gives us a discount but it is very hard to compare apples to apples.

Has anyone else had any experience with these? It looks like we have to make a decision quickly.

Kathy Kerr
Pizazz Promotions
kkerr@pizazzpromotions.com

[royhill]

I too use QB's. As mentioned it is all integrated. I'm sure there are lower rates (if you look long enough you'll always find something cheaper). I never need to see the card or get the number as the client enters it all. The ease and the security of it are worth it to me since I'm low volume.

[kathynunes]

We're using Paypal which was fine because they charged us the same flat rate for all charges. Then American Express went up.

BUT THEN we found out we couldn't charge purchases by our largest client...who has started to use "P" cards (purchase cards). After much going back and forth, Paypal says they don't accept P cards.

Has anyone else run into the P Card problem????

[Chris Miller]

kathynunes said:

We're using Paypal which was fine because they charged us the same flat rate for all charges. Then American Express went up.

BUT THEN we found out we couldn't charge purchases by our largest client...who has started to use "P" cards (purchase cards). After much going back and forth, Paypal says they don't accept P cards.

Has anyone else run into the P Card problem????

Been processing P Cards for years in Paypal. Never had an issue. It's probably been a couple months since we have had one though. What error does Paypal give when you try?

[kathynunes]

Thanks Chris,

My apologies. I remembered you used Paypal and I visited your page and wrote you about this same thing.

We never had a problem either....until last week. The Paypal screen said the gateway denied it (not Paypal). The client said their bank told them we're not "coded" with the right merchant code to accept their P card. Went through that with Paypal. The gal helping me couldn't figure it out and went to ask some other people...and she said they told her Paypal doesn't accept P cards.

I have a hunch this is recent and has to do with rates. From what I understand, some P cards are a level 2....and some are level 3...which means they charge a higher rate to the merchant.

Since Paypal charges us a flat rate, maybe they don't want to be caught in the middle. For example, they recently raised their AMEX rates.

I wonder if this is manuevering by the banks due to the new federal regulations??

Has anyone else had this problem??

[robinr21]

I had a problem with Paypal accepting p-cards....from several clients but a Federal Govt agency stands out most in my mind. I went into my setup and made my category more generic...I can't remember exactly but more "retail sales" instead of specific for printing as I was categorized before. Since that time I have had not problem and this includes charges with a number of colleges and various state government departments.

[kathynunes]

Thank you for that advice. I'll try it. The client is quite upset, so this is a great help.

[kathynunes]

Voila! Thank you Robin! We can now process our client's P card purchases on Paypal. To make it easier on the next distributor to face this problem, here's the steps to solve it quickly and easily.

(1) Go to PayPal account and select Profile.
(2) Select Business Information Link
(3) Select category of: Retail (not elsewhere classified)
(4) Select subcategory of: durable goods.
(5) Wait for change to take effect on PayPal's servers.

[legacysp]

I have been looking into merchant services this week to find a better rate. I found a company called Flagship.net. They have some of the lowest rates I've seen. Also, if you find a better rate anywhere else, they will match that pricing. You don't have to buy their equipment if you already have your own terminal and will set it up for free. Hopefully this will help for those looking as well.

[branding]

Hey Kathynunes, what was your category before? I think we processed P cards in the past but that was a while ago and we were classified as "business".

Thanks!

[Trey Schaefer]

We've been using Authorize.net for about 3 years and have only had a few issues in that time. It's fast and easy and I they have great online tools.

[ProPrinters]

STAY AWAY from Payfuse! I use PNC who is my bank, and love it.

[twistededge]

Square Up, take credit cards with your smart phone. Works for card present & not present, but you can't e-mail links for people to pay at their convenience.
Propay.com has a low monthly fee, but has limits on per transaction and per month processing.

[osbornjr]

I recently signed up for Intiut http://intuitpayment...0111201001219:s they charge a small processing percent. I got the pay as you go no monthy fees, no extra fees, no catches. I only get $10,000 per month that i can process without maying the per month $12per something month. Their processing percent is better than any one out there. You will have to specify to sign you up for american express processing if that is what you want to use also. American Express has their own percentages, but the application process if free. Since i am a growing business they can meet my needs without the extra costs. They also send a free card reader for your phone.