CC acceptance

[lkonig]

I know some of you are using some type of billing system (modernbill, whmcs etc..) I had been using PAYPAL payments only and know would like to accept re-occurring payments via credit card.

 

I am currently using WHMCS which has been working great and I know they list a ton of CC gateways, but I am wondering if any of you have had good or bad experience with any of the credit card gateways.

 

Would anyone recommend one that does re-occuring credit card payments?

 

Thanks

[Defcon|Rich]

We've used Authorize.net with e-onlinedata as our underwriters for 4-5 years now without any problems. If you check either website they sometimes run promotions that should save you some $$.

 

An important thing to look out for is how the underwriters handle incoming chargebacks, Some are worse then others which could cost you more in time and money if and when you get disputes. Price per transaction costs are important as well but security (or lack there of) could ruin your business so that's something to look at closely.

 

Also keep in mind that as of 4th QTR 2008 all online merchants are required to be PCI compliant which means the server you host your site off needs to be bulletproof or you won't get an account to process CC's.

[Spartanfrog]

Scuse me for being a noob , but doesnt WHCMS handle the credit card transactions? So you wouldnt need to have a gateway or be PCI compliant?

[Defcon|Rich]

Your billing software simply takes the order and then passes it on to your CC processor. You have to signup for a merchant account before you can accept CC's.

 

Kind of like you need a paypal account before you can take orders with clients paying with paypal.

 

 

Hope this helps

[ECF]

We use Authorize.net as well.

[Spartanfrog]

Thanks Rich, you helped me out . So hypothetically if I had a whmcs account, i would still have to buy a gateway?

[ECF]

You don't buy a gateway, you signup for one. Fees are paid monthly to both the gateway, such as Authorize.net and also the merchant account provider.

 

For example. We use Authorize.net for our processing gateway, and Bank of America as our merchant account provider. Each month we pay both Auth.net and Bank of America fees for each transaction we process. They have a rate system which would be something like 2% of the sale plus a transaction fee of say $.10 per transaction. Similar to Paypal fees. Depending on how risky the underwriter thinks the business is, they may charge you a higher set of rates. Basically equating to more $ per transaction for them.

[adamnp]

And those chargebacks cost boatloads! Usually more than the offered product/service.

[Spartanfrog]

Yeah I meant rent . Thanks for clearing it up!

[DougK94]

I have used e-onlinedata (http://e-onlinedata.com) also for about 6 years. Another popular one is cdcommerce (http://www.cdgcommerce.com)

[swish]

I have used Linkpoint and cdgcommerce.

 

I personally reccommend http://www.cdgcommerce.com they have great rates. Linkpoint charges quite a bit with some "hidden" fees

[Daersun]

I know the owners over @ CDGCommerce and can recommend them as being great guys running a great shop! Their reports do kind of suck and are hard to read.

[ECF]

Chargebacks are a bitch, but remember that you can write them off come tax time.

[lkonig]

Thanks gang reatly appreciated. Looks like CDG has there act together.

 

Jordan any name I can ask for when I call them that could help me out?

[lkonig]

It seems CDG is not on the WHMCS list lets see if i can get this to work.

[swish]

CDG uses the "Quantum Gateway" It is supported

[JasonF]

CDG uses Authorize.net's module. They have instructions for setting up the different billing software.

[JasonF]

http://www.quantumgateway.com/modules.php

[lkonig]

Yep i spoke with a rep today from CTG and all is going well.

 

Thanks again all for the help I greatly appreciate it.

[Defcon|Rich]

Looking at CDG they make a big deal about the free gateway which only saves you $15/mo anyway so it's not a great savings. What worries me more is their schedule of fees seem a little higher then normal. Trans fees /.30 + AVS fee .5 per transaction? ACH Fee .25/ Most don't charge for that AFIAK so you may want to check a little closer on that as those two charges could cost a good penny depending on how many transactions you process.

 

I haven't really kept up on the different merchants but most used to give you a few thousand transactions for free then charge a nominal fee after that. (Usually .10-.15c) CDG hits you right away with the charges which don't seem like alot looking at it but trust me they add up real quick.

[lkonig]

Rich,

 

thanks for the reply. Yeah I am taking alot of this into consideration they do charge a little more and you find one that does this and the other doesn't. So I think it is a give and take situation with all of them. ACh fee applies but I am not direct depositing every day once or twice per month.

 

If i am correct the transaction fee's are an expence as well for tax time. Will check with accountant on that.

[Defcon|Rich]

Yes, There is give and take with each one. It depends a great deal on your business model and how you have it set up so only you can really figure out what will work best.

[DougK94]

Also if you talk to them both, they may give you a better rate, or prices on other fees.....

[Daersun]

First, EVERYTHING is negotiable - second, CDG offers some fraud protection stuff others dont and AFAIK will pay all chargebacks.

[JasonF]

When I get a charge on CDG, I can view the transaction and it will tell me if the address matches the credit card's address, CC's city, country, how far the user's IP is from the address of the CC and it will score the transaction for if they think it is fraudulent and will advise you when to void the transaction. Personally I find them a little pricey though.