[hackerspaces] Merchant Service Account Reccomendations

Tue Nov 1 18:54:37 CET 2011

Auth.net has a recurring billing option, but it didn't work for us
(requires to write your own interface with their api or have a processor
that uses it). Initially we tried to tie our sign up with a webstore, but
it wouldn't up being more work and maintenance then we wanted. We use
Freshbooks for recurring billing and they're a pretty slick outfit and
haven't had an issue with them at all. Your mileage may vary.

On Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 12:13 PM, Carlyn maw <carlynorama at gmail.com> wrote:

> Google Checkout's Recurring payments seem to *still* only be in beta,
> sadly, nor do they have a ZenCart plugin that works, but for single payment
> stuff we're using them. Anyone already using the beta recurring stuff?
>
> Amazon's payments does support recurring already - and works with Zen Cart
> (where we are), doesn't work with Drupal Commerce yet (where we are likely
> going, but I could try to help with that I guess), does work with Drupal
> Ubercart (still an option).  I guess maybe, but for some reason I'm
> skeptical of it.  Not sure why. Think it will make more of our member balk
> than google checkout or just a merchant account. I guess I'll just ask at
> the meeting tonight. Thoughts?
>
> Yeah, If I'm gonna trail-blaze, I'm not sure why, but I'd rather use
> Google Commerce than Amazon Payments but that may not be based on any
> actual facts.  Anyone have any. I'm prepared to be wrong.
>
> I was honestly looking for something where what vendor we are using to
> process our payments was one where they didn't have to have an account with
> someone other than just us, mostly because once we get the paypal thing
> resolved, we'll probably still use them, pathetic I know.
>
> Best,
> -- Carlyn
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 8:23 AM, Will Bradley <will at heatsynclabs.org>wrote:
>
>> Alternatives to PayPal include Google Checkout and Amazon Payments btw,
>> you can check those out too for something quick.
>>  On Nov 1, 2011 4:24 AM, "Neil" <hackspc at narwani.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> New to this list and still lurking, until I get around to an intro.
>>>  However, some quick notes re: merchant accounts...
>>>
>>> Beware: there are 2 general rates you get charged at -- the base rate
>>> and the corp/rewards/int'l rate.  The latter is higher and applies to any
>>> international CC, corporate CC, and any CC where the card-holder gets any
>>> form or reward (cash back, miles, points, etc).  And the catchy low rate is
>>> if you physically swipe the card vs. keying it in via a virtual terminal
>>> (website such as authorize.net).
>>>
>>> In theory, I was supposed to be paying 2.9% base rate and a bit higher
>>> for the corp/int'l/rewards cards, but in practice (from bank statements) it
>>> seems that in the past year over 95% of my transactions are charged at the
>>> higher rate, and that works out to be ~5.9% (!!!).  Remember there's a flat
>>> per-transaction charge also.
>>>
>>> Most will accept MC/Visa/Disc, and Amex is usually separate/higher.
>>>
>>> Don't forget to ask about monthly fees, annual fees (yes, some have
>>> both), chargeback fees, refund fees (yes, some charge a percentage to issue
>>> a refund), statement fees, batch fees (daily for sending the money to you
>>> account), and minimums.
>>>
>>> I've been shopping for a new processor again, and so far Chase seems to
>>> be one of the better ones, at 2.25% + $0.20 for either base or
>>> corp/int'l/rewards cards.  I have a list of different rates/fees/etc from a
>>> handful of other companies and can get it for you when I get back.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> -Neil.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Quoting Chris Hardee <shazzner at gmail.com>:
>>>
>>>  We use our bank's merchant services along with Auth.net to process
>>>> payments, which in turn we use freshbooks to handle reoccuring billing
>>>> and
>>>> keep track of accounts.
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 9:27 PM, Carlyn maw <carlynorama at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  So CRASH Space just tried to get a merchant services account via
>>>>> dharmamerchantservices.com and they were cool, but their under writing
>>>>> bank (Moneris) was freaked out by the fact that we, gasp, taught lock
>>>>> picking and associated with "hackers." I think it is kinda funny.
>>>>>
>>>>> They are going to put us in touch with someone else, although it is
>>>>> likely
>>>>> we'll just go with our bank and sign up with authorize.net directly,
>>>>> but
>>>>> anyone have a credit card processing group they like? Anyone know
>>>>> anything
>>>>> about http://beanstream.com/ ? I'm probably going to call them
>>>>> tomorrow
>>>>> just to get a feel for them.
>>>>>
>>>>> Happy Halloween...
>>>>> Best,
>>>>> -- Carlyn
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Discuss mailing list
>>>>> Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org
>>>>> http://lists.hackerspaces.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Chris Hardee
>>>> 10BitWorks
>>>> San Antonio Hackerspace
>>>> 10bitworks at gmail.com
>>>> http://10bitworks.com/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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-- 
Chris Hardee
10BitWorks
San Antonio Hackerspace
10bitworks at gmail.com
http://10bitworks.com/
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