Payment processing options

...any recommendations

[giggle]

Hi

For the past couple of years we have been using PayPal to process payments for our online (travel related) business.

In general everything's ok but there are some problems. When the customer makes a payment the money is deducted from his card straight away which means us going through the refund process if we cannot supply the service to them (time consuming with so many customers) also, for various reasons, some people are unable to make a payment and we're concerned that we're losing customers and don't even know about it if the customer doesn't tell us. Finally, some people just don't like PayPal.

We used Google Checkout for more than a year before and processed almost 3,000 payments before they decided that we cannot use them anymore! Urghhh...

Does anyone have any recommendations for a payment processing service that allows travel related online companies?

Thanks

Mick

[paladin]

Have you looked into Gate2Shop. I have some contacts there if you need any help moving it forward

-Alon

[LifeinAsia]

I believe travel was on the list of unacceptable products/services from the beginning with Google Checkout. That's the main reason we have never used them.

Unless things have changed, most processors won't touch online travel with a very long pole (far longer than the standard 10-foot versions).

If you are a Costco Executive Member, try applying through them to Elavon (formerly Nova). I don't know what their current policies are, but they used to waive some of their restrictions for Costco members.

[paladin]

I'll check with my contacts at the processor I mentioned above. If they are OK with it I'll be glad to point anyone that needs help in the right direction.

[paladin]

OK, got a reply from Gate2Shop.

They take providers that are first party providers (like the hotel itself, or even the water park itself) OR if it is third party (like Expedia) it should have direct contract with the hotels and not agreement with another third party.

So if that works for you guys PM me your contact details and I will have someone from Gate2Shop contact you.

-Alon

[Demaestro]

There is a company called Internet Secure.

I just had a travel company secure an account with them for online transactions after being turned down by a couple other vendors. They seem to be growing and have a good rep.

[jackgordon]

You're probably going to have to put up a considerable sum of money up front in the form of a bond with a lot of providers, because they often find travel a high risk industry, almost on par with gaming industries. Also, you might find they take a 5 or 10% rolling reserve on your sales which isn't nice...

[paladin]

they take a 5 or 10% rolling reserve on your sales

PayPal started with that as well. I don't know if it is for everyone, or just certain accounts.

[giggle]

Thanks for the replies guys (sorry, been away). We'll take a look at the suggestions.