Euro Merchant Acct for US/CA company

[Noname_Nick]

My company [based in Canada] currently does business in Canada/US/Euro Zone. We'd like to be able to charge our customers in Euros (if they're in the Euro zone).

I'm just pulling my hair out trying to get a merchant services company to have any interest, since we are in the *travel industry* (insert tones of doom here).

Currently we have bank accounts in all three currencies, merchant accounts in US/CAD with very good rates and an excellent chargeback record.

We're licensed and bonded by various government organizations, have an A+ BBB record with no complaints in over 10 years.

Can anyone recommend a merchant services company that is able to look past the word 'travel' and see that we are a legit and stable company?

One would think that if you have existing merchant accounts, you'd have some level of credibility...but I guess not!

Any advice very much appreciated.

[Leosghost]

Talk to HSBC

[paladin]

Have you checked with Gate2Shop?

[Noname_Nick]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've called HSBC three times now...their phone system just loops forever and no-one ever picks up. Classic Big bank. I don't think they have Euro merchant accounts though (we have a Euro account there and asked a while ago).

I'll check on Gate2Shop.

NN.

[Noname_Nick]

Gate2Shop...I will check into it more (no reply to online chat)...but ouch! Discount rate of 5.95%? That's scary.

[paladin]

I'll send you a PM - I have a contact there and can probably get it down

[kirikara]

I had to use paypal PRO to accept credit card
My entire account only takes euros, and converts to dollars automatically.. it works not cheap though!

[Noname_Nick]

Paypal pro will not accept us. They deny us based on personal credit reasons, which is total BS since the owner of company has rediculous credit. The guy I talked to even suggested he had too much credit.

Of course, the real reason for denial is that we're a travel company. They just don't have the balls to come out and say that.

Too bad since I used to like Paypal.

[Noname_Nick]

Well, it seems like a nice guy at Durango merchant services has taken an interest in our business. Does anyone have any experience to share about them?

[Noname_Nick]

As a follow up - HSBC Canada today confimed that they do not support the Euro.

[LifeinAsia]

Of course, the real reason for denial is that we're a travel company. They just don't have the balls to come out and say that.

You wouldn't want to use them anyway. For travel, you are completely without protection in case someone disputes a charge or uses a stolen credit card through PayPal.