deliver credit card info

[drooh]

A clinet of mine has a need to recieve credit card info online through a form on his website. The credit card info needs to be on file so that later, 6 months from now it can be charged.

Would having a form on an SSL sending an email using a secure email account be advisable?

What kind of options would you suggest?

I know that emailing credit card info is a no no and storing it in a db is a no no. The card does not need to be charged at the time of the submission, just later about 6 months from the time of submission.

[chrisranjana]

Well most credit card gateways have the recurring billing option nowadays.

It is realay unsafe to store cc info in a file.. text file..

[chrisranjana]

realay = really

[jwolthuis]

If your customer wants to displute the charge, I'm wondering how you would reply to a chargeback request? "I'm processing a charge now for a transaction that took place last year"? I'm guessing he would probably win the chargeback.

There's also the problem of expiring cards / closed accounts / replacement cards. A card number that is valid today might not be valid in six months. Also, how do you stash the CVV code (which you are not allowed to store)?

Why not collect payment information in six months, and process the charges then?

[piatkow]

I assume that this is some sort of "get first six months free" subscription offer and you will be taking furhter payments afterwards. I am with chrisranjana on this, outsource the whole thing to a processor that handles recurring billing.

[drooh]

no it is a professional lighting company. they enter a contract with a client, get the credit card on file and at the time of the event they charge the card. the reason for delaying the charge is that often times the client request additional services.

is it possible with recurring billing to take the initial charge at $0.00 and then later at charge it? Can you choose when to charge?

[piatkow]

Lets clarify, your client is collecting card details and entering the transaction manually as a "customer not present" transaction?

[drooh]

yes, he is storing them in quickbooks merchant services software. He wants to be able to have a form online where the enter the CC details and later charge them.

[LifeinAsia]

the reason for delaying the charge is that often times the client request additional services.

What is the average price of the contracts?

Unless it's a fairly small amount (less than $1000), most contractors I know either require the full amount upfront or at least a deposit (with remaining amount at completion).

[drooh]

i dont really know but im thinking he gets the payment immediately before the event and adds on any extra services that are needed.