Recommendations for non-realtime cc handler?

[holtyboy]

Guys,

Any recommendations please?

I'm not bothered about integrating the credit card handler into my cart for real-time processing as I would rather handle orders manually to start with.

I am looking to minimise set-up and monthly fees, even at the cost of a higher handling fee / discount % per transaction.

I'm based in the UK.

Thanks for any suggestions.

BR /adam.

[HowlingWizard]

I went thru this a couple years agao for my business and just last month for a client.

Look at professional and business associations and other membership orginizations. I found the same provider will offer much better rates and fee to members of a group then directly to you, even with factoring in an annual membership fee.

We set up the merchant account for my client thru Costco (membership based warehouse store). I called the same processor twice (directly, then via Costco) with the same business details and got quoted different rates and fees. The reduced monthly fee costs alone pays for the Costco membership.

Disclaimer - I am in US and this is from my US experience.

[Receptional]

mals-e

For what you want it is free.

[Miop]

I am in the UK -
I started with Worldpay (wow fees) as I did not have a merchant account. Have to wait 8 weeks for my money.
I finally approached the Bank of Scotland (not the Royal one) for a merchant account and they were very nice even though I am a market trader :)
Their fees are only around 2.5% but I think it varies - set up fee 150 quid. I got a terminal in my house (rent 15 pounds per month - was used frequently over xmas) and I can integrate my new shop with Protx (£20/month - no item fees) for online transactions. I wait 3 days for my money.

PS. I have pre-authorisation on my WP account and you can get that with Protx, so you can check out the transaction before processing it yourself.

HTH

[holtyboy]

Miop - I'm guessing the terminal you are renting for £15 per month also supports "swipe". Does it just connect over a standard phone line?

Did the Bank of Scotland offer an online (cheaper?) alternative to the terminal for businesses that only deal in NCP (no card present) transactions?

cheers... adam.

[Miop]

As far as I know, you can just have a merchant account - I had the terminal (yes it does swipe or keypad the number in) because I work the markets and fairs as well.
If you just have a merchant account, you have no way of processing the cards without an online terminal - I think Protx does this. BOS are very cheap on fees...on Worldpay I pay over 10% with the guarantee (it's more because of what I sell - gold shiny stuff!) On Protx your fees are 20 a month as long as you are below a certain number of transactions - no fee per transaction.

[gazza]

Regarding Worldpay - what kind of documentation would they require if you wanted an account with them? Do you have to be
a registered company?

I am a private individual and sell off a server I setup on my DSL line. I was a Unix sysadmin prior to a fit of downsizing
so I DIY everything.

[Miop]

You don't have to be anything to use Worldpay as far as I know.
I am a sole trader, a market trader with an internet shop and I diy'd everything too. Not only that but at the time I applied, I couldn't even get a personal loan due to lack of credit history. If you don't have a merchant bank account, they can act as a bureau for you, but they hold on to the money for a period of time. I think 30 days as standard, but I have to wait 60 days because I am a 'high risk' industry. They claim that they turn down very few people so they are a good way to get started.
I would advise anyone wanting to use Worldpay to get a merchant bank account first if they can, because then WP gives you the dosh in 3-5 days as normal with lower fees. Using them as a bureau is *expensive* IMHO. They charge commission on each sale, plus vat on the comission, plus a fee for transferring the money to your bank. If you have the WP guarantee (covers chargebacks and the customer) it costs extra per transaction. If you give a refund, they do not return the fees on the original transaction (which I am lead to believe a merchant account would). The are the reasons I pushed for a merchant account with the BOS. However, when I applied to BOS, I had 4 months of WP accounts to show them to show them that I was making some money (about £250 a week).
oh, and I managed to integrate wp on my diy site easily, which is saying something. :)

[gazza]

That sounds good (Worldpay) but do you have to apply for Worlddirect or can you just apply for Worldaccess?

Worlddirect seems to come with Worldaccess but the Worldpay website lists a separate application fee for Worldaccess as well.