problems opening new Adwords account

[mike_ppc]

Hello everybody!
I'm new around here. Still, I've been doing some ppc for a quite large company.
Now I'm trying to open a new account for my current employer - but Google doensn't accept the credit card (CC).
Well, only one exception - they "accepted" it - so my account is now opened, but immediately there came the message "We were unable to process your last payment...".
But I'm sure on the CC there are more than 5 Euro!
Do you have any idea what could be the problem? Could it be the fact that I'm from Romania? Have you heard of this problem before?
Of course, we will try to check at the bank to see what's going on, but someone else is in charge of this.
Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

[dave741]

What this link says about yout credit card?

[adwords.google.com...]

[mike_ppc]

Sorry dave, I don't fully understand your question.

The link doesn't say anything, it seem to accept RO & EUR and also gives you types of CC accepted (mine is one of those).
When I enter CC details, tyey say "Card declined" , and nothing more.
I wonder if someone has met this problem before. I fear that could be something like : "hmm, Romania - there could be CC fraud there!" Or, I don't know what to think !

[dave741]

My (non-written :-) question was, if your CC is listed there. You write, it is.

So this should not be the problem:

I fear that could be something like : "hmm, Romania - there could be CC fraud there!"

But, check in your bank if the card is allowed to accept an internet payment. If they say yes, ask adwords support, what is the problem.

BUT first of all: Which currency you used for your account? Of course you can use LEU, but check exchange rate between LEU and USD. The minimum bid in LEU is 2000, in USD 0.05.

So it might be much cheaper for you, to choose not LEU but USD. If you have already choosen LEU (and from exchange rate you see USD is better), forget that adWords account, open new one and use USD. Then send a big bottle of wine to me, because your campany will save a lot :-)

[mike_ppc]

Thanks for your replies, dave.
I've already set EURO as currency.
(Btw, the wine bottle is waiting, but I'd apreciate drinking it together....)
Also, I already asked Adwords Support, and still waiting for their answer.
Anyway, I'm not relying very much on their answer, as it will be pure theory. In this area, practice is what matters!
And I haven't yet faced "On hold, slowed...." problems.
I hope I could get also some "practical" answer from people running accounts in countries like Russia, Ukrain, Bulgaria ...

[dave741]

I've already set EURO as currency.

FORGET THAT ACCOUNT AS SOON AS YOU CAN

and start new one with USD!

[mike_ppc]

Could you give me solid proof why USD is better?
I'm not saying that I'm in Europe, so I'm using EURO, but this USD has dissappointed me in the last 2 years. This is why I prefer something more constant.

[dave741]

Oh man, this will be a big bottle of wine!

1. I am talking about adwords account, not about your bank account :-)

2. In this case the less dollar goes, the better for you!

3. You can have you bank account even in LEU. If the card is charged in EU or USD, the bank will automatically transfer the charged amount to LEU or any currency you use for your bank account (based on actual exchange rate).

4. The minimum bid in EU is 0.05 EUR, in USD it is 0.05 USD. So, for example - you will receive 10000 clicks (for this minimum bid) in next month and I guess it is a big different if your bank account will be charged for 500 USD or 500 EUR!

5. Calculate the difference and send me the wine for 50% of it :-)

[mike_ppc]

Why do you like big bottles? I prefer smaller, but older ones!
It's based on the actual exchange rate - so the ONLY advantage is that you COULD pay 0.05$.
But if you are planning to pay more (for ex: CPC=0.1 EUR)- then there is no difference at all!
And come on, get to work - earning money is not that easy !

[mike_ppc]

Some other thing.
What if next year 1 USD = 1.2 EUR? This has happende before! And I'm not planning this account only for 1 year - then close it and open another in EUR!
I'm trying to think on the long term, not a short one

[mike_ppc]

Uff! Finally the problem with the CC is solved!
It turned out to be a bank problem! (damn these banks!)
Now let's see the REAL problems!

[dave741]

But if you are planning to pay more (for ex: CPC=0.1 EUR)- then there is no difference at all!

Are you sure about this?

ONLY advantage is that you COULD pay 0.05$.

Hey, I am sure you are going to find a tons of words and phrases for 0.05, especially if you will target to Romania.

What if next year 1 USD = 1.2 EUR?

So you can use the money you saved from this year :-).

Yes, this has happened before, but if you read some economy staff, you know there is quite different situation now and the US boys will be happy if the Dollar will stay where it is.

The last one: I do not have the time, but search this forum and you will find many people who are saying: "Fu.., why did not I start my account in USD"!

[mike_ppc]

Please tell me why is USD better, for ex. if CPC = 0.1EUR
- since bid is evaluated at the actual exchange rates!
No, I'm not planning to target Romania (or other countries when you could pay minimum and be in 1-2 pos)
Probably no one (except Bush and Greenspan) knows what will happen to the USD - so I don't think you can.
We'll talk in a year or two and see what happened.
Thanks for the help, and I hope you will help me in the future, too!