[Shmang]

I am ready to go to an online payment option. What tips,pitfalls, and general info must i be aware of? Costs estimates would also be appreciated. I have been slow to go this route as I have been working hard of producing quality baits but now it is time to upgrade my operation. I sure would appreciate any and all info.

thanks and take care.

[Big Splash]

A paypal BUSINESS (accepts credit cards) account has worked good for me, even with international sales. They have lots of good features too like printable packing slips, and auction watch, if you sell on ebay. Your account will have features to help keep track of sales and payments.

[Gr8flyz]

Matt, I did some checking around looking for merchant accounts before I decided on Paypal, and found that Paypal was a good way to go for small operations. It allows you to accept the major credit cards, without having to fill out separate applications, and the fees you'll pay with Paypal, are reasonable. With a regular merchant account, you'll pay transaction fees, and/or a percentage of the sale, plus you'll pay per month service fees, even if you don't make any sales. In addition with most merchant accounts you have to either buy or rent software or hardware to use their service, which can be very expensive. You don't have these problems with Paypal.

Some merchant accounts have shopping cart features, and with some you have to buy or rent a shopping cart separately. Paypal has a free shopping cart feature.

Either way you go, you will have to set up your shopping cart, if you can do it yourself, it's not difficult, just time consuming, or you hire someone else to do it.

Most merchant accounts have some type of contract, so you're stuck with paying fee's for whatever the time period the contract involves, and penalties if you break the contract. With Paypal, you use it as you need it without a contract & only pay for transactions completed, no extra costs.

One other good feature with Paypal, is it also allows E-check payments direct from the customers bank account, or debit card, so those that wish to pay by check can do so without sending a check. Paypal also seems to be very concerned about security, and makes what I feel are very good efforts to protect all involved.

The only drawback I've had with Paypal is with telephone sales where the customer doesn't already have a Paypal account or is not familiar with Paypal, and wants to make payment with a credit card. Some have been reluctant to go thru the process of setting up the free Paypal account in order to pay with a credit card, but so far only a few.

I also haven't yet figured out how to make the shopping cart work completely for customers who wish to send a check or money order, but I think it can be done.

As you can tell, I think Paypal would be a good thing for you to try!

I hope this helps!

[deadlystreamer]

Hey Jim, You said " I also haven't yet figured out how to make the shopping cart work completely for customers who wish to send a check or money order, but I think it can be done." I just had a customer who was trying to set up an account with Paypal and was having some difficulties doing so, he finally gave up the paypal thing and sent me a check instead. My site is set up so you can use Paypal or pay by check/money order. It says in the shopping cart that the tackle won't be shipped until I receive the check, so that covers the seller.

Matt, Yes like Jim said, The Paypal business account is the best thing for you to do and you won't have to mess around with all that other stuff and have the headaches of a merchant account. Best of luck to you.

[Gr8flyz]

Deadlystreamer, I went & took a look at your site. Is that a Paypal shopping cart?

I've had a few customers who have had problems setting up Paypal accounts, but I think most of the problems have been trying to do it too fast & not reading the instructions, and taking it step by step. Or, they type something in wrong, again in a hurry!

I have lost a few sales because folks just were in a hurry & didn't want to setup an account. Rush, rush, rush, everyone is in too big a hurry, and everyone wants it NOW! Oh, well!

I feel for my purposes, Paypal was a good choice.

I like what you've done with your site, & may be sending you emails, if I can't figure out the shopping cart problem! Thanks!

[deadlystreamer]

No, It's not a Paypal shopping cart. Mine is with osCommerce. Check them out. Pretty nice way to go. I would think that the Paypal cart would give that option of paying with check/money order. But then to think about it, they won't make any money if a person sends you a check.
Talk to red-g8r about it. Change hosting to TU and get osCommerce/w shopping cart. Works pretty slick. Hosting prices can't be beat. Check it out. Hope this helps a little. Keep me posted. George