PayPal vs 2checkout.com vs ???

All,
As I mentioned I will be signing up soon but this is one of the other things I need to get settled before doing so. As a new reseller I know I need to accept credit cards in order to survive this business, whether it's just local accounts or ones across the nation. But like most everyone else starting out I don't have a ton of capital. I was thinking of going with PayPal or 2checkout.com but both have their shortcomings vs. a full blown merchant account, but a full blown merchant account can be expensive. I wanted to get people's opinions on both the above mention possibility and/or any other options that they may know about.

Thanks,
Bob

[Brangwyn]

Go for both Paypal and 2Co, paypal costs basically nothing to join anyway.

I use both and find most customers tend to favour Paypal, 2Co works ok most of the time but their service isn't the best in the world.

[generic]

I am using Payquake and recommend them to everyone.

They are a real merchant account without all the fees!

I have set up myself and 2 clients so far without a hitch and they all love them. They use authorize.net and you even get an online form to input charges yourself if you need to at no additional charge!

They have 3 plans, you can compare the plans with your approximate usage and charges to see what works best for you.
The Cheapest plan is the "Pay for Play" option.
No Setup Fees
No Monthly Statement Fees
No Gateway Fees.

I am an affiliate so I would appreciate you following this link if you choose them.
Payquake.com

[Brangwyn]

Do they handle international customers at all ? I seem to recall last time I checked payquake it was US based people only

[generic]

yes they do, but they dont appear to be competitive in this area.

Their international accounts, which support the NEW Zealand Dollar are:
Annual Fee: $215
Monthly fee $35
Discount rate 5.45%
Trans fee $0.00
Application Fee: $399
Settlement is weekly

I'm guessing you could do better.

[nhdonny]

Originally Posted by tracewebspace

I am using Payquake and recommend them to everyone.

trace, the Payquake website is really slim on details. maybe you can answer a couple of questions.

Since Payquake includes a gateway (they don't mention authorize.net anywhere by name) does this mean that I need no other services besides my SSL cert which is already installed?

Most important for me and understand that this is not for my design or hosting biz.

As I launch my store I know that my customers will many times need to call and clarify or change an order. They may even call before ordering and give me the cc by phone, in fact I'd love them to call. Does Payquake include a virtual terminal for editing and placing transactions?

[resell01]

Yes it is included...PM me if you need any more information.

[kattouf]

Just to let you know (not that there is anything wrong with it) But payquake is a reseller for Us Merchant Services or somthing like that, so basically they are the middle men. Ofcourse US MS doesn't offer the service directly to customers... so i suppose there is no choice. and they are priced right.

I use paypal and 2co, checks somtimes and bank transfer for friends.

next version of the control panel with support paysystems.com which is quite good too.

[nhdonny]

PayQuake is a Subsidiary of U.S. Merchant Systems, not a reseller. USMS Owns them.

[generic]

nhdonny, and to the rest who might be wondering:

Update - 1/22/04
payQuake™ is no longer a subsidiary of US Merchant Systems, they have broken away and are now their own company. All text about being a subsidiary is being removed from their site by next week.

the Payquake website is really slim on details.

Yes it is!, and if everything goes as planned, I will be assisting in the redesign of the new one. (or at least hosting them )

(they don't mention authorize.net anywhere by name)

Only if you look hard, its in the faq's, and possibly some other places in small print. I think they should promote it more. Here is the faq:
Currently, payQuake™ is bundling the Authorize.net payment gateway with your merchant account.

Since Payquake includes a gateway (they don't mention authorize.net anywhere by name) does this mean that I need no other services besides my SSL cert which is already installed?

Correct!, Just put your authorize.net information into Hsphere and bill away!
Also, if you use Candy Press for your store, just enter your Authorize.net information on the config/setup page, thats all you need to accept credit cards.

As I launch my store I know that my customers will many times need to call and clarify or change an order. They may even call before ordering and give me the cc by phone, in fact I'd love them to call. Does Payquake include a virtual terminal for editing and placing transactions?

YES they do! You can log into authorize.net and use the virtual terminal with NO additional charge. I use it when a client wants to pay for site design or updates using their credit card. I just login and ask for the info line by line and then submit. Instant payment

In about a week, I will be setting up a candypress store to sell my mail list script via the candy press instant download option and payquake for processing the credit cards instantly.

As far as editing. I called Authorize.net and verified this information:
Once a charge is placed, you can not edit.
But, You may log in and void it before it is settled.
Once its settled you would have to issue a refund or credit if necessary.

You do have the ability to set your own daily transaction/settlement cut-off time.

If you ever have a question you want to ask privately, just pm me. All I ask in return for the information and advise I provide is that if you do sign up, please follow my link so I get credit for the referral.

Sign up for a Payquake credit card processing / merchant account

You will be happy with payquake,
greg.

[cleonard]

Hey Tracewebspace,

Getting ready to pull the trigger myself and click on your affiliate link for PayQuake, got one question if you don't mind.

One of the things I really like about PayPal is that I can download the transactions directly into Quicken (.qif format). Is there a anyway to do the same either through PayQuake, Authorize.Net, etc?

I've lost some sales because people don't like PayPal and I'm getting ready to remedy that.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[generic]

no, unfortunately not in quicken, format, but authorize.net does allow downloads in the following formats and holds the information during the current year:
-Standard/Tab Delimited
-Standard with Card Code/Tab Delimited
-Expanded Fields/Comma Separated
-Expanded Fields with CAVV Response/Comma Separated

make sure to use the chart (the big highlighted green link in the middle of the page after you follow my link) to determine with option is best for you before you pick a plan.

you will not regret payquake, 100% satisfaction to date!

any other questions feel free to pm me.

greg.

[pablo]

Hi,
I found out that most paysystems do not accept customers from just any country. I live in Bolivia. Can I (or my customers) use payquake? If so, how are funds transferred? If not, I also have a bank account in Holland (i'm dutch), does that help? Is there another system that does accept countries like mine?
paul

[somereseller]

You want a merchant account and a gateway or a 2checkout type of company that collects money for you?

[generic]

I would only suggest payquake for us based merchants unless you donot have any alternative.

Fees for non-us merchants are a bit high, and while I would love to recommend them, I think you could get better non-us rates at a different merchant service.

There is a $399 application fee and then a $35 monthly fee, $219 annual fee and a 5.45%-8% discount.

I would suggest as an alternative using worldpay, paypal, 2checkout or a merchant account from a local bank in your home country.

good luck.

greg.