E-commerce in the middle east

[egtrix designs]

When will ecommerce in the middle east takes a serious role in the world's commerce?
unfortunately the middle east merchants are facing vast problems starting with the credit card processing companies and ending with the banks
For myself, I live in Egypt and I designed my web store which is almost ready to be launched and i thought that life is much easier than people say.
First of all, I have been searching for weeks for a credit card processing company that can process my orders in an easy way and without hard regulations and documeentations and I was really shocked, it's almost impossible to achieve that in ease
The credit cards processing firms need a lot of documentation which are hard to get here as the banks are not ready to sign any paper that easily
I don't know what to do but searching.... I hope that a credit card processing firm can open a branch here in Egypt... life would have been much easier than what i'm experiencing

[flood6]

Having never applied for a merchant account from anywhere except the U.S., I must admit that I had never considered what challenges a webmaster would face when launching a site from abroad.

I live in a house that never had phone lines installed, my wife and I just got cell phones when we moved in and never looked at installing land-lines. I run my site design business and the eCommerce sites I own from my house. Many merchant account providers required their clients to have a landline in the house...no exceptions. When the scheduled "live-date" for my first eCommerce site began looming on the near horizon with still no luck finding a provider that would accept me with out a land line, I began to panic and signed up with 2checkout.com. Their discount rates are outrageus (in the 5.5% range) but they accept nearly any kind of American credit card and have no monthly fee, with only about a 50 USD setup fee. I would not recommend this option for merchants with other options, but if you're stuck in a corner, they might be worth a shot. A few days later, I found a merchant account provider that was willing to accept my non-landline business. I still use 2checkout for online acceptance of AmEx, Discover, and online checks. I have no idea if 2checkout will work with non-U.S. or non-western merchants, but I do not remember them mentioning anything about location requirements to me at when I signed up. You can find them at www.2checkout.com.

The other option I imagine would be to exclusively use PayPal. This is not a recommended option either, but if you're out of options you might have to go with it. Again I assume they will work with non-western merchants. Of course, PayPal information is at www.paypal.com.

I really don't know what else to suggest. There is a mod here named Janeth from Columbia. I don't know if there is difficulty finding merchant account providers there, but she might have some helpful advice regardless if you PM or email her.

I hope someone who has dealt with these problems notices this thread and is able to offer their advice. Good luck.

[MacKlamm]

try the following (google search):

worldpay.com
http://merchant-systems.com/international/
http://www.paypaq.com/financial.php?page=financial

[MacKlamm]

forgot this one (it is in arabic)

http://www.click2secure.com/main.htm

[egtrix designs]

First of all I want to thank everybody who helped me out and replied to my topic post.
Second, about the topic of my reply (fSolutions), it's not misspelled or something, I will tell you where this expression came from.
Yesterday I found a sales person calling me and telling me that he was wondering if I'm intersted in E-Commerce Services in Egypt, finaly I found a way out of my problems...that what i thought at that moment. I replied, sure I'm interested if there is a credit card processing solution within your packages without much complicated procedures. The sales man replied, yes we do have a solution for every single problem you face. I won't tell how I felt at that moment, it was like all my dreams coming true. So I settled an appointment with him at 9:00 pm of the same day, and that is what happened.
I kept searching for the firm's address where we were supposed to meet each other, that search really needed a search engine... it took me too long to find the dsired place. Finaly I was there by 9:00 although I was searching in the area since 7:45 pm.
I went up to the 4th floor, it was completely dark there and i found my way carefuly to the door. I knocked on the door, the door opened , etc.
The sales man turned to be the firm's owner (that is not a problem for myself, I appreciate hard working people) , he invited me in through the place to his office and we started talking about the solutions that they offer.
The solutions were as follows
1-I'll have to move my website to there servers
2-I will have 500 MB space on their server
3-I will have a Miva account and Miva software
4-I will have an extra domain name for an extra $10
and this nice package is for only $1000 !!!!!
and a monthly fee of $50!!!!
And only here i started to talk and to rain him with my questions (I was trying to find out a reason for paying $1000 for a virtual shared hosting plan)
My Questions and his answers were as follows:
1- Me: Do you have a credit card processing solution within this plan?
Sales Man: You'll have to set an account with www.2checkout.com on your own for an extra $50, etc.
2- Me: Why should I consider your offer?
Sales Man: I offer you a Miva account and a very high support level
3-Me: Who's the person in charge of the Customer Support?
Sales Man: My partner and my self!!
4-Me: Do you mean that only both of you handel the whole roles in the firm?
Sales Man: Yes we do and we do it in a very good way
5-Me: Since when your firm is in this place?
Sales Man: We have been moving a lot lately and we are here two weeks ago (I was wondering to ask him and when are you gonna leave this place but i didn't)
6-Me: Will 2checkout.com accept my account setup easily?
Sales Man: You'll Have to find out that by your self
7-Me: Do you have a bank approval to recieve money from eTrade businesses?
Sales Man: There is no bank in Egypt that offers such a service internationaly
8-Me: Can I go home?!!
Sales Man: ........
That is where I got the expression fCommerce solutions... it stands for Funny Commerce Solutions
or for what ever else comes to your mind

[Islands]

egtrix,
At the risk of self promotion, we offer e-commerce solutions that may be of help. You can get a storefront with a tightly integrated account for taking credit cards via 3rd party processing. We have clients worldwide. Storefronts are in English but you can use your own currency in the storefront. We convert and process in US dollars to save you money on transactions.

Mel

[namita]

Thats true. I own a webdesign firm in dubai, UAE and to accept credit cards online costa fortune here. But I found another company called paysytems.com

They r good too. They set up a free test account for you to check how the shoppinmg cart and all works. Also they have live help which is really helpful;)
Also their schemes are better than 2checkout.com

Namita

[egtrix designs]

Again & Again I would like to thank everybody who shared in replying to my topic. You were really helpfull. I gained much experience over this forum.
I started my account with 2checkout.com and I will try their services for the time, it doesn't give me all what I want but I have to start my business as soon as possible.
As for paysystems, I tried their test account and when it came to the point of activation I was really shocked due to the following reasons:
1-The Live Support chated with me and told me that I have to achieve the sales value of $100,000 Per month!!!! and they sent me an email with this and i still have it to whom is ever interested to see this.
(I'm not the Yahoo owner)
2-They asked me to sign some documents from my bank here in Egypt which is really difficult as E-Commerce isn't that trusted over here
Anyway, I will try 2checkout.com and see what appears out by days

[gregmil]

Originally Posted by egtrix designs

Again & Again I would like to thank everybody who shared in replying to my topic. You were really helpfull. I gained much experience over this forum.
I started my account with 2checkout.com and I will try their services for the time, it doesn't give me all what I want but I have to start my business as soon as possible.
As for paysystems, I tried their test account and when it came to the point of activation I was really shocked due to the following reasons:
1-The Live Support chated with me and told me that I have to achieve the sales value of $100,000 Per month!!!! and they sent me an email with this and i still have it to whom is ever interested to see this.
(I'm not the Yahoo owner)
2-They asked me to sign some documents from my bank here in Egypt which is really difficult as E-Commerce isn't that trusted over here
Anyway, I will try 2checkout.com and see what appears out by days

You should not blaim credit card companies for not openning business on your territory. They are businesses and they would be happy to get business anywhere. The problem is in your society, your traditions, your governments and your culture.
Taking %%%%tage is anti-islamic, so banking activities there are non-grata.
People in your country don't pay taxes, don't trust anyone and have no pleasure in the deal if they don't bargain. My Palestinian friend told me that if Mercedes would be offered for 1 cent, arab-buyer would bargain anyway. Otherwise he needs no Merc at all. I am telling it without any hate or any anti...
You know that this is true.
Why if it's so good business you will not start CC processing business?

[egtrix designs]

Thank you gregmil for your message. Well, let me tell you that you don't have a clear enough view about the region where I live and about Islam.
In the begining of your message you said:
You should not blaim credit card companies for not openning business on your territory. They are businesses and they would be happy to get business anywhere. The problem is in your society, your traditions, your governments and your culture.
Actually that is not true, we have a lot of banks here in Egypt including Citibank, Barklays, American Express and 100s of other banks. For myself I do have a credit card and I have 2 bank accounts at Citibank, you can even see the Citibank's site here in egypt through the following URL: http://www.citibank.com/egypt
About our government, it may not be acheiving it's best but we it's trying to improve the annual income per person. As for our culture, it's not what you imagine at all, people here like to do business and they will like to have a chance to increase their income.
As for taxes, we do pay taxes for everything, we pay a 10% sales taxes when buying commodoties. 2% on registering a new car license. 8% Income taxes and a lot of other taxes.
As for Islam, taking percentage is not an anti-Islam activity at all. There is even a saying from our Prophet Muhammed where He says: nine tenth of profit is in commerce.
As you see that your Palastenian friend probably misleaded you in your idea about us and our culture. Also I would like to tell you that Muslims are more than 1 billion people around the world and it might be strange to you to know that Malasia and Indonesia are Islamic countries too and both have a good economy. Islamic countries are over 50 countries and each country has it's own culture and society.
As for bargaining, it's not like you think too. The bargaining process happens only when a person finds a product higher in price than it should be, and this happens all around the world as bargaining is an important part of commerce to make good deals and I don't think that if you find a gas gallon for 100 dollars that you won't bargain for it.
As for starting a CC processing business, I have this in my future plans when I have the enough money to start this huge business.
Thank you for your comment and I know that it's not built on racism but I advice you to search for more than one source to take your information from, so you can have the right idea.
Regards

[gregmil]

Actually that is not true, we have a lot of banks here in Egypt including Citibank, Barklays, American Express and 100s of other banks.

Sure, but conditions there are far from being business-friendly. British Bank bank in Tirkey is not only one victim. Westerners treated as second sort humans except the situations when they come to the restaurants or stores to shop. I saw it myself.

For myself I do have a credit card and I have 2 bank accounts at Citibank,

Cool! I am also CitiBank client...

About our government...

AgA!....




As you see that your Palastenian friend probably misleaded you in your idea about us and our culture.

Why he should?


Also I would like to tell you that Muslims are more than 1 billion people around the world and it might be strange to you to know that Malasia and Indonesia are Islamic countries too and both have a good economy.

I know ... So what?



As for starting a CC processing business, I have this in my future plans when I have the enough money to start this huge business.
Thank you for your comment and I know that it's not built on racism but I advice you to search for more than one source to take your information from, so you can have the right idea.

So why you reported my eMail? or it's also the part of culture?

OK, I don't want to fight with you and ready to appologize. BUT please first comment on this one.
Openly if you can... Please ....


Description:
I am working on a new website related to Islam, the bidder should be a Muslim, knowledge of PHP/MYSQL and good designing concept.

(http://www.rentacoder.com/RentACoder...questId=207917)

BTW, muslim guy is working for me sinse July and I had no problems with him.

[gregmil]

Again, I don't have anything against you or 1 Billion of your brothers and systers.

What I said is the environment for business in your coutries is not friendly.

I have to be fair. In any coutry of the world people from outside will be treated slightly different then locals. This is fact, but in Western countries people will do everything to demonstrate their friendliness and hide the differences.
Unfortunately your 50 coutries (you can create more if you wish) you are not demonstarting the same except the situation when you purchase something from the merchant. Then you will see the smiles from ear to ear.

It comes from several sources. One of them is any non-muslim person on your land is humiliation for muslim soul. You can deny it, but this is truth... maybe with some exceptions.

Even try to analyze your own message. You are saying that you need to transfer money from abroad. Please tell me honestly. Why do you need my money? Why your businesses are not giving you the leaving? OK, don't answer... just find the answer for yourself. Why 1 Billion people are not able to provide enough work for smarter part of society like yourself?
Why 250 Millions Americans creating new and new businesses that create work places arround the world?
I am not blaiming you in taking over millios of our jobs as some guys do. I am just asking you why your 50 countries are not producing enough jobs?
Is there one sigle AUTOMOBILE created in one of these 50 countries? I am not talking about aircrafts.
Any cellular phone was developed? One single medicine was created during last century?
You know why? I see no explanation.
Why Suets Canal was built by Westerners? Why Saudi Oil was discovered by Westerners?
Is there something in the air?
Example of Turkey, Malasia & Indonesia is just confirmation that I am right... They achieved something because they were trying to break the traditions. Well ... they not always did it democratic way, but this is another story...
I wish you to proof me that I am wrong, but I have only one explanation. Environment is not business-friendly.

Sure example with the barganing habbit was more like a jock btwn me and my Palestinian friend... BUT there is a just part of the humor in every jock the rest is thruth.

BTW, I speak 5 languages on pretty good level. My arabic is not count because it's is limited to 200 words, but my Turkish was good enough to understand what seller in the store say belind my back. I also heard restaurant owner in Dubaii calling my friend "manuk". He didn't know that I know what this word means.

I am not applying what I know about your 1 Bil. to earch and every person, but I am pretty realistic and know what I am talking about

[cyanide]

ok, I'm locking this thread. It's not going anywhere, not to mention it's over a year old.