Alternative to Paypal?

[tkershaw]

Originally Posted by wige

What I was trying to say is that through the media the general public is frequently reminded about the threat of identity theft, web sites getting hacked, etc, and as a result they have to trust the web site, and error messages tend to reduce the credibility in the site, especially a small business. Sure, Bank of America might throw javascript errors during an online transaction, but the user likely already trusts that site such that they would ignore the errors.

As I suspected you were supporting my no confidence position but you also added an observation about larger sites. I see validity in the concept that users have built a certain level of trust with a known quantity like B of A, so they may ignore suttle javascript errors. This is very possible if it is something minor that only kicks out an overlooked error in the bottom bar.

As a sanity check I read the original post again to make sure we were not veering off course, my 'spidey sense' still tells me that this is no minor javascript error if sales have "dropped down to nothing".

Tony.

[bj]

One other thing has occurred to me. There was a discussion on this forum awhile back about certain ecom cart sites that were tripping off the phishing filters even though they were legitimate sites. Apparently this was with an MS filter and also there had been problems mentioned with McAfee's filter. If someone who is about to purchase from you has a siren going off and a big red flashing X saying this is a possible phishing site, that could tend to stop the sale dead in its tracks. I think Paypal was mentioned as one of the payment options that could sometimes trip it off, though the buy it now buttons weren't a part of that issue, or at least they weren't mentioned.

Anyway, I know McAfee has a simulator so you can test your (legitimate) site and make sure nothing is tripping off their phishing filter.

[Windsun]

Originally Posted by ArthurNYC

Sorry but that is wrong. We process in excess of 10,000 transactions monthly and offer all major CCs AND Paypal. Over the past years we have seen Paypal use increase (much to the displeasure of my merchant banks) to over 18% of transaction from 12 just 18 months ago.

A few years back, Paypal was the choice of small merchants but now it is a second option for almost all major merchants.

Arthur

I have to agree. We take all major cards, and have for years.

But in the past 2 years our PayPal transactions have gone from around 2% to over 30% of all sales.

But we also offer a 1% discount on PayPal, simply because in over 12,000 transactions we have never had a single case of fraud, unlike VISA and MC.

[globalguy]

If you are selling non-tangibles, then global pay-per-call phone billing is a great way to monetize traffic from all countries.

After all, anyone know anyone who does not have a phone or cellphone?

[thebigdishman]

On the subject of shopping carts, I highly rate Mal's e-commerce which is free for the basic service, and charges a minimal amount for the premium service.

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by thebigdishman

On the subject of shopping carts, I highly rate Mal's e-commerce which is free for the basic service, and charges a minimal amount for the premium service.

Looks too good to be true, what's the catch? I looked at their FAQ's and I don't see any obvious limitations. They say the free one works with PayPal, so I don't understand what this means: "With a Premium account you can also directly integrate the cart into the credit card payment gateways of: [and PP is one of them]".

[bj]

Looks too good to be true, what's the catch?

The catch is that even with a great rep (which Mal's has) it's a hosted service. If their server goes offline for ANY reason you are out of luck.

At least with a cart script if your host's server goes down then as long as you've backed up your db you can be up and running elsewhere in as short a time as it takes for a nameserver change to propagate.

[Clint1]

I see, so does the premium one not rely on their hosting?

[bj]

As far as I know Mal's can only be run on Mal's server, whether it's free or premium, and that's my point. I, personally, don't care to give up that much control of my ecommerce sites.

[jordanmcclements]

To elaborate on the Google checkout option a bit further...

The very day that Google checkout became available in the UK - I recommended using it (before I realised that it did not offer a built in shopping cart in the way that Paypal does)..

So unless you plan on only giving your shoppers the option to purchase ONE item at a time - you will need to look into proper shopping cart software.

Most major shopping carts integrate with Google checkout. Here is the List:-

How to Integrate

A lot of hosting accounts give you the option to install the Open Source OScommerce shopping cart which is free and very comprehensive. The downside is it is *very* time consuming to get it all set up exactly as you want it, and involves manually altering .php files etc... If you are short on time - it may be worth having a look at the OScommerce Forums and ask someone there if they could make the modifications you require for a reasonable price...

Have a look at

Pictureourland (Oscommerce version)

and

PictureOurLand Irish Photos (original version with 'buy now' buttons)


to see how I am struggling with it!

[bj]

For the record, I know both ZenCart and CubeCart support Google Checkout. Cubecart is a lot easier to configure than either OSC or Zen, though slightly less full featured, and works out of the box for UK shops. Cubecart is free to use with a linkback, ZenCart is open source. I've worked with both and prefer either of these to the bloated OSC. Zen is actually a fork off OSC, so those who have used OSC in the past will feel comfortable with it. Both Zen and Cube allow css templating. OSC is a mass of table bloat.

[jordanmcclements]

Thanks for the info... (I just went with the one 'click to install' shopping cart that was provided by my hosting account!)...

[bj]

I just went with the one 'click to install' shopping cart that was provided by my hosting account!

Yeah, I know a lot of people who do that . . . and who end up hiring me to get them squared away when they find that the "click to install" is NOT the easiest option.

[bobchrist]

You can also refer electronic payments (UK) database to check paypal alternative; Online and Electronic Payment Solutions - electronic-payments.co.uk

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by jordanmcclements

To elaborate on the Google checkout option a bit further...

The very day that Google checkout became available in the UK - I recommended using it (before I realised that it did not offer a built in shopping cart in the way that Paypal does)..

So unless you plan on only giving your shoppers the option to purchase ONE item at a time - you will need to look into proper shopping cart software.

Most major shopping carts integrate with Google checkout. Here is the List:-

How to Integrate

Jordan, could you or anyone please tell me if this will work with G checkout?
Simple Client-Side Shopping Cart. . It's JavaScript based. I don't understand how one cart can be used with two different checkout methods. I guess I'd put two "Checkout" buttons on the cart page?
Thanks.

[jordanmcclements]

I am not sure, sorry.. If it is not on the official Google list, and it si javascript based - I would say 'probably not'...

[jordanmcclements]

Hi everyone...

Does anyone else have any up to date experiences to share with Google Checkout.

I have had good experiences with using the 'Buy Now' buttons - but they are quite limited - and I have never gotten around to integrating a proper shopping cart with Google Checkout (The limited time I sent setting up a test site with oscommerce put me off a bit)...

I still think Google should provide an easy to use, built in 'cart/basket' option...

[jordanmcclements]

Hold on - just found something very interesting :-

http://checkout.google.com/seller/gsc/beta/demo/index.html

[bj]

Does anyone else have any up to date experiences to share with Google Checkout.

Google checkout integrates very easily into ZenCart.

[jordanmcclements]

I still think the new google shopping cart looks brilliant for the sort of small shop I would probably be doing (and a lot less involved than using Zen cart when I have no experience of it)...

I'll post back here when I have actually used it...

(And if someone comes to me wanting a BIG store designed - I'll contact you bj!)..

Thanks.

[pixma85]

Google Checkout. From all the hassle we had with paypal, I wouldn't bother with them even they give me free transactions.

[rondo]

2checkout.com is another option. They now provide both credit card and Paypal payment methods, and it's supported by many shopping cart scripts.


Andrew

[jordanmcclements]

Here is my first Google Checkout Store (Gas Delivery Service For Newtownards Area):-

Ards Gas Deliveries / Parkview Service Station - Gas Refills

So far it has been a breeze to set up and has not given any problems...

[marcel]

Originally Posted by jordanmcclements

Here is my first Google Checkout Store (Gas Delivery Service For Newtownards Area):-

Ards Gas Deliveries / Parkview Service Station - Gas Refills

So far it has been a breeze to set up and has not given any problems...

What about charge backs ?

What if someone pays you, gets the gas and places a chargeback 3 days later ?

[jordanmcclements]

What does Google do to protect me from chargebacks?

[bendan]

i am using PayPal and it work for. May be the easier way is using e-gold because it is no credit card required

[kelsie3]

I have been researching paypal alternatives myself, having been burnt by paypal too many times. They currently have 200 of my dollars "held" indefinately. What's a person supposed to do. i am simply trying to make an honest living.

[pixma85]

I have 3 google checkout accounts and can't be happier with them. I use to used paypal but had so many issues with them and support that takes 7-10 days to reply that it wasn't worth it.

[johnxuster]

It is almost a must because it allows me to make purchases at gas pumps and just about any other place that accepts cards too. And of course that way there is no waiting for the funds.

So those features are important to me.

And yes, Ebay and Paypal are bed partners since ebay bought out paypal a while back.
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Laptop Battery, Power Tools Battery, Digital Camera Battery, Camcorder Battery, Battery Pack.

[Addler]

Great discussion! PayPal may work well with a small number of products or for a non profit organization. For more professional sites, an Internet merchant account from a merchant account provider is highly recommended. Zencart is a easily customized choice for a shopping cart along with a reputable payment gateway.

[sheena]

Here are alternatives to Paypal
Moneybookers - Send and receive money ? Online payments ? Money transfers similar online payment service to PayPal, but with better functionality for several countries where PayPal isn’t offering their full services.
http://www.propay.com (like a merchant account without all the fees)
http://www.bidpay.com (closest competitor to PayPal)
http://www.bitpass.com (a little different)
http://www.firepay.com
http://www.neteller.com (based in London)
http://www.checkfree.com (another popular alternative)

[dharrison]

Hi LittleGiant

Out of all the posts, I am surprised no one has mentioned Protx. Protx - secure online payment gateway for credit card processing

It takes a little longer to integrate from your average shopping cart software but the rates are much lower than PayPal.

HTH

[msinfo]

There are plenty and most of them are much better solutions. Some that offer complete bundle solutions are Echo, NexCommerce, FastTransact. You can find a few more on the web with a little searching.

I also wanted to just say that the industry of online payments is now very competitive and Paypal is still not the market leader in how online payments are processed. Last I checked a very large majority of online payments were still processed using Visa/MC, and as long as customers still have their credit cards and debit cards, then having a real merchant account is also an option that cannot be ignored. Merchant accounts are also cheaper, when you look at the Paypal Pro options, or any option that allows the Virtual Terminal, they are much more expensive than a standard online merchant account by a reasonable provider offering the same type of service.

So in short, good choice to search for additional methods.

[Katz]

I currently use Paypal on my site and compared to the costs of alternatives this is still my first choice.

I originally set up the site early this year with Google Checkout. This was easy to use and had very low costs. The only problem was my sales were not great because at the time customers did not seem to use it as readily as Paypal. When I changed, my sales did increase so possibly people trust PayPal more. This may have changed now with Google Checkout being more established but Paypal is still my top choice.

[teachmemore]

Paypal works fine. But, I can't stand not being able to use an actual credit card in place of the paypal system. As a consumer, it is so much easier to enter my card info than paypal. They really harp on "added security" from paypal. I was ripped off once on a purchase that never panned out, and paypal informed me the only thing I could do was inform the FBI. They took about $650.00, and I never got it back. Not really that much of a fan of thier "added security"

[jordanmcclements]

Paypal sucks in many ways. They were on the TV show 'Watchdog' in the UK where it was highlighted that in practice, people basically have very very little protection when using paypal compared to using a credit card..

They even had some slime ball from paypal on trying to gloss over the fact that they offer very little 'come back' with a load of absolute waffle...

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by teachmemore

Paypal works fine. But, I can't stand not being able to use an actual credit card in place of the paypal system. As a consumer, it is so much easier to enter my card info than paypal.

I totally agree, that's what I hate about them. Also as a seller it's a pain because the customer always says something like they want another, or something else added to it, or change their mind about Ground and wants faster shipping, and I can't simply charge their card for it! I have put up a custom link then have them go through the process again.

They really harp on "added security" from paypal. I was ripped off once on a purchase that never panned out, and paypal informed me the only thing I could do was inform the FBI. They took about $650.00, and I never got it back. Not really that much of a fan of thier "added security"

I was too about 8 or so years ago, someone stole from ME, as a seller. Some criminal fraudulent a-hole, and the jerks at PP let them get off. Maybe all that has changed with their "added security".

[teachmemore]

It was 8 years ago for me as well, through an ebay puchase by a company with a picture of an eagle behind them and an American flag

[Clint1]

Well at least now there's that Ebay "Buyer protection Services", FWIW. Could be just "window dressing".

[EcommerceTechs]

I search for a alternative for Pay pal too, and I can tell you that the best option is Loud Commerce. Try it. First Data Independent Sales Merchant Accounts, Payment Gateways, Credit Card Terminals

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by EcommerceTechs

I search for a alternative for Pay pal too, and I can tell you that the best option is Loud Commerce. Try it. First Data Independent Sales Merchant Accounts, Payment Gateways, Credit Card Terminals

While I can't find anything about their fees or rates, they do have a 'request a rate quote' area and seem to be like other merchant accounts with monthly fees. PP of course doesn't have any monthly fees, (and BTW, they just raised their rates again to 4%. ). If you use that place, what are your fees?

[sam40]

paymate is a very good alternative to paypal. Try it.