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Though Google Checkout is not a typical merchant service in that it doesn't allow businesses to handle card swipe transactions and functions similarly to Paypal and other online-only payment processors, it bears mentioning here.

Their transaction fees are fairly comparable to other credit card processing companies:  the current going rates are as low as 1.9%+$0.30 per transaction if you do a very high volume of sales.  However, if you are just getting started, working with a service like Google Checkout can help you to avoid paying setup fees.  There also do not appear to be any "early cancellation" fees or contracts that can lock you in for two or more years as there are with other merchant service providers.  You can also save some money on fees and receive additional benefits if you are advertising through Adwords while using Google as a payment processor.

Another benefit of working with Google is simply reputation -- the company is well known and well-respected, so potential customers will feel confident when they see a related badge on your website.  Google Checkout also works for many, many stores, and some consumers will prefer to shop this way rather than having to input credit card information fresh for every purchase they make.

While this service certainly isn't going to put Paypal and other, more traditional merchant service providers out of business, it can be a good starting point for a new web store owner. 

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Katerina @ 12:46 | comments(1) | Permanent link

Today, I will be reviewing Landmark Merchant Solutions, a company provides credit card processing and POS credit card equipment to large and small businesses. 

They appear to have received mixed reviews from current and past customers.  Some laud them for having excellent, fast, and responsible customer service, while others suggest that they are not good at maintaining the details of their contracts and that they make promises that they don't keep.  There seem to be many concerns about the free websites offered by Landmark; customers say the sites are difficult to use, involve too many redirected links to rank well, and often undergo changes without warning from Landmark.

On the positive side, other reviews speak of Landmark as a great business partner and possibly even the best merchant solutions company out there.  The Better Business Bureau cites few complaints, but states that LMS is not registered with them.

As always, do your research before signing up for merchant services.

We give Landmark:



 

Owen @ 12:16 | comments(1) | Permanent link

Fairly new to the merchant service market but very successful nonetheless is MsMerchantAccount.com, providing merchant accounts for various high and low risk industries.  Linking businesses that wish to process credit cards with traditional banks, merchant service corporations, and offshore processing solutions, MMA is an up-and-coming leader in her field.   

Providing excellent and expedient customer service, offering international services as well as domestic, and working with every type of business imaginable -- from brick and mortar retail, restaurants, and convenience stores to adult entertainment and gambling -- Ms. Merchant Account has a solution for every industry.

Additionally, this merchant service provider has an excellent and easy-to-use website that features many great resources for new and established business owners.   You can't go wrong with  MMA!

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Jane @ 11:05 | comments(2) | Permanent link

Card Service International is one of the most widely known credit card processing companies out there.  Upon starting up a small clothing shop in my home town, I set up my merchant account with CSI.  Though it was far from smooth sailing, I had an overall positive experience with the company.  It was somewhat difficult to discern who to call in order to resolve various problems -- my account rep, the equipment company, or a general service number -- but once I found the right people, my questions were answered quickly and honestly.  And even though my store closed before our merchant agreement was up, they gave me a discount on paying off my contract, which I really appreciated.  

Some other reviews of Card Service International can be found here and here. 

Based on my own experience as well as the other reviews I've seen, I have to give Card Service Intl

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Sal @ 12:49 | comments(1) | Permanent link

My searches have turned up some excellent reviews of Merchant Warehouse credit card processing services.  Overall, this processor is cited as being reasonably priced, quick to set up, and accessible online and off. 

Merchant Warehouse also approves 99% of the applications it receives, which makes it a good possibility for high risk merchants and newer companies who are looking for an easy start-up. 

Of course, not all the reviews are positive.  Here's one from a customer who was none too pleased with Merchant Warehouse.

As always, read up, do some searching, and make an educated choice before signing anything with any merchant services company.

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Allie @ 12:38 | comments(1) | Permanent link

It's not hard to find bad reviews of Pipeline Data, a large merchant services provider that works under various names including Securepay.com and Charge.com. Some complaints include bad customer service, holding onto funds longer than expected, and questionable business practices. Pipeline Data was also reported to have the lowest possible rating with the Better Business Bureau.

As always, businesses who are looking for cost-effective merchant service solutions must take care to research their choices thoroughly. There are some very professional credit card processing companies out there, and reading through their literature, checking for good and bad reviews, and asking advice from your bank or other businesses in your area can help you to make a smart choice.

As for Pipeline Data, I can't give them more than:

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Patricia @ 12:00 | comments(3) | Permanent link

Authorize.net has been on the receiving end of many harshly critical reviews, including reports that their practices "border on fraud," that they don't accept responsibility for their own actions, and that they treat their merchants "like criminals" when trying to access their money. Additionally, the Better Business Bureau gives Authorize.net an unsatisfactory rating, indicating that they have left some customer complaints unresolved.

However, there are also quite a few positive reviews of this service to be found.  For instance, this page includes comments on how great Authorize.net is for techno savvy users and others who are looking for good customer support.

As always, finding reliable merchant services can be a challenge, but it's important to look at the whole picture before making assumptions about a potential service provider.

Going on the experiences of my colleagues as well as the positive reviews I've read, I have to give Authorize.net:

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Charlie @ 12:15 | comments(0) | Permanent link

I was surprised to discover that the popular business software, QuickBooks, actually offers merchant services.  Not only do they claim to beat most of their competitors' rates, but they are also fully integrated so that QuickBooks users will be able to easily manage their credit card services within the software they already have.

Reviews appear to be mixed.  One discussion reveals that the newest card processor for QuickBooks has slowed down processing time and caused rates to increase, while others seem quite impressed with the concept and the service itself.

Not having used the service, I can't say for myself.  I give a definite A+ for ingenuity, but obviously people who are inexperienced with QuickBooks are not going to be interested in using their merchant services. 

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jess @ 12:34 | comments(4) | Permanent link