OT ProPay vs. PayPal

[Joe Rohn]

Hi Folks,

I am trying to enable a client to setup an e-commerce type web site on a
very tight budget. They simply do not have in their budget the funds for
doing e-commerce via a true merchant account/ssl etc. I am familiar with
using PayPal on a number of occasions ..I was wondering if any of you have
any thoughts on using ProPay instead? Any advantages/disadvantages over
PayPal? Any other suggestions to process cards inexpensively?

Thanks!

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

Joe,

ProPay doesn't seem to have any way to be connected to a web site, so you client would either need
to get the cc info over the phone or have a SSL certificate an allow the customer to submit the
info. This would only be good for item that can be shipped after payment have been approved.

PayPal allow for direct interaction with the web site, thereby eliminating the need for SSL or the
storage of the cc info, plus allows for the immediately download of files or site access, etc.


Rates:

PayPal 2.9% + .30 per transaction
ProPay 3.5% + .35 per transaction
--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[chris leeds]

I've never had any problems with paypal but I've seen some stuff like:
http://paypalsucks.com/ where some of the people's stories gives me chills.
I guess if there are that many members there are just going to be some
situations that arise.

 

[Joe Rohn]

Hi Tom,

Thanks very much for that! After I sent the original question, I spent more
time trying to understand what ProPay was offering...and came to the same
conclusion that you just mentioned. The interesting thing is that a service
like PayPal doesn't allow (I don't think) any way to accept a telephone
order. ProPay it seems does. So it's almost as if a client were to utilize
both services..they could cover nearly all of the aspects of doing
e-commerce..for a fair amount less. It's definitely something I want to keep
in mind for those that cannot afford the costs (or have the volume to
justify) true Merchant Accounts along with Secure Certificate/ssl web site
transactions.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[Joe Rohn]

Thanks Chris..I have never had any problems either. It's prolly the same
folks that say all the bad things about MS..or at the very least the hard
core Dreamweaver crowd!

 

[chris leeds]

the way I see it, the most PO'ed people are those who've had their accounts
seized. I would think keeping the balance low would prevent that potential.
;-)

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

Joe,

Correct, with PayPal only, there is no way to process order "offline", such as via telephone, postal
mail, etc.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[brohemx]

If you own a business and are considering propay for your cc txn, then
this is for you.

I would strongly recommend to everyone that they DO NOT open an acct
with propay.

I have been trying to close my acct with them for over a month. Every
time I try to close it, I have been given a reason why I cannot close
it. ( i need to clear the active balance by sending this person an
email or that person)

Do not use them.

1. they don't have a phone. You can only contact them by email.
2. they are starting to charge huge fees starting next month. You can
do much better with a real merchant acct.
3. You have to give them $250 or more to hold in reserve with no
interest when you use the service.
4. When you close the acct, as I am trying to do, they hold on to the
reserve and then tell you cannot close the acct because money is in
reserve and then they charge you monthly fees because your acct is
inactive. Yet, you cannot use the acct because you are trying to
close it and it takes 6 mos to release the reserve funds. and you
cannot close it because money is in reserve. Does that make any sense?

DO NOT USE PROPAY! (http://www.propay.com)

Julie