Questions about Authorize.net

[markw10]

I am currrently setting up E-commerce web site and from what I see everywhere Authorize.net is definitely the place to go to for credit card payments but I have several questions for others who are using Authorize.net or other services:

 

1. If I choose authorize.net it seems it is offered through resellers. Are all resellers the same since they are using authorize.net or does the service vary? Is there a specific reseller I should go to?

 

2. There are times that we are remodeling our warehouse or even taking pre-orders for items so they may not ship as soon as an item is purchased. From what I see it appears that as soon as someone does the checkout it immediately charges their card. Is it possible to set up authorize.net or others to not charge a card until a certain timeframe after or whenever we select to have it processed?

 

3. Does authorize.net use a secure server?

 

4. Is it possible to somehow issue refunds through authorize.net such as if someone has to return an item?

 

5. Is it possible to do manual orders such as in-person, over the phone, or email and charge that to a credit card?

 

6. What are the total monthly fees?

 

7. What is the transaction fee or is that based on volume?

 

8. Chargebacks: What protections do I have for these? I currently use Paypal and it seems even if an item is shipped to the ordering address if there is a chargeback I always lose. I have considered if I will have to only ship items to the billing address to avoid this. How safe is authorize.net for this? What is the fee for any chargebacks I have and if I were to win a chargeback could I hold the customer liable for paying this?

 

I know this is a lot of questions and it seems authorize.net is the way to go but I just have some concerns about these issues. Thanks for any help.

[BryceJr]

These are great questions to ask authorize.net either by phone, fax, email, or snail mail.

Get the answers you need straight from them. If you plan to do business with them, you might as well get your concerns addressed by the people you'll be doing business with.

 

With regard to #5, it's possible but there might be some legal requirements on your part since you'll be handling personal and sensitive information from your customers.

[ibh]

Please note that it is almost impossible to get in touch with authorize.net via telephone these days.

once you have an account with them they offer live help.

[Jack_mcs]

I am currrently setting up E-commerce web site and from what I see everywhere Authorize.net is definitely the place to go to for credit card payments but I have several questions for others who are using Authorize.net or other services:

 

1. If I choose authorize.net it seems it is offered through resellers. Are all resellers the same since they are using authorize.net or does the service vary? Is there a specific reseller I should go to?

 

2. There are times that we are remodeling our warehouse or even taking pre-orders for items so they may not ship as soon as an item is purchased. From what I see it appears that as soon as someone does the checkout it immediately charges their card. Is it possible to set up authorize.net or others to not charge a card until a certain timeframe after or whenever we select to have it processed?

 

3. Does authorize.net use a secure server?

 

4. Is it possible to somehow issue refunds through authorize.net such as if someone has to return an item?

 

5. Is it possible to do manual orders such as in-person, over the phone, or email and charge that to a credit card?

 

6. What are the total monthly fees?

 

7. What is the transaction fee or is that based on volume?

 

8. Chargebacks: What protections do I have for these? I currently use Paypal and it seems even if an item is shipped to the ordering address if there is a chargeback I always lose. I have considered if I will have to only ship items to the billing address to avoid this. How safe is authorize.net for this? What is the fee for any chargebacks I have and if I were to win a chargeback could I hold the customer liable for paying this?

 

I know this is a lot of questions and it seems authorize.net is the way to go but I just have some concerns about these issues. Thanks for any help.

1 - Not all resellers are the same. They are free to charge what they want. It is usually cheaper than dealing with authroize.net themselves though. But there is a big difference between resellers. For example, some don't charge a signup fee while it is $300 with others. I'll PM you the lowest I know of.

 

3 - Yes, but you should have your own ssl.

 

4 & 5 - Yes.

 

6 & 7 - Varies with the reseller.

 

8 - It is always your responsibility, no matter the processor you are using.

 

Jack