celcon Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Can anyone recommend a decent UK based merchant account that isn't going to break the bank? I have an account set up with 2CO, but I don't like the way I have to deal in dollars on a UK site, isn't exactly the most professional looking. I also don't like having to wait before I can get at the money. I can't afford anything like Worldpay just jet, which is why I went for 2CO, but if anyone could let me know of anything better I'd appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owen Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 I use Paysystems. They've been very reliable. You get your money transferred directly into your bank on a weekly cycle, and thier rates are pretty good (around 4.5%). Even though they are based in canada, they deal in ?'s as well. However, there's two problems that I personally have with them, which may, or may not, affect you. 1) They use a "points" system i.e. a customer buys these points from paysystems, then they are immediately redeemed against your order. Personally, I don't think it's very professional-looking. However, I understand why it's done (for one, you don't need a merchant account). 2) Lack of payment page customisation. Very little options to create a smooth transition between site and payment pages (at lease on my site). If you can handle the above, I'd say go for it, although I'll be interested to hear if anyone posts any alternatives.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidstummer Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 paysystems is cool cus you can easily create a cover script so the customer doesnt get taken away from your site, your site transfers credit card details for them (even tho this is probly against the rulez). thier rates are pretty good (around 4.5%). u failed to mention the other 5% ontop of that they hold for 6 months for insurande puposes, they also fail to mention this until you've signed up, sickening! either cough up some insurance money for a 'proper' bank based account (which, incidently i have just done, i have to stick 6500 in their account for a year), or go with worldpay, which i have used for 6 months and are excellent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celcon Posted June 1, 2004 Author Share Posted June 1, 2004 Hi, I've been looking through WorkdPay again. I was put off at first by the expense. ?260 then ?160 a year is a bit much for a new small business, but I think it might be best in the long run. I've had a few emails from Nigeria (haven't we all :rolleyes: ) about orders, and even though I know they're bogus and trouble, there's nothing stopping them from ording straight from the site, then I get hit with the chargeback fees. 2CO offer very little protection when it comes to fraud, I suppose you get what you pay for. I had a quick look at PaySystems, and maybe it's just me, but I found their site to be a bit confusing and I couldn't find all the information I wanted. Anyway, WorldPay seem to offer the best protection and I think I'll feel better knowing I can better protect my business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owen Posted June 2, 2004 Share Posted June 2, 2004 I always forget about that extra paysystems take off. It's actually 6%, but it doesn't work out too bad if you're selling high-value items, like me. It probably becomes a bigger issue when selling low-value, high-volume items. Apparently, they do it to counter chargebacks. If you get no chargebacks, you get the 6% back on a rolling 6-month basis. Celcon, I agree that their new site is confusing. The old site was much better (that seems to be a recurring trend these days). David, I didnt realise you could implement a "cover" page with paysystems. I'll look into it. Any further info on this would be greatly appreciated. If it is possible, then this solves many of the "problems" associated with not having a full-blown merchant account e.g. unprofessional payment pages. EDIT: I've had a few emails from Nigeria (haven't we all ) about orders Oh yes...I enjoy getting them if only for their humour value ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdi-buy.com Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 I love when you get an email about an ebay listing and they say "if you have more I would love to buy them all right NOW" even though you DO have a Buy It Now price and say ONLY ONE AVAILABLE and DO NOT ship internationally. It's amusing. I don't even respond anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 Check out NOCHEX now they have changed the way they operate... With a seller account (Xtra enabled, a free upgrade after signing up) you can accept payments from people up to ?100 i think, without them being members of NOCHEX. They charge you 2.6% and 20p per transaction. Transactions are gauranteed too, no chargeback hell... Perfect for me cos almost all my orders are under ?100... Better than PaySystems which sometimes seems to lose orders, like PayPal (until I found the auto-return url function recently). Which is why I found this thread... better keep searching! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark27uk3 Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 What about NATWEST FastPay? I am considering using them, does anyone have any views on this service? Mark Lifes a bitch, then you marry one, then you die! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Select Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 I have an account with them. Not used it at all yet. They are probably pretty good, low fees etc, but you will find it difficult to get customers to sign up. Then again, they might sign up no problem... The new NOCHEX option is the way I think I want to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeHunt79 Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 I'm about to go live with my first own OSC site, but I have used nochex for OSC shops that I have set up for others... The good parts about nochex is that it works, no chargebacks, and no set up charge... They take debit cards such as solo, as well as credit cards... The bad parts... well, my main complaint would be that they only process orders in the UK, and you can't customise the payment gateway. I'm probably gonna use nochex when I first start my shop... then once I already have a shop running, HSBC or Barclaycard Merchant Services might give me a merchant account... Anyone have any experiences with these? I would really like to get a merchant account, if only to keep customers on my site and not have 'em whisked off to a gateway. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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