Hi izual,
I have given your question much thought and it isn't an easy one to
find a solution exactly suited to your needs. Here is what I am
assuming:
1. You do not have a credit card merchant account with any bank in Canada now.
2. You want to be able to transact a variety of credit cards.
3. You do not need/want credit card processing to be integrated with
your website and shopping cart.
4. You want to be able to send a batch of transactions at the end of the day.
5. You want to send the batch over the internet.
6. You want to keep the information that you send to a minimum.
7. You want the money to be deposited directly into a bank account.
8. You prefer a set monthly fee to transaction fees.
In Canada, banks may only issue one credit card merchant account (for
example, the Bank of Montreal issues MasterCard accounts), so not that
long ago, if you wanted both Visa and MasterCard accounts, you needed
separate accounts in two different banks. Even today, there aren't a
heck of alot of options for Canadian small businesses without opening
multiple accounts. Moneris has taken the lead in this field and I
believe they will do everything you want except for #5 above. Once
you have your agreement with them, you will be able to phone in your
transactions using a regular touch phone. You'll only need to punch in
the credit card number and the expiration date, transacting as many
cards on the same call as you want to (I have used this system and it
is very easy). The full amount will be deposited into your bank
account automatically and once per month the fees will be
automatically withdrawn from your bank account and you will receive an
invoice. Regarding a set monthly fee vs per transaction, most
companies have a set minimum monthly fee. If your number of
transactions exceed the monthly fee, you will pay per transaction.
Moneris:
"To save time, here's a list of things you'll need in order to set up
a Moneris merchant account, on the phone or online.
* A commercial account number set up in the business' name for deposits
* Projected monthly credit card volumes and average transaction amount
[snip - you don't need e-commerce]
* For partnerships, we require both signatures, unless one owner has
more than a 50% ownership
* Personal information such as a driver's license and social insurance numbers."
https://www.moneris.com/index.php?context=/applynow
Moneris
"Point of Sale Solutions / Phone and mail order processing
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Telephone Solution.
IVR (interactive voice response) is the way to process credit card
transactions using a touch tone telephone. It is an automated, easy to
use interactive voice response authorization and draft capture
application. It is ideal for merchants with very few monthly credit
transactions and who do not require debit processing. IVR works with
virtually any touch tone phone, and no terminal rental is required."
http://www.moneris.com/index.php?context=/products/possolutions/pmoprocessing
------------
Paymentech is another possibility, but their website doesn't give full
details, you'll have to call them for more information. What is nice
about them is the Retail Council of Canada has a Preferred Merchant
Program with Paymentech for its members.
Retail Council of Canada
Welcome to Retail Council of Canada
Founded in 1963, Retail Council of Canada is the Voice of Retail. RCC
is a not-for-profit association representing more than 40,000 stores
of all retail formats, including independent merchants, regional and
national mass and specialty chains, and online merchants.
http://www.retailcouncil.org/aboutus/
RCC Membership Fee Schedule
Up to $500,000 Fee: $225 GST: $15.75 Total: $240.75
$500,000 to $1 Million Fee: $250 GST: $17.50 Total: $267.50
http://www.retailcouncil.org/membership/retailer/appform_retailers.pdf
Paymentech Canada Preferred Merchant Program
IVR RATES*
VISA Discount rate - 2.25%
MasterCard Discount rate - 2.29%
For RCC Members
* No application fee!
* No transaction fees!
* No fee to deposit your MasterCard transactions in the bank account
of your choice. (This eliminates the need to have more than one bank
account for your credit card transactions.)
* No annual fees!
For more information, or to apply today, call Paymentech Canada at 1-877-552-5533
http://www.retailcouncil.org/membership/merch_bank.asp
10) What is IVR? And how does it work?
IVR means Information Voice Recognition. Instead of renting a POS
terminal monthly you can use IVR. There is no charge from Paymentech,
and it's easy to use ? all you need is a phone. You dial a 1-800
number, enter your merchant number using the dial pad, enter the
credit card number and the expiry date using the dial pad, and wait
for authorization.
11) What merchant rate does IVR provide?
IVR Visa/MasterCard Canadian merchant rate is 2.25%.
12) Can I have my business account with any bank?
Yes you can. If you are a member of RCC, there is no cost to use Flex
Banking with Paymentech. Flex Banking means that you can deposit your
funds into any Canadian bank of your choice at no additional cost from
Paymentech.
11) What merchant rate does IVR provide?
IVR Visa/MasterCard Canadian merchant rate is 2.25%.
http://www.retailcouncil.org/toolkit/faqs/
This may be a possibility for processing the transactions online, but
again, you'll have to call.
Paymentech
Turn Receipts into Cash Flow
Batch Processing
Simplify your administration and improve reporting for one-time or
recurring credit card transactions and high volumes of sales where the
cardholder is not present. Our batch processing service authorizes and
settles all Visa, MasterCard, American Express and major credit card
transactions using one convenient file for transmission.
For more information about our Batch Processing Service, please call
1-877-552-5533.
http://www.paymentech.ca/paycansolbatpro.do
Additional Link of Interest
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
http://www.cfib.ca/v_a/pay_tech/pf_flyer_e.html
I was glad to work on this for you. If you have any questions or if
the solutions provided are not suitable for you, please post a
clarification request and wait for me to respond before closing/rating
my answer.
Thank you,
hummer
Google Search Terms Used: process credit card merchant account canada
I mostly used my own knowledge regarding credit card merchant accounts in Canada. |
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
18 May 2006 00:05 PDT
After spending some time on your research, I found out that no one
offered a service I liked to have.
Basically I wanted to process other people's credit cards like a
store, ie. without writing their address, etc.
So I don't think your reply qualifies as an answer, which didn't help me at all.
Thanks!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
18 May 2006 04:23 PDT
Hi izual,
I tried to find an answer that addressed all 8 points that you
mentioned, including the fact that you won't have the credit cards
in-hand. Retail stores swipe the customers' credit cards and the
transactions go through the system automatically. If I understand your
question, you won't have the credit cards so you won't be able to use
a swiper. Smaller retailers use an IVR via the telephone, it is simple
to use and economical. Once you are signed on to the IVR, you need
only punch in the credit card number and expiry date, that's all. You
can process many cards with one call.
Please let me know why you do not want to use an IVR. Also, I'd like
to hear more about your shop in the other town. Is it an actual retail
store? Why are they not processing the cards in the shop?
I'll have another look for you to see what I can find after I hear
back from you. hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
20 May 2006 09:55 PDT
Hi hummer,
Thanks for the reply but I don't understand how google charges me
without me approving that the answer perfectly helps me out. Normally
I wouldn't mind it but this a friend's credit card, whom I asked his
permission to gain access here but not charge the amount.
That's the problem I am having currently. When he finds out, he will
apply for a chargeback which would be worse.
I have asked 2 questions here, but I can't request a refund for both.
If I had known that the amount is charged as soon as someone replies,
I wouldn't ask them.
Initially I asked this question:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=436081
and someone replied. I have called the numbers he gave me and got some
quotes for the prices, and sent them to my boss, who told me that he
needs cheaper than that. Therefore I haven't specified his comment for
an answer. I thought that's the way google answers work, which makes
sense.
Can you please ask google editors to refund the amount or at least some of it?
I would appreciate if you help me out.
Thanks alot!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
20 May 2006 11:24 PDT
Hi izual,
I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble using GA, but perhaps
you don't understand the full process. After a question is answered
by a researcher, it can still be worked on. The clarification option
is there to provide a means for communication between researcher and
client to iron out any misunderstandings or to get more details. I
would be happy to "help you out" by working with you to find a
suitable solution for your boss. I posted my research as an answer and
not as a comment because the information I found satisfied all of the
points you made (you did not specify a maximum merchant account fee).
Regards,
hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
20 May 2006 12:13 PDT
You think it satisfied all the points but still I don't have anything
to process the credit cards.
As requested by my boss, it has to be an online system, that you fill
in the number and some other details except things like addresses and
process the transaction.
Thanks!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
20 May 2006 12:38 PDT
Hi izual,
I will have another look, hopefully we can work through this to your
boss's satisfaction. Please let me know if all of the 8 points that I
listed in my answer are correct. Also, who did you get the quote from?
Were the fees the only thing objectionable?
Thanks,
hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
20 May 2006 12:40 PDT
No you got it wrong. Sorry my bad.
I was referring he said he wanted it to be cheaper for the paper,
which I asked here, which didn't helped me.
Is it possible that you refund the amount and let me pay it when it
really covers my needs?
Thanks for your understanding!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
20 May 2006 12:49 PDT
Hi izual,
Whether we work through this together now, or after you are refunded,
you're going to have to answer some questions to help me zero in on
exactly what it is you are looking for. For example, I am assuming
this is not what he wants:
Merchant-Accounts.ca
http://www.merchant-accounts.ca/
If he doesn't like Moneris or Paymentech, please let me know why not.
Does he already have a merchant account? Does he already have shopping
carts set up on his website? Does he even have a website? How does he
process credit cards now? I'm sorry if I'm asking alot of you but I
think I could help with enough background info.
Thanks,
hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
20 May 2006 13:00 PDT
It would be extremely better if we could work this out after I am
refunded. As for the answer, I will check it out asap and will let you
know.
Thanks again!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
20 May 2006 13:50 PDT
Hi again,
Reading through our chat, I see now that I misunderstood you regarding
what your boss was unhappy about (the paper, not the merchant
account). I'm sorry for that misunderstanding.
According to GA's FAQ, the first step in getting a refund is to first
request a clarification to give the researcher a chance to revise
his/her answer to everyone's satisfaction. You've requested a
clarification but only to request a refund, not to give me a chance to
help you with your original question. I'm afraid we really have to
work through this and see if we can't figure something out for you
before you move to the next step (resposting of the answer in the
hopes another researcher may be able to help). Refunds do happen, but
only after other avenues have been exhausted. I'm sorry, I wish I had
better news.
So, let's get you set up for credit card transactions, eh? :)
hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
20 May 2006 15:13 PDT
Are you sure I don't need to write address of the card for this
service? And how are their pricing policy? Do they charge for each
transaction? If so, I don't think he will accept it as he wants to
charge $1.5 for each transaction. So if the processor also charges, it
would cost more to the customer, which would make the service less
appealing to the user.
Thanks!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
20 May 2006 15:38 PDT
Izual, Visa and MasterCard prohibit merchants from adding a surcharge
(use fee) to credit card purchases (Discover and American Express do
not). Plus the following states have made use fees illegal:
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
New York
Oklahoma
Texas
See this GA answer for more info:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=723060
Does your boss already have a merchant account? I'm still not sure
exactly what is going on. He has a store, a customer comes in and buys
something, then what happens? How does he obtain this list of numbers
that he sends to you?
hummer
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
20 May 2006 15:41 PDT
Also, credit card companies charge the seller (your boss) fees for
using their service, not the buyer (his customer).
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
20 May 2006 15:54 PDT
No its actually like this:
You have a taxi and someone comes in, and wants you to pay you using
his/her credit card. You take the number and expire date, and have a
list when you come to the office. He then gets the list and uses an
online service via web to charge them. If the amount is $5, he charges
$6.5. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
20 May 2006 18:43 PDT
No, that's not going to work. Take PayPal, for instance. It is the
customer who gives PayPal the credit card number, not the merchant.
Read this:
Bill your customers easily online
"Use PayPal Email Payments for a quick and secure way to bill your
customers and accept credit card, bank, and PayPal payments online.
You don't even need a website?just email your customers a payment
request that they can click and pay."
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_email-payments-overview-outside
Only merchants who qualify can accept direct credit card payments. If
your boss doesn't have his own merchant account, then PayPal can do it
for him. But the customer gives the info to PayPal, not your boss. In
order for your boss to transact credit cards on his own, he will need
to set up a merchant account like the one I already told you about,
Moneris. But average people cannot go around collecting credit card
numbers and expect a web service to transact the sale. He needs either
a merchant account with his bank (or Moneris) to do it himself or he
can sign up with PayPal and bill his customers.
hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
21 May 2006 06:29 PDT
But he still wants it to be online on the web. If I tell him there is
no way around this, it wouldn't help. He firmly told me that.
It is like asking how to hide the titlebar of applications and getting
a reply that you can't. Obviously no one wants to pay for this answer.
Seriously I have told him about the other methods I told him like the
phone one, but he is only interested in one which is a service like
paypal let's say.
Is it possible that I can ask for a refund now?
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
21 May 2006 07:57 PDT
Hi izual,
"But he still wants it to be online on the web. If I tell him there is
no way around this, it wouldn't help. He firmly told me that."
The point is, he needs to either apply for a merchant account with his
bank or a service like Moneris, or he can sign up as a merchant with
PayPal. If he uses PayPal, he (or you) need only "request payment" and
the amount, you don't have to type out the addresses. The client will
then pay with their credit card and PayPal will deposit the money in
your account. These are his two options if he wants to collect credit
card payments, his own merchant account or PayPal-like service. All
PayPal-like services work the same way, that is, you request payment
and it is the customer who sends in the credit card info, not you.
I'm sorry, when I posted the info regarding tacking on an extra fee, I
forgot that you are in Canada. However, the same goes. Visa and
MasterCard do not allow fees to be added to the bill just because a
customer is using their card. It is the responsibility of the merchant
to pay fees, not the customer.
It sounds as though your boss should just sign up with PayPal as a
merchant because that is what he likes. Why not?
"To clarify, I don't need to integrate the service to my website, or
setup a kind of system that deals with gateways, etc. I want something
that does all like PayPal, instead of doing some of it, like directing
the transaction to a gateway."
He doesn't need a website, "Requesting Payment" is quite easy and as I
said, you don't have to type in any addresses.
Regards,
hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
21 May 2006 09:05 PDT
No man, it wouldn't work because I don't think the customer would care
about it. They only give you their card for a moment and after that
you do what you have to do, other use a hardware to charge it, etc.
And then the customers go on their way.
Or it would be like this, I would get into your taxi, gave you my card
and you wrote the number, etc. Then I go away, there is no way you can
get the money from me.
I know because he just told me the way he wanted to do this, so I know exactly.
Thanks!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
21 May 2006 10:16 PDT
Yes, exactly so, that is what I've been trying to explain. As a taxi
driver, he can use a mobile p.o.s or online solution, but he will need
a merchant account to do it.
POS Solutions / Mobile POS Solutions
http://www.moneris.com/index.php?context=/products/possolutions/wirelessmodels
Mobile 8100
Ideal for businesses that require a flexible, wireless POS solution to
accept credit and debit card payments on the road, at the door, at the
table, at an event, or at a kiosk.
http://www.moneris.com/index.php?context=/products/possolutions/mobile8100
eSelect Plus is the web-based solution.
http://www.moneris.com/index.php?context=/products/possolutions/ecom_eselectplus
hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
21 May 2006 10:36 PDT
Ok but these are all hardware, which he told me that he didn't want.
Also as far as I know in order to have/use those, you will have to
have a good credit I think, no?
Thanks!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
21 May 2006 11:32 PDT
Hi again,
Well, he said he wants to process online, so I'd hardly call a
computer extra hardware.
Yes, they will do a credit check and poor risks will be rejected.
"Within 7-10 business days, your application is approved and credit
checks are completed. If your application is not approved, you will be
notified by phone."
https://www.moneris.com/index.php?context=/applynow
Your boss now knows what he needs to be able to accept credit cards
from his riders. If he can't afford a mobile p.o.s or internet
account, he will need to lower his expectations a bit and consider the
IVR (telephone). It is easy to use and may suit his business better.
He now has his answers, whether he acts on any of them is up to him,
at any rate, I've done my best to help him.
Good luck with the merchant account.
Sincerely,
hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
21 May 2006 17:59 PDT
No I meant what you showed me are the devices used in shops/stores
which he doesn't want. Paypal could be an options but as I told you it
requires an address. I really can't tell him he needs to register for
a merchant account, that's what everyone knows, so there is no point
in that.
What he really needs is quite simple, an online service like paypal
where you can charge the customers. See it could be done if he had the
addresses of the customers, but since this is not reasonable, it can
not.
If this is all you can tell, I guess I will have to ask for a refund
because I don't get paid by him either, so there is no reason why I
should pay someone else too. If it really worked, I wouldn't mind
paying you $150.
Thanks!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
21 May 2006 18:59 PDT
Izual, a mobile p.o.s is just that, mobile. It can be used by pizza
delivery people or anyone who does business away from the office,
taxis included.
Mobile point of sale (POS) terminal
"Home services such as plumbers and carpet cleaners can now take cards
quickly and easily on the spot. Sales reps and arts and crafts vendors
can sell product in the field and at trade shows. Livery services such
as taxi and limo drivers can accept that long-coveted corporate
plastic."[see: 10 reasons to go wireless]
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/biz/cashflow_banking/20020724a.asp
The eSelect Plus can be used with any laptop, you don't need to do it
in the store. Also, any touch tone phone will work with an IVR.
So I'm sorry, but your statement, "No I meant what you showed me are
the devices used in shops/stores which he doesn't want", is incorrect.
Your statement, "Paypal could be an options but as I told you it
requires an address", is also incorrect as I already told you. When
you request funds, no address is required. And don't forget, if he
wants to be able to accept credit cards, he will have to sign up for
PayPal's merchant account.
"I really can't tell him he needs to register for a merchant account,
that's what everyone knows, so there is no point in that." Well,
apparently someone needs to tell him because he doesn't seem to know.
"What he really needs is quite simple, an online service like paypal
where you can charge the customers. See it could be done if he had the
addresses of the customers, but since this is not reasonable, it can
not." No, even with the addresses it can't be done. He would have to
sign onto PayPal pretending to be the customer - again, only the
customer can authorize a PayPal withdrawal.
I'm sorry you are unhappy, but I stand by my answer. It's not my fault
if your boss can't or won't apply for a merchant account. It is also
not my fault that what he wants to do with a service like PayPal is
not possible. You are free to ask for a refund at any time.
Regards,
hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
21 May 2006 20:44 PDT
No you don't understand. Paypal does require address if he wants to
pretend to be a customer. And you can actually charge them if you know
their credit card, 3 digit security number and the address and name.
Only address is not written on the card. That's the problem.
You tell me that with PayPal, you can wait for them to confirm the
payment. No one would do that.
As for a mobile p.o.s, I understand what you mean, but it is still a
device, a hardware, something you can touch. He wants a software
solution, not hardward. I am aware of these methods, and I believe he
does too.
Btw if you still don't think you can't add funds to your account by
providing someone's number, address, etc, check out Buy Now button. It
directs you to a form where everything is clear.
Thanks!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
22 May 2006 04:00 PDT
Izual, that's right, you can't go around using other people's credit
cards pretending to be them, ofcourse PayPal is going to ask for your
address. By the way, there is no "Buy Now" button on PayPal because
there is nothing to buy. hummer
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
izual-ga
on
22 May 2006 08:27 PDT
Well you could pretend to sell something like a software I think.
Since I have no useful gain from your reply, can I ask for a refund?
Thanks!
|
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
22 May 2006 09:14 PDT
Sure.
|
