I have now tried three well respected companies on WHT, yet was astonished in each instance to find that each one couldn't take Debit Cards - such as Switch - directly.

To this all I can say is this - get yourself a proper merchant account!!!

For those who have one - I am now entirely limited to using your services. :)

(I'll be needing a few dozen shared accounts long before I'm even eligible to seriously apply for a Credit Card, in about 6 months time, to accompany my business account).

I have a "proper" merchant account and I cannot accept debit cards.

:D

Probably it is just that some "proper" merchant accounts don't accept all debit cards out there.

I noticed that Switch is quite popular in UK.

Meanwhile, I just got an Ikobo (i-kard) card which has Visa-Electron on it. It says it is accepted where VISA is accepted. It also says I can withdraw funds from any ATM with a VISA PLUS logo (This I already verified). I have yet to find out the use of the card in making purchases online.

The only problem in getting proper merchant accounts is that most good ones are only available for U.S. citizens only.

As of now, we are quite dependent on PaySystems and Clickbank for processing payments and PayPal (via our U.S. Partner).

Take care.

:)

The problem with merchant accounts not accepting debit cards is usually because they don't have the Visa logo on them. With one of my personal banks, I am given a debit card without the Visa logo, and a check card with the Visa logo. With the new bank that we have for personal banking, the ATM (debit) and check card are a combined card, making it possible to use as an ATM card.

Originally posted by consul

The only problem in getting proper merchant accounts is that most good ones are only available for U.S. citizens only.


US based ones tend to be available for US businesses, which makes sense. Why not get one in the country you are from?

needing a few dozen shared accounts long before I'm even eligible to seriously apply for a Credit CardNo offense, but seeking the business of people who are unable to establish credit isn't always in a company's best interests, especially small companies with high capital costs.

I understand your position, but I can also say without reservation that given the chance, I would chose not to sell to my own self circa 1986 when I was just out of school, lived paycheck to paycheck and had no credit. :)

Matt,

Getting one from our country is a bit costly. They are quite expensive here! Not much good providers since IT is just starting to kickoff on the areas of online payment processing.

Thus, it is practical as of the moment to use 3rd party processors.

:)

Have you Tried CDG ?

CDG is still limited to the US I think - but Chris is a great guy over there - helped me out quite a bit already :beer:

From my understanding, foreign companies only need a US presence to get a merchant account . That means you'd need a FEIN and a US bank account. To get an FEIN means you'd have to register your corporation here, and likely pay some taxes to Uncle Sam. Getting the actual FEIN is free, and registering your corporation can be done for around $500 -$1K if you have a good lawyer doing it.

Thank you Akash. Incorporation in the United States is one of our future plans. As of now, we want to grow not that fast.

I, Brian, we wish you well. Try UK-based hosts. They may have capabilities to accept Switch.

http://www.quiss.co.uk/home/

Worldpay perhaps?

Visa debit cards are accepted by merchants such as paysystems I believe. However switch is limited pretty much to UK merchant accounts (and rightly so).

www.epdq.co.uk is a great merchant system and something we are moving to early in the new year.

Originally posted by UH-Matt
However switch is limited pretty much to UK merchant accounts (and rightly so). Switch and Solo are owned by Maestro, which is a division of MasterCard. You can use your Switch card anywhere you see the Maestro logo. Maestro is a worldwide company, it operates from the US to Australia to the UK. Of course one of the problems with some countries is their cards dont have verification codes on them, but that should not be a problem for UK Switch/Maestro holders. Solo, whilst owned by Maestro is very limited in acceptence due to the fact it is not guaranteed. Just incase your wondering, the Cirrus logo found on both Switch and Solo is just to let you know you can withdraw cash from any bank machine with the Cirrus logo on it. :)