Another odd request: my client wants to collect credit card payment for a one-time event (a company party) but has no need to set up a whole e-commerce system, secure server, etc.

Any recommendations on a service that will process credit cards for my client? No fulfillment is needed--the RSVP form for the party will send an email and that's all that is needed as far as delivering "product."

If it helps, my client has a conventional merchant account and can easily run the payments through by hand--but since they don't have a secure server the couldn't safely collect the card numbers. So a paid service that would work well for a short-time deal makes some sense for them.

Thanks

If I remember rightly, http://www.iBill.com specializes in that sort of thing.

Probably http://www.ClickBank.com would be good for this, as well.

I'd suggest the usual instabill.com, ccslide.com type places but I think ibill has a somewhat unique edge in that they allow you to use an active merch. account. Might be the better choice in this case.

All have fees that'll make you jump outta your socks.

I think PayPal's business service would also work in this case with the "web accept" buttons assuming you are going to create a page for them to click on payment. Although they just increased the fee to 2.2% it is still a great deal for small transactions.

I suggest staying away from instabill. One of my clients has been having a hard time delivering payments because of them.
Not only are payments late. But they seem to have trouble spelling out the right dollar amount on the line of the check so it matches with the number amount at the right. And banks do not like that.

Ibill I know for a fact is solid to use.

Also I heard that if you buy the Quickbooks software they give you a real merchant account with the package.

kagi.com is also a good choice I believe.

MadMax82 is right, he should setup the website with "purchase" or "Pay" buttons from payapal, that is the fastest, cvheapest and hassle free way to do that sort of thing :)

Even if they don't want a full e-commerce setup IMO you should tell them they need to use a secure server. Even for a company event I think most people are going to be wary of entering their CC info into a non-secure form.

Originally posted by interservermike
Ibill I know for a fact is solid to use.

Also I heard that if you buy the Quickbooks software they give you a real merchant account with the package.


Who gives you a real merchange account with the package, ibill? I have Quickbooks Pro 2000. Does Ibill and Quickbooks have something going on that I have no idea about? It wouldn't be the first time.

Bbox

When I say they don't want a secure server, I mean they don't want to pay to change their own server. They DO want to use a secure system, but based on an external service's site. Going to some external page is OK--they just need a quick, cheap solution. There will probably be a few dozen "tickets" to this party sold, and then the system not be needed any more.

ClickBank doesn't sound good since they hold your money until you reach enough for them to send a check--and that only makses sense for an ongoing thing, not a one-time deal.

Thanks for all the links, I'm checking them out....

I guess I am still not clear on why you are not using the business option with PayPal for this. You simply create a web page with buttons for your event and then collect payments with a 2.2% fee. You can transfer funds and have them in 3 business days from there. The transfer is fully secure and the only downside I see is that some of your company might have to sign up for PayPal. I would certainly consider that before paying others 8-10% or more for the transaction! I would certainly agree that as a long term business solution it leaves a bit to be desired but based on what you describe this is a one time event you need to process. Just my 2 cents...

You can also try Yahoo's PayDirect service. It's like PayPal but no fees (for now at least).

No fees??? Have you used the service yet? How fast are funds posted to your account? Any problems? Our customers would be very interested in this as an option!

Signed up for it last week. Have to wait for the ACH to be verified before I use it (I hate to wait for checks).

From others I've spoken to it's everything PP is just no fees at this time. Very popular amoung auction sellers.

Almost certainly someday it will have fees so enjoy it for now!