With the announcement that PlanetPOS will be discontinuing service on the 30th July, does anybody know of any reasonably priced alternatives that allow billing in AUD$ ?

We have checked out world pay etc etc. The reason we need an aussie one is because we hit mainly the aussie market and because of this we want to charge our customers in AUD.

I have been talking to many banks regarding this, but I guess we are just looking for a all in one solution like planetpos used to be (similiar to 2checkout)

Any aussies or any one else have ideas?

Cheers

I'm just getting a merchant account and EFTPoS terminal through Westpac (our main business bank). I'll process credit card orders manually using the MOTO feature for now and as business increases, there's the option to have secure real-time processing in the future.

Cost is:

$50 setup
$27.50 per month terminal rental
$18.71 per 15 rolls of receipt paper.
2.92% transaction fee

The system just plugs into a standard phone line and calls a 1800 number for processing (free call).

I'm also trying to get my PlanetPOS registration refunded now - I'm not willing to wait until 2 months after their shutdown because:

- I only paid it a few weeks ago.
- I haven't had a chance to make any transactions yet ;and.
- There is no guarantee of refund after their close of business.

--Shaun.

So you will have the EFTPOS machine etc etc in your offices and you have to remember the billing dates and how much etc. I know this is all kept in our billing databases but I would prefer not to have an extra workload added to my long days.

Good idea though and we may have to go with that.

I know it will result in a little bit more work, but it seems to be the only workable solution at the moment (unless you have a lot of money to invest which we don't at the moment).

Our billing system will show outstanding invoices and amounts (automatically generated) in a report format. We just go through each of these outstanding invoices that choose credit card payment, process it and then mark it as paid once the transaction is approved.

--Shaun

Yeah, the Westpac were the only ones that seemed worth a look Shaun, other than our existing bank - the Bendigo. We've spent a bit of time going through a number of them, and really can't be bothered any more. So I'll see what the Westpac come back with and then probably stick with the Bendigo. :)

Gary

Westpac were my first port of call because they're our main bank for my business as well as personal (although I hold personal accounts with St George and Commonwealth as well).

I'm not sure how much other banks charge, because they tend to quote on an individual basis and don't publicise their prices (I was told the prices I quoted after talking on the phone with them and going through a few details such as business type, etc).

Anyway - it's our best option for now. I still haven't heard back regarding the application - Westpac said it can take up to 10 working days (I faxed the application off last Friday about 4:30pm). It shouldn't be too long now.

Gary - I remember you mentioning something about having National Bank facilities before? (correct me if I'm wrong) What were they like?

--Shaun

Yes, we had a National merchant facility when we ran the ISP. Just a manual one. Paid through the nose for it, but it was mainly for taking payments on the road. They are probably the least customer-orientated bank, in my opinion.

Gary

Ok.

I thought there might be something bad about the National's merchant facilities because my grandmother got a merchant facility recently for her business through the Commonwealth Bank when she has everything else with National - they must be expensive.

I know with Westpac we can do the manual processing - fill out the slips and deposit them like normal deposits into our account and pay only $2.50 a month (plus a higher percent of 3.9%) but it is too much hassle so we chose the electronic version.

Anyway, I'm going off to bed.. I have to go help my mum move house in the morning so I need sleep :)

I'll leave the message there.

--Shaun

Well, I'm quite annoyed. I got a letter from Westpac this morning saying my application is denied due to a range of criteria.

I'd love to know the range of criteria - the only things we had to tell them was our business name, ABN, what we did, etc.

Looks like I'll have to try Commonwealth, failing that I may have to get some third party solution.

If the Bendigo, or some other community spirited bank, is in your location, then give them a go. Mind you, we have some personal banking through the ST George and they have been helpful at times too.

Gary

Maybe this will work

http://www.national.com.au/Business_Solutions/0,,666,00.html

Not a big fan of the National myself, and two of my family have 40 years experience between them with the National.

Gary

Ok in regards to national

$350 setup (you can bargain them down ALOT on this)
.50c per transaction
and depending on money passing through approx 3% on each transaction!

What about www.paymate.com.au????

I belive u already need a merchant account with a bank!

Yes, that's another one we're seriously considering if our merchant facility isn't up in time. The Premier account looks promising.

Gary

No, I don't believe you do Martin. They pay into general business accounts.

Gary

If that is true Gary then they are a go for sure!!

I did not belive there was anyone like planetpos but this looks like it could be

Although I do belive it is like paypal?

It's a very similar service...not much difference between them.

G

Ok thanks

I guess I need planetpos type gateway. So they can just click pay now and it will go into a secure page and accept cc payments etc etc.

Any one know any? for AUD?

Murray has posted a list at:

http://www.ozhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48&highlight=planetpos

We've opened a Paymate account and taken a look around. It's not bad at all. Very much like an Australian Paypal.

Gary

Originally posted by Marts
Ok thanks

I guess I need planetpos type gateway. So they can just click pay now and it will go into a secure page and accept cc payments etc etc.

Any one know any? for AUD? isint it what that offers?

No it works like paypal

planetpos worked like 2checkout, revcom etc

These guys look interesting. They seem to prefer St George merchants and even say somewhere that St George is the least hassle for getting a merchant acount.

Does anyone know of an Australian gateway and bank that will let you charge in $US and $AU? I think I remember seeing one - but it was way too expensive.

<update> www.paymate.com.au has launched http://www.paymate.com.au/PayMate/ExpressPayment which does not require the buyer to register now.

Cheers

Gary

I was looking at the paymate site the other day and was left with the impression that the buyer is ALSO charged a fee. I don't think this is acceptable for a hosting biz. I am now looking seriously at hostcharge as they allow billing in multiple currency including US and AU - but funds are added to your hostcharge account in US - so you do end up having to double convert from AU to US back to AU again.

Yes, but paymate's rate is 1.7% plus GST. You could drop a few percent of your own price to absorb the 2% the buyer gets charged. Just a thought. :)

Paymate did raise a good point with us earlier today, and that is that the Reserve Bank have recently made changes that allow buyers to be charged differential fees when paying by credit card, so it could very well become commonplace.

They are prepared to discuss things though, along the lines of the seller wearing the fees entirely. Drop them a line.

Cheers

Gary

planetPOS? hahahah.

who in their right mind would name their company that?

POS = Point of Sale. :)

Gary

POS = Piece of ****.

Yes, but sometimes you have to look outside the square... ;)

Gary

Haha - just realised that I didn't include the url in my post last month. Here are the mob I was talking about:

http://www.eway.com.au/

No experience, they just looked interesting.