PLEASE help!

Going crazy over what to do.


E-com store selling personal goods so quite low risk from Japan(personal small side biz not registered etc).


I still have my US personal bank account(stil active) and my SSN from about 6years ago. Cant get US merchant or authorize.net applicable account with just that could I?



I am at my wits end trying to find a Credit Card processor (either merchant or 3rd party) that will process creditcard payments for the e-com site without redirecting clients out or giving any indication eg logo's, warning etc.


I obviously will offer paypal and googlecheckout.

But I also want to offer a no registration, no-redirection, stay on my site, credit card processing just like all proper online stores.


I have looked at so many options Im going crazy and im sure there are many others who have been or are still in similar situation.


I would have loved to offer paypal website payments pro but not available.
2CO redirects and clearly notifies clients.
Worried about moneybooker and same story anyway as it redirects.
Nochex UK only same goes for others like Sagepay etc.


Authorize.net not available to non-US.

Gspay and similar is exorbitant and besides this store got nothing to do with high risk eg adult, gambling, pharmacy, electronics etc.


Only option im seeing so far is planetpayment and most on here recommend to stay away. Also worldpay. Both seem ...expensive and arduous to start. Do they need tons of papers? eg business registration certificate etc


Or incorporate a company there and try to get a merchant account etc that way though apparently its not easy. Having had a personal account and ssn wouldnt help?


I did read some recommending to try durango merchant services or netbilling etc to find an option.

grrrr what should I do?

I would say PayPal Webpayments Pro ;)

But I see that it was unavailable for you. :(

I'm not sure what other methods would be available to you being from Japan.

Try http://www.cardserviceinternational.com/

You can get a merchant account with them, and with an EIN (or SSN I guess too), you can get an AuthorizeNet merchant account. You'll need to get an address in USA though, but that's something that can easily been done.

Try http://www.cardserviceinternational.com/

You can get a merchant account with them, and with an EIN (or SSN I guess too), you can get an AuthorizeNet merchant account. You'll need to get an address in USA though, but that's something that can easily been done.

but read bad reviews on them lately....
same story with charge.com

Could i get merchant account with no biz registration though? only ssn + addy?

Could i get merchant account with no biz registration though? only ssn + addy?

That's a tough requirement. I think you're really going to have a difficult time finding a US bank that will be willing to underwrite an individual for credit card processing.

EDIT: Have you looked at http://www.propay.com/? If I recall, they were at one time rather friendly to small biz/start-up's.

You can get a merchant account with an EIN if I'm not wrong, for that you need to incorporate in the USA.
I been using CSI for almost 7 years, although they are hard to reach sometimes, I have no complains about the service.

That's a tough requirement. I think you're really going to have a difficult time finding a US bank that will be willing to underwrite an individual for credit card processing.

EDIT: Have you looked at http://www.propay.com/? If I recall, they were at one time rather friendly to small biz/start-up's.


Propay apparently only US etc again.


I have no issues incorporating a company is US but again read will have issues obtaining a merchant account from banks since new and no filed tax records for min 2yrs etc.

You can try to contact to http://www.planetpayment.com/ too, I never had luck with this guys, never ever answered an email to me. But if I'm not wrong they have some kind of relationship with AuthorizeNet.

Or http://www.chronopay.com/ the last time that I spoke with them (4 or 5 years ago) they rates were too high, not sure now.

If you can get a canadian bank account you can also try with http://www.internetsecure.com/

You can get a merchant account with an EIN if I'm not wrong, for that you need to incorporate in the USA.
I been using CSI for almost 7 years, although they are hard to reach sometimes, I have no complains about the service.

Actually, you don't need a US incorporation to get an EIN - just fill out an SS-4 (https://sa2.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/help/keyword.jsp?keyword=Form%20SS-4). It's actually required to comply with witholding regulations if your country has a Double Taxation Agreement with the US so you can offset US taxes against your local taxes, so well worth obtaining. So if an EIN is all you need then that's really rather easy.

If I were you I'd use 2checkout and get shopping cart software for free or buy one. It would be at least something.

If I were you I'd use 2checkout and get shopping cart software for free or buy one. It would be at least something.

Not an option as I stated because it redirects clients and clearly notifies them etc of it.

I want to offer 3 options:
1paypal
2google
3creditcard

CSI hasnt gotten back to me yet though I spoke to them twice about sample fees. Planet payment is useless and cant get a hold of.

Worldpay might be an option but trying to avoid paying that big a setup cost and then annual cost and wait for 2-3weeks for account to be setup.

Looking into any possibilities within the country itself right now especially if quicker, cheaper, without the hassles, without the long holds and hopefully with no J language prompts etc.

Also waiting on Durango to see if any possibilities can be presented.

Your posting is a bit confusing. From what I gather you want to sell in
USD but want settlemt in a different currency?

As far as your shopping cart that has nothing to do with your gateway, most gateways offers a API, which leaves your customers on your site.

You're halfway there, the key is a U.S. address, which you can get with a remailer service, which will forward your physical mail and packages to you in Japan. Also a US phone number using VOIP services to call you via the Internet connection will seal the deal. With a social and US bank account, you can shop around for any gateway or merchant place and get approved.

You're halfway there, the key is a U.S. address, which you can get with a remailer service, which will forward your physical mail and packages to you in Japan. Also a US phone number using VOIP services to call you via the Internet connection will seal the deal. With a social and US bank account, you can shop around for any gateway or merchant place and get approved.

really?
So since I have SSN and have a personal US bank account I can get a merchant account and appropriate gateway services simply by getting a US mailing addy and perhaps phone number?

I can easily provide valid US addy and phone number.

Would I not need to provide any incorporation/business registration papers etc to get gateway and merchant account?

I was under the impression that one would need:
US incorporation papers/Business
SSN
EIN
US tel
US addy


and then youd be able to get a merchant account with gateway setup. But Supposedly(based on WHT posts) even then most banks would ask you to come in to apply for a merchant account etc.

But if I can get a merchant account simply based on having a personal US bank account and SSN plus provide US addy and tel, that would be great. But im guessing id need to show business incorporation papers etc (otherwise that would imply they offer merchant account+gateway to anyone with a website irrespective of whether they are registered business or simply online and nonregistered?)

to open a US Bank Account you have to provide a photo identification,
appear personal in front of the banker, registered business docs.

YOu can accomplish nearly all of these tasks remortely except for the appearing in person at the bank. The bank officer has to verify whom you are (Patriot Act)

You may be able to go to a bank such as Chase, HSBC, etc and open a account in your country and have a USA Account attached to that account.

The merchant account still has to be underwritten, risk & fraud factors, but, you need the prior docs beforehand.

As an alternative, you could possible utilize a eWallet (essentially a third party aggregator account) and process your cc transactions.

Not an option as I stated because it redirects clients and clearly notifies them etc of it.

I want to offer 3 options:
1paypal
2google
3creditcard

CSI hasnt gotten back to me yet though I spoke to them twice about sample fees. Planet payment is useless and cant get a hold of.

Worldpay might be an option but trying to avoid paying that big a setup cost and then annual cost and wait for 2-3weeks for account to be setup.

Looking into any possibilities within the country itself right now especially if quicker, cheaper, without the hassles, without the long holds and hopefully with no J language prompts etc.

Also waiting on Durango to see if any possibilities can be presented.

Why you don't want to the clients to be notified that the order has been processed?

What you want to utilize is an API that is scripted into whatever shopping cart you are using. The API will come from your gateway, not your merchant account processor.

There are several gateways, authorize.net, eNetworking, NMI, etc, but, it is your processor or the broker that sets up your merchant account that will provide you the gateway and API.

Example, I utilize NMI as my gateway, I can place your merchant account with any number of of processors, when I complete the account set up form, I tell my processor what gateway I'm utilizing.

As far as set up fees, you may be considered high risk-volume account depending on your product, how it is sold, delivery time, processing volume, your credit score, etc. all goes into determining the discount rate, reserves, refund policy, payout, etc.

I believe you really need to understand what is involved in the process.

Think of your account in this manner, make yourself the banker and take a look at the risk your account presents.

Also, remember this, Visa/Mastercard never lose money on a account, someone has to pay back the money from those sales if your operation goes down the tubes.

Hopes this assists you.

M bacon:

lol You misunderstood. I want to integrate the payment within my site so that when customers go to checkout they dont suddenly see some other company's page/logo or a non-integrated method. If I used standard paypal, googlecheckout, 2CO etc the customers are always redirected OUT of the site, they then purchase/pay on paypal google 2co page and then directed back to site once payment is completed.




FCFpayments:


I dont need another bank account as I already have a US account and hence wouldnt need to drop into a branch. I also know I can use the API to integrate it so long as the provider allows it eg Paypal website payment standard DOESNT but pro does.

Essentially getting the online merchant account is all I need to do and payments from that online merchant account would get deposited into the bank account. Already seems like I have all the requirements met though some resellers want a bill etc sent to your address and/or a check/bank statement/bank letter showing address.


You might wonder why bother?
Well because:
1. rates are much cheaper 3.4% (non qualified UBS, 2.1%quali25c) vs 3.95%(worldpay) vs 4-5%+~45c in Japan

2. AMEX/JCB/DINERS(Discover) rates again much cheaper (~3.5% vs 3.95% vs 4.75%)

3. Startup and ongoing costs are much cheaper($0 setup $10monthly fee vs $360 annual$0monthly vs ~$330-$1700setup $35-$160monthly)

As you can see substantial savings to be had even at bare minimum of 6k/month. This is completely low risk infact last chargeback was never lol and last refund was ~8months ago.

I did not misunderstand. A API retains the customeron your web site, not out to a third-party gateway. Using the "By Now Button" say from PayPal take sthe customer off your site.

Regarding rates, you would be classified as a level 2 or Level 3 merchant depending on monthly sales volume, average ticket, anuual volume, high ticket, how the product is sold, shipped etc.

Therefore, you can essentially ignore the advertised rate you see all over the internet.

I would suggest seeking out a professional that knows and understand Level 2 & Level 3 accounts,

M bacon:

lol You misunderstood. I want to integrate the payment within my site so that when customers go to checkout they dont suddenly see some other company's page/logo or a non-integrated method. If I used standard paypal, googlecheckout, 2CO etc the customers are always redirected OUT of the site, they then purchase/pay on paypal google 2co page and then directed back to site once payment is completed.

I understand now. Thanks for the clarification. :stickout:

fcf:

I dont know about the levels your talking off but the rates I confirmed by speaking to actual representatives and not just their websites.

J is simply expensive when it comes to CC and cash is king hence CC acceptance/processing costs are more.

hmmm the worldpay rep is either confused or confusing me lol
just stated that worldpay isnt available in Japan and that in Asia its only in HongKong and Singapore. apparently in 37countries.
:eek:
wth?

does yen, does JCB, does offline bank transfers but not Japan?

are they correct?

100% confirmed.

Worldpay is not available to Japan. Its only available in the 37 countries listed in its CONTACT US section.

solution at this point then is obvious and only 1 choice unless CSI & planetpay etc is acceptable, given their rep and some procedures or lack of is not.

I have sorted out a lot of details since and waddled through a lot of the BS.


Now I just need to know the following:

Can I register for a US Business checking account(with my current US bank-which offers FREE online one) using my overseas address for the checking account (whilst biz address can be US if needed)?
Or MUST IT BE US ADDRESSES all the way through?


Keep in mind I have been with my bank for years and clearly they "know" me-I would obviously meet the "know your customer" requirement and hence hoping my physical presence would not be demanded/needed. They also know my overseas addy and hence wouldnt be weird at all to simply fax in the papers etc required. Ofcourse I could change my addy's to my US one if its necessary.

I had a big problem using Worldpay in the past. They are UK based and a lot of US banks will flag their payments as international and fail due to fraud. This was not an issue until the banking crisis.

I have sorted out a lot of details since and waddled through a lot of the BS.


Now I just need to know the following:

Can I register for a US Business checking account(with my current US bank-which offers FREE online one) using my overseas address for the checking account (whilst biz address can be US if needed)?
Or MUST IT BE US ADDRESSES all the way through?


Keep in mind I have been with my bank for years and clearly they "know" me-I would obviously meet the "know your customer" requirement and hence hoping my physical presence would not be demanded/needed. They also know my overseas addy and hence wouldnt be weird at all to simply fax in the papers etc required. Ofcourse I could change my addy's to my US one if its necessary.

I would speak with your banker directly. But, the bigger question is can you obtain a direct MID.

I work for AVPSolutions, a global merchant processing company that specializes in hard to place merchants. That's our expertise and we've been in business for 25 years. Email me for more info. charina@avpsolutions.com Like I said, feel free to contact me. I'd be more than happy to help you resolve your issues.


Have you read the forum rules:
Review web hosting payment processors, payment systems, merchant accounts, online banking, shopping carts and billing systems for ecommerce solutions. NOTICE: No offers or contact requests of any kind allowed.

Update on this quest:

I cant believe the BS!! Argh the frustration!(rant over)


After more digging apparently cybersource which had bought Authorize.net is actually available in Japan. I will have to double check tomorrow and see their pricings and conditions. Expecting it to be quite expensive if only the cybersource BRAND is available. WOuld be nice if they presented authorize.net as an option:)


NTT with a bunch of its subsidiaries and other cos had created a major super payment gateway called CAFIS. It allows all sorts of payment functions to go through.
Will check tomorrow to see if I can get any pricing and conditions on it.

First Data in joint ventures had also expanded into Japan and offering services. What they offer, to whom and the pricings? I will have to check tomorrow.

Hopefully some merchant accounts are bundled with them too.

Because all the ones I have tried so far on this list are quite expensive-already stated some costings (Japanese providers):
http://itj.jp/hikaku/


We'll see what tomorrow holds lol