What do you call a good deal for a Gateway and Processor assuming you are in the USA and sell electronic stuff? not a heavy load.

Typically $30 a month is charged by a gateway with SSL and a shopping cart, and for Internet anywhere under 2 percent is a very good rate. Make sure to go over the contract because some places offer "teaser rates" which convert up to a much higher rate later, like an adjustable rate mortgage.

If you're average ticket price is low, make sure the transaction fees are low. If it's high end pricing, then your rate is more important. If you're doing electronics I'd really recommend shipping it signature required (of the person on the card, not just any adult like many shipping companies do by default).

I'd also only ship to the AVS approved address. If someone wants to ship to a different address, they can call their credit card issuer and they will add that address to their file for 24 hours so they can make the purchase.

It depends on exactly what you are selling, etc. Different processors have different rules for some things. Chargebacks can be very high in that industry, especially if you are not selling name-brand items.

There are many options available to you to use - from the archaic AVS to more conventional methods like MasterCard SecureCode / Verified by Visa (VBV). VBV will help protect you even if the consumer is not registered from the "I didn't do it" chargeback.

Getting a signature is always good but can be problematic because the customer might not be at home during the day. You can also consider things like MaxMind to help scrub the transaction. If you sell some high ticket items, you might even consider having the customer fax you an authorization. The more you do, the less chance of a chargeback.

What do you call a good deal for a Gateway and Processor assuming you are in the USA and sell electronic stuff? not a heavy load.

You are asking two questions, a Gateway and processor are different entities. A good processor depends on the product you are selling, monthly volume you are requesting, average ticket, high ticket, how is your product shipped (directly or fullfillment house) your credit score, how long you have been in business, etc.

The Gateway in many instances is provided along with your procssing. You will generally have a monthly gateway fee, a transaction fee.

Just some of the items to consider.

Just off the top of my head,
Rates: aim for 2.5% - 3.9%
Transaction fees: $0.20 - $0.50

If you are selling high risk electronics, expect to pay more.

Good to know. just wanted to check how much they run for before we get into that business :)
What would be considered as high risk? you mean electronics as in shipping and online or as in people walking into the store? what would the rate for high risk be

Procesors may have some variations in what they consider to be Tier 4 Merchant or what is refered to as Unaccaptable or Auto Decline Merchants:

This list is only a sample of the types of merchants that may fall under that category:

High Volume MO/TO/
E-Commerce,
Computers, Electronics
Web Hosting
Web Design
Seminars
Membership
Acai or health-related teas
Airlines
All sexual oriented/pornographic merchants:
- companion/escort services
- adult telephone conversations
- adult book stores
- dating services
- online adult membership/matchmaker services
- adult paraphernalia/toys
Bankruptcy attorneys
Calling cards
Check cashing services
Collection agencies
Colon cleanser and other detox products
Credit counseling or credit repair
Debt collection & counseling
Debt consolidation
Diet pills
Drug paraphernalia
Financial planning/strategy
"Get rich quick" books, programs, etc.
Glucose strips
Government monetary grants or other “business opportunity” schemes
Health supplements/MoTo
"Hype" products/services
In-bound & out-bound telemarketing services
International merchants (non-US based)
Internet-based work-from-home plans
Internet gambling
Investment firms
Investment strategy
Investment books
Lawyer referral services
Lotteries
Marijuana (medical or otherwise)