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When to switch from PayPal to an eMerchant account?  

post #1 of 10
8/18/08 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 
I am trying to run the numbers between offering PayPal (v/mc or PayPal account) and getting an eMerchant account. If you offer both did you really see a difference?

Bear with me on this as I am trying to sort this all out.

We are currently using Etsy to sell with PayPal as payment option but are changing to a website with cart. Since July 1st til now we have sold $770 Gross with total in fees between Etsy and PayPal of $92 (12%) If when we take out the Etsy fees it brings it down to 3.33%
After looking at eonlinedata for a merchant account it just seems that it will cost a minimum of $58 per month minimum not including the $79 set up fee to work with authorize.net Based on the current $770 that would be 7.53%

So in this confusing amount of information when would it be time to get an eMerchant account? Does it really make a difference in sales to have just a regular offer of using a cc not through PayPal? We currently only have classes offered on Etsy and that will be changing with the new site to add product as well.

Thanks for any guidance
post #2 of 10
8/18/08 at 12:17pm
I THINK people really do feel more comfortable, in general, not going through paypal. Even though you and I both know we can use our ccs through paypal no problem, not everyone does, and they tend to freak out.

I don't remember a set up fee with Authorize.net. Try Merchant Warehouse. I don't know what they're doing now, but when I signed up I did a lot of research before settling on them.

Does PayPal's website payments pro look like paypal? I think it doesn't, and they offer virtual terminal and all the perks of another kind of merchant account, for a little bit more expense, but a lot more convenience if you're already using PayPal. The only reason I didn't use them was that my carts are Zen's, which at the time didn't work with PP Pro, though they would now.
post #3 of 10
8/18/08 at 12:19pm
Have you looked at Google Checkout? That may be an option for you.
post #4 of 10
8/18/08 at 12:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy View Post
Have you looked at Google Checkout? That may be an option for you.
Google doesn't work with many of the popular WAHM used carts. So it really depends on the cart she is using. Google also doesn't have a debit card attached yet (that is a deal breaker for me).


I still use Paypal after 5 years of business, but I talk directly with my customers before they even purchase anything so I think there is less "oh no, Paypal" issues going on. I can walk my clients through checkout if need be.

I like Paypal because its easy for me to manage and it has a debit card attached so I don't have to transfer fund all the time. Paypal has an option that allows you to use their services without Paypal even showing up, its their business plan ($25 a month I think?) and if plugged into your cart right customers never know they are paying with CC through Paypal.
post #5 of 10
8/18/08 at 1:11pm
i offer both paypal and cc and most of my sales use cc.

I use www.propay.com to process my cc. It's ideal for small business and doesn't have as much fees as Authorize.net. I think I paied one year fee and 3% + 30cents/transaction fee.
post #6 of 10
8/18/08 at 2:04pm
I recently switched over to Paypal Payments Pro which is $30 per month w/no setup fee. Transactions are the same 2.9%. I switched because I was noticing quite a number of abandoned carts. Since I have switched, I haven't had a single abandoned cart (knock on wood). Customers can not tell that they are going through Paypal (until they get their confirmation, which I am trying to change as well but just can't figure it out yet).
post #7 of 10
8/18/08 at 2:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrin View Post
I recently switched over to Paypal Payments Pro which is $30 per month w/no setup fee. Transactions are the same 2.9%. I switched because I was noticing quite a number of abandoned carts. Since I have switched, I haven't had a single abandoned cart (knock on wood). Customers can not tell that they are going through Paypal (until they get their confirmation, which I am trying to change as well but just can't figure it out yet).
Thats the one I was thinking of!
post #8 of 10
8/18/08 at 2:26pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the quick replies! We are building our site with watersweb and using the Mals-e cart. I will check out the suggestions but please keep them coming!
post #9 of 10
8/18/08 at 3:30pm
Cool....you'll be really happy with Watersweb. Are you using Shop Kit Plus also? If so, make sure to frequent their forums....lotsa good stuff and great advice there!
post #10 of 10
8/18/08 at 4:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrin View Post
Cool....you'll be really happy with Watersweb. Are you using Shop Kit Plus also? If so, make sure to frequent their forums....lotsa good stuff and great advice there!

I feel like I have been living on the forum for the past week? I just type in a word and read everything possible about it. Will the obsession ever stop
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Mothering › Forums › Natural Family Living › WAHM Well › When to switch from PayPal to an eMerchant account?