I am not exactly sure how all this works yet, but I am curious if anyone has any feedback on the best and most cost effective Gateway/Merchant Account. I have heard Authorize.net and Linkpoint are both good. Does anyone have a preference between the two? Or maybe another one besides these two?

We have been using plug N pay for about 6mths now. No issues so far (knock on wood). Not many bells and whistles but it gets the job done at a reasonable price. was recommending these guys when I was shopping around. They have since changed their favorite to USAepay. Not sure why.

Really, every time I ask them to recommend one they say they can't recommend one over another. Strange. Not as strange as the fact that I've been on hold with customer support for over a half hour while being in the first queue position the whole time...

That's really not so strange lately...

Anywho, I use authorize.net. The only problem with them that I've had is when they were suffered a DDoS attack. And I think there may have been another blip recently that they were down briefly. I don't know enough about other gateways to compare, but I would recommend authorize.net since I haven't had issues with them and their admin panel is very easy to use.

Hi guys,

We do reccommend USAePay but you can use almost any other gateway out there as well with our service. We have found USAePay to be very responsive with support. Their gateway reporting is very extensive and they also offer free recurring billing. They haven't had as many DDOS attacks like other gateways and our customers have been very satisfied and happy with the gateway. We have had a higher overall rating with USAePay than any other gateway which is why we reccommend them.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Julie

i recommend authorize.net...it is by far leading the industry right now...i work for an msp in the US and have spoke to many people about different payment gateways and always hear good things about authnet most of all user friendly...anyone needing advice in reference to getting set up with a merchant account feel free to email me at michaelL@usms.com...i have been in the industry for 5 years now and know all of the ins & outs of all of it

If you are new to e-commerce go with usaepay - it is far and away the most user-friendly gateway.

Beside that two I would suggest to check it with chronopay.com, they are stable and reliable processor, their charges are quite affordable and they have a reliable 24x7 support system.

Anet here too.
So far, so good, for well over 2 years now (knock on wood).
Ben N

I use Linkpoint API.... No problems.

I use Authorize.Net and Verepay. It would be cool if added Verepay to the interface for some of my clients.

Cardservice International/Linkpoint is the best on the market.

They have the lowest rates.

I am awaiting quotes from several payment gateway vendors.

Could anyone who has researched the "Recommended List" list and has fee structures handy, post them please?

I realize these are all subject to change, but it would help me narrow our choices down a bit.

We use USAEpay and have been very pleased. We switched from Card Service Int due to them raising our rates multiple times for no reason (we have no chargebacks and were within our sales forecast) and many other customer service related reasons. I would not recommend them to anyone.

When Cindy compiled the comparison list http://EmerchantsGroup.com had the best rates. I used that information to make my decision and have used them since without any problems. They are a merchant group using collective volume to apply pressure to prices.

I hope that helps?

It does - I'm a bit uneasy about the two week estimated time for approval/setup that I see on their site.
I'm scheduled for imminent crucifixion if I don't have this going live very soon.

It may well make sense for us to go with a different gateway, then switch later.

They approved my Authorizenet account the same day that they received my application. I do remember the merchant account took a bit longer, but I do not recall it taking a full two weeks.

Either way - best of luck!!

Man am I the only one using Verisign and Paymentech? I just wanted Verisign for the security seal.

What was the commitment on the contract? a year, two?

As stated on the EmerchantsGroup site and noted in our merchant agreement:

5) Term of contract fee - waived for members.

My experience with Paymentech was terrible Paymentech was chargeback happy and had TERRIBLE customer service. I always had the feeling they were doing me a favor. There funding, statements and discount rates were awful. In additon, all the little fee's at the end of the statenet added up to a LOT OF MONEY.

IMHO nothing is a value if the service stinks. I like having my own rep and being able to call them when I have any question.