Paypal

[Ali F]

Hi all, as you'll see I am a real newcomer here but am really enjoying being a member of Mumszone. I'm just setting up a website selling childrens tops etc (Arabella Miller and Milky Moo Moo) and will be selling a range of other things too as time goes by.

Anyhow, I was wondering whether it is OK just to have Paypal as the payment - or does this put people off? Once I'm established I can think about the other options (Worldpay/Protx (sp?!) etc, but you have to be sure you're going to be selling with these as they're much more expensive and, at the moment, I'm selling by dropshipping only.

I've also included the options to pay by personal cheque and BACS - do you know if it is OK to put your account name, number and sort code on the website (I think people have to choose the BACS option to see it).

Many thanks - sorry for the length of the post but I need all the help I can get at the moment :question:

[friendlybaby]

I only have PayPal on my site, and have never found it to put people off. Those that don't want to use PayPal ring and pay over the phone (I pay to have Virtual Terminal through PayPal so that I can take card payments over the phone). I have had 2 people wanting to pay by cheque in over a year, and have insisted that they wait for the cheque to clear before dispatch.

No idea about the BACS option. I have given my account details to customers that have cash that they have been given as a present to buy their newborn things, and don't have a bank account(!), so they have been able to pay their cash into my account rather than posting it to me.

PS Whereabout is S.Glos. are you?

[chris]

Hi,
when I first started with my business I began with paypal, nochex, cheque (and bank transfer if people asked). It worked well at the time and, as you say, you have to think about the additional charges of the other merchants.
I have now included Paypal Pro to my site. It costs £20 a month but it has increased my telephone orders, people do not have to leave the website to pay online and customers do not know it is run by Paypal. They just pay by credit/debit card like any other site.
So my first thoughts are to run with the payment methods you have installed. When you see how the business grows you can decide whether to increase the options. There was a thread on here the other day about all the different merchants so there are lots to choose from!

Good luck!

[Ali F]

Thanks for that Friendlybaby. Interesting to see that you don't have any problems with Paypal - can I ask you roughly how much Virtual Terminal costs, as that may be something for me to consider. Mind you, I think that as long as people have a credit/debit card then Paypal works; you don't have to have an account with them to use it do you.

I'm in Frampton Cotterell - I see you're Bristol based; whereabouts are you?

[Ali F]

Sorry Chris, we clashed! Is the Paypal Pro you mention the same as the virtual terminal Friendlybaby uses?

So much to learn isn't there when you're just starting out!!

[friendlybaby]

Not so far from you - Thornbury. It's a small World!

Virtual Terminal is included in PayPal Pro which is what Chris mentioned. No, people don't have to have an account to pay you using PayPal, however the big drawback I have found is that if people don't want to use their account (they may have forgotten their password, changed email addresses, etc) then the PayPal option doesn't work if they try to pay using the card that is registered with PayPal as it recognises the card details. This has always been the most common reason for people to ring up to pay, and oddly this does not cause problems when using Virtual Terminal.

[Ali F]

That's great, thanks. I think after a while then I may well upgrade to Paypal Pro.

I know Thornbury (used to keep my horse in Olveston) and go there to the Clarks shop to buy my daughters shoes plus will get my sons shoes there when he eventually starts walking, lazy boy that he is!

Like you say it's a small world.

[Chiggs]

Chris mentioned nochex, and that may also be a good option for you, as it works in the same way as paypal, ie pay a percentage of order value as a fee, there are no monthly/yearly fees.

I started off with just paypal and cheques, then added nochex and find that about a third of customers opt for nochex.

I've also got paypal pro so that I can use the virtual terminal to take payments over the phone, but that is mainly for my trade customers. It was easy to set up and I've found it very good, but there is a £20 monthly fee. As you say, you could 'upgrade' to that later.

[Al1x]

Not so far from you - Thornbury. It's a small World!

Virtual Terminal is included in PayPal Pro which is what Chris mentioned. No, people don't have to have an account to pay you using PayPal, however the big drawback I have found is that if people don't want to use their account (they may have forgotten their password, changed email addresses, etc) then the PayPal option doesn't work if they try to pay using the card that is registered with PayPal as it recognises the card details. This has always been the most common reason for people to ring up to pay, and oddly this does not cause problems when using Virtual Terminal.

sorry to hijack! I get that problem happening quite often.. so does using paypal pro sort it or do they have to phone up to pay for the order?

[chris]

I have never had a customer with that problem since having Paypal Pro.
The main problem I have come across is that paypal (pro) will not accept amex cards from UK customers although they include it in their logo. So I have now stated that on my website (surprising how many people have Amex).

[friendlybaby]

sorry to hijack! I get that problem happening quite often.. so does using paypal pro sort it or do they have to phone up to pay for the order?

They have to phone to pay.

[Ali F]

Chris mentioned nochex, and that may also be a good option for you, as it works in the same way as paypal, ie pay a percentage of order value as a fee, there are no monthly/yearly fees.

I started off with just paypal and cheques, then added nochex and find that about a third of customers opt for nochex.

I've also got paypal pro so that I can use the virtual terminal to take payments over the phone, but that is mainly for my trade customers. It was easy to set up and I've found it very good, but there is a £20 monthly fee. As you say, you could 'upgrade' to that later.

Thanks for that too! I've just done an application form for Nochex as it's all free apart from obviously percentage of sales, and it's another payment option for my customers who, I hope, will be banging down my online store door :cheesy:

[Mary Poppins]

I have noticed an increase in sales since we added Nochex to our sie. About half of the customers use Nochex to pay. I would prefer everyone to use it as I much prefer it but won't remove Paypal at the moment as some people still use that.

There seems to be such a lot of hassle with Paypal at the moment. Had an order through this morning but never received a payment notification - although when I log on, it is showing up.

[Bay-Bee]

I have noticed an increase in sales since we added Nochex to our sie. About half of the customers use Nochex to pay. I would prefer everyone to use it as I much prefer it but won't remove Paypal at the moment as some people still use that.

There seems to be such a lot of hassle with Paypal at the moment. Had an order through this morning but never received a payment notification - although when I log on, it is showing up.


There is sooo much of this happening at the moment with paypal. Been going on for ages now its getting silly.

I think I will get DH to add on Nochex for me, we have a account with them just never got around to adding it but these comments have made me want to now!

To answer your quesion...I have only offered paypal or cheques (cleared before dispatching item) on the site and so far its been ok but now the site is getting busier I am having to start sorting out other payment methods, also I have had 2 people want to pay over the phone recently so I would like to start offering telephone payment too.

[Chell]

I have Nochex and paypal. At checkout Nochex is labelled as Credit/debit card where as Paypal states Paypal/debit/credit card. I have about two thirds come through Nochex and the rest through Paypal.

I do get cheques but from schools and nurseries rather than the general public.