Hi

I'm starting a online eStore and wants to sell designer shoes/handbags...etc

my question are before i start installing zencart,

for credit card payment option:

how do i receive money from them?
getting a merchant account isn't the problem, the problem is that i read somewhere that you have to use service from company such as authorize.net and their service are expensive.

is there a way to have the credit card payment available and not have to use a third party at the same time with SSL encryption enable?

Thanks