Best payment module for Canada?

[trmanic]

I'm new to Zen Cart and am currently determining if I will use OSCommerce (quite familiar with this) or Zen Cart for my next project. The payment module is the biggest sticker for me at this time since I would love to see a Beanstream module.

I've checked out several merchant options in Canada and narrowed it to two main reliable and reasonable providers.

Beanstream is the first, mostly because it provides a lower initial cost (~$100 CAD) with quite reasonable rates. Beanstream does have a working OSCommerce Module, which, in my limited experience with Zen Cart means a translation should be relatively easy. (http://forums.oscommerce.com/index.php?showtopic=220231). Beanstream is backed by TD. You can find the full download under community>contributions>payment

Moneris is the second. It has significantly higher setup costs but very well documented API's and backed by BMO and RBC (www.moneris.ca). Its front end admin panel is quite nice and easier to use - but has setup costs over $300.

Quite interested to see where we can take this folks.
TR

[Jeddy]

I too am considering Zen Cart for a site based in Canada. I also noticed the footnote about Paradata. I would love to hear if anyone had successfully set this up and what there experience has been.

If it wasn't for the inability to calculate shipping based on weight of items I would just use PayPal for payment.

[stevensmedia]

Paradata was bought out by a US company that wouldn't deal with Canadian clients. CardSolve now uses PSiGate as the gateway for Canadian customers. Too bad there isn't a PSiGate XML module to be found!
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?p=238474

[ericet]

I setup two Zen-Carts for people in Canada and PayPal works very well with ZenCart. I strongly suggest you use it. It's great.

Eric

[DrByte]

Too bad there isn't a PSiGate XML module to be found!
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?p=238474

Module for ZC v1.2.6
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=246

[IntelCos]

InternetSecure is a great option for Canadians and is not a third-party gate. It is owned by the Nova Bank Corp and works fine for 1.3xx

[Radish]

Hmmmm .... I've not seen any contributed modules that outshine others when it comes to Canadian gateways.

However, if someone could do some research to come up with a list of merchants operating for Canadians, perhaps we can put together a solution.

The ideal list would consist of:

- merchant name
- bank(s) they're affiliated with
- online gateway API name (or is it proprietary to "them"?)
- URL and tech phone number
- are they Canadian-only, or do they support other locations and currencies?

Hi,

I've gathered some info from bigger merchants. Feel free to add some! It would be great to see a contribution released for Canadian store owners.

Moneris/Eselect

Bank(s) they're affiliated with: Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank
Online gateway API name: eSelectplus_PHP_API (https://www3.moneris.com/connect/en/...PHP/index.html)
URL and tech phone number: https://www3.moneris.com/connect/en/...PHP/index.html - 1 866 562 4354
Supported Currency: CDN, USD

Paymentech

Bank(s) they're affiliated with: Scotiabank
Online gateway API name: Don't Know
URL and tech phone number: http://www.paymentech.ca/paycansolintcom.do - 1-800-265-5158
Supported Currency: CDN, USD


OnlineMart - http://www.onlinemart.ca/EN/PaymentServicesBenefits.asp

Bank(s) they're affiliated with: TD Canada Trust
Online gateway API name: Don't Know
URL and tech phone number: http://www.onlinemart.ca/EN/PaymentServicesFeatures.asp -
Supported Currency: CDN, USD

Global Payment Systems:

Bank(s) they're affiliated with: CIBC
Online gateway API name: Don't Know
URL and tech phone number: http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/Can...cts/e-com.html - 1-800-263-2970/(416) 644-5959 (Option 1)
Supported Currency: CDN, USD

I don't have any experience programming API's, but eSelect/Moneris was one of the only merchants that actually seemed to have a PHP API, which leads me to believe this would be a better choice for ZenCart users? Any thoughts?

[s_mack]

If it wasn't for the inability to calculate shipping based on weight of items I would just use PayPal for payment.

Use your payment provider for payments. Use you shopping cart to determine shipping. In other words, do that in Zen then pass the total to PP.


I've been struggling with "eCommerce in Canada" issues for a LONG time. in 1998 I worked for Industry Canada developing "eCom in Can" packages for small Canadian businesses... after 18 months, the program was shut down because there just weren't any ideal overall solutions available.

Compromise is around every corner, but the best solution I've personally found is PayPal. I know a lot of people hate PP, but they are the most "canadian friendly" option out there that doesn't cost an arm and a let, and their rates are lower than most merchant services will get you anyway.

Downsides? Sure there are downsides. The single biggest is the name. I know I lose sales each and every week because some percentage of my customers refuse to use PayPal. Most of the rumors are just rumors. I've been using PP for years and have never had my funds held, or ran into any problems at all really. But rumors, true or not, get in people's heads and there are people that will NOT buy from you if you accept only PayPal for credit cards. So far, I've determined that loss does not outweigh the benefits for my business.

It is VERY flexible, especially if you need to accept payments in foreign currencies. Ultimately I think it is the best option for the customer too (for security and features) even though you'll never convince some of them of that.

Biggest reason not to use PayPal: offline sales. There's no way to process a credit card (without technically committing fraud) over the phone or in person. (MODERATOR NOTE: As of Oct 2008, PayPal Website Payments Pro now allows direct processing of credit cards)

That's my 2c. Which, of course, is -$.53c after the paypal fees are applied.

- Steven

[ideasgirl]

You are leaving out Money Bookers, which is the best alternative for international transactions (and there's a module available).

[s_mack]

Money bookers charges a relatively INSANE 8% on cc payments... and they still have the exremely crappy problem of forcing their customers to be "money booker" members.

Thank God PayPal stopped going that (sort of). Nothing kills a sale like extra steps signing up for something they've never heard of.

I looked at them a while back, but glancing there now it doesn't look like anything's improved.

What have you liked about them?

- Steven