LinkPoint vs Paypal Pro

[ryanb4614]

Looking for someone with experience with LinkPoint vs Paypal Pro. Just setting up my estore...undecided of what merchant account to go with?

Thanks!

[DrByte]

With Linkpoint, you can accept Credit Card payments.

With PayPal Website Payments Pro, you can accept Credit Card payments, but you must also offer PayPal Express Checkout.

With either, you can also offer other payment options such as Money Order, COD, PayPal Standard, etc.
(but no point offering PayPal standard when you already have pro)

[ryanb4614]

Any recommendations? How would money orders work, can i cash them through the merchant?

[DrByte]

Money orders would be deposited in your bank just like a check.


As to recommendations, a regular merchant account is likely less costly than PayPal, and after a period of time you can probably even negotiate for even better rates (even though the rates you get if you sign up through Zen Cart are already better than most you'll find).
But PayPal puts all your funds in one place regardless of currency, etc.
It's up to your needs/wants.

[ryanb4614]

well i will only be dealing with united states... I have read about linkpoint, looks good to me... Going to read more into paypal to compare.

[chacha-vintage]

Hello! I just wanted to weigh in on this thread. I have been using Linkpoint for about a year. I signed up with them partly because they were recommended by ZenCart.

However, after a year, I'm back looking for another provider. Which is why I'm on this thread now. I had looked at PayPal last year too and went with Linkpoint. I'm not inclined to use PayPal either and looking for other good options out there.

In terms of Linkpoint, here are the things I have not liked:

- Very aggressive. I had to stop my application in the middle to do some additional research about how I wanted things set up. I literally got several e-mails from them every day until I went back and completed the app.

- Their communications with me seemed kind of sloppy and offhand. When you're talking about financial matters, you want things to be organized and for everything to be clearly spelled out.

- Fees fees fees. This is the big one. I just started my business about a year ago, so did not expect to make huge profits for a while. When I signed up with them, it was $25/month even if I didn't make any money that month. That was reasonable. Somehow, over the last year, my fee per month became $40. I also got hit with some "one-time" fee of about $80 for some yearly audit (?) thing. When I wanted to change the bank account they auto-debited from, it costs $25 to do that. That seems like basic customer service to me. Just beware. We are all trying to make money here. Them especially, it seems.

After browsing a few threads, I believe I'll try to call them and see if they're willing to renegotiate my fees. If not, I definitely will be leaving them. Doing my business taxes these past few weeks has really shown me how much they've cost me over the last year.

Again, this is just my own opinion and experience. I know that ZenCart recommends them, but definitely wanted to give another perspective.

All the best to you!

[ryanb4614]

Thanks for your reply. It helps alot! I was 100% going to go with linkpoint but now I am leaning more into paypal now. There only thing I dont like is I heard that you have to do a 3 year contract.....

[Merlinpa1969]

We have been using linkpoint for 2 years now, and Yes there are fees,
you will get these with any real merchant account,

NO you dont have to signup for 3 years,

and after 1 year you can re-negotiate your rates, ( we have done it 2x now )

this is all a part of doing business and the convenience os getting paid and NOT having to wait for the check to clear ( Bounce )

[ryanb4614]

I understand there is a $** monthly fee, then the other small fees with each transaction, and refund ect. But is there any hidden fees that you get hit with from link point?



Moderator note: pricing removed

[Merlinpa1969]

Statement fee, IF you want a paper statement mailed to you,
Settlement fee
watts fees