Questions about Authorize.net

[markw10]

I am currrently setting up E-commerce web site and from what I see everywhere Authorize.net is definitely the place to go to for credit card payments but I have several questions for others who are using Authorize.net or other services:

1. If I choose authorize.net it seems it is offered through resellers. Are all resellers the same since they are using authorize.net or does the service vary? Is there a specific reseller I should go to?

2. There are times that we are remodeling our warehouse or even taking pre-orders for items so they may not ship as soon as an item is purchased. From what I see it appears that as soon as someone does the checkout it immediately charges their card. Is it possible to set up authorize.net or others to not charge a card until a certain timeframe after or whenever we select to have it processed?

3. Does authorize.net use a secure server?

4. Is it possible to somehow issue refunds through authorize.net such as if someone has to return an item?

5. Is it possible to do manual orders such as in-person, over the phone, or email and charge that to a credit card?

6. What are the total monthly fees?

7. What is the transaction fee or is that based on volume?

8. Chargebacks: What protections do I have for these? I currently use Paypal and it seems even if an item is shipped to the ordering address if there is a chargeback I always lose. I have considered if I will have to only ship items to the billing address to avoid this. How safe is authorize.net for this? What is the fee for any chargebacks I have and if I were to win a chargeback could I hold the customer liable for paying this?

I know this is a lot of questions and it seems authorize.net is the way to go but I just have some concerns about these issues. Thanks for any help.

[DrByte]

I am currrently setting up E-commerce web site and from what I see everywhere Authorize.net is definitely the place to go to for credit card payments

That is the general buzz at least in the USA.

1. If I choose authorize.net it seems it is offered through resellers. Are all resellers the same since they are using authorize.net or does the service vary? Is there a specific reseller I should go to?

I'm a little biased: Zen Cart prefers that you sign up here to get your Authorize.net account, as doing so gives you not only great rates but also helps support the Zen Cart project:
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...es&pages_id=30 (no charge to set up an account)
Don't be confused by the "First Data" marketing - that's changing. When you do your application, just ask for the Authorize.net version, and you'll get the right service just for the asking.
There are other payment-processing services also listed, just by clicking the "partners" link at the top of this screen.

2. There are times that we are remodeling our warehouse or even taking pre-orders for items so they may not ship as soon as an item is purchased. From what I see it appears that as soon as someone does the checkout it immediately charges their card. Is it possible to set up authorize.net or others to not charge a card until a certain timeframe after or whenever we select to have it processed?

You can configure the AIM module in Zen Cart to "authorize-only" or "immediately capture" transactions.
Thus, you can go back and capture payments when they ship.

3. Does authorize.net use a secure server?

Yes. And your site must use an SSL certificate in order to talk to it.

4. Is it possible to somehow issue refunds through authorize.net such as if someone has to return an item?

Yes. Functionality for this is built-in to Zen Cart as well as into the Authorize.net virtual terminal.

5. Is it possible to do manual orders such as in-person, over the phone, or email and charge that to a credit card?

Yes, this can be done via your Authorize.net virtual terminal.

6. What are the total monthly fees?

We don't discuss fees openly here on the forum, mainly so it doesn't become an advertising-fest. If you follow the link I mentioned earlier, the fee structure is outlined there for you.

7. What is the transaction fee or is that based on volume?

idem

8. Chargebacks: What protections do I have for these? I currently use Paypal and it seems even if an item is shipped to the ordering address if there is a chargeback I always lose. I have considered if I will have to only ship items to the billing address to avoid this. How safe is authorize.net for this? What is the fee for any chargebacks I have and if I were to win a chargeback could I hold the customer liable for paying this?

There is good Fraud-Detection available in the Authorize.net service itself.
As to chargebacks, each case is unique. You can ask that question on your application process. You may need to provide some specific examples of cases you've encountered. The value of the disputed transaction, the nature of the merchandise, and the kinds of proof offered by both parties will be important information in determining how the case would be handled.

I know this is a lot of questions and it seems authorize.net is the way to go but I just have some concerns about these issues. Thanks for any help.

Naturally! It's always good to do solid research first.

[pagypsy]

Does the SIM version require SSL? I don't really understand the differences between the AIM & SIM version, and which is "better" to use, and why.

[DrByte]

AIM requires SSL.
SIM in "offsite" mode does not require SSL, but should be avoided IMO.

If your question is really "can I get away without an SSL certificate", the right answer is: are you collecting any information about your customers? If so then yes, you need an SSL certificate. And, since the answer *is* yes, then ... yes, you should get an SSL certificate.
They're not as expensive as they used to be, and are a worthwhile investment.