Secure Ordering Web Site Help

[ecumike]

SO... BTW.. what ARE you gonna be selling?  What's this for?

[Jeff]

LOL... Sorry, i don't mean to get wrapped up here, and Mike, don't take this as a jab, but OSCommerce is about the LAST thing I'd recommend to a 'newbie'.

There's 0 documentation on it and for me, it was extremely cumbersome to setup and customize.

you can go to www.sourceforge.com and search for 'cart' or shopping cart, etc.. phpay is pretty easy, and there are many freebies out there that are decent.  But again, even with these, you're getting what you pay for.....

[r6_philly]

okay, let's define a lot...

If you're doing more than $1500-2000/mo, or more than 50 transactions, and you're confident that your monthly rate will remain at or above this amount, then, yes, find something other than paypal...

However, if you want it up by this afternoon, I still stand by paypal  8)

and if you want a site with an identity, I would suggest elsewhere...

besides, you can use paypal to check out only...

and most small shops may have cc processing in house anyway, using it is not extra cost. And non-internet transactions cost a bit less anyhow...

[r6_philly]

wait sorry, you are talking about DIY stuff, then I am out of my league... I am just the guy who builds everything custom... sorry :D

[ecumike]

LOL... Sorry, i don't mean to get wrapped up here, and Mike, don't take this as a jab, but OSCommerce is about the LAST thing I'd recommend to a 'newbie'.

There's 0 documentation on it and for me, it was extremely cumbersome to setup and customize.

you can go to www.sourceforge.com and search for 'cart' or shopping cart, etc.. phpay is pretty easy, and there are many freebies out there that are decent.  But again, even with these, you're getting what you pay for.....

Well yea, right I don't disagree there. I haven't looked into much of the various shopping carts besides xcart and OScommerce, and looking back on the thread and being that he said he "knows basic html" and "not a big programmer".. going on that alone, I'd suggest Paypal.

[Lowe119]

She'll be selling construction attachments direct to consumers. www.loweman.com is the site I made for the manufacturing company (be nice on criticism)  ;)
These units sell upwards of $5,000-$6,000 so 2.9% is $150 we would rather not spend.

I like the database driven site idea. I actually have training material on php (but have yet to learn it). So how about a site that places the order in a secure database that we can download the orders from? She also wants the customer to receive an e-mail verifying their order - automatically is preferred so they aren't waiting hours to know if it went through.
Do I buy the code and database (MySql?) from a company or lone programmer?

[r6_philly]

ok with the details, it would probably better if you run a db to collect order info, and have your clients to send you a check instead. That way you save the $100+ of processing fees.

I would suggest you get the code developed in a way that you can go and add/update/edit info and the system will run itself.

I would say that kind of code is pretty unique because you need the site to fit your requirements, rather trying to fit what you sell to the code. And since you are getting it custom made, you can have it look real nice too, not just the standard shopping cart ...

well this may sound like a sales pitch, but you can contact me via email if that sound like something you are interested in. As far as web stuff go, that is what I offer. Custom web apps build to your specifications. If you have a spec doc I can turn it exactly the way you want. Email me, see if I can help you with it.

[Jeff]

These units sell upwards of $5,000-$6,000 so 2.9% is $150 we would rather not spend.

This is the cost of providing the 'convenience' of credit cards...  You do not get this for free.  Anywhere...

As a consumer, spending money with a credit card, you are paying just a tiny bit extra because every place that accepts credit cards, inflates prices marginally to eat the cost.  However, in most states it is illegal to outright charge extra for accepting credit, so it has to be across the board.

i.e., bump the price from $100 to $103 for cash OR credit.  You can't charge $103 for credit and $100 for cash.  

This you should check with your state board of commerce on, as well as your clearing house for credit cards.  Some clearing houses don't allow it regardless of state regulations.

I like the database driven site idea. I actually have training material on php (but have yet to learn it). So how about a site that places the order in a secure database that we can download the orders from? She also wants the customer to receive an e-mail verifying their order - automatically is preferred so they aren't waiting hours to know if it went through.
Do I buy the code and database (MySql?) from a company or lone programmer?

MySQL is free.  However, what you're talking about is custom desigining an E-commerce system.  Dude, don't re-invent the wheel...  It will take you much longer than you will want to spend, and it will do a fraction of what you want.

Also, for your consideration...  Holding CC info in a "secure" database is a HUGE liability.  The database can be hacked.  Multi-billion dollar companies get hacked, so, believe me, they can get at you.  If someone DID get the info out of your DB, YOU are liable to an extent to your customers, and can lose everything and/or spend some time next to Martha Stewart.

Yahoo offers some small business services like such, but again, it's going to cost.

Bottom line, what you want is not free.  Period...  You may be able to whip up an application for free, but the processing of the card is absolutely not free... no way, no how...

Again, I don't mean to get 'passionate' about this, just want to share my experience over the last number of years, trying *exactly* what you are looking at...

So...  Where to start???  Well, assuming you have a business, you must have a business bank account...  Talk to your bank and ask them what kind of merchant services they offer, and if they have a web interface.  This could make your life much easier than trying to get something else setup.

If they do, but it's too expensive, shop around.  If they don't, you need to find a new bank :)

[Lowe119]

We are checking with her bank on what they offer on credit cards. They actually have free CC transactions, but we have to check the details. We'll also check to see what other transaction services they might have.
As far as the charge for CC transactions - it is illegal to charge more, but you can give a 'cash discount.' lol I checked that out when my mechanic offered it to me.

[ecumike]

Going with the check vs. CC thing... do people currently pay with CC or are you guessing that they would?  B/c if they don't or if it hasn't been requested that you offer this service.. paying by check can make your life a WHOLE lot easier.

[Lowe119]

They currently pay with CCs. Checks would be nice, but the wait for verification might set back their order a week or longer.

[r6_philly]

well jeff maybe you haven't met someone who can help you get it done.

I do resent the don't re-invent the wheel comment. I do not like out-of-the-box products because they rarely fit everyone's every need. and a nicely written custom app go a longer way than any out-of-the-box program. Thats why bigger companies all have custom apps.

You could say custom app's cost too much. Well I have spent the last 3 years developing small apps for small businesses, in and out of this industry. my clients are happy, and they rather spend more with my services because everything is made to their needs, and sometimes not much more if at all than what it would cost to run a program/scripts that does not fit all their needs. Think of the cost after implementation for running a business that doesnt suit you 100%.

you seem to have gathered a lot of frustration trying to set up something by yourself, yet you recommend others to go with a template based app. wouldn't they run into the same frustration you ran into? If you you can't find a readily made application/set up to suit your needs, why would you recommend it to someone else?

I am not dissing anyone's ability, but doing it yourself doesn't always get it done right. we are motorcycle racers, we should know this. A suspension kit doesn't fit everyone. It is the custom stacks and custom settings that works for each racer.

so getting something made for you business is not re-invent the wheel, it is just putting on the right size and type of wheel.

and since I know I have to compete with $200 programs and services, don't you think I would price myself competitively as much as I would? A big corp may pay me $100/hr, but I have worked with everyone's budget who has ever interested in my services.