Comments on: Shopping Carts: Fees, Licenses, and When Free Ain’t Free

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:41:36 +0000

As you can tell from my handle, we deal with this from the merchant side. Can’t tell you how many times people have gotten into trouble with a merchant account regarding hidden fees, etc. Largely, its because the provider juggles what they consider to be qualified vs. mid-qualified rates.

While payment processors can rake you as well, at least you generally aren’t under contract as is often the case with a Merchant Account. PayPals Website Payments Pro has no contract period, but on the flip side, they charge $30 per month, vs. a gateway solution we’d provide for about half that. All kinds of angles to consider.

At any rate, this is a terrific article, and a great illustration regarding the breakdowns of charges and how your business can be affected. Thanks for taking the time.

By: rachmat

rachmat — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:09:41 +0000

This post actually breaks for us all. Even if no duty is specified, it can still be a surprise. The list of transaction costs shows that as our company grows, we must constantly review the way we do and what tools and services that we use. Thank you for sharing!

By: David

David — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:37:50 +0000

I need a pretty customizable shopping cart for a website. i would like to host it myself, not have it hosted by another company.

I need the following things:
- Paypal Integration
- UPS Shipping Quotes
- NOT attached to a CMS
- digital downloads
- ability to add access
checked out os Commerce but i do not like its interface. something that looks good too would be nice.Thanks

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:08:09 +0000

If you choose a cart based solely on the monthly price (assuming you’re going with a hosted option) you’d better be sure that later on down the line when you get busier, or want to add more products or realize a feature is missing and you HAVE TO HAVE IT… you’d better know in advance IF you can port over all your products to another cart, or if it’s going to mean starting from scratch an re-inputting it all. I think that is likely one reason many people stay with old, out-dated carts that aren’t exactly what they need… because they can’t stand the thought of doing it all over again…

By: Beth Andrus

Beth Andrus — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:29:35 +0000

This post really breaks it down for all of us. Even when fees are specified, it can still be a surprise. Your list of per transaction fees shows that, as if our company grows, we need to constantly re-evaluate how we do things and what tools and services we use. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Andrus´s last blog ..But How Do You Know It’s Your Passion?

By: David

David — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:25:03 +0000

Great post, this really puts everything in perspective. Transaction fees and “hidden” charges that usually go along with them almost always make a monthly plan a better choice. If your just sarting out and have 0 dollar budgets, then a trans method works, but be quick to get of it! Best to read and RE-READ the fine print and save yourself the complaints later on.

By: Mary McRae

Mary McRae — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:58:12 +0000

I’ve been to that discount outlet. Do they think no one notices?

Oh yes. Shopping Carts. I am continually amazed at the number of variables you’re uncovering. Things someone might never think to ask because they just didn’t know.

I’m guessing some of these businesses survive because their customers never thought to look elsewhere or they think that all products are basically the same. After all, it’s just a shopping cart, right?

And while we’re talking about shopping carts, our local co-op has carts that are only half the typical length with a top and bottom basket. They have the regular ones as well, but it’s so much easier to get stuff in and out of the shorter ones. And they have tiny carts for kids to push. Real carts – just in miniature. Now if they’d only add the cup holders …
Mary McRae´s last blog ..There’s No Place Like Home