Shopping Carts Question...

[auteur]

I have a client that may be in need of a shopping cart and a secure server...

I believe myself and the designer have this client considering Future Quest.

What can you tell me about the secure server, shopping carts, certificates,etc.. and Future Quest?? Please include any additional costs.

Thank you,

Elizabeth

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Elizabeth M. Miller
Getting You the Attention You Deserve!
www.123marketing.com (http://www.123marketing.com)

[Deb]

Hi Elizabeth,

You will find most of the answers to your questions beginning at this thread http://www.aota.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000068.html

We're 'in process'....

Setting up new server.....
Getting the block of IPs
Moving sites that need the SSL over etc...

All of this should hopefully begin taking place in such a way that the site owners see it happening by the end of this month...

Going as fast as we can in the area but had to put out some $$'s and creativity to make it happen correctly....

We are also working with Total Merchant Services http://www.tms2.com/005/cards.html for the Merchant Accounts aliance... slowly but surely we're developing the "total e-commerce solution".. within the next couple of months there will be great changes/upgrades/additions in this area...

Hope this helps
Deb

[hearts]

Hey Elizabeth.. I know that a person has to acquire a certificate from thawte.com. (http://thawte.com.) for a one time fee of $125.. one can get a verisign certificate but it costs significantly more. ($350)

Future Quest does not yet offer secure services, but Deb says that should be available by Mid February.

Some servers (that do offer secure servers) provide the necessary software for the shopping carts.

Also I learned that for real time CC processing, you will need to contact e-commerce. 1-800-748-6318.

I believe also one needs to have a merchant number to accept credit cards.

As for the shopping carts.. I am looking into that as well. So, I will be interested in seeing what folks have to say here! Cuz, I am doing my research too! http://www.aota.net/ubb/wink.gif


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~~~ Hearts
www.heartsweb.com/ (http://www.heartsweb.com/)












[This message has been edited by hearts (edited 01-15-99).]

[Deb]

Hey Hearts,

You do not have to purchase your own Thawte certificate unless you want to.

If you do want your own (which is a good thing) you can get a discount by going through us to get as we are 'authorized reps' for Thawte... e.g we can get $100 rather then you having to pay $125

If you need a merchants account.. there are MANY different companies/banks you can go through.... We will be using Total Merchant Services.....
You do need a merchants account to accept credit cards, but of course, you do not need a merchants account to accept online checks and other various information. If you already have a merchants accounts (e.g already in business and accepting credit cards) you shouldn't need to acquire another one.

Shopping Carts -- we'll be offering one for all.. but are still very deep in the development.. to deep to really give any info on what all it will and will not do by the end.....

Deb

[hearts]

Deb...
i just called e-commerce just outta curiousity.. if the client in question is on future quest (when you are secure).. does the client have to pay additional fees to Total Merchants Services? Like monthly fees, per transaction fees.. and percentages of the total purchases?

[Deb]

They have the option to acquire a merchants account from anyone that suits their needs....

FutureQuest ourselves have decided to go with Total Merchants and of course let others know how they are working for us etc...

They are also getting ready to announce a new shopping cart and administration engine that looks FANTASTIC along with fabulous tech support for us so far.... as of this point in time we have no problem recommending them.

As we become closer in our business relationship and actually begin using them we'll know more.

A true merchants account will be up to the clients to get... as it involves credit checks etc between a "bank" and the "client".. this is an area we are not in business for .. so our goal is to just search out solutions that may work for those in need. I would never tell someone to "use so & so" because what works for us may not for someone else... but as I would recommend the UBB for someone who is looking for a BB system that has what they UBB has.. I would recommend Total Merchants if they seem to have what the client is looking for.

e.g. who one uses for their merchants account is up to them. We can not provide that..... only recommend places and provide an interface that will make it possible http://www.aota.net/ubb/smile.gif

Deb

[MG Doran]

Hi auteur!
I have been up to my eyeballs in "shopping cart" scripts for about 6 months now - constantly checking them out to see whats what - freely available, easy to learn, feature rich etc. I recently began to specialize in secure/commerce sites for clients so the last several months have been a dizzying crash course.
I still have a long way to go but I would be happy to share some of what I have learned .... http://www.aota.net/ubb/smile.gif These are free shopping cart scripts btw.
I currently use Selena Sol's Webstore:
http://www.extropia.com/products.html
It is excellent but the learning curve 'bout made me throw in the towel - not a good choice for a first try - I found that out the hard way.
Here is one you should look into:
http://www.storesoft.com/
It is very simple, straight forward and has some very good features. It's a good starter script but still has all of the features a typical product site would need.
Also keep in mind that later down the road FQ plans to make a shopping cart available for us - I am familiar with it and it kicks butt! Don't expect this overnight, this thing is powerful and will probably require some time to set it up right for all of us to use.
Also keep in mind that I will be offering credit card processing at a later date - undetermined at this time. The company that I use has experienced such tremendous growth that they are not opening new accounts at this time.
Hope some of this helps ... http://www.aota.net/ubb/smile.gif If you have any question that I might be able to help with feel free to email me!
Roxie

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[This message has been edited by MG Doran (edited 01-18-99).]