Merchant Account Assistance

[jamiewake]

Hi All

There seems to be some great conversations on here about Merchant Accounts and I was hoping that someone might be able to help me out with a problem.

We have set up a Travel Company (UK Based) which is a member of the Travel Trust Association. We need to take Credit/Debit Cards but our application to Streamline was refused (even though they have negotiated rates with TTA and know the low rick of having a trust account to protect clients money). I don't have a perfect credit history and have been working hard over the last couple of years to rectify this (although I am still in dispute with Littlewoods Catalogue but thats a long story!)

I have plouged a lot of money into my new company (ltd) and had no problem getting a trading account and trust account with Barclays (Who I have approached about Merchant Accounts but im doubtful of its success cause of streamline's reaction)

Are there any suggestions as to who to approach who might be leniant and not negatively impact my cash flow? I did see one company that might help but they wanted a 10% rolling reserve and 3% fees - in travel our margins are around 10% meaning I woulnd't actually make any money!

Thanks in advance

[ooh]

PayPal Pro allows you to take credit card payments directly on your site without the need for a merchant account. So that's an option.

One draw back I think, and I may be wrong, is while the PP Pro part allows you to charge customers using their C.C. without them knowing of any PP involvement, you still have to offer the PayPal Standard payment option to them -- I think, could be wrong, and even if I'm right that might not be a problem for you.

[onlinetravelservices]

Our merchant account is with Barclays. No reserve and fees of 1.9%. We are ABTA bonded and hold an ATOL