Best payment processor for a smalltime sole trader?

[PuChCo]

I've looked at payment processors and it looks like many only want to work with ltd companies or people who've been trading for a long time or trading a certain amount of money per month etc.

I am starting up a retail site as a sole trader just as an experiment and a sideline to make some money at uni just to see if it catches on.

I understand PayPal would be the easiest option for someone in my position but from what I have read they have strict T&Cs regarding what kind of sites can use their services. My site will be selling something completely legal but it's also considered the kind of stuff companies like PayPal don't want to be associated with, if you get me. And since PayPal is known to close accounts and withhold the balance of those accounts for users who break the T&Cs I don't want to risk it.

So basically I want to know of any alternatives that can easily be set up online by a sole trader and don't have the kind of strict T&Cs PayPal does.

Thanks in advance for any advice and happy new year!

 

[benb]

If you want to use PP as a merchanct then someone will manually approve your account for payments pro. Why not apply and see what they say?

From what you've said above they look like the could be the best option for you.

 

[PuChCo]

Unfortunately, I know for a fact PayPal will not do business with my website. I can't post the relevant link here because I don't have enough posts. But it's certain PayPal's TOS prohibits my type of site.

 

[Alex - A2 Hosting]

Unfortunately, I know for a fact PayPal will not do business with my website. I can't post the relevant link here because I don't have enough posts. But it's certain PayPal's TOS prohibits my type of site.

You can try Stripe for credit / debit card payments. One other option I'd look at is 2CheckOut, through 2CheckOut your clients can pay via PayPal and / or Credit / Debit card.

 

[PuChCo]

Those two look very good, thank you Alex. They both have restricted products lists and 2Checkout's looks like it bans my product while Stripe is more ambiguous, I'll try them and see if they're cool with it.

 

[Nochexman]

...My site will be selling something completely legal but it's also considered the kind of stuff companies like PayPal don't want to be associated with, if you get me...

Happy New Year PuChCo! Can you say what it is that you are selling? It will be easier to help you if you can be a little more candid (shrinking violets look away now)...

 

[PuChCo]

Might as well be honest, my site will be selling research chemicals.

 

[PuChCo]

Stripe has told me I should be fine to start accepting payments instantly as my site isn't on the prohibited list but with the proviso that they have the right to review my account and contact me before transferring any funds. Hopefully that doesn't mean they'll let me trade then suddenly do a PayPal on me when it comes to actually getting my money.

 

[Alex - A2 Hosting]

Stripe has told me I should be fine to start accepting payments instantly as my site isn't on the prohibited list but with the proviso that they have the right to review my account and contact me before transferring any funds. Hopefully that doesn't mean they'll let me trade then suddenly do a PayPal on me when it comes to actually getting my money.

Stripe are a real friendly bunch. I assume that they just want to protect themselves so if you are doing what you say and you don't break any of their terms I can't see them pulling a fast one on you.

Let us know how you get on with them .

 

[PuChCo]

Yeah it did sound like a standard disclaimer type thing to me. Looks like I'll go with them then, thanks