Page 2 of 3
Posted: 29 Jun 2007, 20:27
by Sl4yer
The Paymate thing is easy enough. Just put in your details, and it's approved straight away.
EAP Lite is right enough for me. I like the plane, but don't want any pretend versions. Surely the Typhoon is the service version?
I've already got a Typhoon, so I've used the sounds from that. Just have to try and get an acceptable framerate from the lottery that is FSX now!
James
Posted: 30 Jun 2007, 05:52
by iris - karen
Hi all,
Firstly, for those that don't know me, I'm Karen. David's partner in the business as well as "wife-to-be". I run the Admin side of things as well as the monthly accounts. Good to meet you all! 
In regards to the Paypal issue we made the decision early last year to not use Paypal on a regular basis as their fees are alot higher than Paymate (which meant we keep the cost down to you) and we have no issues in accessing the cleared funds, Paymate direct deposit the funds to our account with no added fees.
Paypal also caused a stir with closing high active accounts and freezing funds for "fear of fraud", not only with our community, though within the eBay one as well.
I think it's a great tool to use as a purchaser, I don't need a credit card, I just sign up, I purchase, I get my item that I paid for. I use it on a regular basis.
However, as a seller, it costs us too much per transaction, the conversation rates aren't as good as Paymate's and it takes 3-7 days for them to send us our money, which we have to instigate ourselves.
It's not that we don't accept Paypal payments, we have a few regular clients who send us money using Paypal, once we receive the email notification we send them their product.
Yes, it takes a bit longer - though it outweighs the fact we're not charging additional fees for the Paypal service.
As an idea of the fee difference:
At $23.99usd:
Paymate: $1.10aud
Paypal: $1.29aud
$28.99usd
Paymate: $1.12aud
Paypal: $1.70aud
I've spent some time thinking about this thread and been thinking about Paypal overall.
I'd be happy to offer a comprimise. Rather than have the Paypal option on the store checkout system, I can, over the next few days, create "Pay Now" buttons for each item and include it in the product page. You'd click it, we'd get the payment then we issue you the product through the cart. Again, it takes longer, though we aren't going to be passing on the high transaction fee either in the cost of the product.
Yes, at the end of the day the decision to not use Paypal was a financial decision, it wasn't around customer service - though, we looked at the amount of sales we have each year, and if even half of those were Paypal, the cost in fees alone was going to mean an increase of about $0.50 per product. We'd absorb half, though not all the fees.
I'm open to forum suggestions about what you all want. I'll pop back in later and have a read.
Enjoy the weekend!
~Karen
Posted: 30 Jun 2007, 08:31
by Quixoticish
Paypal also caused a stir with closing high active accounts and freezing funds for "fear of fraud", not only with our community, though within the eBay one as well.
I remember this nasty business as I was one of those hit, and I had a regular run-of-the-mill paypal account that wasn't receiving an extraordinarily high amount of transactions at all. It all seemed rather random.
Posted: 30 Jun 2007, 10:28
by AndyG
Sl4yer wrote:The Paymate thing is easy enough. Just put in your details, and it's approved straight away.
EAP Lite is right enough for me. I like the plane, but don't want any pretend versions. Surely the Typhoon is the service version?
I've already got a Typhoon, so I've used the sounds from that. Just have to try and get an acceptable framerate from the lottery that is FSX now!
James
James, the EAP used the RB-199 of the Tornado (in fact it's rear fuselage and fin were taken from the Panavia production line, in a bid to keep costs under control :shock: ), so a decent Tornado soundpack would be more appropriate.
AndyG
Posted: 30 Jun 2007, 10:28
by TSR2
Hi Karen,
I have to say I agree with your comments on paypal, and although I haven't been bitten myself, a very good friend has twice, so its fair to say they are not my favourite company...
however...
I really do not like the idea of lots of different companies having my financial details floating about the ether, and as I do need to buy things from time to time from places like ebay and other small online software companies, paypal offers a common accepted payment method.
I like the idea of having a "Lite" version and understand that your seeing if the idea has wings, however its important to consider that the masses will use paypal, and a large portion of the masses "couldn't be arsed" registering with "yet another payment service" on top of the ones who, like me don't like the idea of a company thay have never heard of having their financial details.
The only way arround this is to use something like world pay where credit cards can be accepted directly in a one of payment transaction, but these services tend to be even more expensive for the seller.
There is a balance between reducing your costs and reducing your customer base.
Posted: 30 Jun 2007, 12:23
by iris - karen
XR219 wrote:Hi Karen,
----------
I really do not like the idea of lots of different companies having my financial details floating about the ether, and as I do need to buy things from time to time from places like ebay and other small online software companies, paypal offers a common accepted payment method.
----------
There is a balance between reducing your costs and reducing your customer base.
Hi Ben,
I completely agree with you, I don't like numerous companies having my details either, especially online ones.
The one thing I do like about Paymate is that you don't need to register with them to be able to the bill. You can use express pay which means that you give them minimal details and you're done. They also have a very strict code of practice, and under Australian Financial Acts & Privacy acts they have to adhere to.
Yes, there are many customers out there that use Paypal only as they don't have credit cards, so linking to bank accounts works, and we do cater to them. We don't use Paypal through the checkout system, however we do accept payments from individuals. We have done so now for over 18 months.
When ever a new product comes out I have 1 customer that paypals me the AUD value, with his request in the note and I email him a link to the product either via the store or through a passworded link.
I am open to new ideas and 1 is to have a Paypal payment option active through the checkout process, though when we receive a certain amount, we disable that payment option. This way Paypal aren't as likely to close the account.
I don't know what to do with the fees though. It's not an ideal situation to pay so much in fees when the other payment gateway is far cheaper....
Thanks for the information. We are still weighing up our options. 
~Karen
Posted: 30 Jun 2007, 12:27
by Sl4yer
AndyG wrote:James, the EAP used the RB-199 of the Tornado (in fact it's rear fuselage and fin were taken from the Panavia production line, in a bid to keep costs under control :shock: ), so a decent Tornado soundpack would be more appropriate.
Yes Andy, I knew all that!
But I don't have a Tornado at the moment. It was either the Typhoon, or a Jag. My ears aren't that sensitive to jet noise anyway - one military jet (within similar classes obviously) sounds much like another to me. I mainly want to hear the response of the engines.
I've got another FSX sound query, but I'll start a fresh thread for that!
XR219 wrote:The only way arround this is to use something like world pay where credit cards can be accepted directly in a one of payment transaction, but these services tend to be even more expensive for the seller.
Ben, this is what Paymate appears to be, to me a least. I have the added benefit of a Cahoot credit card, which can generate a unique number for each transaction. The number has a maximum value associated with it, and is only valid for one month.
Cahoot Webcard
Posted: 30 Jun 2007, 12:39
by iris - karen
Sl4yer wrote:XR219 wrote:The only way arround this is to use something like world pay where credit cards can be accepted directly in a one of payment transaction, but these services tend to be even more expensive for the seller.
Ben, this is what Paymate appears to be, to me a least. I have the added benefit of a Cahoot credit card, which can generate a unique number for each transaction. The number has a maximum value associated with it, and is only valid for one month.
Cahoot Webcard
Webcard eh? And you use it just like a credit card? And it's a legit thing?
Apologies, I don't want to be seen as the Queen Bee... I just read this and I thought I would also mention...
I just want to clarify in my last post - you -DO- have to put in details such as name, address, number etc - though this is part of the fraud detection program. I don't know anyone who has had a problem with Paymate, though in saying that, being that you're overseas, you would/could be worried about them!
Without trying to be a pain Ben, I'm interested to know the answer (in all seriousness) how would you feel if we used our banks payment gateway. It's going to cost a small fortune, though we can then accept credit cards manually, phone, fax, email AS well as online.
It works the same way as Paymate, with the express - just put your details in and off it goes, and there's no sign up required.
As I said, we're thinking of some different ideas to venture out on.
This time, i'll wait for a couple of posts before jumping in... 
~Karen
Posted: 30 Jun 2007, 12:54
by TSR2
Hi Karen,
Hope you don't think I was having a go. I was just pointing out that although paypal can be a shower of b@**ards, they have much of the market sown up, which makes it difficult for online retailers to look at alternatives. The other thing (rightly or wrongly) is that paypal are a worldwide name.
Its a difficult old situation to be honest, and I don't think there is a "right" answer.
the plus side about going through your bank is that, (again rightly or wrongly) people (as a general rule) trust banks. I'm a bit of a synic myself, but usually the way these things look when you use them, is that you (the retailer) has a direct relationship with them (the bank) and they feel secure.
The snag is Banks a a shower of ******** too as they charge a fortune. You guys have to do whats right for you, I was only throughing some suggestions in there based on some reseach that was done last year (albeit in europe)
But I don't have a Tornado at the moment. It was either the Typhoon, or a Jag. My ears aren't that sensitive to jet noise anyway - one military jet (within similar classes obviously) sounds much like another to me. I mainly want to hear the response of the engines.