non-real time credit card processing

[Frosty]

here`s a really really stupid question.


Merchants accounts are only used for real time credit card proccessing right? Because i just read somewhere that merchant accounts can also be used for non-real time credit card processing and that then there`s no transaction fees? But i thought that the only time you get non-real time credit card proccessing is if you use a third party like CCBILL or IBILL or something. Vat the heck.

:confused:

[Jaiem]

What is non-realtime vs realtime?

If you mean realtime as in you get authorization immediately when an order is place vs. just collecting the CC info ane entering it off-line, most processors will let you do that. You just need a shopping cart or order form that will collect the info securely.

[Frosty]

so if i have a merchant account and an order form installed on my site i can do real-time or non-real time credit card processing?

If i collect the CC info and do it off line, then am i still charged transaction fees (because i read somehwere that then you won`t get charged per transaction fees then)? How do i do it off line?

:shake:

[Jaiem]

The specific CC processor might charge you a gateway fee per transaction to get real-time online CC authroization. But I haven't seen a CC processor that says no fees for online real-time processing.

Most merchant accounts have some kind of online mechanism for entering charges. Either a secure web page, a software interface, telephone touch-tone entry etc. If you have a swipe box you can also enter the charges manually.

Many companies do this. Keep in mind that in the U.S., by FTC rules, a business must ship with in 24 hours of charging the customer. So if you charge online you must be able to ship the full order with in 24 hours. But if you can'r be sure of doing it then you need to process the charge off-line.