By Pasquale Bright
Consumers who choose to purchase through online pharmacies cite privacy, cost, and convenience as the reason for doing so. Many times the cost of the prescriptions are significantly less than purchasing through a local drug store. Many online pharmacies can offer the consumer as much as a 50% savings. The online purchase can be made discreetly from home, with the prescription being delivered right to the door.
When researching online pharmacies, you will notice there are those who offer distribution only. There are others which offer prescription services as well as distribution. The difference is significant. With an online dispensary, you would have to fax or mail your doctor’s prescription to the pharmacy. The physician may be able to call or e-mail the prescription, as well. These types of online pharmacies must be licensed in which ever state they sell, and in the state they are located in.
The online pharmacies which offer the prescription services as well as delivery usually have little to no contact with the consumer. You are taking your chances when dealing with this type of company. The physician may be licensed to write the prescription, but there may be no customer service to seek help from. The medication which is prescribed may or may not be what you need. The physician does not know your medical history and could prescribe something which could cause an allergic reaction or other adverse reaction.
Many online pharmacies are extensions of the brick and mortar establishments like Walgreens or CVS. This service is offered as a convenience to the customers for online ordering and store pick-up or home delivery. This is the safest form of online prescription ordering. The computers are linked to cross reference medications which may counter affect each other. The medical history of the customer is also listed so there is no chance of allergic or other adverse reactions. There is always a customer service number to reach the pharmacist if the customer has any questions. It is also very legal to order from these online pharmacies.
There are certain online pharmacies which operate illegally. They will sell to whoever registers. The customer may or may not need a prescription. If a prescription is needed, there may even be a pharmacist who writes the prescription without seeing the patient. These online pharmacies are not approved nor licensed with the Food and Drug Administration. The regulations set forth by the United States do not allow overseas pharmacies to sell to U.S. customers. Many times these regulations are ignored. This can potentially cause harm to an unsuspecting customer.
The customer who orders from online pharmacies which is located overseas takes the risk of obtaining contaminated or harmful medications. There are no regulations set forth to monitor these drugs for safety. In other words, when you by from overseas online pharmacies, you have no idea where the medicines are made or how long ago they were manufactured. The health risks are enormous.
Online pharmacies which carry the VIPPs seal are certified by the FDA and licensed to sell. The pharmaceuticals are safe for human consumption. These online pharmacies are regulated by a set of strict guidelines to protect the consumer. It is always best, and in this case safer, to stick with what you know.
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Selecting the Best Credit Card Processing Company
By Lawarance Knutterson
Best Ways to Choose a Credit Card Processing Company
One of the most critical decisions for launching an online business is deciding on which credit card processor to use and how you will choose to process your customer’s payments. There are two primary methods to choose from: You can use a true merchant account and do it yourself or you can use what is known as a third-party processor. The credit card processor method you select can possibly effect the execution of your entire Website.
Probably the best way to choose a credit card processor is by simply listing your needs and then comparing the various available plans. Will cost be the most important element and what other factors will be involved? Try comparing both a true merchant account to third-party credit card processors side by side.
How is a true merchant account different from a third party credit card processor?
True Merchant Credit Card Processors
With a true merchant account, you are the merchant and you have the option of applying directly through a bank. However, this is often done through a sales agent. The account will be dedicated to your business only. You, as the merchant will have total control over the account and be totally responsible for it in everyway. You will have to provide a gateway for the account because this will not be included in the account.
Note: Some companies that offer credit card processor plans will extend a bundle that includes a gateway as an enticement. You are free to choose any gateway you prefer since they are totally separate entities.
Basically, your merchant account for a credit card processor is a direct account with MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express. If you resolve to accept payments from their members, you must abide strictly by their rules.
Third-Party Credit Card Processors
A third-party credit card processor company has it’s own merchant account and they allow individuals and businesses to accept credit card payments through them. A third-party credit card processing company has all of the power since they make the rules, which you must adhere to since they are allowing you to share their merchant account.
When should you consider using a third-party credit card processing company?
-If your business isn’t registered
-If you have been blacklisted
-If you or your mechanize is considered high risk
-If you have poor credit or no credit
-If you only process a small amount of transactions
If you are a non-programmer and can’t carry out a complex API.
Additional considerations concerning third-party credit card processing
1. They will not charge higher rates for high risk businesses
2. They don’t perform credit checks
3. They can’t be used with a separate gateway
4. Their name appears on your customer’s credit card statements
5. It can take up to a month to receive deposited funds.
6. You can’t negotiate rates for third-party credit card processing.
Most reputable online merchants understand they will be accepting credit cards online and that they will need a merchant account and a payment gateway. There are good reasons for assuming this:
-If there are large volumes of transactions to be processed, the discount rate will be far superior with a true merchant account than with a third-party credit processing company.
-The merchant will have 100% control over the account. The merchant can deal directly with customers and it’s the merchant’s name that appears on the customer’s credit card statement.
-Transparent checkout feature - Allows the customer transaction to be processed directly on the Merchant’s Website, rather than being redirected to a third party site.
-Portrays a more professional image - A true merchant account is a more seamless process which is expected from customers.
When you apply for a true merchant account, you will have to go through a full credit check and you may not use the account in anyway for your own personal use. The rates are always negotiable but high-risk products will garner much higher rates. You may use a separate gateway of your choice for credit card processing and your business name will always appear on the customer’s statement. Funds will be deposited within 1-3 days and you may be locked into a contract for several years.
Most online businesses that are just starting out have small margins and tight budgets. Cost will be the single most important factor in choosing a credit card processing company for most of them. The needs of each business will vary, as will the offers they receive for credit card processing. In making a comparison, it’s almost like comparing oranges and oranges and can be quite difficult. One way to approach the comparison process is to collect the data on fees associated with both third party and a true merchant account first.
-Setup fee: how much you need to pay to establish the account
-Discount rate: the percentage of sales that the processor takes
-Transaction fee: the flat fee the processor charges for each transaction
-Monthly fee: the monthly fee associated with keeping the account active
-Setup fee: the cost to set up a gateway
-Gateway monthly fee: the monthly fee charged by the gateway provider for use of their payment gateway services
Next, list the number of transactions you will make each month and how much the average customer will spend on your Website. There is a multitude of third-party processors and true merchant providers for credit card processing that may be compared. For example, Papal and Verisign are two well known companies, but are completely different.
Conclusion
You may ultimately use both of these methods to use credit card processing online but the way in which they are implemented are very different. Each has it’s own particular advantages. Since every business is different, you must consider all of the factors involved with accepting credit cards online, not just the costs. Sometimes, paying a few additional costs in fees can enhance your customers experience and the overall appearance of your Website. Take ample time to explore all of your options in order to find the best cost-effective credit card processing company that fills the needs of your online business.
Lawarance Knutterson writes for credit card processing
and Internet Merchant Account web sites.
