New Credit Card Processing

[501IH]

Giles, no, nothing apart from observing how it works, and enquiring in cases of "issues" about the exact reasons and backgrounds. Chances are then, from my experience, that at first you will be given some soothing standard replies, but if you keep nagging them and once get lucky with the person you speak to, someone will disclose at least some of the real conditions and put you wiser.
If this new provider is good, you will have few, if any problems.
If the opposite is the case, in the end only the change to a different one will probably be a real solution.

[Giles]

But I am convinced that the majority of problems I am having with US cards is that the customers credit card company is imposing the ban.  Typically when it happens, I will contact the customer and tell them to get the ban lifted.  Once they do this, then they can make the purchase. It's nothing to do my credit card processor (is it?).

[bagley920]

Nope, they called me, I said yes it's me, they said try again, and it worked. All they are trying to do is make sure someone halfway across the world isn't using your card.

[LandoCal126 0]

@Giles:

But I am convinced that the majority of problems I am having with US cards is that the customers credit card company is imposing the ban.  Typically when it happens, I will contact the customer and tell them to get the ban lifted.  Once they do this, then they can make the purchase. It's nothing to do my credit card processor (is it?).

I am pretty sure as 501/IH stated that it has to do with the algorithms that the CC companies implement. Also, depending on the CC users tendencies, travel outside the US, credit limit, etc I think that the ban can vary. But what the hell do I know.

[jacoavlu]

If I were getting constant restrictions and hassles for these purchases as a customer I would call my cc company and threaten to close my acct if they didn't stop, especially for repeat purchases with the same retailer.

[Giles]

I have some customers who have to call their CC company every time they want to make a purchase.  That is neanderthal….

[jacoavlu]

Yes that is ridiculous, I as a customer would threaten to take my business elsewhere (to a new cc company) and would follow through if the practice didn't stop. Reward businesses that do things right, not those that do things wrong.

[501IH]

Strongly agree with jacoavlu. I often wish more customers that I serve in my job were behaving like this (though obviously I can't tell them that…), it's the only language corporations understand.

Giles and Lando: it is so, the probs usually arise on the customer processing end. In shop purchases, it is also often the cashiers who f*** up, they are simply too ignorant or lazy to bother with a proper verification (i.e. calling THEIR service provider and checking the customers ID) and then the card often gets blocked.

But this obviously does not apply to an online shop.

So I strongly second what has been said here before: complain if your card does not work when it should, give them a chance to sort it, but if they repeatedly fail, take your business elsewhere.

[Giles]

Shoque is coding a piece of intervention code.  When we get a suspected "We're denying transaction this because we don't like you buying outside of your home country, you unpatriotic bastard" error message from a purchasers credit card company, we will put the following up on the screen:

"We are sorry that your credit card transaction failed, unfortunately this is completely beyond our control.  The most likely cause, if you are outside the UK, is that your card is not approved for international payments and you will need to contact your credit card provider to get this changed."

It is not a perfect solution, but better than we had…..

[Giles]

@bagley920:

Will you accept American Express now or no?

Looking like we will have "proper" Amex processing shortly…..

[JCar2666]

Hey Giles, do you have AMEX up and running yet?

[Giles]

Only through the PayPal route atm:

http://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2961.msg150779#msg150779

I could get it up and running for GBP today, but I need it for all 3 currencies and that is more complicated.

[MP]

Anyone still having problems with international payments? I tried to use a Lloyds Visa Debit card during the sale and it got rejected (twice).  I don't know if it might have had something to do with trying to order from Australia with a UK card? I figure I will have to contact the bank but thought I'd ask here first.

[Snowy]

I've had no issues using an Australian Credit Card in Australia or the US.

[Giles]

There is no logic, nor is there a standard answer.  Different CC companies treat their customers differently in different geographies and at different times if the year.  Typically at this (busy) time of the year, the CC providers will unilaterally and with no warning to the CC holder, increase the security they impose.  There is nothing that we can do about it from here it is something that the CC holder has to resolve with CC provider, we do not even see the transaction, so it is failing before it gets to us.

[Snowy]

MP if you want me to buy something for you with my card, as long as you're willing to pay 4% extra for paypal, drop me a PM and we'll sort it out…

[MP]

Yeah I figured it'd be the bank being over the top, that's what I get for waiting until the last minute in the sale I guess 

Snowy: Thanks mate for the kind offer but I'll talk to Lloyds and get it sorted for next time. I was just bummed to miss out on the sale since I had money sitting burning a hole in my English account.

Cheers,
Matt