What merchant account provider do you use?

[UKbob]

Wasnt sure if the computer forum, the business forum, or the Pie and Pisser would have the most users with feedback/info, so decided to post here...

Got a client in the travel industry, who has been turned down flat by every merchant account provider he approached, on account of him:
a) being a new start up business and
b) being in the travel industry. Apparently, the banks now absolutely refuse to engage with new travel agents. Too many new companies have gone bust, after taking payments on holidays 3 months in advance, chap cant find any merchant account provider who will accept him, which means no ecommerce till he finds one. Can you lot help in drawing up a shortlist of every possible merchant provider?

Whilst asking you lot for suggestions, I thought Id ask you guys another question out of curiosity, as rates/deals are always changing: Who do you use, what was their startup fee, how much do you pay monthly, per transaction (fixed) plus/and as a percentage per transaction.

Edited by UKbob on Friday 25th January 17:22

[drivin_me_nuts]

Join the FSB --> use Streamline. Fees? No fees

[rpguk]

Is your client ABTA/ATOL protected? Have you checked with the industry bodies, they may have some ideas.

[UKbob]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Join the FSB --> use Streamline. Fees? No fees

News to me, sounds good, thanks for that.

rpguk said:

Is your client ABTA/ATOL protected? Have you checked with the industry bodies, they may have some ideas.

Good idea. Not sure though, Ive not checked with anyone yet as I was only made aware of the problem minutes before I posted, this late on a friday Im not going to have a solution ready today. Had I know the client had been struggling Id have tried to sort him out already.