[epub] Re: Newsletter service or install my own software?

["jl scott, ph.d." <jlscott@xxxxxxxxx>]

This discussion has probably gone as far as it needs to go. 
Originally, I simply asked Chris why he wouldn't buy from someone 
who uses ClickBank.  Not that I have any love for ClickBank and, 
in fact, at one time, questioned the legitimacy of some of their 
policies.

I continued because it burns me to see perfectly ethical and 
legitimate businesses put down for using third party merchant 
accounts rather than having their own.  Most iCop members use 
third party accounts for a variety of reasons - many, as Mani 
pointed out, because they don't live in the USA and have no other 
choice.

Others do CHOOSE this road, and the assumption that it means 
their "credit is in the toilet" is ludicrous.  The assumption 
that they are somehow second class businesses because they work 
from home is beyond ludicrous.  AND, the idea that only BIG 
business (Exxon and Worldcom maybe?) can be trusted is just plain 
asinine.

I'll concede there are ways to avoid the problems shown in the 
articles regarding credit card fraud and what it can do to your 
merchant account.  However, spending the time to do all that 
isn't cost effective.  Time is money.  Why take time away from 
marketing when, for less money in fees, someone else will do it 
for you?  Doesn't compute to common sense to me.

Although, as Dawn said, 54% of all businesses in the USA are 
home-based, I'd venture to guess that over 90% of iCop members 
are home-based.  I simply can't stand by and see people who are 
ethical, hard working and do NOT practice deceit to make 
themselves look like what they're not, trashed because of a 
stupid prejudice.

This is the 21st century.  Internet business has created new ways 
of DOING business.  Those old prejudices need to be left in the 
past, where they belong.

And, by the way, some really great software (which is what 
started this conversation) is made outside this country, and by 
people who can't have their own merchant accounts.

jl

jl scott, ph.d., Director of iCop

         International Council of Online Professionals
        iCop:  The Seal of Integrity in Online Business
           1002 Pine Lake Drive  Pineville, LA 71360
            318-445-9931  ***  http://www.i-Cop.org


Jay Chandler wrote:

> At 03:32 PM 1/20/2005, you wrote:
>
> > Well, I can't resist this ...  What did inventing "a half dozen fake 
> > employees to send email through" do to YOUR credibility? Does having a 
> > merchant account improve that deception?
>
>
>
> Provided your customers don't know the difference, it bolsters it.  
> Smoke and mirrors--- it ends up giving you the APPEARANCE of being 
> substantially larger, and as I've said before, credibility is entirely 
> in the eye of the consumer.  Meet your obligations, don't disappoint the 
> customer, and they'll be ecstatic, and never the wiser.
>
> > "... merchant accounts are easy to get provided your credit's not in 
> > the toilet," is a statement wholly uncalled for, as well as 
> > incorrect.  Many folks whose credit is NOT "in the toilet" CHOOSE to 
> > use third-party merchant accounts - and there are good reasons why.
>
>
> Yes, but they CHOOSE to, they're not forced into it.  The exception is 
> largely industries where chargebacks occur with higher frequencies.
>
> > Here's some information on why NOT to have your own merchant account:
> > http://www.i-Cop.org/articles/merchant-accounts.htm
>
>
> This article raises a few points--
>
> 1. The account freezing is simple enough if you link it with an 
> auxillary account as opposed to the primary.  "All the eggs in one 
> basket" so to speak.
>
> 2. People scripting random numbers can be prevented with a rate limiting 
> script on the shopping cart app, and after a certain threshold is 
> reached that IP is blacklisted from further submisisons.
>
> There are ways around everything.
>
>
> > And, if you don't believe it, read Rick Beneteau's article at:
> > http://www.i-Cop.org/articles/ccfraud.htm
>
>
> Closer monitoring in this example would have saved a lot of 
> time/effort/money for the author.  I find that people, by and large, are 
> malevolent animals when they want to be.  "Trust but verify," 
> particularly where money is concerned...





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