Ecommerce: Payments from USA

lquidfire

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Nov 16, 2017
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Hi all,

I run an eCommerce store (WooCommerce) and currently use payment gateways (i.a. SnapScan) to receive credit card / debit card payments.

This works for international customers as well.

However, I find that an annoyingly large number of USA based customers have difficulties making the credit card payment. I am guessing that it is a 3D-Secure thing, but cannot be sure. We sometimes loose the order, or have to divert to PayPal (an appallingly expensive system...).

Does anybody have similar issues? Do you receive payments via SnapScan, Payfast, e.a.? Are there alternatives? Is there any possibility of opening a US bank account so that USA based customers can do a local "eft"? Would this be a good option (not sure about tax implications etc)?

Occasionally, a USA based customer wants a refund (recently a parcel got lost by the courier and it was time-sensitive because of Christmas). Having a USA bank account could make that a lot easier.

Thank you for your input!
 
Have been using Paystack and Payfast for a while now without any issues for international peeps.
Refunds I usually work with Wise and explain there will be a bit of a wait 1-2 business days while I do the transfer to them. Wise give you a US bank account for your business if you'd prefer EFT's but I warn you that US Banking is usually a bit slower than ours so don't ship off your stuff after they say they've paid.
 
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Thank you for the reply.

For the refunds via Wise, do you have the option to pay via debit / credit card from ZA bank (I thought that you can't eft from ZA bank to Wise)? Goes directly to their bank account, or to their Wise / email address? How long does it take for a payment to reflect in the USA? Thanks for the tips, extremely helpful!
 
Thank you for the reply.

For the refunds via Wise, do you have the option to pay via debit / credit card from ZA bank (I thought that you can't eft from ZA bank to Wise)? Goes directly to their bank account, or to their Wise / email address? How long does it take for a payment to reflect in the USA? Thanks for the tips, extremely helpful!
Takes a day if the payment goes out before 11am SAST from SA Bank to Wise. You can use a CC but fee's are a pain ala $20.
Then another day from Wise to their USD bank account.

Alternatively consider Crypto.

Wise link : https://wise.com/
Wise link with Ref : https://wise.com/invite/dic/kamogelom2
 
Great stuff, thanks! Wasn't aware that you can wire money from ZA bank account. Is that on a personal or on a business account? Much appreciated!
 
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