Hi there,

I would recommend the payment bureau option as the producers do not have to get internet merchant accounts. They can get a payments bureau setup relatively easily. You should take a look at the new PayPal X API, this allows you to do chained payments. This would allow you to get your cut from the payment at the time the transaction is processed, so you would'nt have to be billing your clients. You'd receive your money at the same time as them.

Thanks, Dave

Hi All,

Congratulations on a great site, a very useful resource on a complex topic.

My query is quite specific so I will be as detailed as possible.

We are developing a site which will act as a social network for producers of homemade goods in Ireland. Each producer will have their own profile page with details of their business and their products. On the back of producers’ recommendations, we are now hoping to add an e-commerce element to the site so that we can facilitate secure online transactions between users and the producers. If possible we also hope to take a very small commission on these transactions. Our website does not wish to take any part in the transfer of ownership, just to act as a virtual market. The transaction will be solely between the user and the producer. Basically users contact the producer to order goods and the agreed price can be paid online. (rather than a shopping cart scenario as the goods are often customised).

Would the best option be to have one payment service provider (sagepay/realex) account and then have multiple sub-accounts for each producer? Would each producer have to incur the monthly fee with this option?

Although the holding of funds for 30 and 60 days on new accounts is quite unattractive, could a payments bureau provide a better solution?

Any advice or a nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated,

Ian.