Problem is clients are reluctant to change processors. New stores are fairly easy, they just go with my recommendation but existing stores are usually convinced they have negotiated the "best deal". For most of those I am stuck with PC Charge. PC Charge has an upfront cost of about $500 for each merchant (software purchase) so sometimes I can use that as a lever to move to X-Charge.

Since I found X-Charge, I have'nt kept up the search for other solutions but the pressure should really be on PC Charge to provide an insulating solution. Perhaps thay have but I am not aware of it.

>Merchants who take Visa are classified as level 1, 2, 3, or 4. Level 1 merchants are the Wal-Marts and Targets of the world, with very large transaction volumes. The PCI requirements for them are stringent. Level 4 merchants are so-called "mom and pops." The requirements are much less stringent. What most of them do is sign up with a credit card processor. The processor charges relatively small fees and they are the ones who have to comply with PCI, not the merchant.
>
>UPDATE: Sounds like X-Charge is your processor. You have no worries. As you say, if you don't store credit card data there is no way you can let it get into the wrong hands.
>
>>Hi Carsten,
>>
>>PCI Compliance is scary, especially for small shops. I too am a single developer shop. I have a POS system that is in use by about 50 locatons in Connecticut.
>>
>>When I first got wind of PCI Compliance stuff, I checked and found that an audit of the software was required and the cost of the audit was $30,000. Forget it!! Perhaps that has changed but....
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>>And I think it would be impossible for small shops to pass because of requirements for version control, quality control etc etc.
>>
>>I currently support PC Charge, X-Charge and Mercury. I really LIKE X-Charge because I am totally insulated from the PCI stuff. Basically I never see the Credit Card data so there is no way I can store it. I simply pass a parameter (amount) to the X-Charge control and X-Charge takes it form there and tells me the result.
>>
>>On top of that, X-Charge support is top notch. Installation is a breeze. You set up a date and time, X-Charge calls you, logs into the cash register and does everything. You just make sure the internet connection is good.
>>
>>And if that is not enough, I get a nice commission check every month from X-Charge.
>>
>>The last time I spoke to the Mercury rep, she told me thet are planning a similar developer interface but I have not seen it yet.
>>
>>I would be very interested to hear what you have discovered on this topic.
>>
>>Ken
>>
>>(860) 280-6871
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>Hi all -
>>>
>>>Just wondering what everyone is using to get PA-DSS compliance for credit card processing. What companies are you using for assessments, anything best to look for when choosing? We are a small shop (1 developer) and are trying to figure out the best way to go here.
>>>
>>>Is anyone using payment processors such as https://www.x-charge.com/ to deal with PA-DSS? Is it working for you?
>>>
>>>Any insights would be appreciated!