>>>Does anyone know of anything out there that just does credit card validation and not the whole shopping cart deal?
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>>Basically each gateway provider has their own interface. I assume you're talking about the Web store - I've jsut wrapped several interfaces (PayFlow, AccessPoint and Linkpoint) which is all done via Fox code. It's not difficult and you'll have to do that on your own. Payflow from Verisign is an ActiveX control that takes about 10-15 lines of code to perform auth...
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>>+++ Rick ---
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>Being new to credit card processing...can you use any of the above services to authorize your charges, or do you have to use the a service that your merchant account requires, i.e., is there flexiblity?
>
>I was at Linkpoint's web site yesterday and they advertize a $95 COM object you can use to do the authorizations and Address verification, etc. I just want to get started, but don't want to waste my time purchasing any software that I won't be able to use.

Try this URL:
http://www.west-wind.com/webconnection/MerchantProviders.asp

This is dated but should give you an idea. It costs money to process credit cards plain and simple and everybody in the pie wants their money. Some providers like Linkpoint handle both your merchant account as well as the gateway. Others provide only the gateway or allow you use a different backend. AccessPoint works with different providers or their own internal merchant services. Usually internal is more expensive to sign up although it can be easier and cleaner (you get one bill instead of two). Payflow (Verisign) uses external providers (like Nova etc.)...

It sucks and all of these business are horrible in terms of support, tools and customer service.


+++ Rick ---