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Taking payment for Subscriptions

Posted by lakeeffect on Monday June 16, 2008 @03:10PM
from the self-post dept.
We want to be able to offer paid subscription accounts on our site for advanced features. Any recommendations on what services to use to collect payments? On a quick overview Amazon seemed incredibly expensive while something like Google checkout didn't seem to offer recurring payments. What are the hidden gems you are using to facilitate these transfers?

Also, we are using Django.

( 16 comments | 12 points | on HN )
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by bprater on Monday June 16, 2008 @04:56PM (#219105)
Man, wouldn't it rock for Y!Hack to have a resource section?!
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by breily on Monday June 16, 2008 @08:58PM (#219272)
http://ask.searchyc.com/ http://www.gabrielweinberg.com/startupswiki/Ask_YC_Archive
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by azsromej on Monday June 16, 2008 @03:25PM (#219006)
I use PayPal and IPN to set up subscriptions. You can include a code in your link to indicate the frequency of payment. You can also provide links that allow a user to modify their subscription (eg, upgrade to the next plan). It's worked well so far.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by whyleyc on Monday June 16, 2008 @06:43PM (#219202)
+1 for PayPal and IPN, it's relatively easy to setup - no waiting around to get a merchant account etc. However we do have some reservations about abandonment rate through PayPal - a lot of users are put off by having to signup for an account with them if they are new to the service.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by rwebb on Monday June 16, 2008 @05:52PM (#219163)
these guys are great:

http://www.braintreepaymentsolutions.com/

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by shuleatt on Monday June 16, 2008 @04:44PM (#219094)
I would look into Aria Systems: http://www.ariasystems.com/product/billing They have an implementation fee but they have outstanding services
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by coglethorpe on Monday June 16, 2008 @03:20PM (#218998)
I used PayPal with it's Instant Payment Notifications for one time payments. It works ok for now.. I seem to recall something about recurring payments there. You might want to check their docs.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by ajbatac on Monday June 16, 2008 @03:38PM (#219021)
Advice: Once you find the page, bookmark it. It's really frustrating navigating around PayPal. You can get lost easily.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by coglethorpe on Monday June 16, 2008 @06:11PM (#219183)
That's good advice!
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by lanej0 on Monday June 16, 2008 @04:30PM (#219084)
I just found internetsecure.com when I was looking for the same. Best I've found so far.

Paypal makes me uneasy because they've already locked my account once "for suspected security reasons". If I'm running a business, I can't just have my payment processor arbitrarily lock my account without further explanation.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by spencerfry on Monday June 16, 2008 @04:15PM (#219061)
We use PayPal and Credit Cards (Visa, MC, Discover, and AmEx) through Chase Paymentech (http://www.chasepaymentech.com/). We don't support Google Checkout, because nobody uses it, but I do want to take a look at Amazon eventually.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by nazgulnarsil on Monday June 16, 2008 @06:31PM (#219191)
paypal is garbage, avoid them like the plague.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by j0ncc on Monday June 16, 2008 @08:58PM (#219271)
Some people might not like paypal but a vast majority of users will be hoping for this option (me for one). If you can add it as an option i'd recommend it.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by jraines on Monday June 16, 2008 @09:19PM (#219286)
Agreed. Installed user base and brand recognition aren't to be underestimated with a service to which people have to entrust their payment information.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Taking payment for Subscriptions by ra on Monday June 16, 2008 @06:40PM (#219198)
http://searchyc.com/payments
[ Parent | on HN ]