Find an alternative before choosing this service
Written: Apr 05 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: a secure method of payment
Cons: not user-friendly, complicated set-up process and pretty bad customer service
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for a credit card payment solution for your Internet needs, search for something else before choosing Authorize.net.
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| wgrubbs's Full Review: Authorize.net |
I've been in the Internet business for over 4 years now. Most of my work has been design and development of web sites. I work a lot with scripting languages like JavaScript, PHP and databases like MySQL.
Recently, I set up my first e-commerce site for a client using Authorize.net for the credit card validation.
My client was already signed onto the service and I had not prior experience with them, so I gave it a shot.
At first, I was amazed at the complexity of setting up your checkout section to point to the Authorize.net server and the poorly built admin section of Authorize.net where even I had some trouble getting around (I've been building databases and administrative user interface for some time now).
Finally, I managed to set up all the components for Authorize.net's requirements. I tested it with success. I was temporarily relieved that I had this project nearly complete. So I activated the site only to see that the authorize.net server times-out (shuts down) every time I submit credit card information so that I have to resubmit 3 to 4 times for the transaction to go through. This is absolutely unacceptable.
I emailed Authorize.net politely asking for an explanation. Here's the first paragraph of the email I received back:
"Hello,
This is not an AuthorizeNet error. If you submit a test transaction through the Virtual Terminal, you will not receive this error. Only through your website, which is obviously not set up correctly. Looks like your website is possibly timing out and/or is interpreting our responses incorrectly. Please contact whoever set up your website and notify them that it is not working properly."
I consider myself a very objective person. Though I thought this was a pretty rude way to respond to a customer, I took it into consideration.. re-read their developer manual and re-check all the coding again to make sure everything was in place. It definitely was... at least according to their lengthy manual (59 pages long).
So I custom wrote an error message, asking shoppers to please resubmit their order until the transaction takes place. This was a temporary solution until I find out more specificially what the problem is and look for alternatives.
This morning, I checked up on it and now Authorize.net does not work at all. There's no error message, it just says "Page not found".. meaning that the Authorize.net server is probably shut down. What kind of service does this? I have not changed the code since the other day when it was timing out.
And let's take into account that I am doing something wrong (I've built over 50 websites for companies in 5 countries and am even certified in several mark-up and program languages).. where is the service to help this?
I dug around the Net for a while today, and discovered that there are many people dissatisfied with their service. All I can say is that I am not at all impressed. Their usability is horrible and they charge way too much for what little they offer (you are billed monthly whether you like it or not AND a percentage is taken from your sales).
Anyway. If you are looking for a credit card payment solution for your Internet needs, search for something else, preferably a service that is free to sign up with, before choosing Authorize.net.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
wgrubbs
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Member: Wesley Grubbs
Location: Wisconsin
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 2 members
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