I have similar thread out there but I'm starting this new one because it seems like a separate topic.

I have an existing website http://www.theartisansgroup.com.  I don't think I can use any of the standard shopping carts because I don't upload the products.  Participating artists upload their own content and images using a listing service that I wrote.   Uploaded images get stored on my LP server and content goes into a MySQL DB. 

This scheme doesn't seem to be usable with any pre-existing shopping carts so I probably have to write my own.  Has anyone done this?  Where is the right place to start?   Any good books, advice, tutorials?  Better yet, is there some reason I haven't thought of why I shouldn't do this?

Thanks in advance.  -jheske

Did you need Paypal's Website Payments Pro?  Or did you just use their Standard Payments?

Were you happy with their service?

Thanks very much.

-jheske

Tim,

That's a great idea which I will definitely consider that right away for my in-person and phone sales.

I know it's a bit off topic, but I would love to hear your views on the security aspect.  My site will sell higher-priced items and I am concerned about fraud (who isn't).  Do you think Virtual Terminal gives you any added security?  Would it be a good idea to require a phone call for higher-priced sales, or would that just hurt business?

-Jill

I don't know that Virtual Terminal itself gives any added security vs. standard web orders.  It does do address and CVV checking (more than typical in store credit card machines do), so I think it's better than that.  I do like having a phone number though, I think I'd check any high price orders.  I already call and verify any orders that have a shipping address that differs from the billing address.  I don't think I've had anyone not order because the checkout asks for a phone number.  They could always enter a fake one, though I haven't noticed any that are obviously fake.

Sometimes when I order from a company they also ask for the phone number (800 number) on the back of the card.  I'm assuming you could call that number and verify the account as well though I've never tried it.

For large orders it may also be worthwile checking 411.com for the phone/address to see if it matches the order.  It's not always there with cell phone becomeing more common, but it doesn't hurt.

-Tim

-Tim