You have a lot to learn about customer service.

The fundamental part of owning a business (be it online or brick and mortar) is the ability to actually do business with a customer. There are still companies who live in the dark ages and rely on your crappy service, and I wish they would grow a pair and get a real merchant account.

Companies that use PayPal as their only way of receiving revenue lose money everyday because many customers cannot process transactions (especially if you have to add a credit card).

In addition, many vendors have their PayPal accounts locked down and cannot access monies which they have legally earned! Most small businesses using PayPal need every cent to cover expenses. Imagine not being able to access your checking account for a week, and you’ll start getting the picture.

I’m not sure how many of your clients’ customers are in a B2B environment, but my guess that I’m not the only one. There is nothing more frustrating than going through a Web site’s entire conversion funnel, only to be denied purchase because your antiquated attempt at eCommerce has yet to catch up with the rest of the civilized world. It’s the equivalent of a 65-year-old being denied entry to a Rated R movie because he/she doesn’t have an I.D.

This week, your clients were denied $1,285 because an otherwise satisfied customer physically could not complete a transaction under your system.

My hope is that anyone who has a choice will vote with their feet.

If anyone has suggestions for small business, merchant account alternatives (other than PayPal), I’d appreciate your comments.