Using Authorize.net AND Shopify Payments???

[DKalenty]

Hi.  I'm hoping you can help me ;  I tried Shopify Chat and they didn't understand my question.  I am in the process of moving from a custom site to Shopify (not active yet; programmer are working on it).

Can I use Authorize.net as a gateway AND Shopify Payments as my 'merchant service provider'? 

It is my understanding that I can SKIP AuthNet and use only Shopify payments (as both gateway and provider).  However, I NEED  a gateway b/c I sometimes have to bill customers outside the website.  I currently pay $15 per month to AuthNet---no % or transaction fee. 

Reason: I'm a quilt shop.  I sell 'block of the month' kits.   Customers buy/pay $25 registration (this is a purchase within website) and then I 'rebill' them for 10-12 months anywhere from $18-30 (depending on the project).   With my current custom website, I do this with Authorize.net.     If I use ONLY Shopify payments, I do not have this ability (as far as I can see).

Any information you can provide and how to set this up, is very much appreciated. 

Thank you!! 

Debbie Kalenty

email:  Sales@QuiltersObsession.com

[Skye]

Hi, @DKalenty 

Thanks for posting to the forums. I hope you're enjoying the transition to Shopify!

Unfortunately, you can't use two payment gateways at the same time. However, you can definitely achieve what you are looking for with Shopify Payments in one of two ways.

The first option is to manually bill your customers via draft orders. This will send an email invoice to your customers where they can pay online, or you can input their credit card details manually. 

The second option is to set up subscription payments! This is an automated process that many merchants use for subscription products and services. We have more information here on how to set this up.

In the meantime, as you're new to Shopify, make sure to utilize our launch checklist to ensure you have completed all necessary steps before launch day.

If you have any additional questions please let me know.

[DKalenty]

Thank you Skye! 

1) From what I've seen subscriptions is a separate app and EXPENSIVE (recharge is $500 per month).  I'm a very small store and only do a few of these per month (maybe 20?).   Is there a FREE or minimal subscription service? 

2) is there a way to SEE / make adjustments in Shopify Gateway?  I can SEE all payments and 'rebill' up to 90 days within Authorize.net.  If I can do this within Shopify Gateway, I'm 'golden'! 

3)  I don't want to have to send draft/or invoices each month.  My customers are used to signing up and payment for registration, and then automatically being billed each month after.

Thanks for your help!  Much appreciated! 

Debbie

Sales@QuiltersObsession.com

[DKalenty]

Oh...One more question please.

You said I can't have two gateways.   Can I NOT use Shopify Gateway and use Authorize.net gateway.

But still use Shopify Payments (just not gateway)....does that make sense?

[Skye]

Hi, @DKalenty 

I think I understand your question, however, I want to clarify to be sure.

Shopify is the e-commerce platform, however we also provide an optional payment gateway called Shopify Payments. You can definitely use Shopify without using Shopify Payments. This means you can use Authorize.net as your primary payment gateway.

However, you can only have one primary payment gateway at a time. This means you can't use Shopify Payments as well as Authorize.net.

Since the functionality you require is unavailable on Shopify Payments, your best route would be to continue using Authorize.net with your Shopify account. However, it's also important to keep in mind that as Authorize.net is a third-party gateway you will be paying a slightly higher processing fee depending on your plan as you are subject to transaction fees. You can find out more information here.

I hope that makes sense!

[DKalenty]

Thank you for that information; I understand the process better.

Question:
Is it possible to access the Shopify Gateway? I currently view and rebill customers for monthly subscriptions via my Authorize Net Gateway.

The current subscription apps won’t work for me because I charge an upfront registration fee and then monthly fees; and month 1 is a larger fee that needs to be charged immediately following registration.

So I do these charges manually through the gateway. If I have access to Shopify Gateway, my problem would be solved.

Thank you!

[Shay]

Hi @DKalenty, I am following up on Skye's behalf to help you with this. 

With Shopify as a platform and with Shopify Payments the gateway you do have access to your history of orders, total payout amounts and customer charges. 

If you would like to see what your order history and payout history would look like when using Shopify Payments the gateway, you can see examples of that in our Help Center here: Getting paid with Shopify Payments · Shopify Help Center. The embedded video shows what accessing and reviewing your payouts looks like. 

Let me know if that was what you were looking for.

[cwtreadwell]

@DKalenty , I just wanted to add that there's a difference between a "gateway" and a processor. You need both. Shopify payments, if I understand correctly, is only willing to be all or nothing. Auth net, on the other hand, can be both or just the gateway. 

So, an alternative not discussed here is that you could use Auth net as only the gateway, and then partner with a processor that integrates with Auth net. If the processor you chose uses cost plus pricing (as opposed to flat rates), then you should come out cheaper than you have today, and cheaper than Shopify Payments. This, of course, all depends on the particular mixture of card types and other payment situations you have going on, but usually this type of setup saves 20% or more on fees. In addition, the good independent processors give better customer support, same day payouts, and the option to have payouts be gross sales (which means you'd be billed the fees at the end of the month separately), or net sales with the fees already removed). Additionally, a good processor will refund the original processing fee if you have to refund a customer, and they will most definitely not charge another fee for issuing a refund (some people pay double fees, or nearly 6%, on sales that didn't occur in refund situations). If this is of interest, ping this thread again (not sure what the rules are for sharing contact info or a competing processor, etc.).

[Skye]

Hi, @cwtreadwell 

Thanks for joining the thread!

I just wanted to hop in as it's worth noting with Shopify, regardless of if you use Shopify Payments or Authorize.net your processor/gateway needs to be the same. We don't provide the option to separate these unless you have alternative payments such as Amazon Pay, Sofort, etc. 

Additionally, I do want to establish that all of the main gateways including Authorize.net, PayPal, Square and more do not refund the processing fees on refunds. That being said, you are more than welcome to provide merchants with gateways that do! We welcome you to provide any payment method you feel is a good fit for merchants!