Bye Bye iBill

[Greenguy]

I'm not one to scream "THE SKY IS FALLING!" but I did talk to one person last night that was helping their friend set up CCBill on their site, as they are removing iBill because of this.

I also got this from one of my sponsors:

To: blamo@concentric.net
Subject: Adult Cashier: CCBILL as primary billing
From: support@adultcashier.com

Hello, Webmaster

We recommend to our masters to put CCBILL as primary billing , until then will not be received explanations from iBill concerning the current problems.
You are able to do it here http://www.adultcashier.com/wm/wm.php?cmd=personal

If you were not registered yet in CCBiLL you can be registered here http://www.adultcashier.com/wm/wm.php?cmd=ccbillpayinfo

Thank you
Support

[Ramster]

The only ibill sponsor I use just switched over to ccbill too, I got the email. Thankfully I used an FPA for ALL the galleries I made promoting them and don't have to change anything other than that which I already did.

Too bad as I checked my ibill stats and that measly $200 was starting to grow. This month I was making a new sale more than every second day. Still not any real big money though thankfully.

[emmanuelle]

Originally posted by emmanuelle
Ibill will survive, although only by the skin of their teeth, and it will cost them a bundle to ensure client confidence.

They've received the injunction that they sought, and have a replacement bank now which will be in place Oct 15. The only real issue now is whether or not the injunction can force the former bank to remain in place throughout the transition.

It's unfortunate to watch anyone in this industry struggle. Nothing good will come to any of us through their demise, and they need our support more than ever....

My bad- Although they are still promising the world to their bigger clients, and I based my post on the information sent from internal higher-ups.....

[Ramster]

This ibill thing is getting worse. Looking at my checks received over the last month I have a few other (small check) sponsors using them too. I never really thought about it because I login to their admin to see stats.

I guess it's surprising plus all the others using them under MPA2 or NATS.

[stuveltje]

To: blamo@concentric.net
Subject: Adult Cashier: CCBILL as primary billing
From: support@adultcashier.com

Hello, Webmaster

We recommend to our masters to put CCBILL as primary billing , until then will not be received explanations from iBill concerning the current problems.
You are able to do it here http://www.adultcashier.com/wm/wm.php?cmd=personal

If you were not registered yet in CCBiLL you can be registered here http://www.adultcashier.com/wm/wm.php?cmd=ccbillpayinfo

Thank you

got the same email this morning and changed right away

[Altheon]

It's true if Ibill is to survive this incident they will need their old clients to stay otherwise they will face serious solvency issues as people migrate to the other processors.

The irony to that is that we are not being compensated for the increased risk. As a matter of fact our payments will be delayed thus effectively lengthening our accounts receivables i.e. reducing our effective ROI and in turn giving them a free loan.

I personally hope they pull through since I doubt any of us will get a cent of the money they owe if they go chapter 11.

[MrsHackula]

Here is what was recently posted on a certain other board, by Mark from Ibill:

"To squelch any rumors, distortions or innuendos that have been erroneously posted on these boards, we are making the following information available. iBill is pleased to announce that the company has entered into a new processing agreement with a domestic association-registered party. The new relationship involves processing transactions through a domestic acquirer and settlement bank.

More details to follow next week. We are very excited about some new opportunities that have risen from some tough challenges we have gone through. It has definitely been a September to remember. On that note, we have officially gone under Hurricane warning in our area so our office will be operating at minimal staff for the next few days. Rest assured we have a well tested business continuity plan at this point. Updates will be posted on CMI.

As far as payouts that have been affected by First Data, we expect to get back on track next week. We understand this is the most important priority for our clients.

Mark"

[DangerDave]

FYI - Allegedly IBill are not taking Visa transactions at the moment,...

In order to ensure proper compliance for our US sponsored merchants we will not be accepting Visa transactions until each U.S. sponsored merchant has completed their new iBill merchant agreement with our new domestic bank.

DD

[Tommy]

this is my own fault

I should have tossed them months ago

[Bunnyhop]

Originally posted by DangerDave
Not good;(


but interesting...

Nearly 78 percent of iBill’s revenues are from adult entertainment content. In 2003, iBill averaged 1.2 million transactions per month and completed approximately $330 million in gross transactions

Most "authorities" have always said that Adult biz only accounts for a small percentage of the billing companies business.... 78% aint small....

DD

I was thinking the exact same thing

[DMc]

Verotel - Putting trust in global payments since 1998.

[vicki]

Epoch and CCBill aren't the only other alternatives, heck if you have your own merc account we'll process you no problem ... if not we might be able to fix that too verrrrrry soon

[WildChyld]

Just posted on the ibill site for their new requirements for having visa or mastercard
******
Costs:
$1500 VISA high-risk merchant account fee - this fee is NOT required up front and your application will be reviewed for approval without payment of the fee. However, if approved, the fee will be required for processing to begin.
iBill fees will be fixed and will be based on the same rate you are currently paying.
Initial six-month reserve, reviewed quarterly for potential adjustment upward or downward (no more rolling reserve).

*****

Um what the fuck! I just paid these jerkoffs $350 to keep my account rolling for another year despite my best thoughts and now they're throwing this at us.
I tried calling and was given the brushoff.

Isn't it lovely how after 7 years with a company they act as if you owe them. Their statement doesn't give any indication about lower per transaction fees or any benefit. Its just pay us $1500, give us tons of very specific information about your business location, tax returns,etc and we'll consider keeping your business open for another year.

Working for the ACLU makes me extremeley weary of supplying them with some of the information listed in that form, even if I were willing to fork over $1500, which I'm not.

Since they're not providing the service that I paid $350 for the right to have Visa for this year, shouldn't I be entitled to that money back?

Anyone have any ideas on what I should do to respond to this?

-WildChyld

[Surfn]

WildChyld

It sounds like they changed the terms of your contract so you should be entitled to a refund.

[Tommy]

the contract looks like we will be appying for a merchant account

if we are getting our own merchant account why do we have to pay ibill 15%

this looks to me like a huge rip off

I am not sure weather to call epoch or ccbill monday

what do you guys think ?

[Jim]

Both Tommy
And get a cascading system.

[Tommy]

toms thumbs is a small site

5k a month, i dont think its worth having two processors

[vicki]

Yes they are having you apply for an independant merchant account, from what I understand they are no longer a IPSP (you can double check on that but I think thats the case).

The fees for applying for a high risk merc acct vary from bank to bank especially US based vs. Offshore.

Merchant accounts are not for everyone but they can be very beneficial to some. Here are a few things to consider when deciding if you should apply: (just remember numbers vary per bank):

*rates are APPROX 4.95% (US)+ and are determined on a case by case situation - offshore approx 6.9%+
*they want a nice transaction volume monthly (anywhere from 25k up) , the more volume the better you look to them.
*they'll want a few months of statements to back volume and chargeback numbers.
*of course they want to see low charge back ratios.

Any good processor will evaluate the information given on the forms before sending your application through to the merchant bank, this can save you any application fees that might apply (depending on the banks they use) if they think you wouldn't make the cut.

The good part is, if you qualify for your own merchant account you have much more control over charge back disputes etc, not to mention higher profit margins ... hmmm well I guess that last part would depend on the processor you work with, I'm not sure IBill plans to reduce their rates.

I hope that helps clear things up

WildChyld - yes I think they should refund if you JUST paid that fee and if you plan to pull your business from them.

[Tommy]

since you guys are looking to get in to the adult buisness very soon do you think gord would wanna set me up this week ?

[Jim]

Originally posted by Tommy
toms thumbs is a small site

5k a month, i dont think its worth having two processors

Move away from Ibill and you will see an increase. Cascading billing will not only bring in more signups but will protect you for when the next cc processor fails. You will make the extra expense back in a month or two.

[Jim]

But...if you just go with one, go with Epoch

[Greenguy]

Originally posted by Tommy
if we are getting our own merchant account why do we have to pay ibill 15% ?

Go to your bank & tell them you want to start processing adult transactions...then tell me when they stop laughing at you

(sorry, but it's my role to be the smart ass)

[vicki]

Tommy

I'm sure he'd be more than happy to work with you, I'll let him know for you.

GG,
Smart asses are my favorites .. lordy knows we don't need anymore dumbasses huh? lol

Jim,
I agree

[MrsHackula]

We are very interested in a cascading program. Are there any more affordable alternatives to NATS? Preferrably one with affiliate capabilities?

[Jim]

They aren't really cascading in literal terms. Back in the day, we had a true cascading system and it was really nice. We had 3 processors. We captured the prospective member's information and tried one cc processor. If they turned that person down, we tried the next. If that processor turned them down we went on to the next. If all 3 processors turned them down, we then offered alternatives.

You can't do that anymore. So, all today's cascading billing really does is rotate between processors. It is really easy to rotate a join page on your site between 2 processors. And, you don't need fancy software to do it.