Recently I posed the following question to a group of Internet users:
In terms of numbers, with '0' being the lowest and '4' being
the highest, how would you rate your preference towards making an
on-line purchase using a credit card at a 'secure' website?
Graph of Results to Date (10-7-2000)
Here are the answers I received:
As a customer, I have been very lucky with using cc's online. It may be that for the most part I have only delt with (smaller) specialty companies. I have no problems with how you do yours! You have a great business! I would give it a 4+.
Now, I can imagine, there may be reasons for you as a businessman to need to change. I like the "secure" options far better than the "PayPal" type. I have used "PayPal." It does work. However, eventualy to continue as a "PayPal" customer, they request access NOT only to your credit card, but your BANK account. As I really do not know these people, I have refused to continue with that system. There may be NO problems. I just am uncomfortable with the idea. I know I have some credit protection with my card, but my bank account?!?
One gentleman from Oklahoma simply and plainly writes: "4"
While another boldly writes: My rating is a " 0 " ....
"4."
Especially for small (less than $50) purchases, it is a hassle for me to pay by check or similar, since I spend time on the internet at home, but we handle payments from another location. The only exceptions are big-ticket items where funds are drawn on a special account, or from other sources.Response: 4
I make a substantial number of purchases via the web. Credit card companies are making it easier and easier to do this and go far are assuming most if not all of the risk. Being in the software and internet investment business, I view that risk as ever decreasing and currently at a reasonable level.
4+
I like purchasing over the net. When a site requires a phone call for orders, I find it an inconvenience. I call on the phone when specific information is not available on their site.
Although a secure site is a must.
One person just wrote '0' and nothing else.
Rate: 4 I find online purchases w/ credit card at secured site most convenient.
(4) at a secure site . If not positive about the site I send the c/c/ numbers etc. in pieces in different e-mails, usually disguised as Roll Numbers. (This has been prearranged of course )
Besides Music Sites I have often sent c/c info to secure sites with no problems for years.I'd have no problem using a credit card at a secure site, therefore I give it a 4. Online paranoia seems greater than it should be, fueled, I suppose, by media reports about sites and software gathering personal information via cookies, etc.
Bottom line - I would put my card number down for any purchase on the internet. It's fast, and efficient, and beats hell out of dealing with all foreign currency transactions done with cheques etc.
(I guess that's a '4') :-)I have only once used a credit card on-line, and that because there was no other option available. My preference is credit card by phone.
(So I asked for a 'numeric opinion')
Good question. Maybe a 2.I don't know if I'd repeat it or not in the same situation. These days it's not the security of the transaction that's in question so much as the security of the servers and the business practices of the service provider.
I guess that I would have to go with "0". I don't have a good reason. I like to hold my orders with a partial credit card number and then call on their 800 number and give the rest of the number for my own piece of mind. We've always done it that way and it's really no extra bother.
Definitely a 4!
I have been ordering on line for some time now, and to date have had no problems. I think it encourages people to buy things more because it is so easy. You don't have to write checks and address envelopes.
I would prefer to order by phone after viewing online information etc. The credit card information is more secure via the telephone. LET'S GIVE IT A "0-1" or a zero if that is easier!
4: I use credit card on the Internet all the time.
My survey response would be "3"
3-generally very good results
I use the net a lot for purchase of software [shareware] and expect and will only use a secure server. Yup! 4 it is.
I'd give the idea of you accepting credit cards for purchases from you web site a resounding "4." It's so much quicker, so much less hassle, and It make impulse buying possible from your web site. For each and every one of those reasons, it should increase your sales. I know that I've put off buying a number of things for various people on the Internet because I didn't have time to put a letter together, check the bank balance & write a check, and get it mailed off right them. It would have to wait "until I got around to it" and sometimes, I never got around to it.
No problem, as it is at least as secure as an ATM, which I frequently use. My response: 4.
I don't trust the internet, secure or not, so I always phone in my # even buying over the web....... my vote: 0
4.
I've done a lot of online ordering using credit cards. I have never had a problem with this IF the business is legitimate and customer service oriented. Validating the business's legitimacy is the most difficult. I've hesitated on orders from e-businesses that look shady -- appear to hide their location, phone number, ownership, etc. In terms of credit card fraud, I've had more problems with fraud from the kid at K-Mart!
-0-
With the suppliers I deal with I use a fax or phone if they do not have fax. I do the order on my computer but leave the credit card number blank. I then print the order out and write the credit card number in by hand. I am probably over cautious but this way if someone should get into my computer my credit card numbers are not there. I am probably not of the computer generation.
I use Credit Cards for buying on the net as long as it is a 'secure' transaction....I have never had any trouble. With a "secure" site I rate it a "4"
In response to your query on MMD about using a credit card over the internet...........
I have used my credit card a number of times and had no problems.
I would not be adverse to doing it again."4"
I use credit cards on the internet frequently. My preferred method of payment, however, is PayPal which is more secure and "blind". This is what I use whenever possible when I buy things on ebay.
Call it a 4. If the site isn't secure, 99.9% of the time, they won't get my business.
I did have a problem 'once' but caught it in time! Now I prescreen all my online sites 'first' at...badecommerce.com/ Then, if they are currently secure, I will have confidence to order and pay online: which is something I do frequently.
Soooo, I guess that deserves a "4"
I regularly use a credit card to purchase items from the internet. I do not, however, accept them in the conduct of my business. If 4 was to indicate regular use, then yes, I'm a 4.
Count me FOR ('4') e-business using credit cards.
John, in response to your survey, I prefer not to give out my cc # to anyone on line no matter how "secure" at this time. I do however have little reservation doing business by phone with vendors I trust. (I guess that's a '0') Yup!
'A big fat '0'. If the website doesn't offer a cash/check payment option, they don't get my business.
'4'
As a whole I rate paying on the internet as a '2'. My own credit card company called me to tell me of fraudulent charges on my card. I had always used a secure site but you need to trust the site. If you have never dealt with the people, don't give them your card number. I have had better luck with PayPal.
NO... I do not have, nor want any credit cards, and if I did have them, I would never use them online. ( Too old fashioned for my own good perhaps ? )
[Sounds like a '0' to me.]
As someone who works with and in e-commerce, I give it a '4'. For those responding about a telephone vs. secure servers, please note: Over the telephone, *ANYONE* can wire tap, and easily listen in on your conversation. They don't even have to 'wire tap'. If someone's nearby the receiver, or on a speakerphone, well, that's speaks for itself. Over the 'net, even in an UNSECURE server, data is still not readily understandable by a human - You can't pick up a receiver and listen in on an internet transaction. Aside from that, when you call in your CC info - where do you think it goes? Onto the server for processing. As far as server security is concerned, unless the company STORES credit card information (i.e. Amazon.com, BN.com) with your account information, then even if a hacker breaks in, all they're going to get is your address, at worst. Last point, most of your credit-card companies are online, and provide online access to your accounts! Who cares about the other people, when all your essential account information (billing address, card number, SECURITY number (the extra three digits on your card), expiration date, etc) are at your bank company's site! Just tidbits for everyone to think about...I have no problem with making on-line purchases with a credit card at a secure site, so I suppose I would vote "4".
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