Choosing the right payment processor for your store

One of the first (and most important) steps in setting up your online parts business is deciding how you’ll accept payments from customers. This means choosing a payment processor—the system that safely handles credit card transactions and deposits funds into your dealership’s bank account.

SimplePart integrates with several trusted providers that make online payment collection secure and efficient.

💡 Tip: Your dealership’s business office or finance team will be your best resource for this step. They likely already have information about your current merchant processor, tax ID, and banking details, which will make setup much faster.

Summary: Quick decision guide

Situation	Best Option	Why
No existing payment processor	Stripe or PayPal	Easy setup, handles everything end-to-end
Already have merchant services	Authorize.net	Reuses existing processor and rates
Already using CenPOS	CenPOS	Seamless integration
Need PayPal checkout	PayPal	Accepts both PayPal and cards

Step 1: Understand your starting point

Before choosing a payment processor, check with your dealership:

• Do you already have a payment processor?
  If yes, find out who your provider is (for example, Authorize.net, CenPOS, or another merchant account).

• If not, you’ll need to select one of SimplePart’s integrated options—PayPal or Stripe—both of which handle everything from transaction collection to fund transfers.

Our Implementation team can help you review your options and guide you through setup.

Step 2: Compare your payment processing options

SimplePart integrates with several payment providers to suit different business needs. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which is right for your dealership.

PayPal Payments Pro

Best for: Dealers who want a simple, all-in-one payment solution that accepts both PayPal and credit cards.

Features:

• Accepts both PayPal and major credit card payments

• Batch multiple transactions together

• Deposits all funds into one account

• Easy to set up and use

What you’ll need:

• Tax ID

• Monthly sales estimate

• Credit card for account setup

• Bank account and routing numbers for deposits

• (If business < 3 years old) Date of birth and Social Insurance Number

Cost:

• No monthly fee

• 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (3.5% for American Express)

• Tiered fees are available after 90 days

Pros:
✅ Quick to set up and easy to manage
✅ Accepts both PayPal and card payments
✅ No monthly fee

Cons:
❌ Slightly higher fees for Amex
❌ Funds take a short delay to transfer

Authorize.net

Best for: Dealers who already have a merchant account and want to use their existing in-store processing system.

Features:

• Connects directly to your dealership’s existing merchant services

• Uses your current in-store credit card rates

• Stable and familiar setup for finance offices

What you’ll need:

• Tax ID

• Business type

• Bank account and routing numbers for deposits

• Merchant account ID and terminal ID

• Current payment processor information

Cost:

• $10 per month

  • $0.10 per day

  • $0.10 per transaction

Pros:
✅ Integrates with existing merchant services
✅ Consistent rates with your front counter
✅ Ideal if you already have a merchant provider

Cons:
❌ Requires more setup information
❌ Has monthly and per-transaction fees

Stripe

Best for: Dealers new to eCommerce who want a modern, low-maintenance processor.

Features:

• Built-in 3D Secure for fraud prevention

• Automatically updates expired or renewed credit cards

• Batch transactions together

• No setup or monthly fees

What you’ll need:

• EIN or SSN

• Date of birth

• Bank account and routing numbers for deposits

Cost:

• 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Pros:
✅ No monthly fee
✅ Simple to set up and manage
✅ Great fraud protection

Cons:
❌ Slightly higher fees than in-house merchant processors
❌ Customer support is handled primarily online

CenPOS

Best for: Dealers already using CenPOS at their dealership.

If your dealership currently uses CenPOS for in-store transactions, it can also be integrated with your SimplePart website. Contact the Implementation team to confirm compatibility.

Step 3: Get help choosing and setting up your processor

If you’re not sure which option fits best—or whether your dealership already has one in place—our Implementation team is here to help.

They can:

• Review your dealership’s current setup

• Recommend the best payment processor for your needs

• Guide you through setup and testing before your site goes live

📧 Contact: [e-mail]

Need help?

Our in-house Client Services team is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST to help you with any questions or issues. You can reach us in the following ways:

👉 Submit a request through this support form

📞 Call us at 1 [phone]

📧 Email us at [e-mail]

We’re ready to help you get the most out of your SimplePart experience!