Q: I sell MTG cards and other related products but am not an LGS owner. Can I still build my website with ShopMate?

A: Yes, you can build your own e-commerce shop with ShopMate whether you are an LGS owner or not.

Q: What are the items I can sell with ShopMate?

A: With our integrated MTG database, easily sell MTG singles, sealed products, accessories and other hobby items! You're also free to sell other TCG products!

Q: Which ShopMate subscription plan is best for my business?

A: It all depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. For more information, please check out our comparison table (link to table).

• We recommend ShopMate Lite to small businesses and those who have just started their MTG/TCG business

• We recommend ShopMate Core to businesses that are looking to have additional features such as decklist search and promo code creation

• We recommend ShopMate Plus to businesses that are looking for more advanced customization and automation features

Q: I currently have a website and would like to switch to ShopMate. Can I still use my existing domain name?

A: Yes, you can still use your existing domain name as you switch to ShopMate. Rest assured that we will guide you throughout the migration process.

Q: I have an existing website that runs on Wordpress, WooCommerce, or another similar platform that allows me to make changes on the customer interface / frontend design of the website and would prefer using it. Can I still use it and only use ShopMate for its inventory management and order management features?

A: No. ShopMate is an end-to-end e-commerce platform that is built-in with content management, inventory management, and order processing systems. Its features include, but are not limited to:

• Changing the content and look of your website via banners, fonts, and color schemes

• Publishing articles

• Uploading and updating your inventory and;

• Managing customer orders

ShopMate comes with the aforementioned features bundled together and the option to only subscribe to a specific component is unavailable currently. We encourage our customers to maximize its built-in functions and features.

Q: I have an online store on Shopee and/or Lazada. Can I subscribe to ShopMate’s auto price update feature and use it to update the prices of my cards on Shopee and/or Lazada?

A: No. Online marketplaces such as Shopee and Lazada do not allow 3rd party integration for the purposes of updating inventory count and prices.

Q: How many cards and products can I upload and sell with ShopMate?

A: You can upload and sell as many items as you like!

Q: Why use an integrated payment gateway when I can ask my customers to pay me directly via e-wallet?

A: While some shop owners may find convenience in having payments coursed through directly to their e-wallet or bank account
(Sample process: Customer pays the amount of PhpXXXX.XX to GCash number 0917-XXXXXXX then needs to send you their proof of payment via chat or email),
we also recognize that the customer experience can be a hassle. ShopMate helps maximize sales opportunities by ensuring a smooth and pleasant checkout flow for your customers with the use of an integrated payment gateway. Some of the advantages of this setup include:

Streamlined Checkout Process:
Upon checkout, customers can immediately pay for their order with their chosen payment method. No more copy-pasting of account numbers, no more requiring customers to send proof of payments, no hassle. Just straight out convenience for everyone.

Offer multiple ways to pay:
ShopMate lets you offer the following payment channels to your customers: GCash, Maya, ShopeePay, GrabPay, and Credit Card.

Enterprise-friendly:
If you run a business that manages substantial cash flow on a daily basis and deals with large orders or transactions, you would you want to set up business merchant accounts with the conventional e-wallet service providers available in the Philippines (e.g., GCash, Maya, etc.), which could be a complicated process from an application standpoint. With ShopMate, you will never have to go through any complex and lengthy application process just to be able to accept payments effectively.

Security:
ShopMate provides a secure environment for processing customer payment information. Gateways encrypt data and adhere to strict security protocols and data privacy laws, reducing the risk of fraud for both you and your customers.

Q: Which payment gateway does ShopMate use?

A: ShopMate uses Xendit - one of the leading and trusted online payment gateways in Southeast Asia.

Q: How do I receive the payments made by my customers?

A: Your outstanding balance or “Payout” as we call it, is remitted to your endorsed bank or e-money account.

Q: When can I have my payout disbursed to my account?

A: We can schedule weekly or monthly payouts, depending on your need or preference. You will receive a disbursement receipt every time ShopMate issues a payout.

Q: How long does it take to receive a payout made with an e-wallet?

A: E-wallet payouts are generally much faster than credit card payouts. In most cases, the clearing period takes just 2-3 business days.

Q: How long does it take to receive a payout made with a credit card?

A: Payout times for credit cards can vary, depending on the bank. Typically, it takes 5-7 calendar days for the transaction to be cleared. This is because the payout has to go through several authorization steps.

Q: Why is there a difference in payout times?

A: Credit card transactions involve multiple parties: the merchant, the payment processor, your issuing bank, and potentially even a third-party network like Visa or Mastercard. Each step adds a layer of verification and processing, leading to longer clearance times. E-wallet transactions, on the other hand, involve fewer intermediaries, allowing for a quicker transfer of funds.

Q: Are there any exceptions to these timelines?

A: Yes, there can be exceptions. Some factors that might influence payout times include:

• Weekends or holidays: If your payout is initiated on a weekend or a holiday, it might not be processed until the next business day.

• Force majeure or unforeseeable circumstances that affect operations.

Q: What is ShopMate's commission scheme?

A: The monthly subscription fee that we charge clients is used to cover our operational costs, particularly for continuous platform development and maintenance. Now, our commission scheme is different from what other e-commerce platforms implement, in the sense that we do not take a percentage from your sales; rather, we charge 6% commission on top of your sales – which is offsetted to the customers’ orders because we believe they also benefit from the seamless shopping experience that we offer them. (I.e. "Convenience Fee")

To illustrate, let’s take for example a card that is being sold on your website for PHP 100.00:

• With other platforms, when a card price is set at PHP 100.00, this value is treated as the published price that customers see on the website. When it comes to profit sharing, other platforms will take out 4.5% of the sale and you keep 95.5%. Meaning, PHP 4.50 goes to them, and PHP 95.50 goes to you.

• With ShopMate, when a card price is set at PHP 100.00, its value is increased by 6% and the published rate becomes PHP 106.00. When it comes to profit sharing, you keep 100% of the sales (PHP 100.00), and the PHP 6.00 will be shared by Xendit and MMPH. Take note that 4% (PHP 4.00) goes to the payment gateway, and the remaining 2% (PHP 2.00) goes to MMPH.

We are very transparent especially with finance-related subjects, as evidenced by how we handle transactions and also by how we developed our sales dashboard.

Q: What happens to unpaid orders?

A: You can set an expiration time for unpaid orders (Ex. 24 hours). Once expired, orders are automatically moved to your Cancelled Orders dashboard, and their respective item quantities are automatically returned to the pool. (Ex. The unpaid order contains two pieces of Lightning Bolt. Once the order expires, those two cards are returned to the pool and becomes ready to be purchased again).

Q: How often does card pricing update?

A: Card prices are being updated by batch, twice daily.

Q: Are card sets automatically updated as well?

A: Yes. You may actually find some spoiler cards already integrated into your site, but as soon as a new set comes out, its respective cards already become searchable and sellable.