How do you implement a web-based direct deposit/eCheck payment system?

Question

I'm trying to develop a site that will allow users to pay for services with eChecks that other users are offering.

The purchaser would pay money that would go into my account via direct deposit. The service provider could later withdraw money up to the amount they accumulated to their bank account.

Every time I ask payment gateway providers about this, they act like I'm speaking in a foreign language. Paypal told me that their API doesn't allow direct deposits or eChecks.

What sort of merchant account / gateway combination do I need to do this? Can you direct me to any specific companies? I use Python/Django to develop applications, do you know of any libraries that might assist me with this endeavor?

Answer 1

I'm certain that you would not be able to do facilitated ACH/EFT transfers directly from one user's account to another user's account. However, as long as there's a third party in between the two users, this should be possible. But I'm assuming you'd want to do that anyways, so that you can get paid. The trick is finding a provider that will do both withdrawals and deposits, since most providers only give you withdrawals. I'd recommend at least talking to BrainTree; they're by far my favorite payment provider. If they don't work out though, you might try Alliance, however, I've never used them, so take that recommendation with a grain of salt.