Merchant accounts are common nowadays. Everyone who trades online goes through some type of merchant processing process where either credit card payments, or some other form of digital currency is exchanged. Logically speaking your online payments turn your computer into a credit card terminal. 

While ecommerce makes  online merchant services possible,  the world of commerce has a much more romantic history than simply processing online orders and packaging the product or egoods that will be later sent to the client either through digital ebooks or by courier services. Sure, ecommerce is a bustling online merchant business method and sure the shipment of egoods or solid goods through well trusted and established parcel delivery businesses can have you purchasing items online, paying for them through some online payment service, and using the new product in matter of minutes, hours, or overnight but while shopping online is convenient it isn't very romantic. 

"Why would I want a camel ?"...you reply.

"Everyone wants something and I figure you don't yet have a camel and I can get you a camel at a reasonable price and have it delivered to you in no time."

"Really I don't want anything laddy...especially not a stinky old camel."

"Really let me tell you about my camel."

You see I worked in ecommerce through call centers for some time and I know how people can be convinced to buy just about anything if the script is presented just right. I no longer work in these places of trade that use telecommunication and the internet as their sales base since I am not very good at following scripts. I prefer to be spontaneous.

There is an Emerchant somewhere on the internet who has a camel for you. A real live one will cost you anywhere from 150 dollars upwards. They are useful but you need space. A large piece of country real estate with barns might be appropriate. If you are less inclined to be raising such a fine animal then my solution to you would be that a book on camels might get you interested in purchasing a property, which you can find through some online vendor, and to set up a hobby farm where you can raise your product. You will then have a land based business that you can promote on the internet. If your business doesn't grow according to your plan then you can simply donate your camels to some Kenyan family that is trying to survive through droughts.

You will be the envy of your friends and family for having the initiative to start an online business and for having the philanthropists heart of gold. Want a gold pendant adorned with a camel?

Once you receive your ebook ( which might be called "Arabian Caravans and Merchants of Trade" ) you might decide that just a print of a camel or a sculpture of one is more appropriate to your lifestyle. That's fine. Maybe you want a gold pendant adorned with a silver camel. Or maybe you need camel hair paint brushes to complete that project which you started after joining that online art class.

The internet is a path to the storefront of someone who can supply you with those items also.

Many of the modern merchants of trade operate their trading caravans on the internet through e commerce solution providers. It is part of the spirit of the time.

However the more romantic version of this commerce process can be seen in the real world of the past and in the spirit that drove the economy then.

The Arabian Caravans and merchants of trade is an ongoing story that you will enjoy reading....more coming soon.

Until next time. My caravan is moving on.