[thelist] ecommerce: implementing back orders

[Kathy Long]

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do with back orders when a
merchant uses online payment processing?

  The problem is the credit card number isn't stored at the online
merchant admin so that when a backordered item arrives and is shipped,
the merchant can't charge the account for that amount unless he calls
the customer for his cc number.

I suppose the shopping cart can be written to encrypt and store the
credit card number, as well, so the vendor has it on hand from his
site, but that is not as secure. Or does someone know of a payment
processor that allows for backorders and allows the merchant to charge
partial orders as they are shipped within a certain time period? What
is the best way to handle this?

Thanks,
Kathy