Power Sellers Unite

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 16923 Location: Texas

Web brokers Google and PayPal don't believe in human-to-human communication, and one place where you really need that is when you're troubleshooting financial transactions. An interface designer/developer who used Google Checkout to sell an ebook has just been given a huge serving of suck by the "don't be evil" company—they closed her account on her without warning and refuse to tell her why the closed it. The $200 in earnings that hadn't been paid out yet are unretrievable, and she can't open a new one.

The simple truth is, online transaction brokers aren't held accountable to the same rules as banks, and resolving fraud and billing issues doesn't appear to be scalable, or machine-solvable, to the degree Google and eBay would like. I'm as guilty as anyone of using both PayPal and Google Checkout to quickly pay for online transactions, but as of today I'm turning my back on both. Until they agree to staff resolution centers with real people who can resolve issues, there's zero reason to trust them.

more.. link to news article

diesel_parts · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 723

I still use paypal on my websites. Haven't found a better option. Most of my sales are cash or checks so I don't have enough credit card business to afford a merchant account.

I never could get google to work so I just forgot about them.

Still hoping a good payment system will come along.

Samuel · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 10

I don't have any experience with Google checkout, but I have used Paypal for several years and have had no problem with them. You just have to be careful about getting spoof emails saying things like your account has been frozen or your account needs to be updated click on this link or something like that. I get those all the time and they look legit, but they are not. Paypal doesn't do things like that.
My advice is if you are unsure, don't do it, better safe than sorry.

--------------------------------------------------
cheap web hosting

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4782

Samuel,

When you get an email from that appears to be from Paypal, put your cursor on the link and look in the lower left corner of your browser. The actual site address that the link is for will show there.

Or do what I do...

Simply forward it to spoof@paypal.com and let them worry about it.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4782

Personally, I've never had a problem with Paypal.

As a seller, it provides me with a simple way to collect online payments. I do have a Merchant Account, but most buyers seem to prefer the security of Paypal.

As a buyer, I do enjoy knowing that if I don't get my item, I don't have to take the seller to court. I can just file the proper complaint and get my money back.

dlrane · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 2406

I have never had a problem with off-feebay PP. I got ripped off while on feebay, but never since I left the site. No holds, chargebacks or other frauds since then.

GCO has been great since I signed up about 6 months ago.

sglewis · Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 35

I agree with Elgato. I like using merchant account services better than paypal or Google Checkout but we have to use them. Why? because people trust them. They are setup to provide security for the buyer, not necessarily for the seller. They are also easy to setup. A lot easier than many merchant places.

MY IT business uses our merchant account exclusively. I like the reolution process because it is more personable. I can't get a hold of anyone at Google and PayPal makes it really, really hard. If I could I would not use them to accept online fee payments but I fear that I would alienate a huge customer base.

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

I've never had any issues with Paypal either (knocking on wood...I know others have). They've locked up my account one time, but justifiable so - I had a bad scammer that had paid me with 'absconded funds'...

I have stepped away from Google Checkout as they do NOT refund their 'fee' if you send a refund.

I had an inventory mis-cue, and had to send a full refund to a buyer on an item. Well - the refund was not 100% whole as GCO decided to keep the base fee.

That business model doesn't work well for me - it just rubbed me the wrong way and I walked away... :lol: :lol:

xppman · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 1145

Me thinks GCO missed the boat.

I think they used the tech. geeks to run the marketing side
and missed a BIG opportunity to get market share.

They sure don't make it too easy to use the cart and
that's just bad on their part.

I also don't like how people (buyers) have to sign up to use it
or that I can't apply a discount across the board
from my GCO account.
(You have to hard code a discount on every darn cart button, from what I understand)...

Stupid stupid stupid.

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

True - so very, very true that they missed a huge opportunity. A shame too - I expected much more from them...

xppman · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 1145

Yep, me too Boys.
I'm very disappointed in them. :-(

imageposters · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 18

Dont care for them. I tried them once and was not happy with their policies..I went back and tried again.......still unhappy with their business practices. Will never try again. I dont care for paypal either but am still using them until the other online selling venues i use have incorporated a merchant account payment system. I have a merchant account but so far I cannot set up for payments in bonanzle, atomic mall or ioffer.

The*elite · Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 189

When Google 1st opened the doors of GC (yep, I was one of the 1st ones on the boat) Then they had it set up so you could ask questions about the new GC and someone would respond, from the forum GC expert worker or something. The question had received so much attention by other users, it became pages and pages..hmm, not sure what ever happened to it.

My questions was (something like this) I noticed you do not have a direct contact number. If I am trusting you with thousands of dollars of my money (I can only dream) I would really like to be able to speak to someone if a situation comes about. Why would I allow a company to handle transactions for me when I am only able to email them? What if, my account got hacked, what if one of my customers had problems paying and needed to speak to someone (true story, customer had to call me via telephone and we couldn't get GC to work so I had to send her to PP) I went on to say, Google is a very large company, I would think they would invest a few bucks into a 1800# I did mention PP does have a 1800#

I also mentioned that is the biggest thing with dealing with large companies on the internet, lack of communication. I told them I was reluctant to open an account with them because of that issue.

Well, I fell back on my word and a year later, I opened an account. Hey, it was free :oops: I've had over a dozen transactions and no problems to date, (o yeah, 1) but I have heard some horror stories.

The thread had grown tremendous, many many people agreeing. This was a couple of years back, guess they decided not to go with the number. :shock:

Just thought I'd share! :wink:

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4782

A couple of quick notes about GCO, based on their User Agreement.

The seller MUST ship the item, within 24 hours of receipt of payment, or GCO will refund the buyer.

The seller MUST notify GCO of the tracking number on the package within 24 hours, or GCO will refund the buyer.

GCO does NOT accept Delivery Confirmation as proof of delivery, since it does not show the buyer's street address. When using USPS, they require Signature Confirmation.

In the event that you (the seller) need to refund a buyer's payment, they (GCO) will keep the transaction fee for the payment, so that will come out of your pocket.

Bottom line...if you plan on using or are using GCO, the wisest course is to open a new checking account with a minimal amount of money deposited in it, and give GCO this account. That way, the majority of your money remains safe.

purple_reading_giraffe · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 5485 Location: Indiana, USA

Google Checkout Terms of Service - Seller

Google Checkout Policies for Sellers less legalese and addresses specific "complaints" raised by DaLizardsLair.