Power Sellers Unite

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 17242 Location: Texas

Google announced it is extending its promotion for Google Checkout for another year. The checkout service, used by online merchants to process payments from customers, launched in June with lower fees than PayPal's payment service, as well as an incentive for those merchants using Google AdWords. In early November, Google announced that from November 8 through December 31, 2006, Google would process all Checkout transactions for free, and today, it extended the promotion through December 31, 2007.

ChannelAdvisor CEO Scot Wingo, whose company provides online merchants and eBay sellers with ecommerce and auction-management services, said of Google's promotion, "This is huge from a merchant's perspective as this essentially drops 2% into their pockets they can either, well, pocket or pump back into Google Adwords" (http://ebaystrategies.blogs.com/ebay_strategies/2006/12/google_checkout.html). However, eBay does not allow its sellers to request payment through Google Checkout. eBay owns PayPal, a competing online payment service.

There have been reports of some buyers and sellers experiencing problems with Google Checkout, however, as reported by Elise Ackerman of the Mercury News on November 28 (http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/local/16114729.htm).

more.. link to news article

knappschiles · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 4035 Location: Wi

I don't care what eBay says, I've been requsting payment thru GC by using the "invoice" for 3 weeks now. Almost all have paid, no questions asked.

This is huge, and actually I had suggested on the GC group about a week ago that maybe Google should extend the freebie until they get more of the bugs worked out. I never got an answer in the group, but it looks like at least someone read the post.

Yippie.

Carol

SistersTreasure · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 62 Location: Appleton, WI area

I would go with Google Checkout, but they want a Social Security number?

satisfaction.com · Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 84 Location: California

This is great news!

We expect have GC up and running at Satisfaction.com early next year. The lower fees will really help.

Kudos to GOOG. 8)

dreamweaver · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 103

I would like to sign up for Google check out but am not going to give them my SS#. If they would make another way of signing up I would love to.

Joyce

SistersTreasure · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 62 Location: Appleton, WI area

They take a tax ID #(I don't have one). This is what they say to sign up:
Before you start, you'll need:
The federal tax ID number (or a credit card and an authorized Social Security number) for your business.
A text-only version of your return, cancellation, and shipping policies.
A shopping cart on your business website to accept online orders (unless you're integrating via Buy Now buttons).

I am bummed :cry:
I don't sell that much and I don't want my SS# on any site....

Patty00 · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 1018

What's the purpose of the SS #??? I wouldn't give them one. I see no reason for them to have it.

lammergeiernet · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 1007 Location: Canada

I would be interested in Googlecheckout even without promotion rate lol

knappschiles · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 4035 Location: Wi

I believe the SS# has to do with the fact that they are making direct deposits to your bank account. It's possible that they need it for the bank, but more likely that at the end of the year they may send you a 1099 or something similar.

Yah, I know, something more that Uncle Sam will be able to track.

But I'd rather let GC have the SS# as be tied to PP.I've saved at least $10-15 in PP fees this month and I'm just a little seller. But that's still $10 in my pocket for now and not eBay's.

Carol

sinsations · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 16

I have had paypal ask for my ss# before, when I inquired as to why I was told they randomly select people who don't have it listed from time to time to verify identity. The merchant account I used to have (and all the others I looked at hwen shopping around) also required a social security number, which I can totally understand and for me, it does make me feel more secure that they would validate a seller's identitity in that way before they even are allowed to process a payment. I can certainly understand ne's reasoning for not wanting to give it, I just wanted to point out GC is not the only company that requires that. Though, I suspect it is for tax purposes more than anything.

When I logged into my ecrater account earlier today and saw it said 2007, I thought it was a mistake until I read a post on another board about it! lol

SistersTreasure · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 62 Location: Appleton, WI area

PayPal has never asked for my SS# and I have had them transfer money into my bank account.
Paypal doesn't randomely ask for SS#'s. Those are the knobs that try to steal identities with those emails and phone calls. Paypal will call you to verify your phone number but thats it.

I've been thinking about closing my Paypal account but that would leave me with accepting only Cashiers Checks or Money Orders. I don't like personnal checks as I'd have to wait for it to clear my bank then theirs before sending the item. AND a person can only pay so many fee's for bounced checks, that is why I don't take them.

Maybe I will dig into Google more to find out why they need a SS# and if they will be sending out 1099's (or something like that). That would be more paperwork I don't need.

diesel · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 145

lammergeiernet wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I would be interested in Googlecheckout even without promotion rate lol

Same here...especially if it had the same "wallet" and efficiency of moneybookers.com

cheers!

lammergeiernet · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 1007 Location: Canada

I've been thinking about closing my Paypal account but that would leave me with accepting only Cashiers Checks or Money Orders.

Wisconsin? Perhaps Certapay would be worth a try , if Canidian branches in USA carry it which I think they do or try crossborder.

Also there is Moneybookers and Xcoin

Xcoin was on OLA...then it jumped to Overstock ,I got it but not used it can't vouch for them.

Moneybookers is great

Also E-Gold and few other gold currencies

If have Canadian bank can try hyperwallet

There is merchant account system of AuctionCheckout

sinsations · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 16

Quote: › docWrite("quote")Paypal doesn't randomely ask for SS#'s. Those are the knobs that try to steal identities with those emails and phone calls. Paypal will call you to verify your phone number but thats it.
I'm afraid they will. This was not just some email or phone call, I logged into my paypal account and had a notice that they wanted my ss#. This was a couple eyars ago when I had to give it to them, but I quit clicking on links in emails from "paypal" a long time ago, and I have never had anyone call me saying they were from paypal, of course I don't answer if I don't know the phone number or it is an unknown number on the caller id! You can actually read through their help section and there is a part where it states this
Quote: › docWrite("quote")PayPal is constantly working to ensure security by randomly screening the accounts in our system. In our recent review of your account, we determined the need for further information to help us provide you with the highest level of security. We request that you please complete the provided checklist within the specified timeframe. If we do not receive this information, your access to sensitive account features may be limited. We appreciate your prompt cooperation in this matter and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

and for me that included adding my social and showing proof of residence more than just verifying the phone number, I had to fax a utility bill to them. At the time I wasn't using paypal except to buy, though I did have an uprgraded account to accept payments. I wasn't trying to tell you not to use them, I still do, though I am trying to wean away from them... just saying it is possible that they might at some point ask for your social.

nopaypal · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 2008

GC wants yer SS or tax # because it's a merchant account. which means ya should be paying taxes on that money!
:o

i'm a little suspicious...if things at GC were going well, why are they extending the freebie? i can see doing it fer a little while fer the reasons you suggest, carol--but a whole year??
:?: