Google Checkout Available Now

[immy79]

Google has finally released info on their new payment system. Here's the address: http://checkout.google.com

Of more interest is the info for sellers at: http://checkout.google.com/sell

So, what do you all think? Good idea? Bad idea? Think you'll use it? Think your customers will want it?

[wcw]

They don't appear to be ready yet. The info on API integration refers to a Developer's Guide which links to a non-existant page at
http://checkout.google.com/support/s...y?answer=42917
I guess their spider hasn't crawled their own pages to check for bad links.

[Wendy]

Google is starting to get scary! They're getting like eBay and taking over the world!

[chucklasker-BANNNED]

Google is starting to get scary! They're getting like eBay and taking over the world!

Now you've done it, Wendy! Google will see your post, and they will remove your identity from all computer systems.

My fear is when the Google computer becomes self aware. Hopefully it doesn't decide that the best way to serve humanity is to destroy it. I hate when that happens - having to scortch the sky, send robots back in time...

Seriously, though, anyone who competes against eBay and PayPal is a friend of mine. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

[David Pontius]

It looks interesting. If I understand this correctly, Google pays the merchant fees, so that offsets some of the Google Checkout fees. Plus it integrates with your website, like a Paypal checkout. I hate paypal though. Most of our customers are not paypal users, and when we tried it, it was more confusing than helpful.

[lumasis]

So- are any of you developers working on miva integration? If so...ETA?

Jamie

[bgik77]

Can't wait until someone make a module for this I love anything google =D

[emione]

So- are any of you developers working on miva integration? If so...ETA?
Jamie

I have the same question. Developers, let us know when you have something.

[immy79]

First, it looks like their API is up now at: http://code.google.com/apis/checkout

Second, after looking through the seller information for Google Checkout, it looks like there are a lot of limitations and restrictions with this new service. See policies: http://checkout.google.com/seller/policies.html

For one, they are very strict about how you use their button. It has to appear anywhere on your store that your current checkout button is. Plus, it needs to be the same size as your checkout.

I also don't like the fact that one of the benefits they promote to purchasers is that they can minimize the marketing emails they get from the merchant. While it's not good to spam, I don't like how Google seems to want to take over control of the customer relationship. They even don't want merchants to send order confirmation emails for Google Checkout purchases.

Other restrictions:
- "Do not create additional buyer accounts using Google Checkout information."
- "Google Checkout must be available as a checkout option at least 95% of the time."

Google Checkout manages the orders for them, shows shipping status, etc. It gives the impression to the shopper that Google is the one doing all the work and the merchant just provides the product. It doesn't help merchants develop relationships with their customer. It pretty much hinders that.

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

Good catch. From what you describe, i would have a hard time recommending that payment option to clients.

Making a sale is mearly "opening the door" to obtaining a customer. Customer's are where the money is at, rather than just "orders".

[bgik77]

I still think that if Google can convince enough big retailers to use it, small retailers is going to have a hard time not to offer the same option. But this is too early to predict how things will fall either way. But hey at least PayPal have some serious competition and we might benefit from these mover and shaker.

[immy79]

I don't think it necessarily competes with PayPal, though. I view Google Checkout as more of an online wallet, like what Microsoft tried to do a few years ago.

On the flip side, PayPal really is a different type of payment method besides the standard credit cards. True, it can connect to credit cards to draw funds, but you can also pull funds from bank accounts. Right now, Google Checkout can only be used with credit cards. And it simply stores them in one location online so you don't have to re-enter them.

Google Checkout is more of a simplified checkout process than a payment gateway type of service. It competes more with PayPal's "buy buttons" than their main payment service.

[bgik77]

Just like everything else that are Google it not going to stay that way, give it a few month I'm sure Google already have all the Paypal functionality on a check list and are adding it as we speak Checkout is only the starting point.

[leroymiller]

Is anyone developing a google checkout module for miva 4.0?

[wmgilligan]

In development

In development - but no ETA.