jgstyle - 9:46 pm on Apr 18, 2007 (gmt 0)

I just set up a site last month with Google Checkout. It was phenomally and unexpectedly difficult.

We used ZenCart, and there were extensive issues with installation and with shipping. There are just pages and pages of problems on the Zencart forums, with very few people able to offer assistance. Also, as mentioned above, the Google Checkout official forums are really flooded with frustrated coders.

I was having trouble with shipping to Canada, and just couldn't figure out the error I was getting, so after contacting Google, I was informed that Google Checkout does not support international shipping (from the U.S.). That was early March 07, maybe it's changed by now if they've finally released it for the UK?

Our client was desperate to save money, so he wanted Google as the only option for the free processing until 08. We tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't budge.

He was forced to drop international shipping since he did not want to implement any of the (somewhat clumsy) workarounds that were posted on Zencart.

Additionally, as of launch, many people were not happy with Google being the only payment option, we received many emails asking if they take paypal, or other emails asking "Do I have to use Google Checkout?" So make sure you have another payment option. Obviously, this will get better in the future as people get used to seeing/using it.

Well, that's our experience here. I hope it goes better for you.