google checkout only, any drawbacks?

[AffiliateDreamer]

Hi,

If a online store choses to go with google checkout ONLY, are there any drawbacks really? The reason I am asking is that I saw this online store and it had only G checkout, and didn't have a SSL cert even.

The way I'm seeing it, you don't need a SSL certificate, no merchant account via the bank, and a trusted 3rd party to handle payments?

(am I missing something here?)

[piatkow]

Well last time I looked at Google Checkout all your customers had to register with Google to make purchases.

When I buy I want to enter my card details and go and assume that my customers want the same. I would have to want a particular item really badly to accept being forced into signing up to a payment service.

[trinorthlighting]

Their payment system to merchants is slower than authorize, we use both. Google likes to hang on to money one day longer on average. Besides that we like it, makes it easy for customers and gives you that nice little badge for adwords.

[Rugles]

The last time I checked, Google Checkout was only availble to US and UK companies.

Also, there is a problem I read about a few times. If a customer pays via Google Checkout, waits for the order to be shipped, then cancels the transaction, you can lose the goods. There was a thread on WebmasterWorld about such a problem if you search for it you should find it.

[Wlauzon]

How many customers have ever signed up for Google Checkout?

From all that I have seen, on stores that have all the usual choices + Google Checkout, less than 3-5% of the orders went through Google.

[trinorthlighting]

We have a 50% sign up rate.

Also, the customer only has 5 minutes to cancel an order after they place it. After that 5 minutes expires they need to contact the merchant to cancel.

[Rugles]

Really, I should find that thread that I was referencing and post it here. I am sure somebody was complaining about Google Checkout.

[Rugles]

found it

[webmasterworld.com...]

[trinorthlighting]

Read the third post in that thread, customers have 15 minutes to cancel an order (Google Policy). In this case the seller was selling instant downloads and not physically mailing a package.

Here is Google Terms:

[checkout.google.com...]

[Rugles]

Well that explains it.

[Livewirez]

I have seen a few horror stores about them freezing accounts. I would google that before letting them process any money. At least you know the worst case scinareo then.