Perceptions of Paypal and Google Checkout

[broadhat]

The majority of my sales (nursery furniture, ave sale c£200 if that's relevant) are B2B but we sell through our website as well because of the great margin. We accept Maestro, Visa, MCard, all the usual suspects. I've always thought of Paypal and Google Checkout as solutions where the company didn't want the hassle of setting up a proper payment provider, but is this accurate?

I use Protx so it's easy to include Paypal. I know about the rates, I just wanted to find out whether my slightly negative view of Paypal and Google is right or whether I'm missing sales because I don't offer it. Any thoughts or experiences?

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

As a user of Google checkout I can say that if I can avoid using them I do. Their registration is painful and it's not hard to get into a situation where you can't use your credit card with them...even if nothing is wrong, and you can use it with other sites with no issues.

[shadowninja]

Paypal: the scammer's weapon of choice.

http://www.paypalsucks.com/

Edited by shadowninja on Sunday 20th July 15:35

[rsv gone!]

Thumbs up here for Google Checkout (as a buyer). So nice not to need to register on a new site just for one order.

[jardinec]

as someone who builds e-commerce website i'd say paypal still has slightly negative impression (for old-time web users anyway) however I have clients doing very well and using solely Paypal for all online transactions. Business to consumer I'd say go for it - but Protx is great value if you have a merchant acc already. Offering alternative payment method has to be a good thing really...

Edited by jardinec on Tuesday 22 July 12:05

[Sharief]

When I'm buying stuff, it makes no difference as long as it has the little padlock sign.

[JustinP1]

Paypal would land you in a world of pain.

There is simply no benefit for you or the consumer. The take a silly percentage and can decide from the 'customer' or scammer on a one line email to take the funds back on their behalf.

Been left high and dry on more than on occasion - their rules are set up for automation and totally biased toward the buyer/scammer as it is their business model that though ebay they are commercially forcing sellers to use them rather than through choice.

I have used Google checkout quite a few times though. A couple of the websites I buy my business stuff from use it. It saves me a couple of minutes finding my card and typing in the numbers. Thats it though.

[rsv gone!]

Given the choice, I never use Paypal, though. My preferences are;

1. Google Checkout - for (my) convenience
2. Normal credit card transaction
3. Paypal - as a last resort.

[DucatiGary]

ive been locked out of my paypal account since april because the new euro ruling says i need to re instate after recieving a certain amount in 12 months (think its 1700 quid)

anyways, their system will not let me reinstate it, click the email function and nothing.

click the text my mobile phone button and the site doesnt accept the code.

so

at this moment in time i have no chance of getting my account back or being able to withdraw the cash as their phone system goes round in circles and their emails bounce back to me.

my advice - use anything BUT paypal

ohh and if this happens to you, you can still spend the cash you have in your paypal account by buying stuff and using paypal to pay for it, you just cant withdraw it, or close your paypal account or change address etc, wich is odd as ill be moving house soon and have no way of telling them as their system is borked