No One Believes my Savings with Google Checkout
Written: May 27 '08
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Pros: Promotions,not Paypal, no need to re-enter my info on sites
Cons: Not enough stores accept it. More promotions would be nice
The Bottom Line: I have been happy purchasing with Google Checkout. My info was safe and I never had any problems receiving the items I ordered.
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| pablothegreat's Full Review: Google Checkout |
As most everyone else, I found out about Google Checkout from one of their promotions. I signed up to get $10 off $20 using Google Checkout. I also found to my surprise and delight that I could get free shipping in some stores that took Google Checkout. So what is it exactly? You put in all of your payment information and your address (credit card, debit card, email address), then pay securely with one click. What I disliked was that I could not use a coupon code with using Google Checkout. I wanted to use the $25 off $75 and free shipping along with a coupon code for $10 off the item I wanted to purchase. Yes I am cheap but the site offered this coupon code and I could only use it without going through Google Checkout. So I ended up just using the $10 off $20 and waiting on the larger purchase.
Another issue came into play when the items I preferred were in none of the stores that accepted Google Checkout. I could find similar items (usually in boy colors vs girl colors) but not right for us. It was time consuming going through all of the stores to find one that had something we needed and had been wanting to purchase but put it off until a good deal came along. The promotion was only for one time and only one per person. "New buyers only". Right now they have a $10 promotion for buy.com. There is no way to tell which stores that take Google Checkout have free shipping unless you visit each and every one of them. You really have to be careful and make sure the promotional amount is taken out of your total amount.
I have found that the Google Checkout loads fast and it is easy to find what I am looking for there. The FAQ for buyers are extremely helpful especially about the details on promos. The site has a list of some stores that accept Google Checkout but not all of them. To know if your favorite retailer online takes this form of payment, look for Google Checkout payment option as you checkout. Google Checkout pays for items with your debit or credit card but not your bank account. You can pay with " Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Solo, UK Maestro, American Express, or Discover."
You can do a search for the specific store on Google Checkout's website...say you want to shop at BabyAge http://www.epinions.com/content_431562591876 only, you can put that in the search box to see if it comes up. Quicker than going to BabyAge, putting items in your cart, and checking out to find out if it is accepted. So what online stores accept it? Here are a few: Petco, beauty.com, drugstore.com,linens-n-things.com, sharper image, starbucksstore.com, zales.com, bluefly, and more. You can search by name or go down the list and search by category, each store is listed within a catergory like entertainment, personal care, jewelry, and toys and baby. I found the online stores that accept it to be the higher end expensive stores that I could not afford and the books online stores had few options as well. They have added babiesrus.com, toysrus.com, and PBS to the list! A search can also be done on the product you want.
First you sign up with your name, email address, and address then add in your payment information like your credit card number. It is a secure site and I had no issues with missing funds. Shopping was much easier using Google Checkout as I only put in my email address to authorize the payment and I was DONE! No need to fill out multiple forms with all of my information as Google Checkout did that for me. While you are on the site, you can watch a video showing how the payment system works. The site can be changed into many other languages if you need by the dropdown menu options. I did find it difficult to remember to go to Google Checkout for info on where my item was and tracking information rather than going directly to the site where I had ordered items. I was able to easily change my address and name when needed on the site. Once I wondered if a payment had went through or my order was cancelled somehow and emailed about it. It just took longer to post that one time. The email back to me was helpful and quick! I found the contact information helpful as well, when I selected an option for my problem, other links popped up quickly with more information that might answer questions and then I would not need to email! Not anything like Paypal http://www.epinions.com/content_431559118468 where you go around in circles trying to email them for assistance, just a pop up box with links and if you do not want the links but a direct answer, just click continue. To sign in once you have signed up, it is easy as putting in your email address in the box! Ebay http://www.epinions.com/content_431558004356 is one online site that I know does not accept Google Checkout, a major bummer for Ebay addicts!
They also have the option for merchants selling items on their websites to sign up to accept Google Checkout payments. Sounds very simple and no need for technical skills but you do need a merchant key and merchant ID. Every purchase from buyers costs you 2.0% and $0.20. You can get it for free if you buy and use Google AdWords. Nonprofit organizations can use Google Checkout for free to receive donations, this may change in 2009.
All in all, I have been happy purchasing with Google Checkout but do wish Ebay and other online retailers used it. My info was safe and I never had any problems receiving the items I ordered. Everything was exactly the same except I would log in to Google Checkout to check tracking on my packages.
What is so good about THIS website?
Promotions,not Paypal, don't have to enter in all of my info on multiple sites
What is unique about this website ?
Promotions saving money!
Is it worth the price?
Yes. Saves me money.
There has to be some bad to this website, right?
Not enough stores accept it. More promotions would be nice.
Any warnings people should be aware of?
None
Final verdict:
All in all, I have been happy purchasing with Google Checkout but do wish Ebay and other online retailers used it. My info was safe and I never had any problems receiving the items I ordered. Everything was exactly the same except I would log in to Google Checkout to check tracking on my packages.
pablo the shopper
The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one. Erma Bombeck
Recommended:
Yes
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pablothegreat
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