Google Checkout Sucks! PayPal Has No Worries: Conclusion
Posted on January 25, 2007, under Development.
I thought is would only be fair to follow up on my original posts on my Google checkout experience (post 1, 2, and 3). So today my second order (the order that was directly with Dicks Sporting Goods after canceling the Google Checkout order), was messed up as well. At this point I have concluded that not all of the fault lies on behalf of Google Checkout, but mostly with Dicks Sporting Goods and their online orders department. That being said, I still stand by my comments on Google Checkout… it doesn’t work. One failure is one failure too many when you are dealing with online purchases, and we are four days after my original order was placed and my order is in stalemate.
The Google Checkout order actually messed things up with my second order directly with Dicks Sporting Goods, as the customer service representative kept confusing the two orders and mixing them up. The lack of customer service contact phone numbers is unacceptable for anyone looking to be a payment gateway. In addition, if email is your only source of contact it should not take two business days for a response. Google has a long way to go with this service, and it will be a very long time, if never, before I trust my online purchases to Google Checkout. As for Dicks Sporting Goods, they have lost me as a customer permanently. There are too many options for a customer these days for me to return to the horrible customer experience that Dicks Sporting Goods gave me.
I ended up canceling both orders, and just going to a local store and paying full price for my item. I am now trying to get my credit card information removed from Google Checkout. Wish me luck.
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Tom Masiero on January 26, 2007
Looks like you have had a couple of bad experiences w/ Checkout. From a consumer standpoint I have used it at least 15 times with no problems at all. If anything I would say it is a way better shopping experience compared to Paypal no phishing emails etc. I think that part of your problem may have been that Dicks back end might not be up to speed w / Google’s API. I have used some Big Retailers and Small ones with no problems.
As a Merchant
I use Google checkout everyday and I am really impressed w/ the overall service.
Google tends to really work on their services to get them right and this is a service that is probably one of their highest priority’s.
My .02