DISQUS

ColderICE eCommerce Blog: Google Wants A BIG Piece of the PIE: Google Checkout Increases Fees 240% ?!?

  • Cliff Aliperti · 9 months ago
    I'll ask what I previously tweeted you here, Are you surprised GC raised rates so much w/o making harder try to kill PP first? Or does this signal their growth flatlined? (ie: new sign-ups on the wane, so time to charge the regular users?)

    Thanks,Cliff
  • Natha · 9 months ago
    I guess the checkout badges might be driving some sales but basically this means I no longer have any incentive to offer Google Checkout and no incentive to choose Google over PayPal.
  • Melinda ~ Galleria Gifts · 9 months ago
    This doesn't seem to be a smart move if they want to compete with Payapal to me! Also, an important thing to note with the increase of fees on google checkout, they are charging an additional 1% for all international payments!! With DSR's already causing alot of sellers to not even offer international shipping, and ebay charging more for the option to appear on sites in other countries, the incentive to NOT sell internationally is growing like a snowball going downhill. Just my thoughts! You ROCK John! Love your site!
  • Henrietta · 9 months ago
    @ Melinda
    PayPal has always charged an additional fee on Cross Border Transactions which the rest of us call International trading!!


    http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_displ...

    Then there is the additional 2.5% they charge in the currency exchange process and I quote:

    If your transaction involves a currency conversion, it will be completed at a retail foreign exchange rate determined by PayPal, which is adjusted regularly based on market conditions. This exchange rate includes a 2.5% spread above the wholesale exchange rate at which PayPal obtains foreign currency, and the spread is retained by PayPal. The specific exchange rate that applies to your multiple currency transaction will be displayed at the time of the transaction.

    The additional percentages can add up to take a hefty chunk out of potential profits!!
  • colderice · 9 months ago
    Hey Cliff, I am surprised that Google raised pricing and removed the discounts on the SAME DAY. I guess they figured I would not notice, LMAO.

    Hi Natha, the catch-22 is that if you reduce your Adwords spend the checkout badge shows up less too.

    Henrietta, thanks for the clarity!

    And Melinda, I really do not think Google Checkout is making a direct Paypal competitive move, I actually think Google will crush Pp in the open marketplace, IF they ever get into retail (as Scot Wingo hinted on our interview http://3rdpoblogs.com/colderice/2009/03/11/can-...)