Remember back when Netscape was charging for its browser, and Microsoft came out and made Internet Explorer free?
Well check this out:
To celebrate the holidays, Google is processing your Checkout sales for free
As you may know, for every $1 you spend on AdWords, you can process $10 of Google Checkout sales for free. Just in time for the holidays, we’re giving you even more by processing your Google Checkout sales for free through the end of 2007! Here’s how it works:
* From November 8, 2006 through December 31, 2007, we’ll process your Checkout transactions for free, even if you aren’t an AdWords advertiser. If you’re already an AdWords advertiser, we’ll process your Checkout transactions for free regardless of what you spend on AdWords.*
* Valid Checkout orders you receive during the promotion will automatically qualify.
* You can take full advantage of this promotion by encouraging your buyers to use Google Checkout on your site.
* Other applicable fees (e.g. chargeback fees) may apply. This promotion is subject to the Google Checkout Terms of Service. Google may revoke the promotion for accounts that do not comply with these terms.
On January 1, 2008, the standard transaction fee will apply again. Also, if applicable, your regular free transaction processing (based on your December, 2007 AdWords spend) will resume.
Using Google Checkout to increase sales and lower costs during this busy holiday season has never been easier. If we can do anything else to help, feel free to drop us a line. Happy holidays from Google Checkout!
OK, a few things. No. 1, anyone who buys this has *anything* to do with “celebrating the holidays” ought to put down that mug of eggnog. This has everything to do with taking share from PayPal.
Next, I spent some time this week on the phone with Tom Oliveri, the fellow who manages Google Checkout. He very patiently explained how I managed to get myself into such a tangle when I first used the service, and promised to help me fix my account so that I could use it again. I’m looking forward to doing that, and continuing my explorations. He also addressed some of my privacy/use of info issues, but honestly, no company is addressing them the way I’d like to see them addressed. He did patiently listen to my rantings on the subject, which is more than anyone might expect.