Google and eBay butting heads?

[doctorgonzo]

By now, most people have heard of Google Checkout, Google's entry into the online payment business. It's incredibly new, but there already seems to be a battle brewing between the service and its number one competitor, eBay's PayPal.

An analyst says that Google Checkout represents a serious risk to PayPal, and could possibly cut into eBay's profits. Meanwhile, eBay has banned Google Checkout from being used to pay for eBay auctions, a move that eBay says is "not retaliatory". No, not at all.

Has anybody opened a Google Checkout account yet? I just noticed that I could do so right this instant (after Googling it, of course). I see no reason to switch to Google Checkout from PayPal right now, but if I could use Google Checkout to pay for things other than eBay auctions that I can't use PayPal for, then it may make sense. Especially since I see that I can get $5 for signing up my Citibank credit card.

I think this is going to be an interesting one to watch.

[Ghost(BOO!)]

I'll open one just because of the fake paypal e-mails I get saying someone changed my account even though I don't even have an account with pay-pal

[TwoRails]

I've never had any real confidence in PayPal. I would have confidence in Google Checkout, though...

[Floppyman]

Well, it's a tough call for me. I've had great luck with paypal since I opened an account probably close to five years ago. I guess I'll take a similar approach as you 'gonzo in that it will boil down to the sites I visit and what system they use. If I see a product I want and I can only get it with Google Checkout, I will mostly sign up for an account.

[kstatefan40]

I too have been happy with PayPal, but may open a G C account on an on-demand basis - you never know when it could come in handy. PayPal has done a great job, though, as far as I am concerned.

[jimmyrules712]

I like paypal, but it's really only good for ebay. I could forsee myself using paypal for ebay and google checkout for most other online purchases.

[David M]

This is a good thing. Competition will make both services better. It will be nice to see EBAY having to work hard to improve itself. They can start by going after the online Ebay/PayPal scams.

By the way, China has launched its own online auction servce, Taobao, which will one day compete with EBAY.

http://english.people.com.cn/200510/...21_215801.html

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by Floppyman Well, it's a tough call for me. I've had great luck with paypal since I opened an account probably close to five years ago....

I'm sure it's OK. I have use it only a couple of times, just to buy something, and was unaware I opened an actual "account" to do so. So, all of a sudden I get all these emails about this account I didn't know I had, and then it seems like they were in "the news" a lot at the time. Just kinda got me a little worried as I *thought* (insert "assumed" there) that it was just another purchase like a credit card purchase; didn't know it was an ever lasting thing.

[David M]

It is a little frightening to know that all your personal information and access to your bank account is just a password away.

[RazorDX]

I'm going to think twice about using eBay for anything after knowing they blocked Google Checkout, not for the security or ease of their users but for their own personal interests. I mean it's ok for a company to try to keep its head above water, but in the world of online auctions eBay pretty much has a monopoly, and when you flat out block any means of competition I see you as greedy scum. Competition is good for business because it keeps companies working for the consumer's interests... but when they blatently disallow any competition the service sucks.

No more eBay for me.

Oh, and eBay's buyer protection is HORRIBLE. All they do is send a scolding email to the seller, which I could have easily done myself. Hopefully Google integrates Checkout and Froogle to give me something reliable to use.

[Floppyman]

Originally Posted by David M It is a little frightening to know that all your personal information and access to your bank account is just a password away.

I agree with you Dave, but it's the same story for online banking and paying/viewing your credit card information online -- those are only a password away as well. In that sense I don't think paypal is any more or any less secure than other sites that have some of your private information. In any case, plenty of caution should still be exercised when using a service such as paypal (or the others I mentioned above).

Also, I think paypal is more versatile than just ebay usage. I've used it several times to buy music off the net (off an overseas site actually), and also for personal transactions (buying/selling hardware) on these and other tech forums.