Google Checkout? Safe as paypal?

[toysrus]

Maybe I'm way behind here. But is Google Checkout safe when purchasing an item online? I want to buy something on Ioffer.com , the guy said he only takes Google Checkout which will need my credit card.

Anybody here use it? Any negatives? Just as safe as paypal?

Thank you

[Splitty]

Hmmmm. I haven't heard any problems about it, but as an eCrater seller, I hate it and usually have it disabled.

From the sellers end, I don't believe we can see your credit card info at all, Google's the only one with that privilege. I think you can treat it just like a credit card and get git it refunded or something if you're not happy, but I'm not really familiar. I think it's easy enough to use as a buyer, and it seems like you'd have protection with your regular credit card and with Google checkout.

The only reason I really dislike it as a seller is you don't get your money right away, they have a payout 'schedule', with makes it impossible to ship something with the payment (I never have extra money lying around). After being with them for a month or something, they make the payment schedule alot less, (or maybe right away?), but already I've been irked enough to not bother.
Also, as a seller, I think you have to have a Google email account, which is NOT my regular account, and I'm just too annoyed to keep jumping back and forth to different email accounts.

But some people have a problem (rightly so) with Paypal manipulating their money without their say-so, so that's why they prefer the more professional (yet to me annoying) Google Checkout.

[toysrus]

Thank you!! So as a buyer it sounds like it is safe. ( i hope ) lol

Appreciate the info!!

Hmmmm. I haven't heard any problems about it, but as an eCrater seller, I hate it and usually have it disabled.

From the sellers end, I don't believe we can see your credit card info at all, Google's the only one with that privilege. I think you can treat it just like a credit card and get git it refunded or something if you're not happy, but I'm not really familiar. I think it's easy enough to use as a buyer, and it seems like you'd have protection with your regular credit card and with Google checkout.

The only reason I really dislike it as a seller is you don't get your money right away, they have a payout 'schedule', with makes it impossible to ship something with the payment (I never have extra money lying around). After being with them for a month or something, they make the payment schedule alot less, (or maybe right away?), but already I've been irked enough to not bother.
Also, as a seller, I think you have to have a Google email account, which is NOT my regular account, and I'm just too annoyed to keep jumping back and forth to different email accounts.

But some people have a problem (rightly so) with Paypal manipulating their money without their say-so, so that's why they prefer the more professional (yet to me annoying) Google Checkout.

[Splitty]

I should probably have done some reading before opening my mouth, but it seems I can stand by what I said (pretty durn safe).

Looks like alot of blogs & webpages say the same thing, you should be alright. This one sums it up nicely:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5579066_sa...checkout_.html

I'd just say when opening your account for the first time, just make sure you do it from the actual google checkout site and not a spoof site, or follow links somebody else provides.
Also, as usual, don't buy vehicles, or things from Craigs list out-of-state.