Google Check Out Review

Google CheckOut offers an alternative payment form for your customers that makes is easy to complete a sale. They provide security to both parties, a customizable shopping cart program, advertising benefits, and more. There are no monthly fees, and no set up fees. Plus, Google Check Out has competitive rates, provides protection against charge backs, and allows your customers to have a worry free shopping experience.

Third party payment is becoming more and more popular on the web, due to its heightened security features. However, the main advantage to using Google Check Out is that it comes with extra advertising benefits through Google AdWords. Although you do not have to advertise through AdWords to use Google CheckOut, it can help your business attract new customers and even save you money. When using AdWords, Google places a badge icon next to your link, to draw extra attention to your site. In addition, Google CheckOut waves transaction fees, if your sales total up to 10 times the amount that you spent on advertising.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to using Google Check Out. It is not as commonly used as PayPal. Many customers might not have accounts and be turned away by the effort it takes to open one. However, when offered in combination with other payment options, Google Check Out may increase the spending of current members who trust in the security of the system. Another disadvantage of Google Check Out is that it cannot be used for any type of eBay business.

All together, Google Check Out can be a valuable asset for your online store. As a trusted name in the internet service business, Google provides a quality program, with a convenient check out method that is easy to navigate. Their shopping cart program is one of high quality and overall, customers have been pleased with the services Google Check Out offers. Visit their website for more details and find out how Google Check Out can become your third party payment system.

Credit Card Chargebacks - What is a Chargeback?

A credit card chargeback occurs when a payment is reversed. You may be able to see that a purchase was made and that money is on the way and then for some reason the transaction is cancelled and you no longer have funds on the way. This is always a frustrating situation, but one that as a merchant account provider you will likely face many times.

Let's take a look at some reasons for credit card chargebacks:

• Dispute: item not received by consumer, or is defective, service not performed to specification, or it was a fraudulent purchase.
• Errors in processing: customers was charged the wrong amount or the charge was duplicated and processed more than once.
• Issues with authorization
• Unfulfilled copy requests

Often you don't have any control over a chargeback but there are a few things you can do to make the whole process a little less messy.

• Respond promptly and graciously to any inquiries from customers
• Don't accept expired cards
• Obtain and check the cardholder's signature
• Don't accept transactions from cardholder's that don't have their card with them
• Make sure sales receipt is legible
• If transaction is declined, request another form of payment
• Ship merchandise prior to depositing transaction
• Alert customers to any shipping delays or backorders - find out how they would like it handled
• Make sure policy for returns, refunds, and/or cancellation of services is readily available and clearly stated.

While you can't prevent all credit card chargebacks, these tips can help you understand them and make the process as simple and straight forward as possible.

Accepting American Express

Many merchants fail to accept American Express in their businesses. Typically, this cards company does charge a higher merchant discount fee than Visa or MasterCard. However, upon investigating recent trends and statistics, it becomes obvious that American Express card holders account for a large number of consumers who tend to spend more and stay loyal to the American Express company. American Express accounts for more than 24% of the total dollar volume of credit card transactions in the United States. This is more than any other card issuer can claim to do alone.

By accepting American Express in your business, you are giving your customers more payment options. A 2007 survey suggests that 59% of consumers would choose a merchant who accepts American Express over one that does not. 74% of American Express card holders say that it is their preferred card of choice. Also, American Express card holders tend to be very loyal. Therefore, if your company is not accepting American Express, they may be losing business to a competitors who are.

Although some merchants are discouraged by the higher fees that American Express charges for accepting their cards, there is validity in the fact that American Express card holders spend more. According to data provided by The Nilson Report in 2003, the average American Express card annual charges were $9,600, while Visa's were less than half that amount at $3700, and MasterCard's were only $1,900. Most merchants who do their research agree that the increased sales volume makes it worth the extra fees associated with accepting American Express.

If you would like to accept American Express in your business, talk to your merchant account provider or visit American Express online for more details. This is one card issuer who may be able to help you gain and retain business from their loyal card holders. The American Express card is growing in popularity and is being accepted in more locations around the world everyday.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.