Bitcoin vs. Google Checkout

Since this is a Google Blogger Blog, I have quite a few options when it comes to adding "gadgets" to the site. Currently, I use the "Poll," "Recent Comments," and "Popular Posts" gadgets, among others.

While perusing through some other options, I came across the "Support My Blog" gadget, which:

"Adds a Google Checkout Support Button to your page. Use the support button to enable your readers to support your blog with contributions."

I've already got a Bitcoin Tip Jar, but it would be nice if non-Bitcoiners could leave tips too.

Let's do this!

"When you use Google Checkout to process your sales, you'll be charged rates as low as 1.9% + $0.30 per transaction. With Google Checkout, there are no monthly, setup, or gateway service fees."

That's reasonable, I guess, but if someone wants to leave a $0.10 tip, it's going to cost me $0.30. Seeing as most of the tips I receive are under $0.50, that's not very good.

But wait, what's this?

"An additional 1% fee will be assessed on transactions where the merchant's country is different from the buyer's billing country."

Well, since I'm from Canada, that's like, most of the time.

1% isn't very much though...

"With 10 days notice, we may also charge higher transaction processing fees to merchants that incur excessive chargebacks or otherwise pose financial risk to Checkout."

I'm not selling anything, so that shouldn't happen. But what if someone wants to screw with me?

"In cases where you are found liable for a chargeback, you'll be charged the full amount of the chargeback plus an additional $10 chargeback fee."

To hell with that!

Thanks for nothing, Google.

P.S. Please don't close my Blogger account. You guys are awesome, just not awesome payment processors.

Posted in: bank fees,why bitcoin