Comments on: 1200% of almost nothing is still almost nothing http://tamebay.com/2006/12/1200-of-almost-nothing-is-still-almost.html eBay & ecommerce made easy Mon, 21 May 2012 20:27:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Google Checkout’s UK traffic passes PayPal’s : TameBay http://tamebay.com/2006/12/1200-of-almost-nothing-is-still-almost.html#comment-22946 Google Checkout’s UK traffic passes PayPal’s : TameBay Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:22:04 +0000 http://tamebay.pobox.co.uk/2006/12/18/1200-of-almost-nothing-is-still-almost/#comment-22946 [...] Google Checkout has seen more traffic this December than PayPal has, according to a director of web traffic measuring firm Hitwise. PayPal’s traffic was way ahead of Checkout’s for October and November, but it has fallen back to just slightly lower from 6th December. Also interesting are the sources of traffic for each site: almost 60% of PayPal’s visitors still come from eBay, and just 2.2% from non-auction shopping and classified sites. Compare that with Google Checkout’s 45.3%, and it would seem that Google’s promotions - free processing for merchants, and money off for buyers - have proved attractive this year, just as they did last year. [...] [...] Google Checkout has seen more traffic this December than PayPal has, according to a director of web traffic measuring firm Hitwise. PayPal’s traffic was way ahead of Checkout’s for October and November, but it has fallen back to just slightly lower from 6th December. Also interesting are the sources of traffic for each site: almost 60% of PayPal’s visitors still come from eBay, and just 2.2% from non-auction shopping and classified sites. Compare that with Google Checkout’s 45.3%, and it would seem that Google’s promotions – free processing for merchants, and money off for buyers – have proved attractive this year, just as they did last year. [...]

]]> By: Biddy http://tamebay.com/2006/12/1200-of-almost-nothing-is-still-almost.html#comment-182 Biddy Wed, 20 Dec 2006 14:42:00 +0000 http://tamebay.pobox.co.uk/2006/12/18/1200-of-almost-nothing-is-still-almost/#comment-182 I honestly don't think your buyers are going to care that Checkout would put extra money in your pocket. They want to click and have paid: that's it, end of story. Why on earth would it matter to them what processor is used?<br /><br />Google have to some extent purchased themselves an advantage by the discounts ($10 off $30, $20 off $50) they've offered this Xmas, which has led merchants to push their buyers to use Checkout, and those buyers to be very willing to be pushed, but 2% savings? Puhlease. You've got to be WAY in excess of the average eBay transaction value before 2% starts making a difference. I honestly don’t think your buyers are going to care that Checkout would put extra money in your pocket. They want to click and have paid: that’s it, end of story. Why on earth would it matter to them what processor is used?

Google have to some extent purchased themselves an advantage by the discounts ($10 off $30, $20 off $50) they’ve offered this Xmas, which has led merchants to push their buyers to use Checkout, and those buyers to be very willing to be pushed, but 2% savings? Puhlease. You’ve got to be WAY in excess of the average eBay transaction value before 2% starts making a difference.

]]> By: Anonymous http://tamebay.com/2006/12/1200-of-almost-nothing-is-still-almost.html#comment-183 Anonymous Wed, 20 Dec 2006 14:33:00 +0000 http://tamebay.pobox.co.uk/2006/12/18/1200-of-almost-nothing-is-still-almost/#comment-183 Just a few points that came to mind while reading your post:<br /><br />"buyers vote with their feet and continue to use PayPal whenever the opportunity arises." - We will see how the buyers vote when (if) eBay allows Google Checkout to be used. <br /><br />As a Platinum PowerSeller myself I sure would like to take advantage of the free Checkout processing. That alone would put an extra few thousand a month in my pocket instead of giving PayPal 2%+ on each transaction.<br /><br />Your comparison of Google Checkout with Nochex is faulty and does not account for the tremendous brand equity the Google name already carries with End Users. Buyers will not hesitate to use Google Checkout on eBay, especially when sellers can pass on some of that 2% savings and let buyers save also.<br /><br />Anyone integrating with Google Checkout will notice that the item price (for products) is named 'startPrice'... this is intentional as Google can turn on Bidding at any moment. They are simply waiting for Checkout to hit ciritcal mass so that Google can offer FREE Auctions by next fall.<br /><br />Checkout will hit critical mass when the majority of online retailers support (or start forcing users to use) Google Checkout. With FREE payment processing, believe me, as a retailer, I and my peers are ALL OVER THIS. So online retailers are already flocking to Checkout. Buyers will follow the discounts and rebates and Checkout Buyers will hit critical mass by next fall.<br /><br />If eBay has not allowed Google Checkout by next fall. You will see what VOTING WITH YOUR FEET means as sellers and buyers alike flock to Free Google Auctions with Free Google Checkout Payment Processing.<br /><br />PS: I did an experiment and sent 25,000 of my items from my eBay store to Google Base with Checkout enabled. The next day 20% of my sales came from Base + Checkout.<br /><br />Does anyone have a better idea of where this is leading?<br /><br />How can eBay out maneuver Google? Just a few points that came to mind while reading your post:

“buyers vote with their feet and continue to use PayPal whenever the opportunity arises.” – We will see how the buyers vote when (if) eBay allows Google Checkout to be used.

As a Platinum PowerSeller myself I sure would like to take advantage of the free Checkout processing. That alone would put an extra few thousand a month in my pocket instead of giving PayPal 2%+ on each transaction.

Your comparison of Google Checkout with Nochex is faulty and does not account for the tremendous brand equity the Google name already carries with End Users. Buyers will not hesitate to use Google Checkout on eBay, especially when sellers can pass on some of that 2% savings and let buyers save also.

Anyone integrating with Google Checkout will notice that the item price (for products) is named ‘startPrice’… this is intentional as Google can turn on Bidding at any moment. They are simply waiting for Checkout to hit ciritcal mass so that Google can offer FREE Auctions by next fall.

Checkout will hit critical mass when the majority of online retailers support (or start forcing users to use) Google Checkout. With FREE payment processing, believe me, as a retailer, I and my peers are ALL OVER THIS. So online retailers are already flocking to Checkout. Buyers will follow the discounts and rebates and Checkout Buyers will hit critical mass by next fall.

If eBay has not allowed Google Checkout by next fall. You will see what VOTING WITH YOUR FEET means as sellers and buyers alike flock to Free Google Auctions with Free Google Checkout Payment Processing.

PS: I did an experiment and sent 25,000 of my items from my eBay store to Google Base with Checkout enabled. The next day 20% of my sales came from Base + Checkout.

Does anyone have a better idea of where this is leading?

How can eBay out maneuver Google?

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