Comments on: Why I won’t be at Seattle Startup Weekend - Google Checkout

by: RickH

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:36:06 +0000

I’d forgotten Google Checkout even exists. Haven’t heard mention of it or seen it anywhere for more than a year. Thanks for reminding me what I’m not missing.

by: Peter Davis

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:39:53 +0000

In 2007, we only had that problem with one out of the couple dozen Visa gift cards we used. I can see, though, how you’d feel that way if that’s your experience.

by: john andrews

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:26:04 +0000

I suppose I suffer from Post Traumatic Early Adopter Syndrome (PTEAS?) with Visa Gift Cards and Virtual CC’s. I started using them when they first came out (conveniently post 9/11) and suffered almost continual barriers to use. Take my money, promise me it works, get denied both in person and online. Call the number, establish pre-approval pre-sale at the cash register, with ID, and still no go. Eventually they were asking for more ID than a check cashing place in Irvington, New Jersey, and I gave up because — bottom line - it’s barely worth it to use the card even *before* the hassles.

As for Virtuals, after a few $35 fees for “renewals” I soured on those as well. Again, I started with the bleeding edge so maybe now that the mainstream banks are doing it things are better?

Update: Andrew at StartupWeekend has provided a work around for me if I want to use it. Apparently more people complain about PayPal than Google in his neighborhood. Can’t fault the guy for taking what looks like the easy route if he’s funding the venture through T-shirt sales, but there can never be enough awareness of the risks of Google-as-information-broker IMHO.

by: Paul Drago

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:04:32 +0000

Virtual Credit Cards as well but I dont understand why they didn’t spend 10 minutes and set up a paypal acct

by: Peter Davis

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:54:25 +0000

What, you never heard of a Visa gift card?

They do wonders for people who want to buy anonymously on the web.