Google to launch Paypal rival

[anagrama]

http://today.reuters.com/sponsoredby/VerizonNewsArticle.aspx?type=internetNews&storyid=2005-06-19T175941Z_01_N17429440_RTRIDST_0_NET-TECH-GOOGLE-DC.XML

Looks like there may soon be an alternative for anyone less than satisifed with PayPal :)

Any thoughts on this? Healthy competition in any market is only a good thing, and customers stand only to gain.
I suspect a lot of people will jump at the chance for a viable alternative, and since the best way for them to lure Paypal users is by charging less (or even no!) fees, I can only see this as a good thing all round. I bet eBay/PayPal are kinda worried tho ;)

[Griking]

As more and more companies start offering these service I can forsee the government setting some sort of regulations down the road to protect customers from abuse from these companies.

It's about time is all I have to say.

[8bitnes]

Any thoughts on this? He

Paypal is pretty much the standard for all ebay purchases and it will take a very long time for buyers to fully jump onboard to an alternate. If fees are less, I'm certainly going to signup, but I know I will have to offer both paypal and google's version in any future auctions for a long time.

[suppafly]

Im there dude! Even if the rates are the same as paypal´s.

I dont like giving ebay double profit: from the auctions and from the payments...I hate paypal

[TeddyRuxpin]

PayPal premier/business offers services that Google might not (at least at lauch) such as website shopping carts, buy it now buttons, Mastercard Debit Card with cashback bonus (if you qualify) and the IPN support for various store scripts such as OSCommerce.

You don't have to use eBay to use Paypal. I accept it on my web based video game/toy store as well as my Lego store on BrickLink.com, and of course on ebay.

PayPal provides services that work great for me and so I don't see myself completely switching to a new service. That's not to say I won't ever use a different one at the same time. If it does OK for a month or two after lauch I may consider it. I may as well let the desperate people test the launch of it when there's potential security bugs that weren't noticed pre-lauch.

It sounds like Google is trying to become another Yahoo. First a search, then bought dejanews, added email (Yahoo Mail), image hosting (Yahoo Photos), groups that users can great (Yahoo Groups), more searches... and now a PayPal-like service (Yahoo Wallet). I wouldn't be surprised if Google starts an auction site (Yahoo Auctions) some day too.

[ianoid]

I'd love to see Google start an auction site, or a storefront site. eBay NEEDS competition. They have gone too long as the big gorilla.

The problem is, auctions require volume, and it's just too hard to start with 6 users and expect sellers to show up. Still, they could start with storefronts and then move to auctions with time.

Instead of being eNobody or iAuctionwhatever, they start with a huge namesake and referral/advertising base and move into auctions and stores? I say, PLEASE, COME GOOGLE, COME TO ME!

I think that they did mail right, and maps right (although the maps could be a little better, like more flexibility finding a typed in location, and the directions could actually be accurate or offer options), so I'd like to see them do more.

[8bitnes]

I'd love to see Google start an auction site, or a storefront site. eBay NEEDS competition. They have gone too long as the big gorilla.

The problem is, auctions require volume, and it's just too hard to start with 6 users and expect sellers to show up. Still, they could start with storefronts and then move to auctions with time.


I believe amazon has tried this for several years but rarely (if ever) do we hear of someone talking about that great find they got in an amazon auction.

[SoulBlazer]

Amazon AUCTIONS, you're right. However, I sell and buy 99 percent of my things on Amazon LISTINGS. MUCH better then EBay. Sure, you don't know when something will sell but the good stuff sells right away, instant money, lower fees, good shipping rates built in, and wonderfull customer service support. I buy/sell a couple hundred a month on there.

On topic, I'm also interested to see how well this service does.

[8bitnes]

However, I sell and buy 99 percent of my things on Amazon LISTINGS. MUCH better then EBay. Sure, you don't know when something will sell but the good stuff sells right away, instant money, lower fees, good shipping rates built in, and wonderfull customer service support.

??Lower fees?? 15% commission + automatic 99 cents for amazon marketplace listings is downright scandalous, but typically items sell for more money, there's less work listing, and you only get charged when items sell.

I have had some good finds there including Bubble Bobble 2 Complete for less than a typical cart goes on ebay and Dragon Warrior IV factory sealed for less than a typical complete copy on ebay.

As far as google's "paypal", I think 99% of us are trusting enough of their security and eager enough for lower fees that we'd signup within a week of the launch.

[ianoid]

I believe amazon has tried this for several years but rarely (if ever) do we hear of someone talking about that great find they got in an amazon auction.

I know, I know. It's sad, but eBay seems undefeatable. Let's see a company as cool as google try. Otherwise, we could be stuck with eBay for a while. And I just don't think that they have been particularly innovative, interested, or responsive to ideas, beyond their launch. They've become very blue chip. Someone needs to rattle their cage. Go Google!

[Griking]

I can also see Google eventually providing a better way to search eBay than eBay's own search tool. eBay searches return so much spam its rediculous but I doubt that they'll even do anything about it because spammers pay listing fees too.

[8bitnes]

I can also see Google eventually providing a better way to search eBay than eBay's own search tool. eBay searches return so much spam its rediculous but I doubt that they'll even do anything about it because spammers pay listing fees too.

Ebay's search tool isn't absolutely horrible, you just have to use some extra search terms to sift out the garbage.