June 26th, 2006
Two days to go for Google Checkout
If the speculation is true, there are only two days left until Google launches their payment system (Google Checkout) — the target of rumor and speculation since October last year. There is almost as much discussion about this service as there was about Google Calendar before it was released two months ago.
While digging around the https://checkout.google.com space tonight, I found a few small icons and an error page that may or may not be of interest. The error page is a basic "oops" message, but it also gives us a link to the terms of use that will govern the use of Google Checkout. If these terms aren’t changed within the next couple days, there is going to be much disappointment come June 28th.
The biggest concern I have is the lack of support for international users. It could be a while before you are able to take Google Checkout for a test drive if you live anywhere other than the United States.
By agreeing to this Terms of Service for Buyers, Buyer represents that:
- Buyer, if an individual, is 18 years old or older;
- Buyer is capable of entering into a legally binding agreement;
- Buyer is a resident of the United States;
- Buyer, if a business entity, is duly authorized to do business in the United States; and
- if Buyer is a business entity, the employees or officers of Buyer accessing the Service is/are duly authorized to access the Service and to legally bind Buyer with respect to this Terms of Service for Buyers and all transactions conducted under Buyer’s username and password.
If the terms stay like this, Google could be stunting the growth of their service by turning their backs on merchants who sell products internationally.
Garett Rogers 
is employed as a programmer for iQmetrix, which specializes in retail management software for the wireless industry.
See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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