Good points on what Paypal does that Google doesn't. I have no idea whether Google is doing shipment tracking, but again I think they should, at least for those merchants that provide such info. Even for those that don't they could make it easy for businesses to setup such systems by providing a simple API and a central info tracking system that would link to the various shipping providers. That would be a big deal for me, at least.

Having dealt with a "possible account issue" with Paypal I suppose I speak from more experience than many about how Paypal may be to deal with on those sorts of things. I had done absolutely nothing wrong and Paypal never told me exactly why they flagged the account. They had full communication from me, the buyer, as well as the seller, throughout the "investigation". Eventually I was able to get my money through but it was a frustrating and longer-than-it-should-be process. That being said it was also frustrating dealing with my bank when they suspected that my debit card had been stolen, lol. So it's probably just the nature of these things. My biggest annoyance with Paypal and my bank alike is they never told me why they flagged the account so I could potentially explain it or avoid the problem in the future. I suppose there is some rationale behind that, something to do with security and fraud prevention no doubt, but from the customer end of things it's pretty frustrating.

Anyway, I don't plan to be using Google's system any time soon. I'm already registered with Paypal and it works acceptably. Personally I just wish banks would cooperate more directly and bank-to-bank transfers could be quicker and easier in general. I'm still amazed that I have to go get a cashier's check and take it to the bank with which the account I wish to deposit in is registered. Shouldn't the banks just be able to talk directly to each other?

- Oshyan

I have never had any problems with PayPal - except that it is expensive to retrieve money if you haven't got a lot!

Personally I doubt Google will offer order tracking - how would they do that with all third party sellers - unless they do as Yahoo did and actually set up webstores for companies?

Personally I found Yahoo webstores a PITA when it comes to shipping etc. as they charge ridiculous amount (eg. I wanted to buy a CD from www.cirquedusoleil.com and they wanted $29 to ship it to the UK - with no cheaper options ... and that wasn't a quick courier service it was surface mail that took 4-6 weeks).

I think Google will want its pound of flesh too - they aren't setting this up to be altruistic but to make lots of cash and they will make just as much as the market will stand.

The only positive point as far as I can see is that it will hopefully push prices and shipping costs down across the board - but I'm not holding my breath. I suspect Google will do in this area what it has done in others and try to push competitors to the wall. Then there won't be any incentive to have low costs.

I may be a bit paranoid but I can't help thinking the ultimate battle is looming and it will probably be MS and Google in the ring with other companies struggling to compete or pushing up the daisies.

That sounds pretty darn cool App. Possibly the best thing AOL has ever done. I'm not sure it's "appropriate" for Google to do that, but I think it'd be cool for *someone* to do it, without requiring a membership to say AOL.

As far as how Google would track shipping data, think about it, any site that already tracks that data has it in their system. If Google setup a simple API that merchants could hook into for sharing that data securely, they could centralize that and lots of other stuff. They probably already have a system with aspects of this to make the current functionality work. I'm not suggesting having shipping data for merchants that don't usually provide it, just basically mirroring the shipping info provided by many merchants already, and all in one centralized location. That's the value of it for me. Now Google probably isn't doing this, but it seems like they *could*, and as I said I for one would be very interested in that.

- Oshyan

Doesn't ebay own paypal? or paypal own ebay? or something like that?

Ebay = PayPal so there is probably a bit of an agenda.

Having said that eBay has had a hell of a lot of bad publicity in the UK because stupid people buy expensive items (like cars) and send cheques in the post - then expect eBay to reimbuse them when they find the Ferrari they bought for £600 only exists in their imagination. Can't say I am surprised that eBay (UK) are now insisting that only PayPal is recommended (and then up to a fixed limit) if you want any sort of buyer protection.

I'd guess there is also a lot of similar sentiments in the US and elsewhere.

Now if Google offered protection for purchases on eBay there would be less of an argument!