Actually "buyers" do receive incentives also. $10 off every purchase over $30 and $20 off purchases over $50. I agree with you on everything else though. :-)

I imagine that sellers will be interested in this aspect of Google Checkout. It concerns chargebacks. What is below is a copy/paste from Google's website.
******************************************************
What's the Payment Guarantee Policy?

The Payment Guarantee Policy is an unique benefit under the Chargeback Resolution Policy that offers you even more protection from unwarranted chargebacks. Here's how it works:

For all eligible transactions, we'll completely reimburse you for any chargebacks resulting from claims of unauthorized purchases and non-receipt of goods. To qualify for this additional protection, you must meet the following criteria:

* You shipped the order to the buyer's shipping address (as specified in the Google Checkout Merchant Center or the Google Checkout API call) according to the shipping method and timeframe agreed upon when the order was placed.
* You provide a tracking number or other proof of shipping for transactions less than US$250.
* You provide proof of delivery with the buyer's signature for transactions greater then US$250
* You receive a request from Google for supporting documentation and provide this information within ten business days.
* You're currently displaying a clear return policy on your website. (Learn more)
* The disputed order doesn't involve intangible goods.

At a minimum, Google will reimburse you for eligible chargebacks up to $10,000 per year. If your gross Google Checkout sales exceed $1 million per year, we'll protect you for 1% of those sales. For example, if your Google Checkout sales are $2 million, we'll protect you for up to $20,000.

Our policy covers:

* All sales of tangible goods that meet our content policies.
* Chargebacks resulting from claims of unauthorized purchases and non-receipt of items.

Our policy doesn't cover:

* Intangible goods, such as services and digital content.
* Chargebacks resulting from claims of defective merchandise or 'items not as described.'

As with any transaction processing service, you assume some level of chargeback risk when you sell through Google Checkout. However, when combined with your good selling practices, Google's policies and commitment to your security can help reduce your overall risk.

I've always like the concept of Google Checkout, as a merchant. Problem is in integration. Meaning few merchants can get it to work, which translates into few customers being able to use it.

The problem on our end is getting shipping rates sent to Google (which doesn't have a setup for such on its end). We've tried module vendors such as x-cart and MagneticOne, but they can't seem to accomplish the task.

In a nutshell, a service that you can't use is no service at all.

Does Google Checkout provide any sort of protection for the buyers using their service? I used GC on 11/30 to purchase a game system for my son. I then asked GC to cancel my order (prior to it being taken out of my account) on 12/1 as, after doing further research, I had a bad feeling about the merchant. GC did not cancel my order, but rather sent an e-mail to the merchant - no reply. Tried calling the merchant - no answer. Tried e-mailing - again, you guessed it. I get absolutely no response from Google Checkout except for some e-mails early on telling me helpful things, such as how to check the status of my order and informing me they have to give the merchant 5 business days to provide information. Well it has been considerably longer, still no merchandise, no shipping information and Google has not even responded to any of my e-mails since 12/4. I am now apparently out $325.00 and Google Checkout will do nothing to even acknowledge that there is a problem. There is no way of contacting Google Checkout aside from e-mails and they don't even answer those any more. I would certainly caution anyone thinking of using GC to think about what sort of customer service they offer, which for me, has been none.

Check out sucks! I have never had any problems with Paypal and recommend it highly! Instanct payments. What could be easier for the seller and buyer. No snail mail and safe transactions.

5. So here is a person with a true negative experience with google checkout and receiving zero customer service.

Where is the follow up condemnation and indignation from Paypal bashers? Gary? If you are criticize then do it equally for both parties. When Checkout first launch and merchants like Levis ditched Checkout I didn't hear a peep.

Again objectivity and balance of criticism has not been demonstrated by Gary and friends.

5. You would think with an army of PHDs and almighty Google reputation would test there software before launch? ie., Slow processing of transaction and double billing problems.

Google Checkout charges the buyers credit card before their order ships. The customer might be ringing up a credit card bill and get nothing in return if the merchant does not ship the order.

I ordered an in stock item from buy.com on Dec. 6th. Google Checkout charged my credit card immediately. Buy.com never sent my order because it turns out the item is not in stock, it is on indefinite backorder. It took more than a week of contacting buy.com and Google Checkout to find out why my order never shipped.

There is a conflict in the Google Checkout Program policy and what buy.com says Google Checkout policy is.

Google Checkout Program policy:

“As a Google Checkout merchant, you’re required to adhere to the Google Checkout policies at all times.

2. Order Management

b. Ship orders before charging the buyer’s credit card. You may not attempt to charge the buyer’s credit card until you have
shipped the order.”

http://checkout.google.com/seller/policies.html

What buy.com says Google Checkout policy is:

“Please note that you are billed though your item has not yet shipped. This is one of the unique policies when purchasing through GoogleCheckout.

For more questions on GoogleCheckout policies, please visit our Buy.com help site. Under Pricing and Billing click on “What are my payment choices?”. Then, choose Google check out or you can simply copy paste the following link in your address box:

http://www.buy.com/corp/support/billing/google.asp”

Buy.com policy for customers not using Google Checkout:

“When will my credit card be charged? Since we don’t think you should pay for your order until it is actually on its way, Buy.com will not bill you until your products, including backordered or preordered items, are actually shipped. In
the case of Music Downloads we will bill you at the time of purchase.”

http://www.buy.com/corp/support/billing/creditcards.asp?what=whencharged

Google Checkout support knows that I (and many others - this is a growing problem, and not just with buy.com) have been charged for merchandise that has not been shipped and that the merchant can’t even give an estimate on when the item will be available - if ever.

They have done nothing about it. The charge is on my credit card statement. I have nothing to show for it.

If Google Checkout can’t be trusted to require merchants to “adhere to the Google Checkout policies at all times,” why should consumers trust Google Checkout with sensitive financial and personal information at all?

They shouldn’t. Period.

Don’t use Google Checkout.

More than 40 unhappy Google Checkout users on Kirby Witmer's blog, "Google Checkout Flunks":
http://www.kirb.com/Blog/index.php/2006/07/19/google-checkout-flunks