[Hcoop-discuss] Google checkout

[Nathan Kennedy]

Franklin Gordon Bynum wrote:
> I hope I'm wrong, but it seems that we fit (loosely, at least) in at
> least a couple of the "unacceptable product categories" here:
> https://checkout.google.com/seller/content_policies.html
>   
Good spot.  They do have annoying policies.
> Buyer/discount clubs-- could be us, it's a stretch though
>   
This is not what we do at this point.  We are selling services, at no 
profit.
> Prepaid goods and services-- this is the kicker
>   
You are correct.  I have looked through the prohibited products and the 
terms of service.  Not only do they not allow google payments for 
prepaid services or funding balances, they also forbid using it to 
collect on debts owed for services already rendered that are not billed 
through google payments.
> If the second really is a problem, maybe we can set up an invoice
> system?  Of course there are disadvantages to that.
>   
This seems like the only real solution that stays within the guidelines 
of google payments.  We wouldn't really have to set up a new system, 
just require that the user fund their account through paypal or a check 
to establish an initial balance, and then periodically (e.g. monthly) 
bill the user for their accrued account debits on MoneyMatters through 
google payments.  doing this automatically would require some basic 
amount of coding though.

The other option is ignoring this contractual restriction.  Google is 
free to interpret this list however they like, and forbid things not on 
the list (by their own terms), likewise to permit things on the list.  
If they don't get upset (and I'm sure they appreciate their 
commissions), and we don't abuse the service, they are very likely to 
let it slide unless they receive nasty complaints  Their only remedy 
under the terms is to suspend or terminate our service, and they would 
then give us a check for any payments already processed.  If we do this 
it would be best to keep this as a short-term measure moving towards the 
invoicing system.

Given this twist and the fact that we already have a hosting arrangement 
on our plate this could go on the back burner, but it would be nice to 
accept credit cards (and/or have a PayPal alternative) at some point in 
the near future.

-ntk