Google Checkout downchecked by UK users

Online shopping is made easier, faster and safer," enthused Google's Jerry Dischler. "You can surf and shop til your fingers drop...It's also great news for retailers because shoppers will have a better experience."

Or maybe not. Here are a few emails we've received from UK Checkout users:

Google checkout is having major problems transferring money into people's bank accounts. They are ignoring emails and refusing to do comment or acknowledge the matter. I myself have 14,500 pounds stuck in google since the 21st of May and i am not alone. a quick look at their forums shows it's quite widespread.

Other users of the Google forums agree. And there's more:

The [Google Checkout] affiliate program offered by Ebuyer stole my money! I used the Google checkout function, which enticed me with the offer of a £10 discount.

The system refused both of my cards, saying they were declined (they both had plenty of credit).

I decided to shun my £10 discount and just use Ebuyer's standard checkout system. My order went through without a hitch.

Two days later, Google Checkout sent me an email saying that they were sorry about declining my card as this was a fault of theirs and not mine (too right!) and that they were helpfully resubmitting my order.

I now find myself with a duplicate £175 order to the sum of... carry the one, the five.. £350!

Terrible, terrible show.

Google Checkout may well be more secure, but as for faster and easier - apparently not just yet. As for any of this being good news for retailers, well, that seems unlikely.

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