DISQUS

Sam Harrelson: Google Checkout Drops ZeFrank’s “GimmeSomeCandy” Micro-Promotion

  • Chris · 3 years ago
    I'm a little confused here. You said, "Ah, tangible goods or 501 c3 charities." The Google policy says, "you may also process transactions for intangible goods (such as digital or downloadable products), services, subscriptions, and donations (if your organization is 501c3 tax-exempt)."

    My interpretation of that is that you can only do donations if you'e a 501c3, but that anyone can do digital or downloadable products. I would say that what Ze is doing, essentially online advertising, seems to be okay by that text.

    But maybe I'm just reading it wrong.
  • mark day · 3 years ago
    Perhaps Google were too busy loading up suitcases with $1.6 billion in used bills (and/or imaginary internet Monopoly money) to deal with the hassle of processing the micro-payments and mega-gratiutude of the sports racer inter-nation. D'ya think this was the first sudden spike in payment activity that Google payment has actually seen? The Show is probably the first internet "thing" I can see myself (and did see myself) coughing up cash for the way I do when my local jazz station has a pledge drive. Anyway, Google's gumpiness doesn't bode well for us on the dorkier end of the user-generated content ladder to the stars. And let's not forget the real reason Google gobbled YouTube (see post below for details...

    http://markdaycomedy.wordpress.com/2006/10/11/t...
  • Bas Janssen · 3 years ago
    Hmmm that'll be the end of Google being 'God' in my opinion. I just can't figure out the reason why Google Checkout won't endorse donations. Dugg btw.
  • Sam Harrelson · 3 years ago
    Thanks for the Digg! I really appreciate it.

    Keep the comments coming. I'd love to hear what everyone thinks of this move by Checkout in light of Paypal, etc.
  • Koz Farina · 3 years ago
    Why not just sell the 'donator' a rubber duck? As a token 'tangible' (and squeaky!) product!
  • Sam Harrelson · 3 years ago
    Hi Koz - I think that's what some fans on the forum are suggesting. Maybe a coffee mug or duckie as a token of appreciation. I guess that defeats the point in Ze's mind since mailing, packaging and sorting through that would require another 6 or 7 hours a day on top of what he spends doing and editing "The Show."

    Big fan of BlogHUD, btw. Great platform and awesome tool for SecondLife!
  • alexander · 3 years ago
    Mmmmm, did Google misread their own terms of service? Duckies are tangible - in that they can be sensed by the eye when they appear on screen. Ze is selling a product, a visible ducky promotion.

    If Ze re-words the promotion page to make is painfully clear that he's selling something, then contacts Google, I bet they'd re-instate his account.

    Most likely this was caused by some intern/new hire who was tasked with auditing sites using Checkout to verify that they're in compliance and, being disgruntled at having such a craptastic assignment while working for the oh-so-great Goog, they made some rash decisions.
  • Ed Kohler · 3 years ago
    If Ze's ads aren't products, what the heck is Google selling with AdWords? Am I to believe that Google wouldn't accept themselves as a client for their main product?