I placed my first order using Google Checkout last night. I was hesitant to try Google Checkout, but in the midst of an impulse buy I decided to give it a whirl. I picked up a Iomega 250 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive from RitzCamera for $19.95. This great product deal came curtiosy of a listing found at SecretPrices.com as the normal price is somewhere upwards of $250+. SecretPrices also had listed a coupon for $10 off $20 at RitzCamera, only valid when using Google Checkout. So the grand was $9.95 for the drive, plus shipping. Not sure if it was a price mistake or what, but the product was removed from Ritz’s website only a few hours after my purchase. Update: RitzCamera cancelled my order stating that the item was “out of stock”. Oh well!

The whole process for Google Checkout was straightforward and simple. It seemed easier than using the relatively clunky RitzCamera checkout interface itself (which has given me problems in the past when using FireFox). Of course you it seems you need a Gmail account to use the service (which is still by invitation only?).

After the purchase you can keep track of your order using the Google Checkout History found in your Google account. Also, Google also allows you to refrain from giving out your Gmail email address and just having Google forward information on from the merchant.

[tags]google checkout, gmail, ritzcamera[/tags]