Retailers Vent about Google Checkout Not Accepting Maestro Cards

Last week it was a surprise to many retailers when Google announced that its payment portal "Google Checkout" would no longer be accepting Maestro cards. The even bigger surprise, Google really did not give an explanation on why they came to this decision. Without an explanation it leaves many experts coming up with their own reasons on why any company would limit or prevent potential customers from using their products or services.

On many accounts, the ones that will be hurt most by Google decision to not except Maestro cards will be the retailers that use Google Checkout to process transactions. Although consumers can use other forms of payments, those that are more comfortable with paying with a Maestro card may go elsewhere to make the purchase. If retailers do see any decreases in sales, they may be forced to offer alternative solutions of payment methods such as PayPal. If this happens Google may have to reconsider its decision to stop accepting Maestro.

So what is Maestro exactly? Maestro is a multi-national debit card service owned by MasterCard with more than five hundred million cardholders worldwide. Generally issued and used more frequently in many other countries than the United States, it is MasterCard premier debit card brand that is also widely used for prepaid cards as well.