A number of weeks ago I wrote about Judie’s and my ongoing frustration with Google Checkout. To make a long story short, we had purchased Nexus One Google phones while we were in Las Vegas back in January. Due to a delay in shipping, the phones were to arrive after we had already departed. We made arrangements with FedEx to have the phones rejected and sent directly back to Google and we ask for a credit immediately. Weeks went by and no refund was in the offing. In the meantime, when I got home from my travels I ordered a Nexus One again and had it delivered to my home. I used it for two weeks and ultimately decided to return to my iPhone for time. I paid the reboxing fee and sent it back. Weeks went by and we did not hear about any of the returns. The company was quick to charge our credit cards was rather slow in responding the money for the phones that had been returned.

Numerous e-mails back and forth took place. Each time we sent e-mails directly and then, days later got form letters back. All of them were signed “Google Team”.

The frustration grew because there was no way to actually get in contact with human beings to resolve disputes.

A number of my e-mails asked for a human being to call me but that never occurred. So the other day I tried again…

I got back the following…

But it had been more than 14 days and that wasn’t the first time I had emailed and asked for help. I sent back the following…

I wasn’t sure what to do, but then Judie saved me… She told me that earlier in the week she had contacted American Express and disputed the original charge from January. As is the case with American Express (love them), they immediately credited her account. I contacted American Express as well, and within minutes had a credit back on my account and a dispute with Google was filed. I received yet another form letter e-mail from the company two days ago.

Today three things took place which allows us to begin closing out this sorry tale.

First, Judie received an e-mail from American Express that the dispute is closed and she has permanently been credited her money. Second, I received back an e-mail apologizing for the issues that we had received and promising to “look into it” and yet, despite everything this e-mail was also signed “the Google team”. There wasn’t a human being who could be contacted. There wasn’t a phone number that can be reached. There wasn’t a direct e-mail that could be reached. No, when you’re dealing with Google Checkout you’re dealing with an anonymous corporation, and you have no recourse. American Express; love you. Google Checkout? Not so much. I will not shop with Google Checkout again until they fix their process of doing business.

Third, I received an e-mail back from Google. Once again it was simply signed- “The Google Team”. And this time they pointed the finger at HTC… Give me a break.