Google Checkout Merchant Center

The Google Checkout Merchant Center (https://checkout.google.com/sell/orders) is an online interface that allows you to manage orders placed through Google Checkout, and manage your merchant account settings. It's an easy way to start processing orders right away, without any setup necessary. It lets you:

• Receive new orders in the Orders Inbox
• Charge credit cards
• Mark orders as filled
• Provide tracking numbers for shipped orders

Even if you process your orders through another system, the Merchant Center will be updated and remain available to you. Any changes made in the Merchant Center won't be reflected in the other order management system, however.

This symbol means the link opens up the page in a new window or tab so when you're done with that step, you can close the window or tab and go on with the instructions.

Viewing orders

By default, you'll be taken to the Orders Inbox when you sign in to the Merchant Center, where any new orders will be displayed:

You can tell the status of an order at a glance by looking at the icons in the Chrg and Ship columns:

For more details about an order, such as the buyer's shipping or email address or the order history, click on the order number.

So that you need not continuously check the Merchant Center for orders, you can set your preferences (https://checkout.google.com/sell/settings?section=Preferences) to receive email notifications whenever there are new orders in your account.

As you receive more orders, the Inbox may become cluttered. You can archive orders to move them out of the Inbox, but keep them viewable on the Archive page. You can also use the Search function to look for specific orders.

Handling orders

The next expected action for an order will be diplayed as a button under the Action column. If you need to take a different action, click through to the order details page to see what other options are available.

Charge orders

When you're ready to fulfill an order, you should charge it. You can also charge a partial amount (http://checkout.google.com/support/sell/bin/answer.py?answer=42945) on the order details page.

Note: You should only charge orders after they've gone through Google's risk checks and the buyers' cards have been authorized — at that point they'll be marked as chargeable (http://code.google.com/apis/checkout/developer/Google_Checkout_Shopping_Cart_Credit_card_Authorization.html).

You can set new orders to be automatically charged on your Preferences page (https://checkout.google.com/sell/settings?section=Preferences), if there's no need for you to check first whether they're in stock.

Mark orders as shipped

Buyers can look in their accounts to check on the status of their orders, so you should mark orders as shipped once you've fulfilled them. This applies to digitally delivered goods, as well.

You'll be asked to provide the carrier and tracking number of the package(s) (up to three). This information is optional, but is useful to the buyer and also may affect whether the order is eligible for Google's Payment Guarantee Policy (http://checkout.google.com/support/sell/bin/answer.py?answer=42863).

Cancel orders

If you're unable or unwilling to fulfill an order, you can cancel it by clicking Cancel entire order on the order details page. The buyer will be notified.

Although the Merchant Center doesn't support cancellation of individual items within a multiple-item order, you can charge the entire order amount and then issue a partial refund for the unshipped items.

Refund orders

If you've already charged an order but need to return some or all of the funds to the buyer, click on Refund some money... on the order details page. You'll be asked to select a reason for the refund, enter the refund amount, and optionally provide a note for the buyer.

Other resources

Help Center articles on processing orders