December 1, 2008 125 Comments

Sponsored Post- Online Shopping?- Pay Cash and Feel Secure with eBillMe

This is a sponsored post. My pledge to you is that I’ll never take a sponsorship from someone I can’t endorse, or from someone that doesn’t match the interests of this community. I also disclose every affiliation on my About page.

Do you pay your bills online? Do you do online banking? Have you ever wondered about how secure online payments are? More interestingly, are you wondering about how to NOT use credit this holiday season and pay cash instead?

I think this might be interesting to you.

When I talked with Samer Forzley from eBillMe about his product, I admit that I didn’t understand it the first time I went to the website. That’s because it’s actually a lot more clever than I thought it was when I learned what they’re doing.

eBillme is like the middle man between your online purchases. You can use it at places like Buy.com or Tiger Direct or a bunch of other places (they’re signing up new ones as fast as they can, I’m told). The site has a really simple For Her and For Him section of gift ideas for Cyber Monday and Holiday shopping, by the way, which made for some interesting browsing for me. (I ended up on Buy.com because there was more to see.)

How It Works

(and if I’m wrong, Samer will help me fix this):

You buy something from Buy.com. For a payment method, you select “eBillMe.” When filling out the form to buy whatever, the merchant gets your email address, and so does eBillMe. Then, eBillMe sends you an email with a special code.

Take that code to your online bank of choice. You know where you pay bills, like the electric bill? Go there and put in that code and make eBillMe the payee. Then, just complete your purchase that way.

Then, eBillMe pays the merchant, and you get your stuff, without much fuss, and with lots more security.

Why This is Cool

Think about this: In this model, eBillMe gets funds from your bank, but from the BANK, not your direct account. In this model, eBillMe pays the merchant, which doesn’t pass any of your banking data through for the transaction. In this model, you see a deduction on your statement that says you paid “eBillMe” some money.

Compare that with paying with your debit card, where you give the merchant your bank info. At least two bad ideas in one there, right? Now compare it with paying through PayPal. Not bad, except that you have to give PayPal all your banking info. Right?

So eBillMe has this wrapped up in a fairly neat way, from the secure and anonymous point of view, eh?

Hoping The Idea Spreads

In 2009, with the credit crunch on, and with more people looking to protect their data online, I think an idea like eBillMe is pretty clever. I hope Samer and the team can get more people to accept it as a paying option (my guess is he’ll chime in for the comments and tell us what’s up there). But for now, I plan to use it for some holiday purchases, especially the For Her one, because one can always use help finding the right things to buy. (Okay, *I* can always use the help.)

What do you think?

The preceding was a sponsored post by eBillMe. My opinions are definitely my own, and this post was written by me with no external influence.

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http://looking4ancestors.blogspot.com looking4ancestors

How many times have you had the money in your bank account to make a purchase, but the site only takes credit cards? Finally a way to make on-line purchases without using a credit card, and not having to pay interest to the credit card company for that purchase. Thanks Chris for posting this.
http://fearlessblogger.com faryl

Seems like the “sponsored” aspect of this post has become as much a part of its content as your review, Chris.

For one, I’m stoked to find an alternative to PayPal. The fact that Samer’s been responsive to your readers, in contrast to my unanswered help request from a month ago to PayPal speaks volumes to me. I’m glad you shared this with us!

Personally, as a broke blogger, I often check to see if there is an affiliate program for a product I’m linking to (I also disclose this on my blog). I don’t lose an ounce of sleep over it! Granted, I’ve not been approached for an endorsed review, but I’m of similar vein – if I’d use it and would recommend it, why not?

Bottom line, I trust your judgment and know you care about your readers. The three sentences you started this post further illuminates this. If I didn’t like it, I could opt not to read it and wait for your next post!
http://fearlessblogger.com faryl

Seems like the “sponsored” aspect of this post has become as much a part of its content as your review, Chris.

For one, I’m stoked to find an alternative to PayPal. The fact that Samer’s been responsive to your readers, in contrast to my unanswered help request from a month ago to PayPal speaks volumes to me. I’m glad you shared this with us!

Personally, as a broke blogger, I often check to see if there is an affiliate program for a product I’m linking to (I also disclose this on my blog). I don’t lose an ounce of sleep over it! Granted, I’ve not been approached for an endorsed review, but I’m of similar vein – if I’d use it and would recommend it, why not?

Bottom line, I trust your judgment and know you care about your readers. The three sentences you started this post further illuminates this. If I didn’t like it, I could opt not to read it and wait for your next post!
http://www.theviralgarden.com mack collier

BTW let me say that I think Chris is trying to err on the side of caution when it comes to disclaimers about the post being sponsored. I think his stance is the wise one.

And as for having sponsored posts, I think Chris is doing it more as a way to experiment and see ‘what works’. I’m not sure what he gets for this, but I’m guessing his motivation isn’t as a viable income source, but moreso as a way to experiment, and report the results back to his readers.

BTW I think that blog monetization possibilities is an area that needs more exploration, and I appreciate Chris pushing the boundaries. I’m not opposed to bloggers monetizing their content, but think that it should be done smartly, and in a way that benefits the blogger AND their readers.

This post might have been sponsored, but I think it was actually pretty damned valuable. And that’s value completely detached from the product itself(Which may or may not be valuable to the readers on an individual basis). Good deal, Chris.
http://www.theviralgarden.com mack collier

BTW let me say that I think Chris is trying to err on the side of caution when it comes to disclaimers about the post being sponsored. I think his stance is the wise one.

And as for having sponsored posts, I think Chris is doing it more as a way to experiment and see ‘what works’. I’m not sure what he gets for this, but I’m guessing his motivation isn’t as a viable income source, but moreso as a way to experiment, and report the results back to his readers.

BTW I think that blog monetization possibilities is an area that needs more exploration, and I appreciate Chris pushing the boundaries. I’m not opposed to bloggers monetizing their content, but think that it should be done smartly, and in a way that benefits the blogger AND their readers.

This post might have been sponsored, but I think it was actually pretty damned valuable. And that’s value completely detached from the product itself(Which may or may not be valuable to the readers on an individual basis). Good deal, Chris.
http://www.shefaly-yogendra.com/blog Shefaly

Samer

Thanks for answering my question. I think the 98% abandonment rate is very high and I am still unsure what % is due to security and what due to things like unclear T&Cs and sticker shock associated with delivery costs (it is better now than it was in 1997 but it still is the case for many).

Someone in my family runs the world’s largest credit card processing business. I shall check with them and see how the numbers tally. They have tons of data too and they may be interested in this post and your business as well.

Thanks, Samer. Truly appreciate it.
http://www.shefaly-yogendra.com/blog Shefaly

Samer

Thanks for answering my question. I think the 98% abandonment rate is very high and I am still unsure what % is due to security and what due to things like unclear T&Cs and sticker shock associated with delivery costs (it is better now than it was in 1997 but it still is the case for many).

Someone in my family runs the world’s largest credit card processing business. I shall check with them and see how the numbers tally. They have tons of data too and they may be interested in this post and your business as well.

Thanks, Samer. Truly appreciate it.
http://www.propdata.co.za/ Robert

Well… Personally I don’t see what the fuss is. If you genuinely endorse the product then tell folk about it. Oh… you were paid. Okay, so state it’s a sponsored post. No worries.

Two things however. Would you have bothered mentioning it even if it wasn’t a sponsored post? Basically would you have brought it up under “online payment options” any way? I’m willing to bet you would have. So again, no worries.

Sadly with all the fear, judgment and loathing that seems to go with anything that is sponsored and not declared you need to clearly point out that it was a sponsored post. But I think it was a little overkill. It’s almost like running an ad to advertise an ad ;) Should really just create a little icon that readers can associate with sponsored posts. Clearer but smaller.

In any event, that’s my 2 cents worth. Regardless, I enjoy reading you blog and will continue to do so sponsored or not. Thanks.
http://www.propdata.co.za/ Robert

Well… Personally I don’t see what the fuss is. If you genuinely endorse the product then tell folk about it. Oh… you were paid. Okay, so state it’s a sponsored post. No worries.

Two things however. Would you have bothered mentioning it even if it wasn’t a sponsored post? Basically would you have brought it up under “online payment options” any way? I’m willing to bet you would have. So again, no worries.

Sadly with all the fear, judgment and loathing that seems to go with anything that is sponsored and not declared you need to clearly point out that it was a sponsored post. But I think it was a little overkill. It’s almost like running an ad to advertise an ad ;) Should really just create a little icon that readers can associate with sponsored posts. Clearer but smaller.

In any event, that’s my 2 cents worth. Regardless, I enjoy reading you blog and will continue to do so sponsored or not. Thanks.
http://www.curvedetroit.com/charliewollborg.html Charlie Wollborg

Glad to see you’re monetizing your blog, Chris. If the programming is good, we’ll never mind watching the ads too.
http://www.curvedetroit.com/charliewollborg.html Charlie Wollborg

Glad to see you’re monetizing your blog, Chris. If the programming is good, we’ll never mind watching the ads too.
http://www.ebillme.com Samer Forzley

@Shefaly
thanks for the post and reply

Everyone else. Thanks to all who asked and commented so far. I appreciate all the comments.

If you have any questions that i have not addressed please let me know, on twitter @sforzley or drop me an email sforzley@ebillme.com

As for the sponsored post, I would say this, that as the sponsor, I am thankfull that Chris stated right upfront that this is a sponsored post. Our intention is to have a discussion with Chris’s readers, we thank him and you for the opportunity to do so.

Samer.
http://www.ebillme.com Samer Forzley

@Shefaly
thanks for the post and reply

Everyone else. Thanks to all who asked and commented so far. I appreciate all the comments.

If you have any questions that i have not addressed please let me know, on twitter @sforzley or drop me an email sforzley@ebillme.com

As for the sponsored post, I would say this, that as the sponsor, I am thankfull that Chris stated right upfront that this is a sponsored post. Our intention is to have a discussion with Chris’s readers, we thank him and you for the opportunity to do so.

Samer.
http://www.recruitmenow.com.au/ Erich “Careers” Jam

There are lots of shopping online nowadays. Well, I guess I have to try this one. :)
http://www.recruitmenow.com.au/ Erich “Careers” Jam

There are lots of shopping online nowadays. Well, I guess I have to try this one. :)
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iamhereonline

Hi there,

I am wondering if this service will be available to international merchants, specifically Canadians, etc. The reason why paypal and companies such as 2checkout.com do very well and have spread very fast, since the inception of the internet, is because they have paid attention to the fact that the internet is a global market place and they make the transactions available almost universally.

I am wondering if your company has any plans to make this service outside of the U.S.? If not it’s not really worth my time to spread the word to friends, family or other retailers for using this as an alternative payment method. I should add many new service gain popularity on the basis of word of mouth.

I look forward to hearing from you.
iamhereonline

Hi there,

I am wondering if this service will be available to international merchants, specifically Canadians, etc. The reason why paypal and companies such as 2checkout.com do very well and have spread very fast, since the inception of the internet, is because they have paid attention to the fact that the internet is a global market place and they make the transactions available almost universally.

I am wondering if your company has any plans to make this service outside of the U.S.? If not it’s not really worth my time to spread the word to friends, family or other retailers for using this as an alternative payment method. I should add many new service gain popularity on the basis of word of mouth.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Krikket

need ebillme in Canada specifically Bank of Montreal
Krikket

need ebillme in Canada specifically Bank of Montreal
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Thanks for answering my question. I think the 98% abandonment rate is very high and I am still unsure what % is due to security and what due to things like unclear T&Cs and sticker shock associated with delivery costs (it is better now than it was in 1997 but it still is the case for many).
Someone in my family runs the world's largest credit card processing business. I shall check with them and see how the numbers tally. They have tons of data too and they may be interested in this post and your business as well.

Sponsored Post- Online Shopping?- Pay Cash and Feel Secure with eBillMe

How It Works

Why This is Cool

Hoping The Idea Spreads

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