Unlike Paypal, Google Checkout promises to not suddenly freeze your bank account.

This is helped by, in part, that Google Checkout is tied to your credit card and not your bank account.

Even then, Google Checkout will not freeze your credit card. Worse-case scenario, in the event of fraud or suspicion of, they will stop processing transactions at your request.

What Google should really do is make service called Google VC, tied to Google Checkout. That way you can conduct secure transactions when you want to easily acquire Silicon Valley flipmeats over teh internets.

"Don't the guys behind the counter know anything?

We were just in Brooklyn Industries clothing shop. Though we don't really care for their "near-hip" apparel, our girlfriend bought a skirt.

The cashier asked "debit or credit?" We then got into a little discussion about the difference between debit and credit.

Counter lad said that credit is cheaper than debit for the customer as merchants will sometimes require a transaction fee just like an ATM.

He added that he learned this because he was watching a consumer news bit on TV.

Being the consumer nimnoork we are, we said a further distinction between credit and debit was that debit card purchases were insured up to $50. We also mentioned the power of chargebacks.

He was like, "Oh, I didn't know that. Learn something new every day."

We just thought it was a little silly. The cashier only knew anything because he happened to catch a TV program.

As a consumer, make sure you know the difference. The guy manning the card swiper may not have a clue.

(He did hand us an online coupon. Enter code: Watertower06 to save 10% at A day without ice cream is like a day without sunshine.

Likewise, a day without an email from Steve of Amy's Ice Cream is like a day without getting hit in the head with a brick. At least, that's the twist this Rocky Road may turn if his latest missives and our retorts are any indication.

All the gore you crave, after the jump...

--*--

After we posted Steve's email addres, as he said that he invited anyone with feedback to email him, Amy's Ice Cream received several supportive letters from readers of The Consumerist. Steve forwarded these emails to us.

We replied, "See, not all our readers have horns."

He then sent an email,

"Just a few of the emails I have received since you put my email address up. I am still waiting to pass judgement on your BLOG, all that BS about; "brine" and "made from left-over toffee ice cream". I really think you should wait to pass judgement on people and their businesses until after you have visited them and seen them for yourself. 95% of the emails we receive are from customers that have had a wonderful experience. We are a good company that cares about our customers and our employees. Even "Mike" who sent in the original sign and all, I think has been recovered.
Anyway, just a few thoughts...
Come see us anytime,
Amy and Steve

We replied, "Not all jokes are as sweet as a scoop of vanilla."

He shot back:

Jokes and personal attacks are two different things. I am happy I chose the high road on this one...

We retorted:

"We never passed judgment on Amy's Ice Cream, nor are we responsible for the actions of our readers.

Mike's letter and original complaint provided a window onto a bigger issue, that consumers don't like minimum credit card charges and isn't it odd that these charges are explicitly prohibited in every single credit card's merchant agreement?

The brine you mention, we were referring to the mean letter sent to you, the letter was briney, not your ice cream.

The left-over toffee, that's the award we're talking about. Again, not your ice cream. Look at the picture, you have to admit that hunk looks odd.

We never personally attacked you or Amy.

If you consider it a "high road" to describe our blog as "bullshit," raise your sights."

Both the brine and toffee were mentioned in Amy's Ice Cream has a new sign (right) that seems to say that the $10 minimum charge is suggested, not required. The sign we originally posted (left) was one a store manager had replaced the 'official' sign with, according to Steve.

The epic brouhaha even warranted a mention in Amy's Ice Cream Our article on the minimum credit card fees charged at Amy's Ice Cream generated quite a little uproar. Amy is pictured, left, helping award Lonnie Williams with the "Best Transition" small business award in Austin. It's made from left-over toffee ice cream.

Steve, Amy's partner in the ice cream shoppe and husband, forwarded an email he received from someone who reads The Consumerist.

"This is a copy of an email I received this weekend. Nice people," he says...

Dunk your head in the brine-flavored ice-cream , after the jump...

"Dear Amy,

What I really love about Amy's is...

You really need to go to school and take some classes on