Google Checkout/ Paypal question

I am setting up a marketplace site where people can buy and sell
certain items. I have been pulling my hair out for a few months
trying to figure a payment system out. Basically I will allow free
posting of item; however once it is sold I collect a flat fee + a % of
the sale. So my delimma is this.

How can I protect myself from getting caught up in the disputes of the
buyer and seller? Does google checkout do what paypal does with the
guarantee, so if something happens google hands the dispute?

Also I need to know if it is possible for me to do this:

1. Buyer buys item and pays
2. The buyers payment is automatically put into either sellers google
account/paypal account or whatever.
a. However, my fees are deducted first and then the rest is
given to seller?

I hope I explained good enough, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Google does not get into the disputes. The best way for such forums is to keep yourself - the admin - away from buyer-seller disputes. Legally also you might not have any say on the buyer's or seller's rights and responsibilities.
The risk must be mitigated between the buyer and seller.

If you route the receipts-paymnt through your paypal a/c probably you could have a say in the entire process.

 

Essentially I would like to set the responsibility between the buyer and seller and stay out of it if possible. However I still don't know how I will be able to process the payment and get my fee out of it and then have the rest go to the buyer.

 

If you are using Google Checkout you don't have need to have any involvment with the dispute. It is between the buyer and seller.

It is possible to do what you want with fees, but the way to do it, would be to create a system where the buyer is charged the full amount, your fee is taken then the seller gets the remainder, however theres a few issues with that.

You can either charge the buyer yourself, then send the remainder to the seller.
You can allow the full amount to be sent to the buyer then you invoice the buyer.
You can charge the buyer twice, once for the amount minus your fee and then once for your fee.

All ways work however theres programming issues with all of them if you want it automated.

If you charge the buyer yourself and then send the remainder to the seller you are then involved with any disputes as you received the money from the buyer. Thats why you are better charging the seller the fees via invoicing.