As lending standards tighten and credit card interest mounts, several online retailers are reacting by offering interest free, cash payment checkout options for shoppers. Consumers are responding by choosing secure online banking checkout, according to eBillme, an online payment option. These online merchants have announced that they will now offer consumers an option to pay now rather than later. And when given a cash like alternative, these shoppers on average spend more online than credit card users, according to new Jupiter Research data.

Among the merchants to offer eBillme are Etronics.com, 4AllMemory.com, Shoplet.com, Canada Pharmacy, and CymaxStores.com. These retailers are now pairing consumer appeal of cash payment with promotions to incentivize shoppers at checkout. Here are the examples:

• Etronics.com is offering a $25 rebate on eBillme orders over $100. Etronics.com sells name brand electronics at discounted prices and has a 30 day return policy.
• 4AllMemory.com is giving shoppers $10 off all eBillme orders. This company carries computer RAM upgrades that are 100 percent guaranteed compatible for all major manufacturers including Dell, Apple, Compaq, Toshiba, Sony, and more.
• Shoplet.com is offering a pack of 24 Energizer AA batteries, valued at $20, with every order of $100 or more purchased using eBillme. Shoplet.com stocks more than 200,000 products and services for the office. Among the products are office supplies, computer hardware, software, networking, office furniture, IT supplies, and custom printing.
• Canada Pharmacy is the number one ranked online mail order pharmacy. With more than 3,000 unique products to choose from, as well as 2,500 generic medications, it has filled more than four million prescriptions at discount prices.
• CymaxStores.com is offering a $20 rebate on eBillme orders of $200 or more. The retailer supplies more than 250,000 furniture products for bedrooms, living rooms, offices, and entertainment rooms, with in excess of 100 specialty online stores, and one of the largest selections of products on the web. It carries new merchandise from top manufacturers worldwide, and offers full manufacturer's warranty.

"With this added service, customers can shop with complete confidence, knowing that every eBillme transaction through Etronics.com is guaranteed and protected," said Mayer Balser, CEO and co-founder of Etronics.com. "The checkout process is simple, secure, and very appealing to our customers looking to checkout without a credit card and without incurring interest." Balser said he believes the option at online checkout, "Will build customer loyalty and generate new sales opportunities for our business."

When shoppers choose the option at checkout, their order is confirmed with an eBill sent to their email address.

Consumers simply pay the eBill through their online checking or savings account, the same way they pay utilities, loans, insurance, and other bills. The transaction occurs securely, bank to bank, with no personal or financial information required or transmitted over the Internet.

Because shoppers pay directly from their online bank account, they don't release any financial information online. This helps consumers manage their spending and debt, while better safeguarding themselves from identity theft and fraud risks.

eBillme's buyer protection program takes security a step further. At no additional cost to shoppers and retailers, the buyer protection features have the same or a better level of buyer protection than premium credit cards.

Protection features include a return guarantee, price guarantee, in transit protection, and fraud protection. "Now more than ever, shoppers are looking for more payment options that allow them to pay now rather than later," said Marwan Forzley, president and CEO of eBillme. "Consumers have been stung hard by easy credit, seen their debt skyrocket, and felt the weight of their payment burden increase."

"They don't want to slip deeper in debt, but they still need to shop for important items online. The eBillme option is positioned to ease consumer concerns and give retailers a way to attract the 84 million Americans who bank online and spend more than the average consumer," he concluded.