Payment options - what do your customers prefer?

I have had a good read through the forums trying to discover what is the most popular (successful) payment option to offer in a ZC store.

Like a lot of people starting off a cheap option is the most appealing until you see how things work out with Paypal probably top of most peoples list.

Has anybody found that if they offer several payment options such as Paypal, Google Checkout, Cheque (check) money order or their own merchant account that one is way more popular or successful than the rest?

This is one person's experiences:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showpost.php?p=543176&postcount=3

From the post Steven linked to -

I have both Google and PayPal on my working web site and I found Google is used more than PayPal. My merchant account is used way more than either

That sums up our experience, too, although it does sort of depend on what you're selling, and to whom.

Would you say that customers are generally reluctant to use paypal if there is another option available?

Seems strange to me as if you have a PP account there is no need to input your card details anywhere and if you don't have an account then it's just another payment gateway.

I suppose it comes down to the idea that you can't offer a potential customer too many ways to do business with you.

If they're comfortable with PayPal, great. If they don't have or want a Paypal account, or don't want to be taken away from your site to pay (that would be me), you've got the merchant account option available.

I think retail is about making as many people as possible happy about buying from you.

If the cost of a mechant account is a major consideration, there may be something not quite right about your business model.