High-end e-tailers like Blue Nile, Shoebuy and Zales are offering alternative payment options like PayPal, Google Checkout and Bill Me Later in place of a traditional credit card payment. By implementing these programs--and finding consumers who will use them--companies can lower their credit card processing costs. To help customers become more comfortable with these alternate methods, Blue Nile and other sites are offering special savings when customers choose to use them. PayPal, a subsidiary of eBay, says about 150 million people and hundreds of thousands of merchants use its service. One reason sites like eBay have the ability to charge less for processing fees than credit card companies is they spend less on marketing. "So we're a big supporter of these other payment methods," said Michael J. Wagner, chief executive of online toy retailer eToys, which offers PayPal. "Somebody has to keep the MasterCards and Visas honest."