What do you do when you’re unhappy with a transaction and the merchant wants to make things right, but you think their terms are unreasonable? That’s what Raymond wants to know. He tells us that Aldo is willing to price match after sending him a marked down item that he paid full price for online, but thinks they want him to go too far to prove it.
online commerce
Lenovo Screws Up Every Part Of Computer Purchase
By 10.22.09
Dan and his roommate had a crazy plan. They would use Dan’s credit card to purchase a laptop computer from Lenovo. The roommate would write Dan a check for the total amount the computer cost. Lenovo would ship a working computer to the roommate, thus completing a straightforward exchange of currency and consumer goods. Unfortunately, life is not that simple in the Land of Lenovo.
Best Buy Doesn't Seem To Understand This Rewards Program Thing
By 7.28.09
I noticed something interesting recently when signing up for a RewardZone account at Best Buy. Either it was a glitch or this is an ongoing issue, but I couldn’t tie together my RewardZone number and my account to purchase things on the site.
Too Bad You Missed The -6571% Off Sale
By 6.18.09
Check out the fantastic Deal of the Day that reader C found at rugsale.com. An error put a rug’s original price at $1.50 (as opposed to probably $150) meaning that it’s on sale for only -6571% off.
Motherhood Maternity Misplaces Misdirected Merchandise
By 6.8.09
Three months ago, I ordered a batch of maternity clothes from the Gap and Motherhood Maternity. Unfortunately, when I returned the pieces that didn’t fit – I mixed up the returns! The Gap immediately returned the shipment meant for Motherhood, but Motherhood did not. In emails they have claimed to have 1. never received it (I sent the UPS delivering confirmation), then they claimed to have sent it back (I asked for tracking info what was never supplied), then they just quit answering emails. I reported them to the BBB saying – yes, this was my mistake but they still should have returned it – and they told the BBB that no proof was every supplied that the items were sent to them (I resent the email thread and the delivery confirmation).
No More Free Online Returns From Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Atheleta
By 5.15.09
Reader Joe sent us a tip that Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Atheleta have changed their online return policy. “They now deduct 6$ from the return refund, no questions asked… ” he wrote. Well, that’s not exactly it. Here’s the official word from Gap Inc.
Reckon Offers 12 Months of Excuses, Still No T-Shirt
By 5.5.09
Reckon is a company that sells silkscreened designs of celebrities on various articles of clothing. Seriously, where else can you get a Morrissey onesie? Dan ordered a custom t-shirt with a design of Larry David on it in April of 2008. He’d like to report on the fit and quality of the shirt, but he can’t, because he hasn’t received it yet.
UPDATE: Campusfood's "Service Fees" Disappear …Or Do They?
By 5.1.09
Remember the new “service charge” imposed on orders by Campusfood.com that we posted about earlier this week? Well, um, you people must have complained. Because it’s gone. UPDATE: From the Web site. And the checkout screens. But they’re still charging it.
Domino's Accidentally Gives Away 11,000 Pizzas in Bailout Promotion
By 4.1.09
This morning, Rick Broida posted a great deal from ubiquitous pizza chain Domino’s at his Cheapskate blog on CNET. Customers could get a free one-topping pizza (carryout only) by ordering online and using the coupon code “BAILOUT.”
Nine West Overcharges You Because Calculating Taxes Is Hard
By 3.27.09
Nine West wasn’t sure how much tax to charge Jane for her online order so they have gave her a price that was $5.48 less than what they actually charged. When Jane wrote in to complain and to ask for her money back, Nine West explained that it was impossible to instantly calculate how much tax to charge because they use two highly-sophisticated tax gizmos that simply can’t interface with their online store. Jane wants to know if Nine West’s charges are ethical and whether it’s worth complaining over six bucks.
Does The Future Of Internet Commerce Look Like QVC?
By 7.8.07
Internet retailers may soon embrace video product demonstrations to boost stagnant customer satisfaction levels. Though internet commerce has kept pace with technological changes, many consumers still expect an even richer experience.
Now some observers predict a future where online retailers will essentially adopt something like the QVC model, with sales staff pitching the site’s merchandise with polished video presentations, produced in a high-tech television studio.
How To Fix Online Retail
By 6.19.07
We’ve got an idea. On Sunday, NYT wrote about how the increase in online sales has gone from 25% to 10%. They wondered whether shoppers were getting tired of online commerce. A Harvard professor said that etailers were giving shopping a “blase” experience that felt too much like work. The solution seems simple to us. Hire more game designers to help design online shopping sites. Find ways to introduce “leveling” concepts. Let us become 34th level BattleShoppers who can shoot 20% off coupon fireballs from our clenched fists. — BEN POPKEN
Are Consumers Tired Of Online Commerce?
By 6.17.07
The Times is reporting that you people aren’t buying stuff online anymore. Online sales that once increased by 25% each year, are now increasing by less than 10%. The relationship between online outlets and brick and mortar stores is shifting, with some online outlets venturing into the real world to peddle their wares:
The reaction to the trend is apparent at Dell, which many had regarded as having mastered the science of selling computers online, but is now putting its PCs in Wal-Mart stores. Expedia has almost tripled the number of travel ticketing kiosks it puts in hotel lobbies and other places that attract tourists.
A dirty-sounding “clicks-and-bricks” hybrid model used by two of our favorite retailers – Best Buy and Sears – allows users to reserve items online and pick them up in stores, which may or may not have the items in stock. Several factors have conspired to keep consumers offline…
