Not right to treat shoppers like this....

Why on earth are lots of E Commerce shops still trying to put people off from buying from them?
Lots of shops try to deter you by making you start an account with them, even if your only going to spend £10 with them, they also want to know too much about you, only a name, card details, and house details should be enough, and no we do not want to be forced onto mailing lists either.
Also another thing shops do to deter you from buying again is they are STILL keeping your card details on record so they can bill you again.
Another thing to I and others hate is why do most memberships of sites renew your membership auto on date it expires? that is not good as you may get fed up with the site, never want anything from the site, never log-in again yet they charge your card auto, is that legal? it happens lots I am told.
One new thing that is happening now is that all E commerce shops are being checked by Government departments inc Tax evasion, or claiming benefits while selling on line, this has already started in the UK and I'm told that men in black suits are already knocking on doors, and benefits stopping quite sudden.
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www.Alternativehealth4u.co.uk

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

Hi Alternative4u - this is fairly straight really - it's a marketing ploy and customer retention exercise.

In the most basic of terms:

1. If, as an eCommerce company, I wanted to update you on a product I think you'd like I want to send you an email (much like Amazon) which potentially drives that customer back to the site to buy.

2. Cross-selling - I may have a number of business partnerships setup to further monetise my existing client data. As a result I take a cut of any business I drive to that partnership from SMS and email marketing campaigns.

3. Why make it difficult for the customer to shop with you - if I have your card details, as long as I'm not sharing them with anyone else, I can process your purchase a lot quicker.

4. Why not renew memberships? This seems a logical thing to do - especially if I think you could spend more money on my website?!

So my question is - is it putting people off? Have you statistics that suggests it is? The likes of Amazon, GoCompare, Confused.com and other large aggregators do it and do it very successfully.
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Public Liability Insurance Young Drivers Car Insurance Learner Driver Insurance

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

Interesting reply!

I do agree with the point in the original message about being required to join a site just to make a quick, one-off purchase can be off-putting, and that sometimes too many details are required.
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Web Design

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

Websites that generally require a tedious and long signup process will but the vast majority of possible customers.
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B2B Business Directory | http://www.approvedbusiness.co.uk/

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

Hi,

I do agree with original statement to a certain extent. I agree when you want to purchase a one off item, registering and giving lots of personal details can deter you from buying from them. On the other hand I understand the customer relationship aspect and it does work. There are some sites that send you offer about a one day sale (which i would not have known about if I didn’t register) therefore i have been able to buy thing for cheaper because there is a relationship there. With regard to storing card details, it is good for when you purchase a lot from a particular company because it makes the transaction quick and easy

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

I think with the arrival of tools such as Facebook Connect it might encourage businesses to do it less. We can hope anyway
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B2B Business Directory | http://www.approvedbusiness.co.uk/

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

Yes, it is very annoying. I can see why they do it, but still, it shouldnt be compulsary.
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answering service

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

One thing I always check out is the e commerce forums and how lively the contributions are there. Also, I am always in the lookout on how their support handle customers.

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

Responsive technical supports are very important. You must also consider the accessibility of the supports.

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

I have made Mystery Shopper visits to some on-line business, and it is very obvious that senior management does not pay attention to the company website as much as they should. Most websites are still in the hands of the designers. See the www.drachsi.com/mystery-shopper.htm article.

Drachsi
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www.drachsi.co Your Virtual Webmaster

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

I am pleased that most feel the same way I do, if I need an item from any internet shop and I get ask my date of birth and what sites I like to use, and colour of my hair I wont ever buy from them.
David
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www.Alternativehealth4u.co.uk

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

I'm not against adding "some" personal details when i order from sites that i'm likely to use regularly but for one offs i just want to pay and move on.

It is quite amazing what some sites ask - David's quite right. If you went to your local supermarket and were asked for your date of birth and email address before you paid would you provide them???

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

Who to complain to in this case. Please advise.

Otmane EL RHAZI.

Re : Not right to treat shoppers like this.

I guess those sorts of sites don't understand user testing... must really lower their conversion rates and I wouldn't be surprised if every extra invasive questions doesn't halve their success rate.