posted on June 30, 2001 01:01:52 PM new
I received an email from a seller with a link to his "checkout" page.
I don't like checkout links, but it's not usually a problem. Well the link didn't take me to a checkout page, it took me to the sellers web site. I had to SHOP for the auction item I had won.
1. I had to find the brand I need.- Click
2. Find the type of product-Click
3. Find the model Number-Click
4. Fill in the quantity- Click
5. I was asked if I wanted to continue shopping (NO!)-Click
6. Fill out customer information form-Click
7. Form refused to continue until I provided additional, unnecessary information including a phone#-Click Again!
8. Fill out payment form, which had a small section asking if the item was purchased at auction. I had to fill in all of the auction information myself-Click
9. Had to go back to the WBN email to find the requested auction information-Click
10. Put auction information on payment form-Click
11. Had to Printout page with order info to send with payment. Click continue
12. I found myself back at the beginning of the web site, where I was asked if I want to continue shopping!
If I had wanted to waste time "shopping" at an online retailer, I wouldn't have been using ebay.
Ebay can be a great time saver. I type in the exact item I want, place a bid, reply to the WBN, send the money and the item arrives at my doorstep. At least that's the way I thought it should work. Now I know better.
Maybe ebay should add a line to the seller's information section, just below the payment options. Something along the lines of: "Seller uses automated checkout: YES" or "Seller uses automated checkout: NO"
Of course it would never have prepared me for this type of "checkout" system, but at least I would have had some warning.
(not greatlakes on ebay)
[ edited by greatlakes on Jun 30, 2001 01:05 PM ]
posted on June 30, 2001 02:06:27 PM new
I am with daw. But wait until you get your item. Talk about LAZY!!! Maybe eBay has some justification for some of its objections to links. This one was really a bit TOO much!
posted on June 30, 2001 05:42:15 PM new
I don't use them. I send the seller my info in an email. If he wants my money, he will use it, if not, oh well...!
I don't want to take the time to put my information out on another site and I don't want my information out on another site.
I, too, have a template for an end of auction email with all of my information that helps me manage MY auctions (for the things that I buy). It's not my job as a buyer to make things easier for the seller. I don't like the after auction surprise email with a link. I ignore it.
