Poor Design of Web Stores

[privateer]

Hello every one, I have been involved in a discussion on the TMP about the requirement to provide personal information when making inquiries with a retailer of miniatures.

I am saying that a person should not have to provide personal details until a commitment to purchase been agreed. up to that point why should a retailer require this. some retailers are saying it is the software. easy cop out or not?

I am happy to provide my details when I purchase product but I need to know that that information is safe.

I am curious to here what people think as it has been a bit tense on the TMP with a lot of posters missing the point of the discussion.

Here is a like to the discussion
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=197491&page=1

[Megamatman]

Hi privateer,

Thanks for posting the link!    As usual, it seems the the TMP discussion has rapidly degraded into a tit for tat argument  .

I thought I'd answer your questions/concerns purely from a Pendraken Website perspective.

I am saying that a person should not have to provide personal details until a commitment to purchase been agreed. up to that point why should a retailer require this. some retailers are saying it is the software. easy cop out or not?

Although we provide the means for Customers to Register and enter details whenever they want, a Pendraken.co.uk account is only required to place an order via the Website.  We still accept orders via telephone and email if you prefer to do it that way.

I am happy to provide my details when I purchase product but I need to know that that information is safe.

I've built Pendraken.co.uk from the ground up and can assure you that any data 'stored' by the Pendraken website is securely encrypted.

Matt

[Leon]

Interesting thread, but it does seem to be an issue which comes up on TMP with some regularity.  The vast majority of the feedback we've had on the new website has been very positive.  There have been the odd thing here and there, but that's to be expected with a new site, and they've been rectified straight away.

There are quite a few gripes on that thread though, that are very difficult for small figure companies to do anything about.  PayPal is the easiest and most popular method of payment, and if a company doesn't offer it, they will lose sales.  Custom built sites are fantastic, and we've been tremendously lucky to have Megamatman to build ours from scratch, but most companies don't have that privilege, so they have to make do with off-the-shelf software that might not cater perfectly to this market.

I also don't understand websites that require login before you can view any products, ask a question, anything along those lines.  That's just throwing business away, and is those companies own fault for choosing that method.

We always welcome any feedback from our customers, and it is all taken on board to make our service better.