CNN is reporting that a recent online customer study issued by the Customer Respect Group found that Overstock.com rated highest among 51 large retail companies in the US that do business online. The research focused on three areas: usability, responsiveness and trust. The goal of the research was to deduce how well American companies are catering to the needs of their online visitors.
The highest overall rating for the three categories above was received by Overstock, which also received the top mark for their privacy policy and high marks in customer communication and data handling practices.
Surprisingly, very few of the 51 largest online companies received an “excellent” rating for customer respect. Consumers routinely point out that lack of respect for personal information and privacy is a major concern when shopping from the so-called big-box online retailers. Trust is also important, but with big names such as Macy’s or Wal-Mart, trust is seen to be less of an issue as consumers are very familiar with these brands in the off-line world.
The research shows that once a retailer is large enough to be trusted in an online shopping venue, the next most important priority is the respect the company shows to the consumer, and a protective privacy policy.
The Customer Respect Group has evaluated over 2500 retailers online over the course of three years. The evaluations are conducted without any prior notice, and are financed independently in order to paint an accurate picture of a consumers experience with any given online retailer.
But of all of the 2500 retailers examined to date, less than 5% have received the group’s highest rating on the subject of consumer respect. Other companies that fared well in this latest round of research included Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, Ralph Lauren, Target, and Amazon, all of which had high ratings in the all-important consumer respect category.
Among companies that did not fare well in this latest study, one of the most common complaints was a long-winded or confusing privacy policy. Consumers also responded negatively to online retailers who sent out frequent newsletters or sales event mailings, preferring companies that only contacted them sporadically.
Ease of use was also a big consideration with most consumers. A simple, easy to follow checkout procedure increased a retailer’s ratings substantially. Confusing shopping cart systems, or unclear payment information pages caused consumers to balk, and caused many big-name retailers a poor score overall in the customer respect category.
Customer information was also important, with a few of the biggest “turn offs” for consumers being delays in answering e-mail inquiries or processing refunds, and receiving form e-mail replies in response to their queries. Retailers who answered e-mails quickly and personally received the highest scores in the customer communication category.
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It seems that every day there is a new recall taking place. Whether it is the dangers of E Coli bacteria, excessive amounts of lead, or dangers or items exploding, breaking, or causing serious harm it is important to be aware of the recalls that are currently being issued.
Some recalls occur when customers fail to read the labels or warnings on a package or item and serious injury results. The company in turn voluntarily recalls the product while they initiate new warning labels and safety measures that help ensure the public’s safety. It is important that anyone who has Internet access visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website and stay current and up to date with the newest and latest recall information. You can also post your own information regarding a product that is unsafe. It is important to realize that recalls are in effect until the company creates a change or a new product, and though we may like to expect all recalled items to disappear from the marketplace, they don’t. It is very common for recalled items to become resold through used vendors, thrift stores, or from owners through want ads, classifieds, or yard sales. If you have an item and aren’t sure if it is safe, you can visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website and search through their safety news. You can enter data for both the month and year that the recall was initiated and the search form dates back to the year 1973, though the earliest recalls I found were in 1974.
With the holiday season here and everyone in a flux regarding the safest toys to purchase, it is a good idea to check with the recall list and make sure that you aren’t purchasing toys that have been deemed unsafe or potentially dangerous. So far, there have been over twenty child related product recalls in just November alone. These recalls include the Children’s Wooden Storage Rack by Jetmax International; Halloween Themed Baskets by Hobby Lobby stores; Birch Bark Wrapped Candies by Roost; Children’s Bath Robes by Bon Ton; Folding Chairs by Iceberg Enterprises; Football Helmets by Nike; Children’s Sunglasses by Dollar General; Curious George Plush Dolls by Marvel Toys; AC Power Adapter by Yamaha; Lawn Mowers by American Honda; DVD/CD.MP3 player by Coby Electronics; Cribs by Bassettbaby; AquaDots by Spin Master; Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps by Carrier; Collectible Toy Robot by Schylling Associates; Dizzy Ducks by Schylling Associates, Spinning Top by Schylling Associates; Duck Family Collectible Toy by Schylling Associates; Toy Cars by Dollar General; Toy Dragster and Funny Car by International Sourcing Ltd.; Big Red Wagons by Northern Tool & Equipment; Skippy Pool Toys by Swimways Corp.; Humidifiers by Hunter Fan; Snowmobiles by Polaris Industries INC.; Laugh and Learn Kitchen Toys by Fisher Price; Pearl Like Bead Attachment Sold with Girl’s Gift Sets by Limited Too Stores.
As you can see, this is a huge amount of recalls and the month isn’t over yet. Before shopping for this holiday season, make sure to check with CPSC and think twice before purchasing anything someone may be selling second hand.
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Lately it seems you can’t go to the refrigerator or kitchen cabinet without needing to check labels or UPC codes to determine if your newest purchase has been recalled. Today, the super company, Cargill has announced that they are recalling one million pounds of ground beef that had been manufactured between October eighth and the eleventh. The meat was produced at the plant located in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania and is believed to be contaminated with the E Coli bacteria.
The ground beef was distributed amongst a number of retailers including Shop Rite, Stop and Shop, Wegmans and Weis, and Giant. The retailers are located in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Maryland, Maine, and Connecticut.
Although there have been no reports of outbreaks, Cargill is calling for the recall due to the fact that one of their departments detected E Coli in a sample of the beef that they tested. It is unclear as to what caused the E Coli to develop. They think that it may have been the result of improper procedures when butchering but they are not sure as to the exact cause. If you have any questions regarding the recall you can contact the company here: 1-877-455-1034.
Because Cargill is a leading agricultural producer there are many products that are affected by the recall. Here is a list of the meat products involved.
You can find a complete list of products subject to recall at Cargill website.
We always wish that our iPhones will not be as expensive as it is now. The PSP, the Nokia N-Series phones should be somewhere in the $100 to the $150 line so that we can enjoy more pictures, games connectivity at a very small price. However, the reality is not that good. With the price of these gadgets nowadays, it’s quite hard to purchase them on a whim. It will cost more than an arm to maintain these things.
And we might be surprised that we see on eBay, online stores and some flea markets phones that are sold at the price that we really hoped for. Gadgets sold nearly half the price on the popular market. But wait, we take a look at it and its fake! The iPhone is not really an iPhone but a tPhone, the letter “t” was very small we can’t really take a look at them. A Nokia N-Series? Nope, it’s just an NDkia N77 phone. The letter D really looks like a letter O if you don’t look at the pictures. And the PSP? No sir, it can’t really play the cartridge but it can play your NES, SNES and GBA ROMs that you can download from the Internet.
One of the very reasons some people wanted to buy it is because of the price. Clearly, these phones beat the original phones and other portable gaming devices when it comes to prices. Sometimes, people just wanted to have it for fashion. If you don’t concentrate in what you’re looking at, you will be deceived that they have an iPhone as their gadget…cool.
So why do people tell you not to buy those things? No, they’re not advocates of large companies but these people are advocates of original thinking. The knock off products that you buy only encourage the manufacturers to create more of these and ruin the lives of the brilliant minds that created the original phone.
The softwares are also different. In iPhone, you’ll be able to watch movies, access the Internet and all those things Steve Jobs promised for users. The tPhone on the other hand can do more, take pictures and videos dual SIM and easy to install batteries. So why is the original better? These companies sacrifice the quality of the product to save more money and gain more income. These products could and will break at anytime. If you’re lucky you’ll get one that will last really long but it’s a hit or miss situation.
Finally is safety. The iPhone is connected to your PC via the prepared port and iTunes. On the other hand, knock off phones and gadgets can be accessed like a USB flash drive, no software whatsoever. You just access the folder, drag your favorite videos conveniently. Again these features sound really awesome. But these phones are so cheap, and the flash memory of your phone or MP3 player can easily break down. A simple power surge will destroy the flash disk. When you place songs or information even though you only used only 70% of the memory, the flash drive will still suffer plus most of the folders contain a virus even before you first them for the first time.
So be sure in buying these knock offs - a good price is not necessary the best thing for you. Stick to original and you’ll have all the customer support that you need.
The new trend of trying to sell online or auction items through a website will always have its shortcomings such as fraud and scams. For one, such practices have had their share of lacking the trust and confidence of people to turn to such online selling sites since the security measures have yet to be instilled in the entirety of online sellers and buyers towards the transactions that they do through eBay.
Online Scams and Malpractices
Scams are slowly becoming rampant on online selling. Despite the assured secure trading practices, people have still gotten their way in making life entirely miserable for people who have endorsed the quality service and trading that eBay preaches. This is perhaps one reason that despite these so-called customer protection policies implemented, people still get wary of trying out and put interest towards the various items up for sale on eBay. Worse, this becomes a hindrance for eBay because people are becoming more concerned about losing their items and profit all the same.
This is one aspect of using the web that has contributed in putting barriers using online trade. For one, people can claim identities and use screen names to protect their identity. Such a practice in itself carries doubts on putting trust to people whom anyone can transact with online. If there is one thing that the Internet has taught most people, it is that of thinking twice before revealing their true identities since there are hindrances with regards to the factual people who use the web for mischievous practices.
eBay Sign-Up Limitations
For people who are planning to affiliate themselves with eBay, such swindling practices are only normal. That is why it is best for people to think twice before entrusting anything to people whom they haven’t really met personally. It is easy to spot fictitious characters since inconsistent data and information is a clear sign of things leading to something regretful. Online traders should not be blindsided by high costs of living and people who claim to be whom they are without valid proof of identification. It is still best to play it analytically for the safety of their personal vested interest.
Learning for Real-Life Experiences
A person only has to look in the real world to wake up. If in the real world, people who are actually seen and dealt with personally can resort to cheating and swindling people out of their honest living, what the more if they use online trading sites such as eBay? Second, items on eBay may not be what they are, especially if the overall condition and quality of the item is not entirely disclosed. It would be best to gather all the necessary information as much as possible to make a complete analysis and final decision beforehand prior to actual purchase.
In this aspect, it would be best to primarily see first the overall listing, details and specifications that go along with the item up for grabs. A potential buyer should not lean towards the actual picture for reliance. This is a big mistake as far as assuming the overall quality and usability of the item that interests them.
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