I was consdering purchasing an item online today and found the process extremely frustrating. First, if possible I wanted the item shipped to an international address. Realizing that if often not possible, I aleast wanted to know the shipping weight if I would need to have it reshipped.I added the item to the shopping cart and was shown the price. When I clicked to check out, rather than receiving some useful information like the shipping options and cost I was confronted with a requirement that I register first!
When I complained about my frustration, I receive an email stating:
Customers are required to log-in to their account to authenticate them for privacy. Our FAQ page offers more details on shipping and we are available at 888.XXX.XXX M-F 8-5PST for additional questions. We state that most items will ship UPS Ground unless it exceeds their size and weight limits. Please give us a call if you need any further help.
The faq page did say that "most items" ship free (that is nice if the one I want happens to be one of the "most items"... otherwise more frustration)... and it does saw that they do not ship to APO/FPO or international. Why should I have to search through FAQs to get some of the most basic information that should be in the shopping cart?
Now, I can accept that they won't ship to an international address. They failed to answer my question about the items weight though.
More importantly, though, there is no excuse for the cart failing to show the shipping cost and shipping options before one has to register, login and/or enter a credit card number.
In those few cases that a cost can't be calculated online, ie: those items that go by 18 wheel truck, it's understandable that one must go through moderate hassle to get the shipping price.
However, for a simple that item goes UPS Ground (and is probably free shipping), why do I need to register? My privacy and any issues of "authentication" are completely irrlevant at that point in the possible transaction.
I didn't make a purchase today, though I might have had the reply contained the items weight so I could do my own shipping cost calculations. Additonally, I don't participate in commerce where the telephone and calling someone is a part of the transaction.