Feedback needed!

[Bruce]

Folks,

We could

really use some feedback on our shopping cart and any problems (poor performance, confusion, worries etc) that you

might be encountering when you order. Specifically, I am concerned about the issue of having to create an account

and whether that confuses/worries customers or not. As you probably remember, the old cart didn't require anything

fancy; just order and you are out. Some sites nowadays offer both options to the customer. Which do you prefer

and how bad are the other types for you?

What do you think? The good, the bad the ugly. :-)

Thanks

in advance,
Bruce

[belgareth]

Creating an account is a waste

of time to me. I see that on the dozen or so other sites I order from also. Since my computer is set to delete

cookies almost immediately and I don't bother writing down the account information, I fond myself either asking for

a new password or creating a new account every time I use the site.

[ismellgood]

I agree with belgareth.

Account creation is a burden (albeit a tiny one). Of course I did it when I ordered here because I was highly

motivated.
But I have been to other sites (travel, etc) where I left because that was one demand too many given

the likely rewards of the site.

[Pancho1188]

Accounts are good for three

things that I can think of off the top of my head:

1. Vendors can keep track of your purchases.
2. Vendors can

use this information to adjust the site to either your "settings" if it's a personalized site or give you deals,

specials, offers, or whatever based on products you've purchased before.
3. Vendors store your purchase

information and billing/shipping address so you don't have to fill it in again.

Responses to whether it's good

or not will depend on whether people enjoy not having to retype their credit card/shipping/billing/whatever

information over and over again or if they don't care about the settings of the site and just want to order what

they want when they want without any hassles at all.

My suggestion, Bruce, is to determine how much

personalization the account could offer a person and consider whether it's worth it. I know for my bus passes I

love having my billing information stored because I use it every other week. For L-S, however, I'm not so

sure. I wouldn't mind either way...

(I can't remember if there were any other bonuses with the account, so

forgive me for not being able to elaborate more on personal experience. From what I remember, the account was easy

to create and didn't pry you like other vendors that try to get you to subscribe to ten things throughout the

process and make you uncheck boxes so you don't get bombarded with e-mails...good call)