Incomplete transaction
“Building” the computer you want is good. I’ve done a few over the years, usually on top of the kitchen table (for workspace) or on top of the kitchen stove (for the overhead lighting). Even a combination of the two when the last screw hole seemed to be hiding from me. Saving money also helps in the rationalization of the whole thing. Doing so, online, virtually, has been less of a resounding success.
The people at Dell have a great idea. Offer a decent product with a cumulative process, where the client (partner in the process) can decide on the options that would make it into “the machine”. My disappointment has come at the point where e-commerce rears its head, and the choosing how to pay has its five fifteen minutes of attention. Today I became a repeat customer, but the final step eluded me once again, as I tried to complete the transaction electronically.
Browser differences come into play. Depending on whether I used IE7 or Firefox, it aborted at different points. My account information didn’t work, but I could login and change my password by backpedaling a couple of times. (Cookies from hell!). My credit card information seemed to be incomplete, according to the red banner, but no matter how I edited, the information wasn’t acceptable.
Finally, I printed out my shopping cart information and reverted to telephone mode. After a number of delays and hops in the call queue, my connection with Prahad in India went through, with the obvious drops caused by VOIP. We discussed the weather, my family and pets, his location and age group, if he wanted to buy any kids while we were online; the usual background “noise” in commerce. Finally, my order was confirmed several times, I was exhorted to call again, to reply to his email in a few minutes, to forgive his accent and the long shipping delay (choosing Sunshine Yellow as the colour of a laptop assures that it will be hand built, much like a Jaguar XKE).
Another transaction completed, bi-modally. If the website had been a touch more convenient, I would have been through in half the time. Just as an aftercheck, I loaded up the US site. The options differed slightly, and my price in Canada was lower. That must drive the gang in Texas crazy. Wait, they don’t know about the true North strong and freetrade.
In a month, we’ll have a new laptop in the family. The older of the last round of acquisitions will move to its new student role, and I will begin to lust after a newer machine too. That’s what keeps the wheels of commerce moving.
