Ai’s own David Wertheimer is reviewing noise-canceling headphones on Boing Boing this summer. His first review, of the Etymotic hf2, just went live.
David has been (proudly and loudly) sampling headphones in the office and on his bike rides every day. The series should be fun to read. Stay tuned.
I have never been a coupon clipper but I am an above average fan of oatmeal. When a new internet coupon for Jamba Juice oatmeal came my way, I decided to give it a shot.
This morning I went to Jamba Juice and saw that the person in front of me had ordered using the coupon. Good, I thought, it’s a valid coupon. After I made my order but before paying, the supervisor told the cashier (and indirectly me) that they were not serving any more oatmeal.
It was only 30 seconds in all, but it’s why I won’t be coming back. My experience highlights two business ideas that can never be underestimated: when launching a major product, be ready for the demand; and embrace the need to communicate with customers.
With a new product line it’s best to market-test to see that there is enough of a market for the expansion. Surprises about demand should be worked out in a reasonably run market test. No one wants to turn away an eager customer, but if you under estimate demand, there is no other option.
That’s the case if the reason I was declined is a lack of supply, but that’s the thing–I don’t know. I was just turned away after ordering.
Maybe Jamba Juice’s team would have given me an answer if I would have asked, but at that point I lost interest in buying anything. At the very least, tell me directly that you are not serving. Even better, give me another option. Something.
Every company needs to communicate with its customers. It’s not that important why a customer can’t have the special offer, but it’s very important that representatives are willing to share that information, and not just leave people like me disappointed.
I used Netflix for the first time this week and it wowed me. I know, this would have been news 3 years ago but Netflix is now: ubiquitous with getting movies, has forced Blockbuster to rebuild its business plan, and has a second generation that features a library of streaming content. I have known that people swore by it but I thought of it as not for me.
Like me with Netflix, people are still reticent to use the internet to its fullest. They have heard the benefits of net based products–and probably know that the new way is a vast improvement–but still do it the old way.
Online retailers and online arms of brick-and-mortar retailers have to keep in mind that some people are arbitrary. There will be people that will take their sweet time, but one time will try your service.
It was a free trial that got me started and I saw for myself the benefits of Netflix. Though I have no statistics handy, it’s not a stretch to think that some people are still hesitant to try a new service without an enticement. E-tailers gave steep discounts many years ago to make it easier for people to try their first online shopping experience.
There are many reasons to avoid these steep discounts, but an introductory rate, week, free shipping, or coupon still have a way to bring people to buy online.