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Downsizer Forum Index -> Small Business Questions, Ideas and Advice

Do you buy with limited contact info?

Yes

23%

[ 5 ]

76%

[ 16 ]

Total Votes : 21

Author

Message

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:30 am Post subject: Do you trust traders...

...who don't display a postal address on their website/promotional info?

I ask because I never buy from anyone who does not have a postal address & landline telephone number, but I have noticed a few recently with no such information displayed. After seeing The Real Hustle (they were flogging "organic" sausages on a market stall in London) last night it made me think again about how important it is for trust of who I spend my money with.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:34 am Post subject:

I do, but I know I shouldn't. It'd also depend on the goods, the value and if I was covered some other way (credit card, for example).

All website must, by law, I think, give real, not virtual, contact details. When I rule the world, one of the first things I will do is make it compulsory to put a phone number and address on every web page. I think that probably 50% of the time I visit a new website, the only reason I go there is to get some form of contact information, and it's amazing how often it's not easy to find.

I will also, possibly as a second thing, be reducing the variety of Allan keys/bolts. 3 should be enough under 10mm. But that's a later issue.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:35 am Post subject:
I'm sith you on this, Rob: I like as much information as I can get.

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:38 am Post subject:
We've been advised by our Marketing Guru to put a 'proper' phone number on the website as well as a 0800 number - she told us that is markedly increased business. I can't say either way because we immediately followed her advice - but it does make sense. Personally, I like to know who I'm dealing with.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:38 am Post subject:
I think it akin to buying something from a geezer in a pub if you only have an e-mail address/mobile number, especially where food is concerned. I always advise anyone setting up a website to put full details, as I know they'd lose my custom if they didn't.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:43 am Post subject:

Interesting point, my shop website has my address as you near the checkout page but not earlier in the site I think, but I don't ever put my phone number out on the web if I can help it, nor on most of my business cards, for the simple reason that I'm hardly ever there. I run my business either face to face or online, so a phone is rarely necessary (and I really really dislike phones for some reason, I find it very hard to concentrate when talking to a lump of plastic), I give it out if someone asks for it, but not as a matter of course. Thats why we're ex directory too, I don't want people phoning me out of the blue when I'm eating dinner or trying to go to bed. Whilst the rest of my website has plenty of 'contact me' links, I don't think my address or phone number is immediately visible there either. I'll check that and modify as needed to stay within the regulations, but if I'm buying online I expect to transact online, I certainly never look for a businesses phone number before emailing them a query

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:49 am Post subject:
I can empathise Sally- I'm the same with the phone, invariably on the farm they ring when you're out, leave a message so you ring when you get in & they've gone out, so they ring back when you've gone out again I'd rather they just e-mailed, but in this business you'd lose a lot of custom without the number being there.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:53 am Post subject:
Details in full. Address is needed, not phone. Link There are a lot of people who don't email sites for a variety of reasons. For the maximum amount of contact, use the maximum amount of contact methods. However, if you're uncomfortable with the phone, and comfortable with the amount of business you have, keep it that way. Last edited by Nick on Wed Jun 13, 07 7:54 am; edited 1 time in total

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28239
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:54 am Post subject:
I voted yes, as whilst I agree in principle I rarely spend time looking.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:57 am Post subject:

Nick Howe wrote:

Details in full. Address is needed, not phone.

I wonder how many of the trading banners on here don't comply

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:58 am Post subject:
Banners, or the website they point at?

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 7:58 am Post subject:
The websites

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 8:00 am Post subject:
I'm sure our screening committee checks them all.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 8:01 am Post subject:
Thinking further on that, I'd never answer newspaper ads with just a mobile number either.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 07 8:02 am Post subject:

Nick Howe wrote:

I'm sure our screening committee checks them all.

Who?

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