As a friend of mine likes to say, there are two kinds of people — in this case, people who are comfortable ordering over the Internet, and people who aren’t. There are also two kinds of people who ARE comfortable ordering over the Internet, and one of them is the kind of person who is SO comfortable that they don’t pay any attention to what they’re ordering. Yep, yet another person who thought they were ordering an art print. As he pointed out, it said “large print” so he went for it. Of course right above that it said “pattern” and just to the right of that it said “Counted cross stitch chart (floss and fabric not included)” and above that it said “cross stitch” three different places. The “floss and fabric not included” language has cut down fairly well on the number of orders from people who thought they were buying a painted needlepoint canvas or stamped cross stitch or a kit, but I’m still not reaching everybody.
Some people say there should be a statement on the checkout page like this: “I understand I am buying a counted cross stitch chart booklet” and a button “I agree” that they have to click, but I hate to do anything with quite so much attitude, and besides, having missed the four places on the pattern page where it says “cross stitch” what are the chances they’ll read this last one? Meanwhile it’s insulting to the people who are paying attention. There must be some other way. It needs to be obvious but subtle and clear without talking down and fit within the current page layout. That should be easy!
BTW, he can of course return the pattern and I hope he does. Sometimes people who have gotten off into the tall grass ask if they can return the pattern but never do. I suppose they decide it was their mistake and they must pay for it, but I would rather not leave unhappy people hanging out there. I probably already have more negative karma than I can burn off in this lifetime.
Cool fabric calculator, helps me to save on fabric.
From Alanna
16 years, 4 months agoHonestly, you’d have to be surfing with your eyes closed! The site is COVERED in “cross stitch patterns”!!!
My suggestion which keeps it succinct and not too ‘toney’ is to put ‘large print chart’ or, if it fits, ‘large print pattern’. But, in my humble opinion, if people will be blind they will continue to be blind. Sigh.
From mss @ Zanthan Gardens
16 years, 4 months agoNot being a cross-stitch person myself, I thought I’d try out your interface to see if I got confused. Certainly people who just look at photos and don’t read anything might INITIALLY think you’re selling a framed print. However, as I went through the check-out process, there seemed to be plenty of places where you say just what you are selling–and most importantly–a picture of what exactly a pattern looks like (I’ve never used one, so I didn’t know either).
I may be a bit of a pessimist but I don’t think there is any way you can idiot-proof the process. The best you can do is have a contingency plan for the people who fall through the cracks–which, you do.
From Rifestitch
16 years, 4 months agoWell, I think you’ve done all that is humanly possible – if you create a better system, they will just create a better idiot. Though you might add something at checkout about having a 20% restocking fee for anything returned – THAT would surely get some attention
But I’m mean that way…