Shopping Online - Browser/Search Preferences?

[sushob]

Howdy Gang,

Since eBay recently increased fees for Store sellers by about 500%, I'm working on a new independent website. I want to make it as user-friendly as possible (while avoiding a maintainance nightmare), and I figured you guys were the perfect crowd to help out. After all, the customer is always right :)

The poll is for which site you find easiest overall to navigate (customer service, prices, selection, etc., should not be a factor for this poll). Please also feel free to post why you find it easy/difficult to navigate, what features you like/dislike, etc. If you prefer a site that isn't listed, please point it out.

Here are some more specific points of interest:

When you 'browse' a site, which kind of categories do you prefer to browse by?

--Manufacturer

--Scale

--Type (i.e. Loco, Freight, Passenger)

When you 'search' a site, which system do you prefer?

--A simple one-line search box

--A search box with secondary options (i.e. category, manufacturer, etc.)

Any and all input is appreciated!

[jbaakko]

Well #1, Walthers is is semi-hard, being that they stock SO much. I like the way Toy Train heaven has theirs, as you don/t have to open a scale, then a manufacturer (sp?). But Internet trains, discount trains & RRtrains come in a close second, obviously because of the scales being linked on the first page. Then Caboose hobbies, due to the advanced search options on the front page, and lastly Walthers. So in the end I like the quick option, of Toy Train Heaven's menu, but I really didn't go into any depth on the sites.

As for searches, I like a semi-advanced one, where I can select the scale at least! There's nothing more that I hate then finding something you want but its in the wrong scale!

On a personal basis I shop at RRtrains & Walthers almost exclusively (bayond LHS's & eBay).

[RexHea]

I pretty much agree with Josh. Internet Trains would have my first pick and Walthers would be a dead last.
I like the first page to have the scale and man'f. selection, followed by category (loco, scenery, rolling stock, and etc.), and then specifics.
To me, one of the most important features to have is an up-to-date and visible 'in-stock' list. Not just a listing of items carried.

[sushob]

Thanks for your input guys.

I like the way Toy Train heaven has theirs, as you don/t have to open a scale, then a manufacturer.
I'm leaning towards something similar to theirs at the moment. I considered having a category for each scale, and then the manufacturer, but I don't think there's really anything to gain by going that route, except an extra click.

To me, one of the most important features to have is an up-to-date and visible 'in-stock' list. Not just a listing of items carried.
Absolutely! To open, I'm only going to have in-stock items listed, but I'm working on modifications to the cart software that will also allow me to accept backorders and advanced reservations a little later on (hopefully by the end of September). This is going to be a true 'shopping cart' style website....not just a list and order form, like www.modeltrainstuff.com.

[sushob]

C'mon guys, I know more than two of you shop online :D

[jbaakko]

maybe not...

[HaggisKennedy]

If you're going to list your items, you need a way to allow the user to choose how many items per page they want to see. That's one thing I like about Walthers; you can have 10 per page, or 200 per page. It's not real user-friendly when you see Page 1 of 79.....

Another good thing is having a "Printer Friendly" receipt page. I don't need 5 pages of BS just to get my Order Number and goods summary; I want one thing on one regular sheet of paper.

I like tree-style menus that expand to cover the various product lines. Like Wholesaletrains.com does.

I buy a lot of stuff online, and there are good sites and bad. I tend to remember what I like about the various sites, not just the entire site, since every site has some things that suck.

Kennedy

[Frank Rizzo]

I agree with the flexibility of the website at Walthers, also like useful pictures and details for products to be included.

But, I like the simple setup at First Hobby http://www.firsthobby.com which has a simple breakdown by product (engine, freight cars, structures, etc.) and by company (Athearn, Atlas, LL, Design Preservation Models, Woodland Scenics, Walthers, etc., etc.).

Frank

[CSX_road_slug]

I didn't vote, because I haven't shopped at any of the online retailers in your list except for walthers (and that's only as a last resort LOL)

[stripes]

There are so many sites to compete with out there, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT CUSTOMER SERVICE RULES! I try to interact with each of my customers as if they were right in front of me, and also the way I want to be treated. You can have the best site in the world as far as navigation and pricing, but it still comes down to good old customer satisfaction!
Just my humble opinion.
David

PS. Did not vote, but did get screwed royally by one of the stores on your list! :<

[Railphotog]

If you plan to do business with us here in Canada, please allow us to choose our country and province on your order form if it has a drop down menu.

I recently tried to order a few things from two online shops and they did not allow space for me to indicate my province; their drop down list only included the US states. I sent two e-mails inquiring how I could order from them, never got a single reply. So I ordered a $150.00 item from someone else!

Also indicate several shopping options, again for us in Canada. Sending anything to us by UPS, FedEx Ground and probably some others will result in these firms charging us exhorbitant prices to collect the 14% tax (NOT duty) that we have to pay on everything imported. Sending by US Mail does not incur these high costs, our post office charges a flat $5.00 to collect the tax (compared to $35-50 charged by UPS!).

[jbaakko]

Well thanks for that explaination Bob! Now I know what you Canadians pay to "import" stuff, $5 for everything, all weights?

[simon1966]

How I search an on-line store depends entirely on what I am looking for. Sometimes I am looking for a specific model. In which case I will look for the manufacturer and then drill down to the model I am interested in. Other times I may want to look at what is available for a particular road name. CB&Q boxcars for example. In which case I would want to see all the different options from all the manufacturers listed on the screen for me to browse. I like the ability on the Walthers site to specify the scale and then keywords in the search. Having said that, I never buy from Walthers direct. I will use their site to identify the exact item I want and then Goggle it to see what pops up from other web sites. Almost always can the item be found for a lot less on another site or e-bay.

[stripes]

Well thanks for that explaination Bob! Now I know what you Canadians pay to "import" stuff, $5 for everything, all weights?

No, it usualy is based on value for duty, and weight for shipping! There is no shipping calculator I can use because Canada post weighs and measures each package!
This is a problem I have been trying to work out as there is no way to know how much shipping will be untill you know the size of the order.
David

[stripes]

If you plan to do business with us here in Canada, please allow us to choose our country and province on your order form if it has a drop down menu.

I recently tried to order a few things from two online shops and they did not allow space for me to indicate my province; their drop down list only included the US states. I sent two e-mails inquiring how I could order from them, never got a single reply. So I ordered a $150.00 item from someone else!

Also indicate several shopping options, again for us in Canada. Sending anything to us by UPS, FedEx Ground and probably some others will result in these firms charging us exhorbitant prices to collect the 14% tax (NOT duty) that we have to pay on everything imported. Sending by US Mail does not incur these high costs, our post office charges a flat $5.00 to collect the tax (compared to $35-50 charged by UPS!).

That is another problem with Yahoo site, I can not see my own check out page! When I try to see it it tells me that I can not order through my ISP. That is also why I started the site, because most sites are US based, and here in my area of northern Ontario LHS are far and few between!
Maybe Fergie if he reads this can tell me how smoothly the site and check out worked!
David