[access-uk] Re: Asda online.
- From: Léonie Watson <tink@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007 14:02:56 -0000
Ray,
Tesco of course would be quick to point out that they take online
accessibility very seriously. Their main website is possible to use and =
the
access site marginally easier. They do now claim that the two sites are =
one
and the same thing, just with different interfaces, but the net effect =
is
the same, two different sites.
Asda also provide two sites. The main site is very poor, whilst the
access site is not too bad. It looks as though the two sites are =
entirely
separate.
=20
=20
Sainsburys provide just a single site and like the Tesco or Asda
access sites, it is reasonably accessible.
The questions I have are this:
Why provide two sites? There is absolutely no need, economically,
socially, accessibly or otherwise. The technology to create a single,
accessible and user friendly site has long been around. Sainsburys are a
fair example of this.
Why not go for full standards compliant websites that conform to
best practice accessibility and usability techniques? It's not rockets
science, although developing an e-commerce site on this scale would
certainly have its challenges.
I don't know what the experience of shopping in an actual store is
like for any of these retailers, it's not something I've summoned up the
strength to try when I'm on my own, although the staff in our local
Sainsbury's and Tesco are usually very helpful in any case.
IF as you say though, help on the ground is something of a lottery,
then yes, we should definitely be pushing for greater support. Online =
and
offline in fact. The curious thing is that all of the big three seem to =
be
trying.
It's possible they think they're doing enough. It's possible they're
getting lousy advice from whoever operates as their =
accessibility/usability
knowledge base, it's possible that they simply aren't aware of the
improvements that could be made.
From our point of view, I suspect it's back to the grindstone.
Contacting our preferred retailer to provide feedback, good or bad, =
advice
and suggestions. If we know something isn't working but don't say =
anything,
the chances no-one will ever know.
I know Tesco carry out user testing before they launch anything
significant, which is good to know and they seem fairly receptive to
comments and feedback from the public. Asda customer services don't =
appear
to know much about the web, so I'm not sure how to send feedback to the
right ears. Sainsburys are also receptive, but again it's hard to know =
if
the message is reaching the right ears. In all cases, I suspect if there
were enough feedback on the same topic, it would eventually reach the =
right
people.
It's a tricky one all round and this has been quite a long enough
email... That's the trouble with the vino I expect.
Regard
L=E9onie.
=20
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf =
Of
Ray's Home
Sent: 13 January 2007 07:24
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Asda online.
Well L3o9ie all sounds very civilized ordering to the accompaniment of =
El
Vino, but does that lead to mistakes being made? I imbibe sometimes =
after
the shopping, though I wouldn't go as far as to say it drives me to =
drink.
On a more serious, and on topic note, wouldn't you say that, given the
hassle most feel about going to a super market, wouldn't that be a good =
part
of a strategy for campaigners to target large retailers such as these to
take internet access seriously? Given that staff help on the ground is
something of a lottery and also now the drive to automate the check out
process in super markets, also, some are going to be driven more and =
more to
go the on-line route. All very fine, but all too often we're face with =
what
amounts to a 'no entry' sign for anyone with problems, be it physical or
electronic access.
Maybe time to reach for the vino again. By the way, the Saver Centre,
otherwise known as Sainsburys, even managed to beat Tesco in the vino
colapso league with, a bottle selling for =A32.10 as opposed to around =
=A32.90
at Tesco. Okay, an uneducated pallet mine might be, but a few bottles =
of
those can make for a happy week end.
From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf =
Of
L=E9onie Watson
Ray,
I must admit the thought of going to a supermarket doesn't appeal to
me. I'm quite happy shopping with Sainsburys or Tesco, both have their =
=3D
pros and cons. I like doing my shopping with a glass of vino in hand, =
seems
=3D much more civilized somehow!
I'm never going to live down the L3o9ie thing am I? *Smile. Tink was
so much easier, but I kept getting too close to signing work emails with =
=3D
my nick, so figured better safe than sorry and to hell with some =3D
applications not liking the accent.
Regards,
L=3DE9onie.=3D20
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf =
=3D
Of Ray's Home
Sent: 12 January 2007 00:18
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Asda online.
Must say , Graham's comment obliges me to say that I have never seen
L=3D3DE9onie as we must call her now, as an ASDA customer!
I love fish fingers, and bought some ata similar price at Saver Centre =
=3D in
Oldbury. Doubt that much fish, if any found its way into them! Point =
=3D of
saying all this?
Try and live very neara supermarket, as I do. You aren't much tempted =
=3D to
get into all the tech access issues that keep coming up here. Maybe =3D =
some
physical access issues but that's maybe OT on this list.
From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf =
=3D Of
Graham Page
Sent: 11 January 2007 11:12PM
Hi Leoni. I live in East London. I am actually within the E1 boundary =
=3D
yet Asda do not deliver there either. Oh How i'd love to be able to =
gorge
myself on smart price fish fingers, bought on line for 18 pence for =3D =
10!!!
----- Original Message -----
From: "L=3DE9onie Watson" <tink@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 9:10 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Asda online.
Graham and all,
Thanks for your responses. Until recently, I too wasn't in an area that =
=3D
Asda delivered to. Considering I live in a city, only a couple of =3D3D =
miles
=3D from a large Asda, this has always struck me as strange, but that's =
not
=3D3D why =3D I sent the email.
I was disappointed to find the Asda site much more difficult to use than
either Tesco or Sainsbury. No headings or lists that I could find, =3D =
missing
alt text in some awkward places, too much JavaScript all over =3D3D the =
=3D
place and the most ridiculous chicken counter I've ever come across.
OK, so the last one has nothing to do with accessibility or usability, =
=3D but
am I the only one that finds the following completely =3D3D daft?
You can choose from a selection of chickens weighing in at around 1.2k
through 1.5k, but nothing bigger. Given Asda is a family =3D3D =3D =
supermarket,
this is strange in itself, but it gets worse.
There are a couple of chickens which you can buy on a per kilo basis. =
=3D The
price per kilo is given, but there is no way to choose the =3D3D weight =
=3D
you'd like.
I spoke with customer services, who shrugged and said, well "you just =
=3D buy
the chicken". I asked how I would know what size chicken I'd be getting =
=3D or
what price I'd be charged and there was a long pause and then =3D3D the =
=3D
person eventually said, "I have no idea, I can't help you out on this =
=3D3D
one"..
Maybe I was unlucky, maybe I am missing something, but either way, I'm =
=3D
back to Sainsburys in a hurry I think.
Regards,
L=3D3DE9onie.
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=3Dunsubscribe]
** If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
** and in the Subject line type
** unsubscribe
** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the
** immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=3Dfaq]
** or send a message, to
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe]
** If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
** and in the Subject line type
** unsubscribe
** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the
** immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq]
** or send a message, to
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
Other related posts:
