Overstock.com, or as a sassy, well kept lady, in her mid thirties would like to call it, “The Big O.” I’m sure we have all seen this commercial on the television, and thought of one thing when we heard what she called it…ORGASM. Why not? Think about it. America is a totally sex-driven culture that whips their head around at the sound of any type of sexual word or reference. For example: as you scanned the first couple lines of this blog, I immediately caught your attention by capitalizing “orgasm.” This is just one of the many things that Overstock does to draw its customers in. The next thing they do, is make the (scandalous) thirty something, woman sing some nock-off of a catchy tune with the original words replaced for things they sell on the site. I now know why I started shopping on that site; deep down I guess I’m a sex- driven, shopaholic, who buys into catchy marketing songs; I know I’m not the only one though.
The commercials themselves are very effective in drawing the viewers in and making them curious in viewing Overstock. Unlike a normal store, people can visit the site whenever they feel comfortable; with out the rush of store hours and busy masses of people. It’s once people are on the site that they see everything Overstock has to offer. Whether it be from the in season clothes, to the cookware, and books, to just about anything else. Not only will the future consumer see that it’s all high quality, and in season items but, that it’s all at a reasonable price. How do you buy all of these things you ask? Well I will tell you that it is as simple as a point, type, and click.
Unlike many places that sell things for cheaper, with the exception of a pricey, monthly membership, Overstock.com finds the fee to be unnecessary. Why deal with the ball and chain, when you can browse the site, and put things in a “cart,” without being a member? After you browse, pick and choose, you simple supply an email, and a password and you’re in. You have now just become a member and it was that simple. One little catch though; you need some sort of credit/ debit card to buy all your great treasures.
This is really as simple as it sounds. After you become a member, all you need to do is push a option button, that allows you to type in your card number, and verification, and it will save all of it so shopping can be easier. So let’s say you’re in a rush and you find your gift on Overstock, you’ve signed in, and all you need to do is pay; done. Since you saved your info (which is very secure) you’re done. But wait! How do you get your “goodies.”
If you ever plan on actually getting these items that you paid for, I would recommend that you have a place for these things to be shipped. I mean after all, I don’t think you would want to pay for something you never get. That’s why you need some type of P.O Box or residence that you can receive your merchandise from. Just like your credit info, your billing info can be saved, and you have extra space for the shipping address incase it’s a gift, for that special little someone. J
So whether it was like those late night ‘call now’ commercials that made you curious to see what Overstock was about, it did its job. The commercials effectively caught your attention, and told you why to buy from them…economical prices (not because the skanky lady said to.) The site lets you go online and shop at anytime of night, or day, without any late junkie store rushes, plus you can access it without any prices membership fees. Let us not forget that anyone with a credit or debit card, plus a billing address can use the site. So Overall, if you have these simple things, you can use the site easily and effectively.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
A Click of a Button or a Journey Through the Levels of Hell?
It seems like everyday that I am on Overstock.com. I don’t know what it is about online shopping that makes me do it. Maybe it’s the fact I don’t have to leave and deal with crowded streets or stores. Maybe its because, I never have to try on anything, or tediously rummage through, books, media, or clothes to find exactly what I’m looking for. I think when it really comes down to it, its all about shopping and the convenience of it.
The site itself, it primarily used to buy merchandise that has been “overstocked,” at other retail stores and can now be sold cheaper, and still at a new quality, at a simple click of a button. Overstock.com can also be used as an action site, which is very similar to other online auction sites. Overstock, sells anything from clothes, books, multi-media, etc, all the way down to “world goods.” In many ways the site, is a Bed Bath and Beyond, Nordstrom, and Pier One, all on one site with many other smaller retailers. It’s this type of accessibility that breaks the conventions of having to go out and buy merchandise.
Normally when you want to go shopping it starts out fun, but always has the pit falls of the whole consumer driven attitude. First, you have to either, A: Find a ride/ carpool, B: take local transportation, or C: take your own means (Car, walking, etc.) Now based on personal experience, and others thoughts or own experiences, this can be a rather “hellish ordeal.” There is almost always traffic, fighting for parking, dodging pedestrians with there carts, and five children following behind, or the people that have to re-park and adjust 80 times. The next level of Hell is, trying to not become one of these so called “pedestrians,” and making it completely intact inside the store; this also goes for finding a cart and making sure it works without squeaking, pulling to one side, or any other hang ups. Now we come to Purgatory, were the actual shopping takes place; you can either find exactly what you want in a split second, or you can spend endless hours looking for what you want and when you find “it,” its either not your size, broken, or too much to afford (unless you take out a small loan.) Now, doesn’t this sound fun? This is where I’ll play your tiny voice in your head, “Easy, computer, click of a button, find everything you want at one place shopping, OR experiencing the levels of hell, with its screaming little demons running around and crying, an never ending journey though isles of crap you really don’t need, and finding what you wanted only to find it was all a mirage?” I choose option number one, which is why I shop on Overstock.com.
Over all, the site is easy to use and it saves you not only time, but also a small fortune. What’s the catch, right? Well, yes there are some little things, and tid-bits of knowledge that are necessary to succeeding at using the site. Numero Uno: you need some type of fundable credit card or debit card…..you know….just in case you really wanted to shop and buy things…..small minor detail. Number 2: you must know how to not only turn on your computer, but access the internet, and type in the words, “Overstock.com.” Number 3: you will need to create a log in, username and password, and finally, you must have some type of residence, in which your items can be shipped to you. To be quite honest; that’s it! The rest is already on the home page with clickable tabs, with different subject items, and an easy to see ‘search’ option if you wanted to be more specific. The site is completely free to browse and become a member (unless you decided to do a member credit card…..tricky tricky) and everything thing you buy is new, in style, and significantly marked down, making not only you, but your bank account happy.
The site itself, it primarily used to buy merchandise that has been “overstocked,” at other retail stores and can now be sold cheaper, and still at a new quality, at a simple click of a button. Overstock.com can also be used as an action site, which is very similar to other online auction sites. Overstock, sells anything from clothes, books, multi-media, etc, all the way down to “world goods.” In many ways the site, is a Bed Bath and Beyond, Nordstrom, and Pier One, all on one site with many other smaller retailers. It’s this type of accessibility that breaks the conventions of having to go out and buy merchandise.
Normally when you want to go shopping it starts out fun, but always has the pit falls of the whole consumer driven attitude. First, you have to either, A: Find a ride/ carpool, B: take local transportation, or C: take your own means (Car, walking, etc.) Now based on personal experience, and others thoughts or own experiences, this can be a rather “hellish ordeal.” There is almost always traffic, fighting for parking, dodging pedestrians with there carts, and five children following behind, or the people that have to re-park and adjust 80 times. The next level of Hell is, trying to not become one of these so called “pedestrians,” and making it completely intact inside the store; this also goes for finding a cart and making sure it works without squeaking, pulling to one side, or any other hang ups. Now we come to Purgatory, were the actual shopping takes place; you can either find exactly what you want in a split second, or you can spend endless hours looking for what you want and when you find “it,” its either not your size, broken, or too much to afford (unless you take out a small loan.) Now, doesn’t this sound fun? This is where I’ll play your tiny voice in your head, “Easy, computer, click of a button, find everything you want at one place shopping, OR experiencing the levels of hell, with its screaming little demons running around and crying, an never ending journey though isles of crap you really don’t need, and finding what you wanted only to find it was all a mirage?” I choose option number one, which is why I shop on Overstock.com.
Over all, the site is easy to use and it saves you not only time, but also a small fortune. What’s the catch, right? Well, yes there are some little things, and tid-bits of knowledge that are necessary to succeeding at using the site. Numero Uno: you need some type of fundable credit card or debit card…..you know….just in case you really wanted to shop and buy things…..small minor detail. Number 2: you must know how to not only turn on your computer, but access the internet, and type in the words, “Overstock.com.” Number 3: you will need to create a log in, username and password, and finally, you must have some type of residence, in which your items can be shipped to you. To be quite honest; that’s it! The rest is already on the home page with clickable tabs, with different subject items, and an easy to see ‘search’ option if you wanted to be more specific. The site is completely free to browse and become a member (unless you decided to do a member credit card…..tricky tricky) and everything thing you buy is new, in style, and significantly marked down, making not only you, but your bank account happy.
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