Comments on: Say What You Will About Wal-Mart — Seriously http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/ Marketing blog focused on marketing optimization, improving website conversion rates, search engine marketing, web analytics, word of mouth, etc. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:05:29 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Betty Horan http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-1069617 Betty Horan Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:21:41 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-1069617 I live in the small town of Wadesboro,NC. I always try to buy from the local stores. It helps provide jobs and promotes the local economy. When Wal Mart moved all the fabric from the store I was disappointed. However, I tried to accept this as a needed change the department giant felt it needed for economic measures. Now I am very angry. Moving all the thread and sewing notions has placed economic hardship on the citizens of this county. Not many of us do a lot of home sewing anymore. We still need to adjust a hem, sew on buttons, make alterations, quilt, etc. Now, we are forced to drive 30 miles to buy a spool of thread. With the cost of gas this becomes an economic hardship. I thought Wal Mart cared more for its customers than to do this. It is a joke that there are four sewing machines still in the store. Yet, you can't buy thread for them. I live in the small town of Wadesboro,NC. I always try to buy from the local stores. It helps provide jobs and promotes the local economy. When Wal Mart moved all the fabric from the store I was disappointed. However, I tried to accept this as a needed change the department giant felt it needed for economic measures. Now I am very angry. Moving all the thread and sewing notions has placed economic hardship on the citizens of this county. Not many of us do a lot of home sewing anymore. We still need to adjust a hem, sew on buttons, make alterations, quilt, etc. Now, we are forced to drive 30 miles to buy a spool of thread. With the cost of gas this becomes an economic hardship. I thought Wal Mart cared more for its customers than to do this. It is a joke that there are four sewing machines still in the store. Yet, you can’t buy thread for them.

]]> By: Can Wal-Mart Revolutionize CPG Once Again With Product Reviews? http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-249247 Can Wal-Mart Revolutionize CPG Once Again With Product Reviews? Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:35:54 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-249247 [...] to review products online. Although they're clearly trying to beef up their own stockpile of online reviews (after adding the feature in July of this year), is it really any different than getting a [...] [...] to review products online. Although they're clearly trying to beef up their own stockpile of online reviews (after adding the feature in July of this year), is it really any different than getting a [...]

]]> By: Robert Gorell http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-245129 Robert Gorell Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:53:55 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-245129 Clifford, Have you tried buying online instead? We often talk about people browsing online, then buying in the actual store. But I'd like to know whether you'd consider browsing in the store, then buying online -- or just shopping online at Walmart.com altogether. Do you feel something's lost online, or does it have more to do with just wanting to get the things you buy from Wal-Mart on your own time (i.e., not waiting for the stuff to ship). Thanks for your comment. I think a lot of folks out there are overwhelmed by the sheer size of these "superstores." Clifford,

Have you tried buying online instead? We often talk about people browsing online, then buying in the actual store. But I’d like to know whether you’d consider browsing in the store, then buying online — or just shopping online at Walmart.com altogether. Do you feel something’s lost online, or does it have more to do with just wanting to get the things you buy from Wal-Mart on your own time (i.e., not waiting for the stuff to ship).

Thanks for your comment. I think a lot of folks out there are overwhelmed by the sheer size of these “superstores.”

]]> By: Clifford Harris http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-245061 Clifford Harris Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:14:27 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-245061 I went to a Walmart Store in Pembroke, NC. The shopping experience was very pleasant as usual. I found everthing that I wanted with no trouble. My problem is getting out of the store. Out of 15 cash registers that were in the store there was only one register open with a checkout clerk. There were self checkouts, but likemy self many people do not like to use them, so we just stand in line for twenty minutes or more waiting to be checked out. It seems that a store as large as Walmart could have at least three clerk run registers open at all times to cut down on checkout time. This would be a big step in helping customer relations. I went to a Walmart Store in Pembroke, NC. The shopping experience was very pleasant as usual. I found everthing that I wanted with no trouble. My problem is getting out of the store. Out of 15 cash registers that were in the store there was only one register open with a checkout clerk. There were self checkouts, but likemy self many people do not like to use them, so we just stand in line for twenty minutes or more waiting to be checked out. It seems that a store as large as Walmart could have at least three clerk run registers open at all times to cut down on checkout time. This would be a big step in helping customer relations.

]]> By: Rick Dennis http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-135980 Rick Dennis Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:02:29 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-135980 I am redesigning my website to show customer reviews of products. We are planning to send emails to customers after they have purchased a product. Biggest questions are: 1. How long after the customer orders a product is it a good idea to request a product review? 3 weeks? a month? 2. What question or questions do you ask the customer to get a more favorable answer that will BETTER influence a future reader of the review? 3. Besides their written comments about the product, should I want/allow them to rate the product? On a 1 to 10 scale? 1 to 5? 4. Should I ask for a separate ratings, for each of the following? Customer Service, Product quality, Product Satisfaction? Thank for your feed back............. I am redesigning my website to show customer reviews of products. We are planning to send emails to customers after they have purchased a product.

Biggest questions are:

1. How long after the customer orders a product is it a good idea to request a product review? 3 weeks? a month?
2. What question or questions do you ask the customer to get a more favorable answer that will BETTER influence a future reader of the review?
3. Besides their written comments about the product, should I want/allow them to rate the product? On a 1 to 10 scale? 1 to 5?
4. Should I ask for a separate ratings, for each of the following? Customer Service, Product quality, Product Satisfaction?

Thank for your feed back………….

]]> By: Study: Customer Reviews Boost Conversion http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-135724 Study: Customer Reviews Boost Conversion Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:31:58 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-135724 [...] course, some are better at implementing customer reviews than others, but it's becoming clear that [...] [...] course, some are better at implementing customer reviews than others, but it's becoming clear that [...]

]]> By: Drink Up! — Yelp Turns Web 2.1 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-128772 Drink Up! — Yelp Turns Web 2.1 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:46:13 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-128772 [...] that big chains like Wal-Mart are getting hip to consumer-generated reviews, Yelp has the power to do the same for small [...] [...] that big chains like Wal-Mart are getting hip to consumer-generated reviews, Yelp has the power to do the same for small [...]

]]> By: Brett http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-115338 Brett Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:47:20 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-115338 Thanks Rob, I sincerely appreciate your kind words regarding thinking of us when you hear "word-of-mouth marketing" or "ratings and reviews". We are having a blast in this business, and learning a lot about practical applications of Web 2.0, word of mouth, and user-generated content in the process. We call it "social commerce", and our CMO, Sam Decker, has described that term well in this article: http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/15372.asp Thanks Rob, I sincerely appreciate your kind words regarding thinking of us when you hear “word-of-mouth marketing” or “ratings and reviews”. We are having a blast in this business, and learning a lot about practical applications of Web 2.0, word of mouth, and user-generated content in the process. We call it “social commerce”, and our CMO, Sam Decker, has described that term well in this article:
http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/15372.asp

]]> By: Robert Gorell http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-114865 Robert Gorell Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:28:04 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-114865 I see what you mean, Rob, but alas... What good would it do for Brett as a voice of corporate humility to worry about such things? ;) Still, folks in the industry know, and that's what matters (to folks like us, mind you, and not necessarily the public at large or potentially lazy journalists). So, congrats on the AdAge piece, Brett, and keep up the great work! I see what you mean, Rob, but alas… What good would it do for Brett as a voice of corporate humility to worry about such things? ;) Still, folks in the industry know, and that’s what matters (to folks like us, mind you, and not necessarily the public at large or potentially lazy journalists).

So, congrats on the AdAge piece, Brett, and keep up the great work!

]]> By: Rob http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-114856 Rob Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:14:32 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-114856 Brett, I agree with Roberts remarks as well. I wasn’t saying that anyone did anything wrong. I simply found it odd that none of the articles discussing the implementation mentioned Bazaarvoice. More often than not, the company providing the new service is listed in a feature announcement such as this, especially when the service provider is a market leader like Bazaarvoice. When I hear word-of-mouth marketing or ratings and reviews I think Bazaarvoice. That’s the only reason I expected to see the name mentioned and that’s what I found ironic. Brett,

I agree with Roberts remarks as well. I wasn’t saying that anyone did anything wrong. I simply found it odd that none of the articles discussing the implementation mentioned Bazaarvoice. More often than not, the company providing the new service is listed in a feature announcement such as this, especially when the service provider is a market leader like Bazaarvoice. When I hear word-of-mouth marketing or ratings and reviews I think Bazaarvoice. That’s the only reason I expected to see the name mentioned and that’s what I found ironic.

]]> By: Brett http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-114172 Brett Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:16:25 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-114172 Rob, You may want to check out the Advertising Age article today, which does mention us: At Last, the Reviews Are in: Wal-Mart Wakes Up to the Power of the People http://adage.com/article?article_id=119456 But Robert Gorell is correct, and I didn't expect Wal-Mart's CMO to mention us in her quotes. And that's fine. We are just extremely happy to be working with Wal-Mart on such a major initiative. Thanks, Brett Founder and CEO, Bazaarvoice Rob,

You may want to check out the Advertising Age article today, which does mention us:
At Last, the Reviews Are in: Wal-Mart Wakes Up to the Power of the People
http://adage.com/article?article_id=119456

But Robert Gorell is correct, and I didn’t expect Wal-Mart’s CMO to mention us in her quotes. And that’s fine. We are just extremely happy to be working with Wal-Mart on such a major initiative.

Thanks,
Brett
Founder and CEO, Bazaarvoice

]]> By: Robert Gorell http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-114077 Robert Gorell Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:59:34 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-114077 Rob, Where's the irony? It's quite possible that the Times reporter, among others, didn't see the significance of mentioning Bazaarvoice in the piece. Isn't it a consultancy's job to make the client look good, first and foremost? Besides, we're discussing their role. Is that not word-of-mouth, er, mouse? Rob,

Where’s the irony? It’s quite possible that the Times reporter, among others, didn’t see the significance of mentioning Bazaarvoice in the piece. Isn’t it a consultancy’s job to make the client look good, first and foremost?

Besides, we’re discussing their role. Is that not word-of-mouth, er, mouse?

]]> By: Rob http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-113880 Rob Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:53:54 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-113880 I spent a minimal amount of time glancing over some of the new articles related to this topic including the one printed in The New York Times. I wasn’t able to find any mention of Bazaarvoice. Isn’t this just a tad bit ironic? I spent a minimal amount of time glancing over some of the new articles related to this topic including the one printed in The New York Times. I wasn’t able to find any mention of Bazaarvoice. Isn’t this just a tad bit ironic?

]]> By: The World's Largest Company Launches Ratings and Reviews | Bazaarblog http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/comment-page-1/#comment-111562 The World's Largest Company Launches Ratings and Reviews | Bazaarblog Fri, 20 Jul 2007 22:47:25 +0000 http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/#comment-111562 [...] http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/ [...] [...] http://www.grokdotcom.com/2007/07/19/say-what-you-will-about-walmartcom-seriously/ [...]

]]>