SmartBuy's website

A few days ago I read a press release in a newspaper stating that SmartBuy has “activated” it web site. Yesterday I went there to check, thinking that they have launched an e-commerce website.

I was in for a disappointment. Not only doesn’t this website allow you to buy anything online. It doesn’t even mention prices.

After 13 years of the introduction of the web in Jordan, it puzzles me why we are still so behind when it comes to e-commerce. I mean, SmartBuy sells tech stuff. Their customers are educated, they have internet access at home and good percentage of them must be tech geeks. What is stopping them from launching a proper e-commerce site, if only on an experimental basis?

If credit cards are a problem, they can adopt a cash on delivery method of payment.

Furthermore, the layout of the site looks broken on my Mac.

I don’t understand this.


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8 responses to “SmartBuy’s new website: no prices and no buy button!”

  1. Ulysses Avatar
    Ulysses

    Yeahr, I’ve logged to that website before, and to tell the truth I was going to send a complaint, I mean they boast that they’re one of the best electronic sellers and yet there website is so deficient, I don’t think it’s more than a way to brag that they are following technology, it’s not easy to know if there’s any thing new worth buying i you don’t have any web access to it!

  2. Hamzeh N. Avatar
    Hamzeh N.

    The real benefit of e-commerce shows up when buyers engage in transactions that would otherwise be infeasible, like someone in Texas buying an item from a seller in New York.

    In the Middle East, there is no infeasible transaction that e-commerce would be able to overcome. The only infeasible transactions are those performed across borders, like you buying an item from someone in Saudi Arabia. The hurdle is getting the item through customs. Whether you buy that item online or not, the transaction is still not attractive.

    If I live within 15 miles from a store, why would I want to buy items from it online and then pay ARAMEX to ship it to me? Instead, I would rather pick up the item myself. Sure, having an online system by which you can reserve an item for pick up is a good idea, but again it doesn’t add THAT much of a value to the customer.

    I think this is the answer to your question of why we’re lagging behind on e-commerce.

  3. Nayef Avatar
    Nayef

    Technology here is APPALLING.

    We are so retarded in this field, and perhaps the government is to blame with low broadband penetration due to expensive ADSL for relatively slow lines.

  4. Nas Avatar
    Nas

    I don’t mind the lack of e-commerce so much as I hate it when prices are not listed, or even worse, when we don’t even know if there are any special deals going on.

    The sad reality is, a piece of paper stuck in a newspaper is still the way marketers in this country reach their audience

  5. raindrop Avatar
    raindrop

    I think it’s not complete yet.. Ive tried to check the specifications for SIEMENS DUAL MODE MULTI LINE VOIP, but there’s nothing in t he features page..

    If a smart company would make a website that compares electronics items’ prices in the Jordanian shops, by then i am sure everyone will start working on their website.. maybe this smart company will offer delivery too… like re-seller.

    in the Nederlands, you don’t go to buy anything, before you check on the internet the features, how much it costs and where you can buy it, to help the people not to run around too much.

    p.s. I thkn the link to smartbuy website is incorrect on your post

  6. Ali Avatar
    Ali

    Nas, since my company provides the only e-Payment Gateway in Jordan, soon you will be able to buy online from Smart Buy.

  7. Alaa Abdelhaq Avatar
    Alaa Abdelhaq

    I doubt if anybody visited their website will make the same mistake back again :)

  8. Amjad Avatar
    Amjad

    debit/credit cards are not the problem, thing is cards are not needed. if they were more ppl would have cards. cards effectively encourage spending. the problem is stupid management, bloody immature management.

    Huge opportunities. HUGE