‘PURPOSELY HIDING WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR’ THE NEWLY IDENTIFIED PRACTICE BY UNDERHAND WEBSITE OWNERS WHO HIDE EXTRA CHARGES FOR DELIVERY, CREDIT CARDS, BAGGAGE AND INSURANCE.
May 22, 2007 (Press Release) --
Britain is becoming a nation of angry online shoppers with 93 per cent getting annoyed with sneaky website tactics, according to new research issued today (Tuesday 21st May 2007).
A recent survey of more than 2,400 web users, commissioned by http://www.morecomputers.com, found hidden delivery charges to be the most annoying with 64 per cent saying it makes them not buy – and business buyers get just as hacked off as consumers.
Hot on the heals of ‘Wilfing’ ’What was I looking for’ the aimless surfing syndrome that over two thirds (69 per cent*) of the UK’s 33.7 million internet users admit to. ‘Philfing’ is the name given to the increasingly popular practice of ‘purposely hiding what I’m looking for’ - holding back the real cost of ‘extras’ until the last minute.
Brian Trevaskiss, Operations Manager at MoreComputers.com, said: “Shopping online is without doubt quick and convenient. However this growing trend of ‘Philfing’ is so annoying for consumers that they abandon their baskets at ‘Philfers’ sites and shop elsewhere”.
The research reveals so-called 'free delivery' that turn out to require an extra purchase or spending over a certain amount frustrate consumers immensely. As do hidden surcharges for paying by credit card.
The online shopping comparison sites are now finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a level playing field when listing prices.
"We carefully monitor merchants for any signs of illegitimate or miss-leading behaviour," states Justin Sedgmond, Merchant Relations Director for PriceGrabber.co.uk. "When we are made aware of any suspicious activity, we verify the problem and take appropriate action from there. We will contact the merchant, and solve the problem to make sure our customers are protected."
According to the MoreComputers.com research, online shoppers also find poor stock information, the lack of contact telephone numbers and the use of 0870 telephone numbers very annoying.
Brian Trevaskiss, of MoreComputers.com, added: “We’ve always avoided ‘Philfing’, we believe our customers are smart enough to see through the scams. One thing we have changed, as a result of the survey, is our 0870 contact number back to our standard geographical 0114 number. Even though we didn’t make money from phone calls the perception was we did. People use sites like saynoto0870 to find the geographical number they are looking for, so it makes sense not to hide them.”
Ends
Notes to editors
For further examples of ‘Philfing’ and to download images:
Go to http://www.philfing.info we’re asking people to post comments giving examples of Philfing. Some of the comments posted already are:
 Sites that make no mention of a delivery fee – until you get to the shopping basket
 Shopping sites that say delivery is free then charge for ‘packaging and handling’
 Sites that don’t make any mention of a credit card surcharge then take an extra 2% at the submit order stage
A recent survey of more than 2,400 web users, commissioned by http://www.morecomputers.com, found hidden delivery charges to be the most annoying with 64 per cent saying it makes them not buy – and business buyers get just as hacked off as consumers.
Hot on the heals of ‘Wilfing’ ’What was I looking for’ the aimless surfing syndrome that over two thirds (69 per cent*) of the UK’s 33.7 million internet users admit to. ‘Philfing’ is the name given to the increasingly popular practice of ‘purposely hiding what I’m looking for’ - holding back the real cost of ‘extras’ until the last minute.
Brian Trevaskiss, Operations Manager at MoreComputers.com, said: “Shopping online is without doubt quick and convenient. However this growing trend of ‘Philfing’ is so annoying for consumers that they abandon their baskets at ‘Philfers’ sites and shop elsewhere”.
The research reveals so-called 'free delivery' that turn out to require an extra purchase or spending over a certain amount frustrate consumers immensely. As do hidden surcharges for paying by credit card.
The online shopping comparison sites are now finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a level playing field when listing prices.
"We carefully monitor merchants for any signs of illegitimate or miss-leading behaviour," states Justin Sedgmond, Merchant Relations Director for PriceGrabber.co.uk. "When we are made aware of any suspicious activity, we verify the problem and take appropriate action from there. We will contact the merchant, and solve the problem to make sure our customers are protected."
According to the MoreComputers.com research, online shoppers also find poor stock information, the lack of contact telephone numbers and the use of 0870 telephone numbers very annoying.
Brian Trevaskiss, of MoreComputers.com, added: “We’ve always avoided ‘Philfing’, we believe our customers are smart enough to see through the scams. One thing we have changed, as a result of the survey, is our 0870 contact number back to our standard geographical 0114 number. Even though we didn’t make money from phone calls the perception was we did. People use sites like saynoto0870 to find the geographical number they are looking for, so it makes sense not to hide them.”
Ends
Notes to editors
For further examples of ‘Philfing’ and to download images:
Go to http://www.philfing.info we’re asking people to post comments giving examples of Philfing. Some of the comments posted already are:
 Sites that make no mention of a delivery fee – until you get to the shopping basket
 Shopping sites that say delivery is free then charge for ‘packaging and handling’
 Sites that don’t make any mention of a credit card surcharge then take an extra 2% at the submit order stage
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