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BizReport : Ecommerce : August 27, 2007
British consumers wary of price comparison websites
More and more consumers are turning away from shopping comparison websites as they become aware that many are not as impartial as they first appear.
British consumers are becoming increasingly cynical of price comparison websites, found Quidco’s 2007 Online Shopping Report. A major concern is that price comparison websites are favoring their highest paying clients and presenting consumers with biased and selective results.
Quidco’s report found that one in three British consumers had already stopped using price comparison websites and nearly 50 percent more said they would cease to use them if they were found to be biased or selective. Slowly, the perception of such sites having the consumer’s best interests at heart is waning.
Ultimately, every consumer is being swayed by selective advertising. Television, radio, supermarket product placements and even online ads command a premium for reach and prime spots. The Internet, however, has always been perceived as the consumer’s champion. The reality is somewhat different.
Tags: price comparison, Quidco
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Comments
I definately agree, it's a shame that one of the most interesting online shopping ideas has deteriorated to the extent that it has. Retailer bias is something which turned me away from price comparison websites a long time ago. However it's worth noting that some websites seem to be answering the consumer calls of neutrality. I read about a site called Twenga online only last week, which promises to provide no retailer bias. It might be work a look, here's the link for those who are interested: www.twenga.com
Posted by: Carys Richardson on October 23, 2007 16:24
The thing is that price comparison sites are generally completely unbiast. Particularly with shopping price comparison websites where the sites rely on users finding the exact product they are looking for at the best price for revenue. It is true that not every retailer is on every price comparison website, but using good quality price comparison websites certainly does save users time. Also most price comparison websites have user written product reviews which enables them to make an informed choice before making their purchase.
Posted by: Steve @ Price Spin on June 5, 2009 11:50