Online Booking at SkyCity Cinemas ... FAIL
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By Brenda L in General Published: Sunday, 01 March 09 - 06:12 PM (GMT +12:00) |
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I sent the following email to SkyCity today. Somehow I doubt they'll pay any attention. But their website experience is so unbelievably bad I had to share.
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I have just tried to book tickets through your website to see a movie this evening.
On so many levels using your website is a truly awful experience.
1. You have ads. On your corporate site. In a prime top banner position! And they are badly designed, out of sync with the already bad site design and sending what kind of message to your users. I don't want to shop at woolworths, I want to buy movie tickets! However, given how impossible that is I just might go to Woolworths, although I doubt that was your purpose.
2. I was offered the option to buy Platinum tickets, they're a bit more expensive than regular tickets so I assume that means you get some kind of added value. I searched your entire site and could not find any reference anywhere to what Platinum tickets were. Am I supposed to just go on trust that I'll get value? You have an ad for Woolworths on your site, how am I meant to trust you?
I persevered.
3. When I selected the number of tickets and then clicked Next my entire screen disappeared. Then came back, then disappeared. Then a coffee cup appeared. Then a seating plan with NO information - what is free, what is taken, what does Platinum mean - a word which is tagged to a block of seats but no idea if they're bigger, or upstairs, or just apart from the others.
4. When I figured out which seats were mine, I wanted to change them. I couldn't. I clicked some blue boxes, nothing happened. I clicked "Reset", nothing happened. I tried a different browser - as I am a very experienced web user and thought maybe some different settings would help. Still, couldn't change my seats.
5. I figured I'd deal with seats later and just get through this process. I clicked "Next". Nothing happened. In the other browser (Safari 4, Mac OSX) there wasn't even a Next button.
6. I gave up. I booked at Readings Cinemas where the process is easy, professional and works. It's a bummer, I actually prefer the Embassy on Courtney Place. But I could not use your system - and I really did try.
So there you have it. A free usability review from a professional web user, of one of the most appalling online e-commerce experiences I've had the displeasure of enduring in recent months.
If people aren't using your system to purchase tickets - don't blame the people, your site sucks. Don't dismiss this email - show it to your manager and do something about your website - you're Sky City, aren't you meant to be high end and quality??!
(FYI - my settings were : Mac OSX 10.5 with Firefox 3 and with Safari 4)
15 Comments so far: |
Leave a comment |
| I wonder if they've changed their sy (...) | Hadyn | 03/02/09 |
| Oh yes. | Alan | 03/02/09 |
| outcome | Brenda | 03/03/09 |
| I admit, I have not been on this webpage (...) | Black Jack Spielregeln | 05/22/09 |
| Agreed their site sucks | Robert | 06/27/09 |
| I've often booked tickets for the Em (...) | John Mish | 07/21/09 |
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Top | Reply to this Author: Hadyn (http://www.publicaddress.net/fieldtheory) Date Posted: 02 Mar 2009 07:42 AM (GMT +12:00) I wonder if they've changed their system recently. I've often booked tickets for the Embassy through the Sky City site and not had a problem (Windows XP, Firefox 3). Though the first time I used it I was shocked to be taken from the Embassy site to the Sky City one (funny how both sites acurately reflect the buildings they represent). Off the topic of the site, the Platinum seats are the big leather ones at the front. They are in the best position for sound and vision and are super-comfortable. They cost (i think) $2 extra which is worth it if you're watching a long film |
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Top | Reply to this Title: Oh yes. Author: Alan (http://halfpie.net/) Date Posted: 02 Mar 2009 11:30 AM (GMT +12:00) I've had similar problems with MacOSX browsers - it seemed to work better for me in Safari than Firefox. It's still a disgraceful website - but having been to the Embassy before I am guessing/hoping that the platinum seats I bought are the fancy ones in the front middle. And don't bother registering for their club thing. There's a whole new world of ugliness and pain right there. TV news is bad enough without exposing myself to more. |
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Top | Reply to this Title: outcome Author: Brenda Date Posted: 03 Mar 2009 10:45 AM (GMT +12:00) No answer from SkyCity yet .. guess their feedback loop isn't important to them. Unfortunately I guess they'll also blame the internet or the users for their lack of bookings online. In the end we went to the Lighthouse Cinema in Petone and saw Slumdog Millionaire. Online booking - reservation possible, friendly response, quick and easy Theatre - comfortable, couches to sit in, good food and drinks Movie - awesome. |
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Top | Reply to this Author: Black Jack Spielregeln (http://www.black-jack-spielregeln.de) Date Posted: 22 May 2009 01:08 AM (GMT +12:00) I admit, I have not been on this webpage in a long time... however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues. Great stuff as usual.... |
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Top | Reply to this Title: Agreed their site sucks Author: Robert Date Posted: 27 Jun 2009 02:53 PM (GMT +12:00) I signed up to filmsquad as well, after following links you will see the "deals" you get where it says conditions apply but no mention of what the condtions are anywhere! or any mention of how you redeem these deals. I just tried to buy tickets last night website was slow its even worse today I've given up! |
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Top | Reply to this Author: John Mish Date Posted: 21 Jul 2009 09:16 PM (GMT +12:00) I've often booked tickets for the Embassy through the Sky City site and not had a problem (Windows XP, Firefox 3). Though the first time I used it I was shocked to be taken from the Embassy site to the Sky City one. |
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Top | Reply to this Title: Manual Directory Submission Author: SEO Services (http://www.seowebnuts.com/) Date Posted: 05 Aug 2009 05:10 PM (GMT +12:00) I think your suggestion would be helpful for me. I will let you know if its work for me too.it seemed to work better for me in Safari than Firefox. It's still a disgraceful website - but having been to the Embassy |
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Top | Reply to this Author: Roulette on line (http://www.roulette-betting.com/roulette-online) Date Posted: 25 Aug 2009 12:22 AM (GMT +12:00) Hi, SkyCity needs to concentrate on their website, soon, so that no problem occur with their business, as there website is very slow, and this will irritate peoples. Keep Sharing! |
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