URLs can change over time. If any of the sites used in these Internet Exercises change, please visit the Turban Electronic Commerce 2002, 2e Companion Web site at http://www.prenhall.com/turban for an update.

Chapter 3

1. Visit Peapod.com to view its products and services. Evaluate its chances for success. Why did the "unattended delivery" e-grocers like ShopLink.com fail? (NOTE: epions.com no longer exists.)
   
   
2. There are many consumer portals that offer advice and ratings of products or e-tailers. Some are comprehensive portals and others are specialized, offering information and links for purchasers of automobiles, toys, computers, travel, etc. Some offer interactive features that generate customized information to help consumers with specific purchases, while others provide standardized tables for consumers to evaluate. Identify and examine two separate general consumer portals that look at other sites and compare prices or other purchase criteria. Try to find and compare prices for a hat, a microwave oven, and an MP3 player. Summarize your experience. Comment on the strong and weak points of such shopping tools.
   
   
3. Almost all car manufacturers allow you to configure your car online. Visit three major automakers' Web sites and configure a car of your choice. Also visit one electronic intermediary. After you decide what you want, examine the payment options and monthly payments. Print your results. How does this process compare to visiting an auto dealer? Do you think you found a better price? Would you consider buying a car this way? Are you happy with the policies for service if you purchase online?
   
   
4. Choose a general merchandise retailer and an apparel retailer located in your area. Find their Web sites and evaluate their use of click-and-mortar strategies. Are the product offerings different? Can you use the Web site to locate the nearest retail store? Will they provide a map or directions? Can you search their inventory to see if an item is in stock at the store? Identify their purchase options if you can-does the Web site give you the option of picking up the item at the store or returning an item to the store? What other click-and-mortar strategy elements can you identify? Ask the store personnel about the Web site. Are they knowledgeable and helpful about their Web site? Do they suggest using the Web site or make suggestions on how to use it?
   
   
5. Visit Amazon.com and identify at least three specific elements of their personalization and individual customization features. Browse some specific books on one particular subject and then leave their site. Now go back and revisit the site, what do you see? Are these features likely to encourage you to purchase more books in the future from Amazon.com? List the features and discuss how they may lead to increased sales. Now visit Amazon zShops to identify and compare three sellers of food and beverages. Can you find items not normally available in your local grocery store?
   
   
6. Use your favorite search engine and look for recent statistics about the growth of Internet-based consumer-oriented EC in your country and in three other countries. Where is the greatest growth occurring? Which countries have the largest total e-tail sales and which countries have the highest per-capita participation (called "penetration rate")? What are the forecasts for continued growth in the coming years?
   
   
7. Visit nike.com and submit a customized order for a shoe just for your right and left feet. What is the process? Do you think this will result in a better fitting shoe? Do you think this personalization feature will lead to greater sales volume for Nike?
   
   
8. Find three places to buy a computer and compare the three sites on their ability to inform you.