Smoke King Website Issues

[FalconForever]

Just a heads up to UK users of Smoke King online shop. They did an update to their website in July that seems to have broken their shop somewhat as you cannot log into your account until you try and buy something, which is pretty useless.
I have been advised that you can access your account before this by using the search function and entering your email address.

Also if you have taken advantage of the prepaid postage scheme, this is NOT being applied at checkout, so beware. Contact them for a code to remove the postage element.

They are aware of the issues but not fixed as yet....

Might be easier all round in the meantime to just order by phone until it's sorted.

 

[BingBong]

Yeah, noticed the login thing and when there was a login, instead of using a password they sent a 6-digit code by email, which could take a while to arrive.

My prepaid has been automatically applied every time, but doesn't appear as an option on checkout, so it's kind of "trust the process" until the last stage.

Not a perfect upgrade by any means, but at least the in stock / out of stock status is now clear - something that bugged the hell out of me before.

They'll get it sorted, I'm sure.

 

[FalconForever]

Yeah, noticed the login thing and when there was a login, instead of using a password they sent a 6-digit code by email, which could take a while to arrive.

My prepaid has been automatically applied every time, but doesn't appear as an option on checkout, so it's kind of "trust the process" until the last stage.

Not a perfect upgrade by any means, but at least the in stock / out of stock status is now clear - something that bugged the hell out of me before.

They'll get it sorted, I'm sure.

Sure, but not being able to access previous orders and /or wishlist before shopping seems a little self defeating... I also find it a bit unreal that an update or fix should take this long in this day and age. Personally given the tight margins folks are operating on in what is, lets face it, a dwindling market, you'd think having a functioning website was the main priority? Even rolling back the update whilst working on a fix would be better. And perhaps a notice somewhere to customers.... Anyway, just thought I'd let folks know.

 

[BingBong]

Sure, but not being able to access previous orders and /or wishlist before shopping seems a little self defeating... I also find it a bit unreal that an update or fix should take this long in this day and age. Personally given the tight margins folks are operating on in what is, lets face it, a dwindling market, you'd think having a functioning website was the main priority? Even rolling back the update whilst working on a fix would be better. And perhaps a notice somewhere to customers.... Anyway, just thought I'd let folks know.

I get the impression that the designer or coder has gone down the road of "hey look, isn't this a cool feature!" before asking if it's desirable or practical.

Really, the old site only needed a couple of tweaks, one to give stock status without having to click on an item, and the other, to fix the search engine which hid an awful lot of stock - I'd gone elsewhere for things they actually stocked because they were either invisible or only to be found by happy accident. But now we have a beta test moon rocket when we only wanted a bag of Cabbies. Such is the world.

 

[FalconForever]

I get the impression that the designer or coder has gone down the road of "hey look, isn't this a cool feature!" before asking if it's desirable or practical.

Really, the old site only needed a couple of tweaks, one to give stock status without having to click on an item, and the other, to fix the search engine which hid an awful lot of stock - I'd gone elsewhere for things they actually stocked because they were either invisible or only to be found by happy accident. But now we have a beta test moon rocket when we only wanted a bag of Cabbies. Such is the world.

Exactly. I got sent a code for the postage but it didn't work and after about six goes today I've given up. I'll keep my money in my pocket and go elsewhere for a bit. Daft buggers really cannot see what's wrong.

 

[kcghost]

Sometimes I am shocked at times of the ignorance of owners at how fickle on-line shopper are. You would think that they would want it to work as described or not install it.

 

[BingBong]

Sometimes I am shocked at times of the ignorance of owners at how fickle on-line shopper are. You would think that they would want it to work as described or not install it.

I think that they tend to get held hostage somewhat by developers - I can't imagine most small retailers having a spec or priorities before work commences, other than "better".

I agree that forcing customers to search for a login button that just isn't there will lose them sales. It's a priority. Implementing fancy secure login methodologies that take ten times longer means impatient lost customers. Losing customer history data, not good. I'll bet the Green family asked for none of those "improvements".

 

[FalconForever]

Well, needing those bits I relented and tried 'trusting the method' and promptly got charged £4.95 for postage despite my premier membership. Email sent. Not impressed.....

 

[BingBong]

Well, needing those bits I relented and tried 'trusting the method' and promptly got charged £4.95 for postage despite my premier membership. Email sent. Not impressed.....

Gah, how annoying. I've been sticking bits on my wishlist to order next week, hope it survives intact, because searches for accessories are still a bit of a pain.

I'm kind of cranking up on tobacco purchases in fear of next month's budget. Praying they get some more of my Germain's faves in before then!

 

[FalconForever]

Gah, how annoying. I've been sticking bits on my wishlist to order next week, hope it survives intact, because searches for accessories are still a bit of a pain.

I'm kind of cranking up on tobacco purchases in fear of next month's budget. Praying they get some more of my Germain's faves in before then!

Sure is and I've kinda been thinking the same thing regards both tobacco tax and the way brands and blends are either changing or being discontinued as sales fall. Higher taxes and stricter 'policies' on purchasing will further damage sales I think and then the higher the likelihood of more blends and brands disappearing.....

 

[BingBong]

Did a quick check to see if they had any Germain's Gold Leaf back in stock... no 50g tins, no 25g loose... but 10g samples? Yes! I ordered 4, wouldn't let me go to 5, so I presume that I cleaned them out. A win! Just arrived