Thursday, December 3, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
即
Section B·Page 7
Online stores add shopping dimension
Nathan Willis
Special to the Kansan
The holiday shopping season traditionally has meant plowing through alles of stores packed with shoppers or poring through catalogs and dialing 800 numbers. But now there is another alternative: shopping online.
As Internet merchants roll out their holiday wares, people can benefit from the virtual alternative to the shopping mall, said Michael Grobe, assistant director of academic computing services.
"If you know what you want, can find it and trust giving your credit card number out, it is a good alternative," he said.
Grobe said the main benefit of purchasing merchandise on the Internet was the speed of shopping.
Justin Birge, Omaha, Neb., sophomore, agreed. BIRge bought a Christmas gift online last year for his sister.
"You can get to the store, find what you want and pay all in five minutes," said Birge, who has bought computer equipment, shoes and books online.
Birge said he saw additional benefits.
"You don't have to go anywhere," he said. "It's easier to find the best prices on products, too."
According to a study conducted in June by Nielsen Media Research and CommerceNet, 20 million people made purchases over the Web in the first six months of 1998, double the number reported in a similar September 1997 study.
As more people pick their products from a screen rather than a store shelf, shoppers should know the problems
or buying online, Grobe said. He pointed out that in many cases, the Internet just couldn't compete with the real world.
"When I buy things, I like to touch them," Grobe said. "I like to pick them up and try them out."
Ryan Butler, Parsons senior, whose online purchases include a watch for his girlfriend and outdoor equipment.
said that when it came to items such as clothing, it became not only preferable but necessary to try before you buy.
"You run the potential of getting the wrong size for clothing," Butler said. "Once, when I was buying a pair of boots, I tried on the pair of boots in the store before I bought them online. I wouldn't have just ordered them."
Grobe said he thought it was a necessary for shoppers to determine exactly what they wanted before they logged on.
"I think it's fine if they've done comparative shopping to make sure that what they think they want is what they really want," he said. "You've got to do your homework before you buy things."
Ashley Els. Winfield sophomore, brought her mother a cassette tape over
the Internet last Christmas. She said that while she shipped online frequently, she limited her purchases to one Web site, BMG Entertainment (www.bmg.com), the home of the music club she belonged to.
"I'm not comfortable with the fact that I have to give them my credit card number over the computer." Esi said. "I don't think it's completely safe."
Grobe said shopping online was no more dangerous than other transactions involving a credit card.
He also said precautions could be taken to minimize the dangers.
"I don't think that's any worse than giving it to a waiter that takes it to a back room and punches in a charge," Grobe said.
"The thing I would want to be sure of is that I buy from a Web site that's authorized by a company that I recognize or a company that's not so well-known but carries well-known brands," Grobe said. "You need to validate the contents of a site. You might
go so far as to find a phone number on the site and call the company to make sure it's an authentic site."
But once the transaction is complete, even the savvy online buyer may not be out of the woods. Birge said that once, when he ordered a pair of shoes, he received the wrong order in the mail. The company made up for the mix-up by offering him a special deal, and Birge said he was pleased in the end.
Butler said he thought Birge's experience was more the exception than the rule.
"Everything I've ever ordered, I've been pleased with," Butler said. "I've never had any problems, and I don't see where there would be much room for problems. For people who have
have a computer and stuff, I would definitely recommend it."
the means to do so, who
Holiday catalogs offer gift convenience
Mail orders help frazzled students beat the crowds
By Amanda Hay Special to the Kansan
With final examinations beginning next week, University of Kansas students often cannot find the time or energy to brave the overcrowded malls in search of perfect Christmas gifts. Some students, however, have found an alternative in catalog shopping.
"Christmas shopping by catalog takes a lot of pressure off me," said Sarah Dansro, Milford freshman. "It's hassle free because it saves time, gas and my sanity."
Mail order has become an increasingly popular form of shopping for students. Retail stores, such as J. Crew,
Eddie Bauer and Lands' End publish
catalogs.
KU students say catalogs offer several advantages to traditional mall shopping, and they save a lot of time by using them.
"I like using catalogs to do my Christmas shopping because it's convenient to do from your house," said Jackie Gleichman, Kansas City, Kan., sophomore.
Heather Jones, Wamego freshman, agreed.
"It's so easy," Jones said, "You just dial an 800 number, tell them what you want, and if'll be there in two days."
Variety is another incentive of catalog shopping, students say. Most catalogs contain items that cannot be found elsewhere. Gleichman said she often shopd from Delia's, a woman's clothing company that only did its business by mail.
"Delia's has unique items that I really love, but can't find in the stores," Gleichman said.
The mail order industry is especially busy during the holiday season. Rachel Trankle, salesperson for Lands' End, Inc., said 60 to 70 percent of Lands' End's business was done from October to December.
"We all have to work six days a week
and talk non-stop." Trankle said, "But
it's peak time, and people get anxious
as it gets closer to Christmas."
Tara Rodriguez, human resources representative at J. Crew, said J. Crew averaged 125,000 orders a week, and their busiest week had 120,000 orders.
Students say seasonal sales are also an attraction. For example, J. Crew takes $20 off the first $80 customers spend and gives free merchandise, such as J. Crew hats. Both Eddie Bauer and J. Crew have weekly specials as well.
Sharon Majerle, Olathe sophomore,
agreed.
"There are sales in the catalogs that aren't in the stores." Majerle said, "Sometimes you can find a better deal on clothes."
Catalogs have certain departments designed specifically for customer service. Trankle said Lands' End had a department called Specialty Shoppers that matched colors, gave extra measurements, and told people which items were the warmest.
Despite shipping and handling charges, catalog shoppers still find this method of shopping to be the best, said Bill Bowers, salesperson for Eddie Bauer.
"Talking to customers, I've found that their time is usually worth more to them than the shipping and handling fees they have to pay," Bowers said.
"Hey, you can be lazy and shop from your bed." Jones said, "it's beautiful."
Giving simplified with KU items found on campus
By Carmen Murry Special to the Kansan
During the holiday season, people shop frantically for the perfect gift. To avoid the crowds, University of Kansas students, faculty and staff can purchase holiday gifts at the Kansas Union Bookstores, Jayhawk Bookstore and the KU Alumni Association.
"I shop at the Kansas Union because it's on my way to class everyday, so if I need to stop there I can," said Stephanie May, Great Bend freshman. "It's a lot more convenient than having to drive off-campus after my classes are over."
The bookstores in the Burge and Kansas unions and the Mt. Oread Bookshop, sell Jayhawk memorabilia all year. The Kansas Union and Mt. Oread Bookshop have holiday selections as well.
The KU Bookstores' gifts and clothing department has KU ornaments, holiday ceramic figurines and clothing. Becky Chappell, KU Bookstores' gifts and clothing supervisor, said the store had two new ornaments.
"We have a ceramic Santa Claus wearing a KU basketball uniform and a 3-D Jayhawk ornament holding a Christmas tree," Chappell said.
She said the stores kept more sweatshirts, jackets and long sleeve shirts in stock for the holiday season because they usually sold more.
The KU Bookstore book department receives a variety of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza books during the holidays. "Books about the history of the University usually get a good reception," said Ruth Lichtwardt, KU Bookstores assistant buyer. "We have a fairly new book called 'The Jayhawk: Fact or Myth — A Story for All Ages' by KU alumnus David E. Kamarar that was introduced two months ago."
The bookstores combine the book, gifts and clothing departments in their annual alumni merchandise catalog, Jayhawk Details. The catalog makes its merchandise accessible to Kansas alumni all across the country.
The Jayhawk Bookstore, 1420 Crescent Road, also displays seasonal items such as KU ornaments and other tree decorations. They have University memorabilia including clothing, jewelry, license plates and books about the University and Lawrence.
Bill Muggy, Jayhawk Bookstore owner and manager, said the store tried to promote its holiday gifts through student discounts during the fall book buv-back period.
"We provide coupons good through Dec. 31," Muggy said. "We hand out coupons during book buy-back, hoping that as they get the money back from their books and with the discount they will purchase an item from our holiday selection."
Christine Tunink, Lansing junior, said she bought some ornaments last year after receiving the coupon when she took her books back to the bookstore.
"Last year, I bought some ornaments for our Christmas tree at home because they were pretty cheap with the coupon, so I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity," Tunink said.
The Alumni Association publishes Kansas Alumni bimonthly for the KU Alumni and Student Alumni Associations. In the November 1998 issue, the inside back cover features holiday items accessible through the association.
The six items featured include note cards with campus views and Jayhawk illustrations, a Jayhawk paperweight, and a necktie and scarf with Jayhawks printed on them.
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