Feedback: Why I can't buy a TB bag... yet!!

[bagman]

1) Many choices, with each bag having a different purpose than the other, so I can't have the best of all :-(

However the other points are not as pretty...

2) Missing pictures in many product pages not only restricts a potential customer's view of the product, but is also very detrimental to a company that relies almost entirely on web based marketing

3) Outdated pictures - some product pictures are outdated and don't represent current color combination of currently sold bags

4) Would prefer better integration of videos in the product page. Not every potential customer may think of looking through the blog or forums. In addition, if there were features like dynamically seeing different combination of colors on a bag, that'd be great. At the least, this could be implemented for the (Super) Ego...
a) User selects a color combo, and a picture of the bag is show
b) Through another input, super-impose different strips on to the bag, so that one may get a better idea.
Doesn't need to be perfect, but enough to make me aware to some extent. This can easily be done using simple javascripts, and I can help, if needed.


While I could get some product related info from the above, the below was simply out of my control...
5) I am currently outside the US, and the internation debit card that I tried to use on the checkout page expires on xx/xx/2019. Unfortunately, the expiry year field on the checkout page is a drop down and does not have up to 2019.

6) In addition to the above, other payment modes would be appreciated. Paypal is a great alternative, since it is available across all countries. (Personally, it'd be easiest for me to wire you money)

I tried emailing the customer support through email via the contact page, but did not receive a reply regarding the last couple of points. Perhaps it went to my junk folder.


In addition to the above, it'd be great if there were some kind of an inventory page. In Amazon.com and eBay, there is a field where they mention the number of unsold items. Since, some TB bags seem to sell out soon and others are on back order, a single page which lists all the (main) available bags and the relevant availability info - Bags available or estimated backorder date, would be really useful in the customer's decision making. It need not be a perfect number, but an estimated number. This can easily be pulled from your existing or new inventory management system.


Thus ends my two cents...

[Darcy]

I tried emailing the customer support through email via the contact page, but did not receive a reply regarding the last couple of points. Perhaps it went to my junk folder.

Hi bagman,

Through this Contact page? It must me some kind of junk mail problem or contact form error - we don't make a practice of ignoring emails. We love getting emails! I'm sorry about that, and we'll look into it.

To answer your questions: the expiration date issue should be fixed within the next couple of months. We've looked into PayPal and have concluded that adding it as a payment option may or may not be something we plan to do in the future.

I hope this helps!

[bagman]

Darcy - This one to be specific: http://www.tombihn.com/Merchant2/contactus.php?

Can you have your IT person change that expiry year field to a text box, as opposed to a drop-down, then you will never have to change it. Also, for my case, would it be OK if you can raise an invoice on my desired list of items, and then I can transfer you the amount through wire transfer?

I have already waited a little over a month, and waiting for another two months will take me beyond the "TB anticipation syndrome"!!

[Darcy]

Hi bagman,

I'm afraid changing the expiry box is something that isn't as easy as it sounds. It will be something that will be fixed within the next few months.

We don't accept wire transfers, but let me check on other payment options.

[Darcy]

It looks like the best payment method (other than a different credit card with a expiration date of 2015 or sooner) would be an International Money Order sent to our Seattle office:
TOM BIHN
Attn: Orders
2203 1st Ave S.
Suite #200
Seattle WA 98134

You can add the items you'd like to your basket, go to the checkout page, and print out or take screen shots of your shipping information, the basket contents, and the total and include that with the money order.

If you have any further questions, please email us at [email protected].

[bagman]

Hi Darcy - I will follow up on this via email.

[Darcy]

Bagman,

Katy received your email, and you should have received a response from us. Let me know if you didn't.

Also: we plan to move to the new website that we're creating sometime in the next few months. Most of what you mentioned earlier was addressed in the new design months ago. We look forward to seeing an order from you at that time!

[bagman]

Thanks for following this up, I have placed my order...

After spending days evaluating different bags including The Id, Ego, and Super Ego, I finally settled on the Empire Builder. I had searched for laptop bags and first came to know about Tom Bihn through a review of the Empire Builder on another site. Hence it made sense that I went with it eventually!

[Just]

Congratulations on your purchase, bagman!