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	<title>UsabilityOne Blog &#187; process design</title>
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		<title>Self-serve credit crunch</title>
		<link>http://blog.usabilityone.com/2010/02/self-serve-credit-crunch/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.usabilityone.com/2010/02/self-serve-credit-crunch/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:12:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Shefik Bey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Usability Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[checkout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[process design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-serve checkout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Usability Tip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Woolworths]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Tweet I hadn&#8217;t used the self-serve checkout at my local Woollies as my trolley is normally stacked high, however, this weekend I seized the chance to finally test it out when I dropped in to purchase a few essential items. The process was slower than I had expected it to be, but the real crunch [...]]]></description>
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<div>I hadn&#8217;t used the self-serve checkout at my local Woollies as my trolley is normally stacked high, however, this weekend I seized the chance to finally test it out when I dropped in to purchase a few essential items.</div>
<p>The process was slower than I had expected it to be, but the real crunch came at the point of making a payment; my credit card signature needed to be assessed by the self-serve assistant.  It was apparent after a moment or two of scratching my head and looking about like a idiot, that it was I (rather than the system) that was required to notify an assistant that they were required to complete this transaction.  As the assistant was busy attending other customers I had to wait, for what seemed a long time, for my turn.  This seemed completely counter-productive.</p>
<p>I have used my credit card in a number of other comparative self-serve systems recently including car park and public transport ticketing machines.  In these instances signature validation was not required.  Of course, Woollies level of security with signature assessment is a notch above these systems,  however, this experience for a first time user will undoubtably put many off from self-serving again.</p>
<p>When you consider how vital credit cards are for self-serve transitional purchasing, surely some revision is required to aid consumer adoption of the service?  I would encourage Woollies to consider one of the following:</p>
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<li>Scrap the signature validation completely (consistent with comparative systems), or</li>
<li>Electronically match/validate the signature.</li>
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<div id="_mcePaste">Whenever you develop a system that puts the user in control, you must ensure they are in complete control.  As the saying goes &#8216;a chain is only as strong as its weakest link&#8217;, and this too is true of checkout systems, registration forms and online transactions. If in the process of making something easier and more streamlined you introduce a step that is hard or frustrating for users, then you have not successfully achieved your goal.  It is important to always be reviewing and assessing each step of a new process to ensure this does not happen.</div>
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