Shopping for CDs

University of Tennessee at Martin

Dr. Timothy Johnston

This assignment is designed to direct you to compare the shopping experience between a “real” local store and a “virtual “ Internet store.

There are two parts to this assignment. In part one, you are asked to shop for music compact disks (CD) at a local Wal-Mart. In part two, you are asked to shop again for CDs, but at the Walmart.com web site. It is important that you follow directions, complete the tasks in order, and answer questions at the appropriate time.

PART ONE: Shop at a Wal-Mart store

1. Before you enter the store, pick two music titles on CD. Feel free to pick an artist or title in which you are interested, but pick “mainstream” titles that you may find in a store. Pick two titles so that if one is not in stock, hopefully the second will be.

CD #1: Title and artist ______________________________________________________________

CD #2: Title and artist ______________________________________________________________

2. Go in person to the music department of a local Wal-Mart store. Find a copy of your CD#1 and write down the price. (If your CD choice is not in stock, note this and choose another CD title that is in stock). Repeat this task for CD#2. Complete the questions below about your shopping trip:

Store location ___________________________ Date _____________ Time __________ AM PM

CD #1: Title and artist ___________________________________________________In stock? Y N

Alternate CD#1 (if CD#1 not found) __________________________________________________

CD #1: Price _______________ Tax ____________________ Total price ___________________

CD #2: Title and artist __________________________________________________ In stock? Y N

Alternate CD#2 (if CD#2 not found) __________________________________________________

CD #2: Price _______________ Tax ____________________ Total price ___________________

PART TWO: Shop at Walmart.com

2. Using a computer, go to the Internet web site of Walmart.com. On the web site, find the first CD that you found at the Wal-Mart store. Pretend to order the CD (see instructions below) and print out the “order verification page” with the price, tax, and shipping charges. Repeat the task for the second CD that you found at Wal-Mart. Complete the questions below about your shopping trip:

PRETEND ORDER: (0) Find the CD on the Walmart.com web site, (1) Add the CD to your “shopping cart,” (2) Go to checkout, (3) Continue the process as an unregistered user, (4) enter your information (address, etc.), (5) choose “ground” as shipping option, (6) enter pretend credit card number 4111111111111111 (4 and 15 ones), (7) enter your email address, (8) finally you see the “order verification” page with price, tax, and shipping charge, PRINT it out, then cancel the order.

Walmart.com shopping: Date _____________________ Time ________________ AM PM

Where was the computer used located? Lab My house Other _____________________

CD #1: Title and artist __________________________________________________ In stock? Y N

CD #1: Price ____________ Shipping __________Tax ___________ Total price _____________

CD #2: Title and artist __________________________________________________ In stock? Y N

CD #2: Price ____________ Shipping __________Tax ___________ Total price _____________

Post-shopping questions (please answer in order).

1. Which CD shopping experience did you prefer? Wal-Mart Store Walmart.com

2. Why did you prefer the shopping method you chose in question number one?

3. How was shopping at the Wal-Mart store different from shopping at Walmart.com?

4. Please circle the letters of all the items below that describe why you chose the CD shopping method in question number one as your preferred method. (Please choose only items that describe your actual choice for this CD shopping experience, and not a future or hypothetical choice).

a. It was quicker.

b. It was easier.

c. It was more convenient.

d. It offered a cheaper way to buy a CD.

e. It provided more information about the product.

f. I could see and touch the CD.

g. It was less confusing.

h. I was better able to listen to a sample of music.

i. It provided a sales clerk

j. I was better able to do other shopping while I shopped for the CD.

k. It did not require me to use a computer.

l. It did not require me to give my information over the Internet.

m. It would have allowed me to pay with something other than a credit card, had I purchased a CD.

n. It was less complicated.

o. It would have allowed me to get the CD quicker, had I purchased one.

p. I have used this method more in the past to shop for CDs.

q. I enjoyed the experience better.

r. I was better able to shop with someone else.

s. I was better able to browse for CDs.

t. I was better able to find my CDs.

u. It was less hassle.

v. It offered a better selection of CDs.

w. I did not have to drive.

x. I did not have to walk around.

y. I did not have to deal with people.

z. I did not have to deal with using a computer.

aa. I could shop at a time that was convenient for me.

ab. Other ______________________________________________________________________

ac. Other ________________________________________________________________________

5. Do you have any other comments about the Internet shopping activity? Please write them here. Thank you for completing the activity.