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Statistics
18 May 2001, Germany
Good morning!
This might not be the question that you expect me to ask, but i need help in some way.
I am a student at a German University and have to write my thesis. This doesn't sound too hard, neither does it if you hear the topic: it is ..boo.com..
I have to point out their way of decline, what they've done wrong and what they should have done better. I have done research for the last 3 weeks, sitting at the computer e-mailing people and reading newspaper articles, and everything seems fine, BUT those articles are just on the surface of the topic. What I need to get is more information about boo.com.
So what I ask you is if you could help me or name me people to contact that I can talk to.
Thank you for your help.
Yours sincerely,
Tobias
Dear Tobias:
If you've been researching this for several weeks, you probably know more about why Boo.com failed than I do. I'm sure you've read about their complex, slow-to-download and user unfriendly web site. I am convinced this was the major problem. After all, if the user interface is unfriendly, most users will go away. Would you visit a shop that had a complicated maze between the entrance and the goods on sale?
But, of course there are other issues as well. If you've not seen the article at http://www.tnl.net/newsletter/2000/boobust.asp - I suggest you read it. It was written by one of the ex-boo people and so offers a lot of insight that outside analysts may have missed.
Your best bet might be to try and locate some of the ex-boo.com people and see if they would be willing to answer some questions. On-line telephone and e-mail directories might help you locate some of these people.
Finally, do join eThesis if you haven't already. The eThesis community may well be able to offer some additional suggestions.
Good luck,
Dr. Ecommerce