zapposlogo What would you do if a technical problem on your e-commerce website meant that wrong pricing information was posted for some time; customers took advantage of the low prices and, by the time you spotted it, the mistake added up to $1.6 million?

Here’s what Zappos did in relation to their 6pm.com online store:

[…] While we’re sure this was a great deal for customers, it was inadvertent, and we took a big loss (over $1.6 million – ouch) selling so many items so far under cost.  However, it was our mistake.  We will be honoring all purchases that took place on 6pm.com during our mess up.  We apologize to anyone that was confused and/or frustrated during out little hiccup and thank you all for being such great customers.  We hope you continue to Shop. Save. Smile. at 6pm.com.

An entirely different outcome springs to my mind that some companies would adopt – think of those champions of customer engagement Ryanair, for instance. Thank goodness so few are like Ryanair.

Nice one, Zappos. You’re the model. Such an apt tag line to your logo.

(Via Tony Molloy)

[Update] I posted some further thoughts about this on the WCG Common Sense blog.

22 responses to “No ifs or buts from Zappos”

  1. [Blog] No ifs or buts from Zappos http://tinyurl.com/3xwrqzu #fb #in

  2. Hobson: No ifs or buts from Zappos:
    What would you do if a technical problem on your e-commerce website meant th… http://bit.ly/aVVAcG

  3. [nh.com] No ifs or buts from Zappos http://goo.gl/fb/qxaeJ

  4. jangles (Neville Hobson) avatar

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    [Blog] No ifs or buts from Zappos [link to post] #fb #in

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  5. RT @jangles: [Blog] No ifs or buts from Zappos http://tinyurl.com/3xwrqzu #fb #in

  6. No ifs or buts from Zappos http://bit.ly/blbaCO

  7. No ifs or buts from Zappos http://bit.ly/daWxMb

  8. bencotton (Ben Cotton) avatar

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    RT @jangles: [Blog] No ifs or buts from Zappos [link to post] #fb #in

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  9. RT @jangles: [Blog] No ifs or buts from Zappos http://tinyurl.com/3xwrqzu #fb #in

  10. No ifs or buts from Zappos http://bit.ly/d8E8Wq

  11. RT @jangles: [nh.com] No ifs or buts from Zappos http://goo.gl/fb/qxaeJ

  12. RT @jangles: [nh.com] No ifs or buts from Zappos http://goo.gl/fb/qxaeJ

  13. That's what makes Zappos Zappos… RT @jangles: [nh.com] No ifs or buts from Zappos http://goo.gl/fb/qxaeJ

  14. mateoy (mateoy) avatar

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    RT @jangles: [nh.com] No ifs or buts from Zappos [link to post]

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  15. jangles (Neville Hobson) avatar

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    [nh.com] No ifs or buts from Zappos [link to post]

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  16. guy1067 (guy stephens) avatar

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    That’s what makes Zappos Zappos… RT @jangles: [nh.com] No ifs or buts from Zappos [link to post]

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  17. No ifs or buts from Zappos http://bit.ly/a1dRNp Company "honors all purchases taken place during mess up", losing $1.6 million / by @jangles

  18. No ifs or buts from Zappos http://bit.ly/cAGc0z #socialmediawin

  19. I really hope the Zappos $1.6m price blunder http://is.gd/cnbCT isn't just a viral marketing con trick http://is.gd/cnbGq

  20. TR @jangles: I really hope the Zappos $1.6m price blunder http://is.gd/cnbCT isn't just a viral marketing con trick http://is.gd/cnbGq