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Is there anyone out there who LIKES it when you're browsing a webite and a chat box pops up?

Apr 10, 2012 11:26 PM

Is there anyone out there who actually LIKES it when you're browsing a webite and a chat box pops up? It drives me nuts. I'm never quite sure if it's an actual human behind it (in which case I feel bad for blowing them off, since I never respond), if it's totally automated, or if they automate the initial message and only get a human involved if I were to reply.

I'm actually LESS likely to buy from or return to a website if they initiate chats by simply visiting it (I don't mind if they give ME the option to chat with them.

tsfisch tsfisch

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vote-for15vote-against

Nope. Well, maybe there's some really lonely soul out there who genuinely enjoys the idea of having a stranger try to sell them a product or service, but I haven't met them. I prefer sites that have large, easy to spot "Live Chat Help" links on their site in case I need assistance, but don't push me in that direction from the get-go by popping open instantly. That's pretty much how I prefer life though. Let me know help's there if needed, but stand back and let me try on my own first.

elandria elandria
vote-for6vote-against

@elandria: I completely agree. A bad example of Live Chat pop up boxes can be seen on the Direct TV website.

discountlingeriedeals discountlingeriede…
vote-for9vote-against

I notice it on several sales sites if you linger for more than a couple of seconds on a page. Like the persistant salesman that won't let you just browse.

Then when you need help, takes them forever to answer.

mtm2 mtm2
vote-for3vote-against

Yes, but only so I can mess with them. Same goes for telemarketers and those people who send those "Congratulations! You've won X! Give us your bank account as a symbol of trust!" texts.

captainsuperdawg captainsuperdawg
vote-for8vote-against

I like the websites that if you try to leave the website, a box pops up with a live agent and a discount code..

Otherwise, I don't need a live agent talking to me. Same if I am in a store looking around.. Don't ask me if I need help, I will tell you when I am in need of your assistance, which 99.9% of the time is never..

devexityspace devexityspace
vote-for5vote-against

annoying as all f&&k! I was about to buy a lenovo desktop the other day from outlet.lenovo.com , but the annoying chat box that kept popping up drove me away.

kamikazeken kamikazeken
vote-for1vote-against

@devexityspace: Be nice, in a physical store you should appreciate someone actually asking if you need help. Try finding an "associate" at Wal-Mart if you need one. :) As for the OP, I HATE the pop-up chat boxes. If I wanted help, I would ask for it.

jsimsace jsimsace
vote-for6vote-against

@jsimsace: The problem with some stores is, they won't leave you alone. Either the 'help' hangs on you, even though you told them (nicely) you wanted to be left alone, or there are 6 different associates that come up and ask you. It gets annoying to keep saying "no thanks".

If I'm walking around, looking bewildered, walking in circles down aisles, then THAT's the time I want someone to approach me and ask if I'm needing help. If I'm just looking at products, I really don't want to be bothered. I dont' mind ONE person asking, then leaving, but more than that does get on my nerves.

tsfisch tsfisch
vote-for3vote-against

No Motorola is the worst. I ask for more information on a product and then they say, I am sorry I can not help you with that. One time I said then why do you ask every time I come to this site (it was silly but felt good).

caffeine_dude caffeine_dude
vote-for4vote-against

Only when I'm looking at porn!

jseureau jseureau
vote-for3vote-against

@jseureau: Hahaha! those fake porno girls are getting ruder and ruder. but I saw something similar on imgur from the adult websites.

cowboydann cowboydann
vote-for2vote-against

@cowboydann: Yeah not that I would know, but those chicks are down right mean!!

jseureau jseureau
vote-for1vote-against

I'd rather no chat pop-up at all and I'll ignore a single one that goes away and stays gone with a single click. Multiple pop-ups is very annoying and a good way to make me leave a website completely unless I am very interested in whatever the site is selling or offering.

baqui63 baqui63
vote-for1vote-against

Does anyone know how they work? Does someone actually initiate the chat? Is it automated, but when I reply "yes I have a question about blah blah blah" do they quickly ping a human to respond?

tsfisch tsfisch
vote-for2vote-against

@tsfisch: I don't know about all companies, but a long time ago when I was a bit more green, I did a tech help chat with Dell. At the end of a long conversation (which solved my problem), I took a short survey.

The last question was something like "Were you aware that your support technician was not an actual person?"

I sheepishly answered "No." :(

digger01 digger01
vote-for1vote-against

I tend to be driven away from sites that annoy me (with pop up chat/annoying ads etc.)... unless there's a really sweet deal on something.

luvche21 luvche21

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Apr 10, 2012 11:26 PM
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Not a farewell, just a forced redirect.

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Sorry

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Too late, we all heard you!

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