To all those who build sites thinking your country is the only one in the World
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Yes, this is aimed squarly at US developers. I'm sorry, but there are other countries in the world and it really, really helps your country's economy when you allow these unwashed foreigner types to buy from you. My latest (in a series) was a site that was extremely helpful in suggesting a corrected address for me:
Incorrect address:
Chris Maunder
250 Ferrand Dr
Toronto, ON M3C3G8
CanadaSuggested Address:
250 Ferrand Dr
Toronto, ON
USANo, I really think I managed to get it right the first time. Trust me. But while I'm on the topic it's extremely frustrating when: - the site insists that postal codes are 5 digits (or it's an Australian site that thinks the only postcode in the world is a 4 digit one) - the site offers you the ability to choose any country, but no way to choose anything other than 1 of the "standard" 50 states. - the site won't accept credit cards from non-US addresses - (a little specific) the site uses a .ca website, is based in the US, and then won't ship to Canada.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Yeah, I'm an American and when I see shiite like what you describe I alwasy cringe and wonder what people from other countries think. Now I know... It's just what I thought.
Chris Maunder wrote:
- (a little specific) the site uses a .ca website, is based in the US, and then won't ship to Canada.
ROTFFLMFAO!!!!!
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering” - Wernher von Braun -
Based on the evidence, it was at least twice.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
We annexed Canada last month. Didn't you get the memo? :-D
Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer
He couldn't get the memo because the email program is just as broken in this regard as web sites.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997 -
Yes, this is aimed squarly at US developers. I'm sorry, but there are other countries in the world and it really, really helps your country's economy when you allow these unwashed foreigner types to buy from you. My latest (in a series) was a site that was extremely helpful in suggesting a corrected address for me:
Incorrect address:
Chris Maunder
250 Ferrand Dr
Toronto, ON M3C3G8
CanadaSuggested Address:
250 Ferrand Dr
Toronto, ON
USANo, I really think I managed to get it right the first time. Trust me. But while I'm on the topic it's extremely frustrating when: - the site insists that postal codes are 5 digits (or it's an Australian site that thinks the only postcode in the world is a 4 digit one) - the site offers you the ability to choose any country, but no way to choose anything other than 1 of the "standard" 50 states. - the site won't accept credit cards from non-US addresses - (a little specific) the site uses a .ca website, is based in the US, and then won't ship to Canada.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
To be fair though one should note... Why don't you buy from from the country you are in? Selling something to someone in a foreign country in the US is not just a matter of accepting payment and shipping it. There are laws in the US and the foreign countries to deal with. And developers are not lawyers. Retailers don't do their own credit card processing. They are limited to what their service provider allows. Even certification for other card types is not only more difficult but can impact other aspects of credit processing selection. Developers often create based on business requirements. Just because the sales dept insisted on a country selection on the form doesn't mean that anything else is suited for international sales. Testing a site for international sales requires testing for many, many cultures. It isn't just a matter of seeing if the language works. There aren't a lot of companies that can afford to test say in 200 different cultural settings. So one needs to make a best guess effort. Finally realistically were you buying the web site or the product on the website? Compare it to eating lunch - does every restaurant provide an ideal entry way? Ideal seating at every table? Ideal lighting? Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating regardless of season and time of day? Certainly the places I go to don't - but I like the food which is the point.
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To be fair though one should note... Why don't you buy from from the country you are in? Selling something to someone in a foreign country in the US is not just a matter of accepting payment and shipping it. There are laws in the US and the foreign countries to deal with. And developers are not lawyers. Retailers don't do their own credit card processing. They are limited to what their service provider allows. Even certification for other card types is not only more difficult but can impact other aspects of credit processing selection. Developers often create based on business requirements. Just because the sales dept insisted on a country selection on the form doesn't mean that anything else is suited for international sales. Testing a site for international sales requires testing for many, many cultures. It isn't just a matter of seeing if the language works. There aren't a lot of companies that can afford to test say in 200 different cultural settings. So one needs to make a best guess effort. Finally realistically were you buying the web site or the product on the website? Compare it to eating lunch - does every restaurant provide an ideal entry way? Ideal seating at every table? Ideal lighting? Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating regardless of season and time of day? Certainly the places I go to don't - but I like the food which is the point.
As I mentioned before: sometimes the only place you can find things is in another country. Decent coffee, for instance...
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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Based on the evidence, it was at least twice.
Software Zen:
delete this;Gary Wheeler wrote:
Based on the evidence, it was at least twice.
Come on Gary, no way is Harry Charlie's boy!
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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It's not a simple answer, it's a simplistic answer. Sometimes there simply is no other supplier. I'm all for making a point (Lord knows...) but when I need a carbon fibre aerodynamic bottle top opener that matches the exact colour of my bike and there's only one place to get it, and they won't give it to me, things get ugly. Real ugly.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
I'm all for making a point (Lord knows...) but when I need a carbon fibre aerodynamic bottle top opener that matches the exact colour of my bike and there's only one place to get it, and they won't give it to me, things get ugly. Real ugly.
My bikes blue and the birthday party is on 4 weeks from tomorrow.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Chris Maunder wrote:
I'm all for making a point (Lord knows...) but when I need a carbon fibre aerodynamic bottle top opener that matches the exact colour of my bike and there's only one place to get it, and they won't give it to me, things get ugly. Real ugly.
My bikes blue and the birthday party is on 4 weeks from tomorrow.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
You never know what may happen...
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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Yes, this is aimed squarly at US developers. I'm sorry, but there are other countries in the world and it really, really helps your country's economy when you allow these unwashed foreigner types to buy from you. My latest (in a series) was a site that was extremely helpful in suggesting a corrected address for me:
Incorrect address:
Chris Maunder
250 Ferrand Dr
Toronto, ON M3C3G8
CanadaSuggested Address:
250 Ferrand Dr
Toronto, ON
USANo, I really think I managed to get it right the first time. Trust me. But while I'm on the topic it's extremely frustrating when: - the site insists that postal codes are 5 digits (or it's an Australian site that thinks the only postcode in the world is a 4 digit one) - the site offers you the ability to choose any country, but no way to choose anything other than 1 of the "standard" 50 states. - the site won't accept credit cards from non-US addresses - (a little specific) the site uses a .ca website, is based in the US, and then won't ship to Canada.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Yep. Add Apple to the list. I wanted to change my credit card valid-thru date on my iTunes account because I had gotten a new credit card. So I punched in the new date and clicked "Save" only to be told that "some data was invalid" (they didn't even tell me what data was wrong!) After evaluating everything I saw on-screen several times, I tried modifying each of the fields. Turned out that I could only delete characters from my phone number but not add them again! Yes, for Apple phone numbers have 8 characters at most, because in USA that's the maximum length. Strange enough, I was able to enter the 9 character phone number initially and the complete number was being displayed on the page, the f*ing system just wouldn't let me save this data again :mad:
Regards, mav -- Black holes are the places where God divided by 0...
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Gary Wheeler wrote:
Based on the evidence, it was at least twice.
Come on Gary, no way is Harry Charlie's boy!
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Software Zen:
delete this;
