n What is a smart card? Smart cards are similar to conventional credit cards but are embedded with a computer chip which can process different kinds of information. They provide storage of user and account identity. There are two main types of cards; contact smart cards need to be inserted into a smart-card reader where data is transferred to and from the chip. Contactless cards are embedded with an antenna coil, as well as a chip, which allows the card to communicate with an antenna/coupler unit without physical contact. First introduced as a stored value tool for payphones, smart cards now have a wide variety of uses. They can be used to store information such as points from frequent flyer and loyalty programs and protect information and physical assets such as e-mail and PCs. Smart cards can securely store information and cash for making purchases on-line, carry personal account, credit and buying preference details and allow 24hr transfer of funds from a bank account over the Internet.
Description
Qxl.com is a pan-European on-line auction community, operating consumer to consumer and business to consumer auctions in seven languages and currencies. Travel, one of 10 main product categories, features major companies such as Airtours, JMC, Bridge Travel Group and Eurostar.
Home page
The home page is an eye-catching display with plenty of choices to excite the imagination with Killer Bargains and Best Finds. Banners and hotspots changed regularly but the main dynamics remained. Top and side menus include links for company information, trading terms, frequently asked questions, secure trading policy and a site search facility, while the centre of the page had links to the 10 main product categories. We could also scroll down to see some of the current ‘featured auctions’.
A click into the Travel Shop category displayed a huge list of ‘featured auctions’ for travel, with a menu for sub-categories such as Family Holidays, Car Hire, Holiday Homes, Hotel Breaks and more. All the main Home Page links remained.
Clicking on individual links to focus on a particular auction displayed a single-page description of the auction, with a bidding area to enable us to participate. The design was very intuitive and additional links were there to help with the bidding process. The site was fast, responsive and fun to browse.
Finding a holiday
Holiday categories are easy to find and auctions are listed in order of expiry date. This is usually in line with departure date so a chronological search is normally possible. A search engine allows for a destination to be selected and works best with one-word searches such as Lanzarote or ‘Majorca’.
Another search filter is to select by seller type. qxl has four of these – qxl direct (sales by qxl itself), Merchants (companies approved by qxl), Star Sellers (individuals and non-merchants who have made 50+ sales) and Individuals (everyone else).
This has particular relevant for those looking to deal with named companies and we found at least one instance of a Star Seller with an 87 flight to Orlando with some rather onerous conditions concerning a minimum spend on holiday home rental.
Ease of selling
The site allows the user to set up an auction on-line at any time. It also allows the user to participate in bidding. The ‘Sell’ link from the top menu gives full instructions and setting up the auction is a matter of a few minutes with an on-line form. Instructions are clearly laid out, with a comprehensive ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section. Sellers need to register with qxl and give a credit-card number to enableqxl commissions (‘Success Fees’) to be debited. There are facilities to build multiple auctions over time.
Ease of buying
All buyers have to register with qxl via an on-line registration form. Our registration took minutes and we had the acknowledgment in our e-mail almost immediately. Registering a credit card is optional but is required by some sellers and by sales where qxl is the seller.
Once an auction is selected, the bidding area shows the starting bid, the bidding increment, the bidding history and the auction deadline. To enter a bid, we simply had to press the + button to add to the current total, enter our member ID and password and hit the ‘Bid Now’ button.
Site Security
The site operates the latest security software and has a digital certificate authenticated by Verisign. qxl also addresses the inevitable resistance that some users can have in this trading environment, with easy-to-read FAQs alongside more detailed information.
Nice touches
A ‘Bid Limit’ function allows for a maximum bid price to be placed, letting QXL bid on our behalf when we were outbid and making sure we stayed the highest bidder up to a specified amount. The seller ‘rating’ icon allowed us to look at comments left by other buyers
The ‘Tell a Friend’ link in the bidding area very neatly generated a preformatted e-mail with details of the auction -excellent.
Would we return to this site in the near future?
Yes – there was a great deal of quality travel product with clearly defined buying terms, and an element of fun and intrigue as we watched the bidding histories develop over time.