11-03-2006

A new and much improved product search capability is among a slew of shopper friendly features of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) new online store.

The store, which debuted in October, offers greater browsing capabilities, something shoppers have indicated they want. For example, they can now look for products by topical categories, plus they can search for them according to the number of continuing education units for each program. Improvements like these are virtually certain to reduce the time customers must spend looking for the products they need.

ASHA’s new online store makes shopping easier and faster in other ways, too. For instance, shoppers now only need to log in to ASHA’s Web site to verify member status so that lower member pricing can be applied during checkout, plus the store has a new and simpler way to check out. All express orders placed by 2 pm EST business days are shipped same day and purchasers will now be able to monitor the progress of their order using an online tracking feature.

Despite the online shopper-friendly features, ASHA is not curbing its commitment to a “personal touch” in customer service. Every page of its new store displays the toll-free number shoppers can call for customer service. There is also a quick and easy way for them to email comments to ASHA. And though ASHA wants people to use its new online store, it is not ending off-line selling of its products. Like before, shoppers can still place phone, fax, e-mail, and mail orders.

To celebrate the launch of the online store, ASHA members can look forward to a 10% discount off all products during the month of November with the use of a promotional code that will be e-mailed to them. This discount applies only to online purchases.

[SOURCE: ASHA, October 2006]