NOW CLOSED: Try Prezola's shopping website - you could win a £500 JL voucher or a Waitrose Christmas hamper

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

We've been asked by a brand new online company called Prezola.com to help them get some feedback on their website which has just launched. They want to know what you think of the site's concept and whether you think you'd use it in the future. Prezola has already been beta tested with the Mumsnet research panel - if you took part in this, please feel free to add comments about the 'live' site to this thread too.

Here's what Prezola says about the website "the business is the idea of Mumsnetter Ali Beaven. Ali found that family and friends always ask what to buy for everyone when birthdays and Christmas come around and often found herself juggling a mental list of who was buying what. Sometimes her children would end up getting the same present from different people, or be given a gift they already had. She knew there must be a better way of managing this "I wanted a modern-day equivalent of cutting up the Argos catalogue and sending your list off to Santa!". Prezola.com allows you to create a wish list of gifts from lots of well known brands and then share it with friends and family. You'll also get the products you choose at the cheapest possible price because Prezola compares prices for each product across their panel of 250 retailers."

Prezola.com has just launched and they want as many MNers as possible to try out the website, create and share a list (and even buy some products if you want to, but there's no obligation to do so!). Here's what you need to do:

1.  Visit <a class="break-all" href="//www.prezola.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.prezola.com</a>, have a look around the site to see what it's all about
   

2.  Sign up (or sign in if you've registered with Facebook Connect or Google Plus)
   

3.  Create a gift list on the site - this could be for  your DCs, your DP/DH, other family and friends, or yourself
   

4.  Share your gift list with friends and/or family members via the website using Facebook, Twitter or email
   

5. Come back to this thread and add your feedback on what you think of the site's concept and the site itself. There are some feedback questions below to start you off but please feel free to add any other comments too.

Your personal details will be secure and will not be passed on to any third parties. If you do decide to buy anything, you won't need to give Prezola your bank details - payment is done via the retailer you purchase from. If you register with Prezola but then decide you want to de-register, you can do so by emailing [email protected].

Everyone who takes part and adds their feedback to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will receive a £500 John Lewis voucher and another will get a Waitrose Christmas Hamper (yes - Christmas hampers are here already!).

Thanks very much
MNHQ

Feedback questions

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

I may have to ask for royalties......

Prezola I messaged you via email....using my real name.

Sorry I didn't see your reply, but I've recently had my own internet idea that would tie in with yours.

I answered the questions on the survey thingy but just wanted to add that I've sent this to my family already and I'm encouraging them to sign up. We currently do the Amazon thing but that's not quite the same. Thanks for making it easier to share the wishlists!

Oh, and is there anyway of linking to a bookshop like Waterstones or something? The book bit is a bit ... erm... lacking.

It won't let me log in right now, but I did the initial survey, so going on that, my answers are as follows.

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   It does seem to take away the joy of thinking of what to get someone, and likewise, getting a surprise. However, it also makes shopping easier when you know what someone really wants, and nicer to receive something you actually want too, so though a bit of me feels it is a bit 'grabby', on balance, I like it.

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?
   As long as the prices are completely competitive, yes. I already use the wishlist service on Amazon, and their prices are great, so you'd have to have the same range of items, and the same or cheaper prices.

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   He's a bit young at the moment, and we would like him not to be materialistic (though that voucher would be great, thanks!), but yes. I used to like going through my mum's catalogue circling things I'd like! Same thing, really! Didn't mean I got it all!

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?#
   Varies - depends who and what I am shopping for.

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?
   a) be able to create files for each person I would buy for, enter their birth date, anniversary date and any other special occasion, and you send me reminders.
   b) be able to send greetings cards - personalised, like Moonpig do.
   c) create different lists for myself, things I'd like sooner than others (preference order)

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   Brilliant. I never know what to get DW, this way, she can tell me, and there can still be the element of surprise if she gives me a long list of suggestions.

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?
   Yes. Shopping made easy. Would shop for DW and DS. Do you offer giftwrapping! :)

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   Yes.

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   John Lewis, loads of good stores on there - a few aren't to my taste or requirements, as per the high street.

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?
   Loyalty points? Competitions?

Hi everyone. Thanks again for all the feedback. We?ve been very busy making changes to Prezola based on your recommendations, which I thought I?d share with you here first!

We?ve made registration and sign up much easier, dropping the Facebook sign up which seemed to cause quite a few problems getting you into Prezola in the first place. Baby & Toddler has been completely redesigned to split clothes up by sex and then into Baby, Toddler and older kids. And we?ve changed the way you share your wish lists too, so it?ll fire up Gmail and not Outlook. We?re adding Yahoo mail next week. Some of the whizzy carousels have been killed off and we?ve made it much quicker for you to get around the site. We were doing an awful lot of telling you what you?d just done or were about to do! (It was built by a man).

You wanted to be able to search by retailer and that function goes live next weekend. We have 300 retail partners now and we?ve twisted arms at Boots, Benefit Cosmetics and UGG to get them onto the site in the last couple of weeks.

I?ve also been focusing on teens, who really can be a pain to buy for. We now have most of their favourite shops on board, such as Republic, SuperDry, Henleys and Urban Outfitters as well as New Look, Miss Selfridge and Top Man. But this doesn?t make it compulsory to buy them jeans that hang off of their backsides!

And finally we can give you a sneak preview of our new ?Santa Button? feature. It launches on October 14th and kids of all ages can create their wish list, send it to Santa and get a personalised response from the man himself. You can even friend him on Facebook (search for Santa Prezola) and keep track of developments in the North Pole in the run up to Christmas. Have a look at www.prezola.com/pages/santa-button for a preview.

There is still much to do (including sorting out search which I won?t bore you with!). And apologies in advance. The Waitrose hamper prize is currently minus two thirds of a bottle of port and two Ferrero Rocher :o

Loving the Santa idea!

One tiny adjustment.....I may want a specific colour/material top and it woud be good to search for 'knitted' or 'green'. Editors picks?

Or perhaps a couple of fashion bloggers linking to your site?

Can I just add that I love that you are taking feedback on board and acting on it so quickly :)

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?

I like it. I use Amazon wish lists currently, and would have no problem using another site too.

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?

yes, I would think so. I would certainly create lists for my girls - we don't live nearby family, and so it is easier to send out lists to relatives who don't have much day to day contact with the girls.

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?

not yet, they are only young. and dd1 has ASD, so it is unlikely she would create her own list anyway. I might encourage dd2 when she gets older, as it would give me some insight into what catches her eye!

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?

a nice range of retailers. I liked that the toys and gifts for children (where I mostly looked) range from Argos to Hamleys, with everything in between. I like that Not on the High Street was there too - somewhere that it is easy to forget to look.

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?

at first glance it seems ok. not sure what else I could recommend, except more info on items without having to click through to the provider sites. it makes it long winded to click through for eg alternative pictures, or sizing info etc.

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

yes, I can't see why I would not recommend it to people who are interested.

Feedback questions

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   I too use Amazon wish lists for my preteens.I have no problems with letting family see wish lists.

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?
   Potentially, but it needs to have an lot more products on it..alternative, not easily found items. I won't bother if it's just the Argos website listed elsewhere. I would create for myself and my husband, for big occasions / birthdays.

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   I've got no problem with my boys creating wishlists... I think they'd struggle to create on on Prezola atm though. I just don't think there is any way you can compete with Amazon for the pre /teen market. They want games, books,and itunes cards. And of course you can create a wish list on Amazon that does link to other retailers... I looked at the family games section, there is so little listed on the site at the moment. I would avoid that market if I were you.

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   I think it's fantastic you are listing Liberty, Heals, NotontheHighStreet...
   on the other hand ...Argos!? really? that puts me off.

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents? List more... a lot more.

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   I guess so,...but it would be a luke warm, "have a look at this," as opposed to...."you have got to see this site"

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   I didn't think I would like it, but am somewhat swayed and think it could make some stuff easier, especially the international things

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?
   May do, but I just found that stuff was clunky and didn't work - I couldn't move the star on the how much do you want it to cost slider, the jump to page bit is unreadable as text is wrapping over itself

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   Might be, but the would need more mainstream brands

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   Not sure

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?
   Many more retailers, more searching, something age specific for kids, recomendations from other buuyers about what really really worked for their 7 year old boy etc

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   Possibly - I will probably have to spend some more time trying it.

I think I might be giving up. When I try to log in it says I'm not signed up yet. When I then try to sign up, it says I already am and need to log in!

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?

I find it a bit awkward but increasingly asked for. I would use one for me to store ideas and one for DD to actually share with family on request. I could not make one for me and email it around.

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?
   Yes, see above. Only for children or perhaps weddings.

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?

Maybe older children, and I'd want to see them before they were emailed out.

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?

I didn't form any strong opinions about any of them, as with all sites I liked some products more than others but didn't take mch notice of the retailer.

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?

The adding to wishlist process is a bit cumbersome - having to click to remove the confirmation box and trying to get back to the list of products. DD was choosing with me and was very cross that your 'pony' section features a pic of a lurid pink My Little Pony but you don't appear to sell them.

I do not use FB, Twitter or have a Google acount so I gave up when trying to share and had to C+P into an email in Outlook. That could be improved.

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, if it came up.

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?

I quite like the idea but would only send it to someone if they asked for ideas , i am not at ease with just sending a list of expected gifts out tbh

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?

Not really unless it was maybe a wedding which seems a bit more acceptable to have a gift list. I didn't want to / know how to set up Outlook to e-mail it to people. I think this was the main thing to put me off. Maybe the ability to email certain people individually would be better. My facebook friends is mostly made up of aquaintances rather than close family.
I also thought paying postage charges for individual retailers would put me off.

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?

Maybe but more for me to use for ideas.

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?

I liked Cath Kidston , John Lewis and Heals
I think the more high street stores were my least favourite eg currys , argos etc

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?

I would create a way of inputting individual e-mail addresses so I could e-mail those who asked the wish list.

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Maybe if they were looking for something specific like this , it is quite easy to navigate.

What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?

Not something I'd do myself, I believe in getting what you're given, but happy to buy something from a list for other people. (except when there's nothing on h list I can afford...

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?
   Nah, seems bit poncey to have a 'list' for just a normal birthday.
   if i was getting married, i might consider it.

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   No, because they are quite capable of making a wish list without it and a wish list is not a ''I WANT'' list. I want to encourage my children to ''get what they are given'' too. I think lists are a bit greedy to be honest.

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   Don't know,

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   Possibly, if I knew they were looking for a site like this.

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?

I thought that I wouldn't like it but loved the site, think i'd use it for close family. I've only logged on today and found it really easy to use.

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?
   Brilliant for choosing things I like that I can give DP for any occasion , much easier than dropping hints! fingers crossed this works better

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?

Not sure, my children aren't old enough yet. I can imagine them getting a bit click happy, then being disappointed when they didn't get everything.

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   Selfridges is my favourite, and although I love M&S it's not wish list material in my opinion.

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?
   It's a marmite idea having a wish list, but I like the function of having a lot of retailers on one site, I'll definitely be spending some time on here.
   I like the idea of a facebook link up so you could let close friends family see your wish list or ask to and you could see theirs. Would make birthdays much easier to buy for. I really think this site will be a real success.

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   definitely, already have

) What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?

Love the idea. Find it really hard to manage ideas given to others. Assume that item wont show as available to others to purchase if someone has brought it

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?

Yes for close friends/family. Dislike that on facebook sharing I couldnt change it from post on wall to send as a message

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?

Not until they are teenagers.

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?

Like boots and john lewis.

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes anything to make life easier!

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?

I love the idea, especially with my birthday and xmas coming up!

2. Do you think you'll use Prezola in future? If so, who do you think you'd consider creating a gift wish list for? And for which occasion(s)? If not, why not?

No - I found the site very difficult to use and navigate, and I really didn't sending an email which (effectively) felt like a demand for people to buy me presents.

3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?

Definitely not. My dcs are quite young and I think encouraging them to make a list of things they want leads down a path I'm not very keen on....

4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?

I loved the clothes :) Not sure about what I didnt like - there was so much on there that I got a bit lost.

5. Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If you were in charge of Prezola, what (if anything) would you do to make it more appealing to parents?

Overall, there needs to be less choice - part of the service should be some filtering/selection by Prezola to limit the size of the product ranges.

I don't feel that this is a service that should be marketed to children. Perhaps it would be a great alternative to Amazon wish-lists for teenagers?

6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

No. At the moment, the site has too many User Interface issues, the content is too vast and unfiltered and I don't think it offers anything game-changing.

Hi OP I pinged you an email.

Thanks to everyone who took part in this - we're pleased to announce the winners of the prize draw are...

VivaLeBeaver - you've won the £500 John Lewis voucher
herbietea - you've won the Waitrose Christmas Hamper

Congratulations! I'll PM you to get your addresses for sending the goodies out. Also, here's a thank you message from PrezolaAli:

"Hi everyone

Thanks again for all of your feedback. It's been a huge help to us and, as you've seen, we've implemented loads of changes based on your feedback. We've got another couple of weeks work to do until we're really happy with the site and the way it functions, but it'll be up and brilliant in plenty of time for Christmas. Please do come back and visit us and, if you like what you see, create a list and tell your friends and family to do one too.

Congratulations to the winners. I promise to replace the port before despatching the hamper!

Ali."

ps Viva - did you email me? I don't think I've seen anything but have been on hols so may have missed it...

Well done guys.

cx