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 noindex" target="_blank">www.prezola.com</a>, have a look around the site to see what it's all about<br />
   

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

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

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

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
   
6. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   
   
7. 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?
   
   
8. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   
   
9. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   
   
10. 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?
    
    
11. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

[SpideySenseTingling]

I did this as part of the research panel with the development site. I answered all the above questions as part of the survey there but I wanted to add one more thing which the survey didn't give me the opportunity to say -

I actually really like this idea. When I went along to the site I was expecting not to like it and had negative preconceptions along the lines of encouraging consumerism etc and thought I'd never use anything like that. However I found I really liked it, it was a nice idea, easy to use (though I couldn't find how to share/send my list), plenty of retailers.

I came away feeling I actually might use it sometime, a complete change from my starting position.

[lubeybooby]

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   
   On first reading this thread I really wasn't sure about it, but having signed up and looked around, created a list etc I actually really like the idea now. My DD can be difficult to buy for and family are always asking what to get her so this would make it simple to share some good ideas.
   
   
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 will use it and have already created a christmas wishlist of things I know my DD would like.
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   
   Yes I'd like her to create her own at some point
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   
   The ones you have there are good already, can't say I noticed any I didn't like, but the more the better as choice is a little bit limited at the moment.
   
   
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?
   
   Just more gift/store choices
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   I would recommend if any asked, presuming the ordering process goes smoothly if any of my family I've sent the Christmas list to use it.

[nickschick]

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   
   In some families perhaps where theres a distance to travel or there are people who cant keep in touch so often i think its a great idea.
   
   
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?
   
   I wouldnt use it so much but ill encourage my teen ds to use it and my friends to get ideas of what they really like.
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   
   yes lol
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   
   i like them all its a bit like a huge shopping centre but no walking
   
   
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?
   
   No unless you were to offer stocking filler gifts
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   already have done!!

[JohnniesBitch]

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   
   In some respects its a good idea, especially as my children get older and more specific about what they do and dont like.
   
   
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, its just not for us as a family. I don't like the idea of sending out a gift list at christams time for example. If my relatives or friends are stuck for ideas to buy the children, then they can just speak to me or the children directly.
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   No
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   
   JOhn Lewis Monsoon, not on the high street are all very good, Im not so keen on debenhams, milletts but thats because they are shops i wouldnt normally shop in anyway.
   
   
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?
   
   To be able to checkout via the website itself and not still have to log on to the retailers websites and multiple shipping costs involved with that.
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   If someone was asking/discussing childrens present lists or present lists for adults i would share the link, but I wouldnt go out of my way to share the information.

[Snapespeare]

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 at all - but I did. :)
   
   
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 - very handy for things like childrens presents and for making a wish-list of things for myeslf that isuspect nno-one will ever buy for me! :)
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   
   no. but would discuss ideas wirth them of what they might like and then they would be delighted if they got just the right present, but no disappointed or avaricious if not.
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   
   i love john lewis. I just do.
   
   
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 the moment i think it's fine as it is. woudl like to see more high-streety stores and a wider range of £ value ( I did only dip in, I may have missed..)
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   yes - my sister in law has three younger children - would be easy to keep track of who is buying what for whom.

[ThePosieParker]

I too did the dev. site.

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 but think it's a little 'grabby' for my family. I'm sure loads of people could use it though, especially for wedding 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?
   
   I may for just storing stuff and ideas for myself and the children, so for my purchases.
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   
   Maybe when they're older.
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   
   I love John Lewis, 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?
   
   A pocket money calculator would be a good tool.
   Also quick drop items for detail to be added later, when you haven't much time the multiple colour/size could be skipped.
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   I would.

[ThePosieParker]

. A quick wish drop would be a good idea, ie a double click for items which have no further preferences or even just a wish link for items that do. This would enable people to put more in their wish list more quickly. So when I click on the Cannon Camera I double click because there are no further preferences, when I like a top from John Lewis, that would have preferences, I double click on that and it appears in grey or something on the wish list as it?s not final!! I did mention further search functions too in my review.

[ThePosieParker]

Hey Newgirl.....did anyone win the vouchers from the other feedback?

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

Yes! Chulita won! Sorry - had emailed her to let her know but not posted anywhere. Congrats Chulita!

[missorinoco]

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

I don't like this idea at present, I find it too materialistic. However, I am aware I felt this way initially about wedding lists, which I nopw think are a great idea. I suspect the gift list concept will catch on, as it is practical.

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 -
3) Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
No, my children are under 5. At present I am trying to discourage them from coming up with lists of their requests.

4) Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
Boden/White stuff. Not esp bothered re ones I don't use - I just wouldn't use them (Wallis/New 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?

wrt clothing
Make the search available by size - one has to go thorugh each brand and item to get the size you want. A search for eg tops in a size 10 would be great.

6) Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
I have some relatives who like the idea of giving people a selection of itmes to chose from so they still have a "surprise" but it is a surprise they want. This would be perfect for them.

[aristocat]

hello, i also did this as part of the research panel and i like the concept

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   this is a very good idea especially as my DCs now know what they want/dont want, easy for other family members to have a look
   
   
   
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 like the idea, i would create my own wish list and encourage DCs to do the same. it would be perfect for weddings/christmas/birthdays
   
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   yes, they are capable of doing this easily
   
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   john lewis, next, debenhams were all good. i cant say that i liked any the least - however there needs to be more choice as it is quite limited at the moment
   
   
   
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?
   to have a single checkout from them and low postage costs of course
   
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   yes, would definitely recommend!

[TwinMummy30]

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   
   It depends on a family. I personally wouldn't like sending a list of presents to friends/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?
   
   I don't think so. I prefer going to the shops and "feeling" it before I buy it.
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   
   No, I can always ask them what they want without communicating with them on-line.
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   
   John Lewis and Debenhams look great. I don't think I liked any 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?
   
   The site is not working properly(or is it just my pc?) pictures not displaying properly or at all.
   Creating a way of entering e-mail addresses so I could e-mail my friends/family the wish list
   Being able to checkout via the website itself.
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   I would recommend it. I have friends/family who love this kind of things and they do send me their wish list so they would be very happy to check this out.

[CaptainNancy]

Goodness! It's amazing how much market research and publicity £580 can buy. I do hope Ali is MN Royalty...

[twotesttickles]

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

Apparently I'm very hard to buy for so in general terms it's a good idea.


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?

I don't think so. I already have an Amazon gift list and my friends and relatives just email my DH and ask what I'd like and I provide a list of stuff I've seen for them to track down.

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

Oh my giddy aunt no, they are only four and three.

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

Like Heals and John Lewis. Loathe Comet - why on earth would anyone need this - Google Product lists can pick up all the prices for these shops and frankly, interacting with them is painful, I would not wish it on my friends.

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?

Add Google+ links to the like links at the bottom - we don't all tweet or FB.

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

No my friends and family like to think they have magically come up with the finest thing that I really want without me knowing about it. It also feels slightly distasteful to provide a list of 'stuff I want' etc. Why not 'send me a cheque and I'll pick something out myself.'

[gazzalw]

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   
   It is a good idea in theory especially for a christening, birthday party, wedding or important anniversary. But whilst I appreciate that it saves a lot of time and effort I think it takes the fun and excitement of coming across something which would be just perfect as a present for someone. Part of the fun of pressie shopping is the searching and looking in non-mainstream boutique type shops!
   
   
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 entirely sure might be tempted to try it out if people were short of time..- I guess it might be quite useful for children's Christmas/Birthday presents when they have seen what they want and create a list which then could be easily translated.
   
   Could also be used for classmates birthday lists too - save on duplication of pressies etc....
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   
   Yes, that would be the beauty of it - would keep them gainfully occupied doing something productive which might ease the load on parents and other relatives and friends
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   
   Not sure about Argos or Halfords or Comet (a bit mundane really) but liked The White Company, Cath Kidston and Notonthehighstreet.com and very much Heals!
   
   
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 good idea in theory but think it needs to be glammed up a bit - I wouldn't put bog-standard high street shops on there to be quite honest. think it would be better as a bit of a niche market particularly for things that aren't easily available on the High Street.
   
   It's a bit uninteresting looking visually as a website and that needs some work.
   
   Think it might be a good idea to have lists for all ages of children and then maybe the Top 5 bestsellers from each retail outlet detailed. To give people ideas...
   
   I think the site has a bit of an identity crisis and it trying to be all things to all people - not sure that will work as it will be off-putting to a lot of people
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   I think I would if someone was having a wedding/christening/baby or a big wedding anniversary or even for the children's Christmas pressies.... Or for people who are very struck for time.
   
   I personally think it does take away some of the magic of present buying and as I've said it just really includes the winners in the retail wars rather than smaller boutique style companies...
   Add message | Report | Message poster SpideySenseTingling Wed 21-Sep-11 10:21:2

[VivaLeBeaver]

1). I would be Selective about who I would share the list with as I think some relatives might think it was a bit American/grabbing to have a wish list.

2) yes definitely. Not just for sharing a list with relatives but for general gift shopping. It's nice to have all the different retailers in one place. The only person I'd do a wish list for would be dd for Xmas and birthday but see above answer as well.

3) yes.

4) monsoon, accessorise, John Lewis

5). On the iPad I don't appear to be able to set up an account. It wouldn't let me scroll down to fill in date of birth. So I picked 01/01/07 and then it said I was already registered which I wasn't. Not sure if it wouldn't let me register as it then thought I was underage........had to sign in with my yahoo account which I didn't really want to do.

Maybe set up the children's bits into different age ranges.

6). Yes I would as it is a really easy, simple way of finding gifts for people, lots of choices.

[supergreenuk]

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   
   It seemed to be just what I was looking for what with my DD's birthday and Christmas coming up. A way of sharing what we want her to get without being too cheeky or emposing.
   
   
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 not inless it gets better. I couldn't search for a particular item. I basicly know what I want but it didn't make it easy to find it. The search prezola button didn't seem to be working. I also didn't find it easy to find the particular shop I wanted. I know exactly what I want and I just want to go and put in the name of it and quickly find it.
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   
   Maybe.
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   
   No idea. Too difficult to find them.
   
   
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?
   
   Search made easier. List of shops, Search by item you already know you want.
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   No not as it is. Needs a lot of work.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I think you also need to sort out your search function. I just searched for Owl and have got 107 pages of results. Some of which seem to be owls but some seem to be other stuff, now I accept it might bring stuff back such as towels, etc as it has owl in. However if I could refine the search by type, so I could filter it down to stationary or jewellery that would be really good. But I can't and I'm not going to bother with 107 pages.

[Fillybuster]

MNHQ - do we still qualify for the prize draw on this thread if we completed the same process and questions when they were sent out as an email previously?

[flamingtoaster]

1. I don't like wedding lists so don't like this.
   
2. No - I don't like the concept of sending it to people - it seems much more calculating than just giving a relative ideas of what to buy. However, making a list of my ideas for presents could be useful.
   
3. Would definitely not - although being able to set the budget is a plus.
   
4. John Lewis is my favourite, don't really have a least favourite but there are stores I never use.
   
5. Work out some way to reduce postage costs if ordering from multiple retailers, and improve search function.

[mumatron]

I too did this as part of the panel. I thought I was going to hate it. I actually though it was quite a nice site once I'd had a look around. i couldn't figure out how to share the list but I see that seems to have been resolved now the site is live.

I don't think I would send a list out myself, but I would be happy to buy someone else a gift from a prezola list if i was sent one iyswim.

[Ilikepinkwine]

I tested this as part of the panel.

1. What do you think of the concept of creating a gift wish list to share with your friends and/or family?
   I know a few people who already do this with Amazon and I can see the appeal if you are lucky enough to have lots of people buying for yourselves or your DC. My DC only get gifts from us and a few others. Unless someone asks if there is anything in particular they can get we politely and gratefully accept their choice of gift. So for us, the concept of creating wish lists doesn't grab us. There was a thread recently about an ungrateful SIL rejecting a lovely gift for a stupid reason. She would probably love this.
   
   
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, as above.
   
   
3. Do you think you'd encourage your child(ren) to create their own gift wish lists on Prezola?
   I would let the DDs create a wish list for us but would feel cheeky sharing it with others.
   
   
4. Which retailers on Prezola did you like the most? And the least?
   I was looking at toys and favoured Argos and Toysrus.
   
   
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 pictures were slow to load. Could the site link to money off vouchers or reward points?
   
   
6. Do you think you would recommend Prezola to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
   Not really, unless for some bizarre reason they asked if I knew of a site where wish lists could be created which is unlikely.

[Hulababy]

MNHQ - I did report this problem via the panel but thought I would here too incase others have the same issue.

I still cannot view the site. When I click on the link I get primarly a blank grey page and can only see the very bottom of the website where some links are shown. If I click on the links I get blank pages.

So I cannot test the pages!

[CMOTdibbler]

I do like the idea - we've done Amazon wishlists for years as it means you have a fighting chance of getting something you actually want, but still don't know what you will get. I also use my Amazon one to keep track of things I see and fancy, but can't buy then, and can see Prezola working the same way.

I just found the site a bit hard to navigate - for instance I knew I wanted to add a tan handbag from JL, but couldn't drill down far enough, and had to look through 3 pages of handbags