A new social service has launched to address the issue: IMshopping. IMshopping is a human-powered shopping assistance tool where users can ask complicated shopping questions via its website or on Twitter. Yes, by @replying IMshopping, you can find out everything from the best cookware to where to find authentic sports memorabilia.
Once you've asked IMshopping a question (it can be on practically any shopping-related topic), the service will send you back an @reply with a link to the answer of your question. Answers include research information from an individual, as well as recommended products to purchase with pictures.
One of the best features of IMshopping is the ability to follow-up, just as you would in a store. If IMshopping hasn't gotten to what you want, you can clarify or ask another question until you find the right product. Sometimes the additional inquiries are answered by the same person and sometimes by a different person.
Clearly people believe in IMshopping's potential, as well as its business model. The service intends to generate revenue by collecting affiliate revenue if a user buys products recommended via the IMshopping website. The company also announced $4.7 million in funding from SK Telecom.
We like the idea of a human experience for shopping, but wonder if the company can fund all of those people answering questions round-the-clock. Good, productive people are expensive and a person can only answer so many questions in an hour or a day. IMshopping intends to allow customers to become human shopping guides as well, although how that will works is uncertain.
One other potential problem with IMshopping is speed. The reason people ask for help in Best Buy isn't because they want to have a human experience, but because a human can help us accomplish our goal (to find and buy something) faster. If IMshopping can't get information to users in a reasonable time, people will turn to the faster search engine, even if it may be less precise.