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I didnt realise online ordering was anything unusual these days!
The crucial thing to remember is that computerised ordering systems (for anything) mean fewer sales staff and a perceived potential knock-on effect on the unemployment figures which are already very high for Europe. You'd be quite amazed how few companies sell their products on line - there are plenty of websites but most just tell you where the nearest shop is, and may detail the products - but finding a price and purchasing on line is still relatively rare. Thus it's my belief that the software is less sophisticated than in Britain, the US and much of the rest of Western Europe. But that is just my perception. It's a tough mindset to argue with. The current strike action over the raising of the retirement age is a major topic of conversation in my rehab' unit (as they are striking on a regular basis at the moment - never on the day I'm there though
.) It is very difficult to get beyond the basic feeling here that by leaving people in work for longer, the young people at the bottom of the job ladder will be deprived of jobs as a direct result.
I try my best to shop over here but, especially since I'm more housebound than I once was, I find I do most of my purchasing on line and most of the time, in spite of the distance products have to travel, it is cheaper to buy stuff from the UK and ship it over here, either when friends or passing or even paying the costs companies charge to ship to Europe, as there is less competition over here for on-line purchasing. In a culture that wants to protect individual jobs at all costs, it's hard to explain that by caring for the customer with a better ordering system, for example, they might, just might, encourage more custom and hence more jobs, not fewer.
Rant over.
I have just got an e-mail from the ACO also explaining that the system is having teathing problems. They've suggested that I phone or call in at their agency but I'm not convinced that even they will be able to work round the problems. Still no sign this morning or Parking Bleu or any grandstands on the website.
