David Jones has pledged that the shopping frenzy “can continue” after its website crashed for several hours this afternoon during the retailer’s copycat “Christmas Frenzy”.
The entire David Jones website was down for hours and visitors were greeted with a display message explaining that the site was “currently experiencing high levels of traffic”.
A statement on the David Jones Facebook page thanked shoppers for their patience.
“We have received an unprecedented amount of traffic today in response to our Christmas Frenzy.”
“Our team has dropped everything to focus on returning the site to you as soon as possible and we are pleased to report we are now back live so the Frenzy can continue.
Angry customers took the department store to task over the crash.
“This is terrible! you advertise for such a big event yet your website can not handle the volume. instead of gaining loyal customers, you have lost me forever! ” wrote Bess Simpson.
Meanwhile, Rach Scott posted: “‘Unprecedented'” website traffic? Really? Well that’s just plain old poor planning…What did you expect when you advertise [sic] such a large sale?”
A number of other high profile retailers, including Harvey Norman and Apple, have also announced their own rival sales to Australia’s first nationwide online sale Click Frenzy, which kicks off at 7pm AEDT tonight.
How to get the best deals
Click Frenzy organisers have said it will be first in, best dressed when tonight’s event launches and have told savvy shoppers to start preparing now.
All of the online offers will be revealed in one go when the event opens, meaning shoppers should be logged on and waiting to ensure they don’t miss out.
More than 400,000 people have registered so far and while shoppers will be able to register throughout the 24-hour event, a Click Frenzy spokesperson said it advised customers to register ahead of time “so they can be the first through the virtual doors at 7pm”.
Other tips include:
– Have your shopping list ready – are you looking for a specific Christmas present for granny or a birthday present for the kids? Don’t get lost in the frenzy.
– Plan your attack – will you be shopping by brand, product category, item or just browsing through all the offers?
More than 200 retailers are involved, including Myer, Dick Smith, Target, Bing Lee, Toys `R Us, Saba and online-only stores like Kogan, Appliances Online and Luggage Direct.
Retail websites on their own
Click Frenzy organisers have advised participating retailers to prepare for huge amounts of online traffic tonight, but say it’s their responsibility if their websites crash.
The Click Frenzy website will act as a portal listing all the shopping deals, but customers will have to click through to individual retailers’ websites in order to make transactions.
“We’re expecting up to 1 million site visits Click Frenzy and we’re prepared for this,” the spokesperson said.
“We’ve advised all retailers to ensure their website infrastructure can account for the huge traffic volumes but ultimately it’s on the retailers to ensure they can handle this.”
Click Frenzy has also said it will not take responsibility for the delivery, refunds or returns of any items sold during the event.
“Again all of the logistics and delivery is dependent on what the retailers offer but there’s still plenty of time before the Christmas period,” the spokesperson said.
Retailers announce Click Frenzy competition sales
High-profile retailers who are not participating in the event have also started launching their own rival sales.
Department store David Jones launched the most obvious competition to Click Frenzy today – an event cheekily named Christmas Frenzy.
The day-long sale, available in stores until 10pm and online until midnight, includes savings of 30 per cent on all Manchester and some women’s shoes, 25 per cent off Christmas items and 20 per cent off toys.
A spokesperson for the chain admitted the 24-hour sale was being held in response to a rush of competition for bargain hunters.
Coincidentally, perhaps, Harvey Norman has also unveiled a one-day sale due tomorrow.
Super Santa Day will be held in stores and online and includes up to 30 per cent off all Windows 7 laptops and desktop computers, 20 per cent off all Manchester and a 42-inch LG TV for $568.
Apple also announced its annual one-day sales event overnight, to be held this Friday from 2.01am AEDST, though it will not reveal prices until the event goes live.
Online stores are also trying to attract pre-Christmas shoppers with one-day sales this week that is hosting a one-day sale today. On the other hand, fashion retailers are delivering pop-up, limited-time sales, including Veronika Maine with 20 per cent off all full-price styles and Tony Bianco with 30 per cent off storewide on Thursday.
The Click Frenzy spokesperson said it hoped David Jones and other retailers would get on board with next year’s event.