Oh, Pool-boy…

Have you joined my incredibly non-annoying, once-in-a-while email newsletter?

So I trained with some Coasties yesterday. Got my ass kicked. But – swam in the most beautiful pool known to man.

I need to swim more. Especially since I’m signed up for a bunch of triathlons this summer.

What’s the best pool in New York City? Anyone? I need a good one. I’m willing to pay for it.

All thoughts appreciated.

Join the discussion 110 Comments

  • casiestewart says:

    I would have bought one too!

  • Claire Celsi says:

    Totally agree. What’s worse is that a lot of companies post ads with a specific item that captures your attention, and when you click on it, not only does it not take you to that item, but one of those annoying screens you mentioned pops up. Bad, bad user experience.

  • casiestewart says:

    I would have bought one too!

  • Claire Celsi says:

    Totally agree. What’s worse is that a lot of companies post ads with a specific item that captures your attention, and when you click on it, not only does it not take you to that item, but one of those annoying screens you mentioned pops up. Bad, bad user experience.

  • Meghan Attreed says:

    Couldn’t agree more Peter – I’ve complained about that with Fab to so many people. Lucky for you, it looks like Buy.com sells the shirt – http://www.buy.com/prod/ask-me-about-my-t-rex-shirt-funny-t-shirt/242690972.html

  • Meghan Attreed says:

    Couldn’t agree more Peter – I’ve complained about that with Fab to so many people. Lucky for you, it looks like Buy.com sells the shirt – http://www.buy.com/prod/ask-me-about-my-t-rex-shirt-funny-t-shirt/242690972.html

  • Susan LaMotte says:

    Great point Peter. Losing sales because you want data isn’t worth it. Revenue is still king.

    Oh, and you can buy the shirt here:

    http://www.crazydogtshirts.com/ask-me-about-my-t-rex-tshirt.html

  • Susan LaMotte says:

    Great point Peter. Losing sales because you want data isn’t worth it. Revenue is still king.

    Oh, and you can buy the shirt here:

    http://www.crazydogtshirts.com/ask-me-about-my-t-rex-tshirt.html

  • Rae says:

    Couldn’t agree with you more! Super annoying… On the plus side, you can order it here:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/109509575/ask-me-about-my-t-rex-shirt-dinosaur-t

  • Rae says:

    Couldn’t agree with you more! Super annoying… On the plus side, you can order it here:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/109509575/ask-me-about-my-t-rex-shirt-dinosaur-t

  • Ugh, I hate when sites do this! I use Google Chrome’s Element Inspector to quickly hide this junk so I can read the article I clicked over to, etc. :/ It’s a bad practice to force these dialogues, but these sites are so hungry to mine data, market to people, sell that data and whatever else it is they do with it.

  • Ugh, I hate when sites do this! I use Google Chrome’s Element Inspector to quickly hide this junk so I can read the article I clicked over to, etc. :/ It’s a bad practice to force these dialogues, but these sites are so hungry to mine data, market to people, sell that data and whatever else it is they do with it.

  • Diane says:

    Frustrating! I can’t imagine how many people have done the exact same thing… lots of lost sales right there!

  • Diane says:

    Frustrating! I can’t imagine how many people have done the exact same thing… lots of lost sales right there!

  • Kalen says:

    I just went on that same site, same experience. I signed up and I get near-daily emails that I am going to unsubscribe from.. I like the site but DAMN

  • Kalen says:

    I just went on that same site, same experience. I signed up and I get near-daily emails that I am going to unsubscribe from.. I like the site but DAMN

  • Laura allahverdi says:

    The reason they do that is because sites like that are membership sites and bill per month. They are not about one sale, but memberships.

  • Laura allahverdi says:

    The reason they do that is because sites like that are membership sites and bill per month. They are not about one sale, but memberships.

  • Ben says:

    It actually used to be kind of worse. A friend would send me a link to a particular item and I couldn’t even view it without logging in. Now you can at least click a link and see the item.

  • Ben says:

    It actually used to be kind of worse. A friend would send me a link to a particular item and I couldn’t even view it without logging in. Now you can at least click a link and see the item.

  • Rave says:

    Fab is a membership site so that you have access to all of their great sales. Yes, they will send you emails all the time, unless you unsubscribe. However, they have an awesome page where you can choose to get whichever emails you would like (they tell you exactly what types of items will be in each one on that page). It works the same as One Kings Lane, The Clymb and many many other membership sites that give great deals on items. Their customer service is awesome and I am always finding great new unique items there. I would highly recommend them and did not have a problem signing up with Fab.

    • shankman says:

      Then their mistake was advertising a one-off sale on Facebook.

      • Anne Shelander Easterling says:

        That’s where they make the mistake — posting ads that look like one-off sales. I’ve hidden Fab ads on my FB pages because I got tired of being hoodwinked.

  • Rave says:

    Fab is a membership site so that you have access to all of their great sales. Yes, they will send you emails all the time, unless you unsubscribe. However, they have an awesome page where you can choose to get whichever emails you would like (they tell you exactly what types of items will be in each one on that page). It works the same as One Kings Lane, The Clymb and many many other membership sites that give great deals on items. Their customer service is awesome and I am always finding great new unique items there. I would highly recommend them and did not have a problem signing up with Fab.

    • shankman says:

      Then their mistake was advertising a one-off sale on Facebook.

      • Anne Shelander Easterling says:

        That’s where they make the mistake — posting ads that look like one-off sales. I’ve hidden Fab ads on my FB pages because I got tired of being hoodwinked.

  • Amy says:

    I really despise every comment, purchase, interest, et al having to be associated with Facebook, can I not have everything connected to a site that already knows too much about me?

  • Amy says:

    I really despise every comment, purchase, interest, et al having to be associated with Facebook, can I not have everything connected to a site that already knows too much about me?

  • I so get your point!!! I ran over to Fab.com and I have to say, you struck a cord cause now it is a dialog drop down that you can X out of that doesn’t cover the screen anymore. At least there is someone there listening…

  • I so get your point!!! I ran over to Fab.com and I have to say, you struck a cord cause now it is a dialog drop down that you can X out of that doesn’t cover the screen anymore. At least there is someone there listening…

  • Samantha says:

    http://www.zulily.com behaves the SAME way. I would have bought a cute dress, but no thank you.

    • No kidding! And actually I haven’t even had luck sending a link to someone…if they’re not a member, they seemingly can’t see anything!! Really frustrating…

  • Samantha says:

    http://www.zulily.com behaves the SAME way. I would have bought a cute dress, but no thank you.

    • No kidding! And actually I haven’t even had luck sending a link to someone…if they’re not a member, they seemingly can’t see anything!! Really frustrating…

  • D3sports.com says:

    Who do they think they are, Radio Shack?

  • D3sports.com says:

    Who do they think they are, Radio Shack?

  • Chip Hanna says:

    Fab.com A/B and multi-variate tests EVERYTHING, to see what’s working and what’s not. They assigned a lifetime value to each person who signs up and realized that’s more valuable than the person looking to make a one time purchase. Frustrating? Sometimes. All about the business? Of course.

  • Chip Hanna says:

    Fab.com A/B and multi-variate tests EVERYTHING, to see what’s working and what’s not. They assigned a lifetime value to each person who signs up and realized that’s more valuable than the person looking to make a one time purchase. Frustrating? Sometimes. All about the business? Of course.

  • Melissa says:

    Around Christmas I tried logging on through Facebook and even creating an account and they told me I couldn’t!

  • Melissa says:

    Around Christmas I tried logging on through Facebook and even creating an account and they told me I couldn’t!

  • Jacob Sloan says:

    That’s too bad. Even if they’re playing the long game in building membership, they’d probably see better conversion via their sponsored stories ads if they prompted you to create an account as part of the buying process (or at the end of the process) rather than hit you with it right away. Once you’re attached to the product in your cart, you’d be more willing to check a box and create a membership. Isn’t the general rule to reduce friction between your user and a sale?

  • Jacob Sloan says:

    That’s too bad. Even if they’re playing the long game in building membership, they’d probably see better conversion via their sponsored stories ads if they prompted you to create an account as part of the buying process (or at the end of the process) rather than hit you with it right away. Once you’re attached to the product in your cart, you’d be more willing to check a box and create a membership. Isn’t the general rule to reduce friction between your user and a sale?

  • Sara Beth Allen says:

    Here’s where I disagree – When you click the connect to Facebook button – you get an instantaneous account. You don’t have to remember a username or password the next time you want to shop there. If you make a website now without these kinds of social
    logins you lose people. It seems kind of silly that you couldn’t click the ONE button. Also, you have connect with buttons on your blog!

    • shankman says:

      Sara: Point missed entirely. What if I simply don’t want to give them all the information they ask for? Why should I have to?

      • Sara Beth Allen says:

        Because when you are finally ready to pay you are all ready to go. You can have your credit card saved in there. Design without social connect is considered a flop. Doesn’t the FB button make it easier? YES.

    • Gillian Casten says:

      Yes, it’s nice to enable users to create an account instantly through social, but you shouldn’t require them to make that account before they’re even at the checkout! Browsing should be free (including the cost of giving away your personal info).

  • Sara Beth Allen says:

    Here’s where I disagree – When you click the connect to Facebook button – you get an instantaneous account. You don’t have to remember a username or password the next time you want to shop there. If you make a website now without these kinds of social
    logins you lose people. It seems kind of silly that you couldn’t click the ONE button. Also, you have connect with buttons on your blog!

    • shankman says:

      Sara: Point missed entirely. What if I simply don’t want to give them all the information they ask for? Why should I have to?

      • Sara Beth Allen says:

        Because when you are finally ready to pay you are all ready to go. You can have your credit card saved in there. Design without social connect is considered a flop. Doesn’t the FB button make it easier? YES.

        • Jason says:

          “Design without social connect is considered a flop”

          ……considered by whom, exactly?

          Facebook fans abandonig in droves (Pew research poll):
          http://washingtonexaminer.com/bye-bye-facebook-americans-abandoning-in-droves-says-poll/article/2521545

          Facebook loosing teens:
          http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/1/4049592/the-age-of-the-brag-is-over-why-facebook-might-be-losing-teens

        • Greg Bulmash says:

          But until you DECIDE to buy, you should not be required to identify yourself or give them any identifying information. There should be no login required to browse. Allowing you the option of signing in with Facebook (or another 3rd party authentication provider like Google, Twitter, or even Github) is great and getting easier by the week to implement in sites that require a sign-in. Requiring you to sign in just to browse the store is not.

          BTW, I complained to Fab about this many many moons ago. They’ve been doing it for a long time, and they’re doing well, so I’m assuming they tested the crap out of it and found that there was a benefit to it. I don’t like it, but for 95% of the stuff they sell, I’m not their target customer.

        • Greg Bulmash says:

          But until you DECIDE to buy, you should not be required to identify yourself or give them any identifying information. There should be no login required to browse. Allowing you the option of signing in with Facebook (or another 3rd party authentication provider like Google, Twitter, or even Github) is great and getting easier by the week to implement in sites that require a sign-in. Requiring you to sign in just to browse the store is not.

          BTW, I complained to Fab about this many many moons ago. They’ve been doing it for a long time, and they’re doing well, so I’m assuming they tested the crap out of it and found that there was a benefit to it. I don’t like it, but for 95% of the stuff they sell, I’m not their target customer.

        • Greg Bulmash says:

          But until you DECIDE to buy, you should not be required to identify yourself or give them any identifying information. There should be no login required to browse. Allowing you the option of signing in with Facebook (or another 3rd party authentication provider like Google, Twitter, or even Github) is great and getting easier by the week to implement in sites that require a sign-in. Requiring you to sign in just to browse the store is not.

          BTW, I complained to Fab about this many many moons ago. They’ve been doing it for a long time, and they’re doing well, so I’m assuming they tested the crap out of it and found that there was a benefit to it. I don’t like it, but for 95% of the stuff they sell, I’m not their target customer.

        • Greg Bulmash says:

          But until you DECIDE to buy, you should not be required to identify yourself or give them any identifying information. There should be no login required to browse. Allowing you the option of signing in with Facebook (or another 3rd party authentication provider like Google, Twitter, or even Github) is great and getting easier by the week to implement in sites that require a sign-in. Requiring you to sign in just to browse the store is not.

          BTW, I complained to Fab about this many many moons ago. They’ve been doing it for a long time, and they’re doing well, so I’m assuming they tested the crap out of it and found that there was a benefit to it. I don’t like it, but for 95% of the stuff they sell, I’m not their target customer.

        • Greg Bulmash says:

          But until you DECIDE to buy, you should not be required to identify yourself or give them any identifying information. There should be no login required to browse. Allowing you the option of signing in with Facebook (or another 3rd party authentication provider like Google, Twitter, or even Github) is great and getting easier by the week to implement in sites that require a sign-in. Requiring you to sign in just to browse the store is not.

          BTW, I complained to Fab about this many many moons ago. They’ve been doing it for a long time, and they’re doing well, so I’m assuming they tested the crap out of it and found that there was a benefit to it. I don’t like it, but for 95% of the stuff they sell, I’m not their target customer.

    • Gillian Casten says:

      Yes, it’s nice to enable users to create an account instantly through social, but you shouldn’t require them to make that account before they’re even at the checkout! Browsing should be free (including the cost of giving away your personal info).

  • Ian Gordon says:

    Spot on here. When it comes time to make a purchase, make it easy! That’s where the Facebook login rocks. Pair it with Paypal, and you really have something. One, two clicks, Done. Think amazon, right? But as an opening pitch? Crazy. Marketers need to remove as much friction from the call to action as possible, but you need to pay attention to what part of the funnel your prospect is in.

  • Ian Gordon says:

    Spot on here. When it comes time to make a purchase, make it easy! That’s where the Facebook login rocks. Pair it with Paypal, and you really have something. One, two clicks, Done. Think amazon, right? But as an opening pitch? Crazy. Marketers need to remove as much friction from the call to action as possible, but you need to pay attention to what part of the funnel your prospect is in.

  • Josh says:

    It’s like walking into a Verizon brick and mortar.

  • Josh says:

    It’s like walking into a Verizon brick and mortar.

  • Hi. Fab does not require login just go to http://fab.com and browse. Same on mobile app.

    You just ran into one of our a tests.

    • Guest says:

      haha and not sure if people here realised, Jason (founder and CEO of fab.com) had responded there! I’ve followed fab for quite a while now through his blog at betashop.com and am consistently blown away by what they have achieved in such a short time. They must be doing something right, and I have no doubt he will haven taken your feedback onboard and use it to keep pushing fab’s growth to the limits!

    • shankman says:

      Jason: Love that you responded. Thanks for this. I’ll give you guys another shot. 🙂

      • aminator says:

        You should, they have totally cool stuff. I’ve dropped a lot of cash there lately. And their customer service is excellent, too.

    • Guest says:

      I’ve found the same thing, and as Jason says, if you key in the main URL (vs. the one in the FB ad) you can get around it. Other sites with FB ads have also done this. It does make one wonder how many don’t figure this out and how many sales are lost in the process!

    • Brian says:

      Two months later, and it is still has no ‘No thanks’ or ‘X’ on it. Had I not been very interested in the background of the company, I would not have found this page and the answer. It is engendering bad will and souring the user experience Jason. You are the man, get someone to fix it.

  • Hi. Fab does not require login just go to http://fab.com and browse. Same on mobile app.

    You just ran into one of our a tests.

    • Guest says:

      haha and not sure if people here realised, Jason (founder and CEO of fab.com) had responded there! I’ve followed fab for quite a while now through his blog at betashop.com and am consistently blown away by what they have achieved in such a short time. They must be doing something right, and I have no doubt he will haven taken your feedback onboard and use it to keep pushing fab’s growth to the limits!

    • shankman says:

      Jason: Love that you responded. Thanks for this. I’ll give you guys another shot. 🙂

      • aminator says:

        You should, they have totally cool stuff. I’ve dropped a lot of cash there lately. And their customer service is excellent, too.

    • Guest says:

      I’ve found the same thing, and as Jason says, if you key in the main URL (vs. the one in the FB ad) you can get around it. Other sites with FB ads have also done this. It does make one wonder how many don’t figure this out and how many sales are lost in the process!

    • Brian says:

      Two months later, and it is still has no ‘No thanks’ or ‘X’ on it. Had I not been very interested in the background of the company, I would not have found this page and the answer. It is engendering bad will and souring the user experience Jason. You are the man, get someone to fix it.

    • Brian says:

      Two months later, and it is still has no ‘No thanks’ or ‘X’ on it. Had I not been very interested in the background of the company, I would not have found this page and the answer. It is engendering bad will and souring the user experience Jason. You are the man, get someone to fix it.

    • Brian says:

      Two months later, and it is still has no ‘No thanks’ or ‘X’ on it. Had I not been very interested in the background of the company, I would not have found this page and the answer. It is engendering bad will and souring the user experience Jason. You are the man, get someone to fix it.

    • Brian says:

      Two months later, and it is still has no ‘No thanks’ or ‘X’ on it. Had I not been very interested in the background of the company, I would not have found this page and the answer. It is engendering bad will and souring the user experience Jason. You are the man, get someone to fix it.

    • Brian says:

      Two months later, and it is still has no ‘No thanks’ or ‘X’ on it. Had I not been very interested in the background of the company, I would not have found this page and the answer. It is engendering bad will and souring the user experience Jason. You are the man, get someone to fix it.

  • Cynthia Robb says:

    I totally agree Peter. I don’t appreciate a site forcing me to become a member. If it takes more than a couple of clicks to make a purchase or complete whatever I’m doing on that site, I move on. Not worth the frustration.

  • Cynthia Robb says:

    I totally agree Peter. I don’t appreciate a site forcing me to become a member. If it takes more than a couple of clicks to make a purchase or complete whatever I’m doing on that site, I move on. Not worth the frustration.

  • Sal Farr says:

    It’s not stupid at all Mr. Shankman. Sara’s comment below is a case in point. What Fab.com really wants is to know everything about you as soon as you show-up at their door step (website). [so they can serve you (up-sell you) better]. Soon it’s gonna be Walmart, Target or Bestbuy… Your smart phone will give up your profile as you walk-in or walk-by…
    My dog has an implantable RFID that my Vet scans as soon as the mutt shows-up at the clinic… Within seconds everything -I mean everything- about me, my dog and probably family, is shown on the screen at the receptionist’s desk.
    But in cyberspace; your facebook profile is just as good, if not better than an RFID. …AND as Sara said; it’s ONLY ONE button to press!!! …BINGO! They now own you. Mark Elliot Zuckerberg ain’t stupid…

  • Sal Farr says:

    It’s not stupid at all Mr. Shankman. Sara’s comment below is a case in point. What Fab.com really wants is to know everything about you as soon as you show-up at their door step (website). [so they can serve you (up-sell you) better]. Soon it’s gonna be Walmart, Target or Bestbuy… Your smart phone will give up your profile as you walk-in or walk-by…
    My dog has an implantable RFID that my Vet scans as soon as the mutt shows-up at the clinic… Within seconds everything -I mean everything- about me, my dog and probably family, is shown on the screen at the receptionist’s desk.
    But in cyberspace; your facebook profile is just as good, if not better than an RFID. …AND as Sara said; it’s ONLY ONE button to press!!! …BINGO! They now own you. Mark Elliot Zuckerberg ain’t stupid…

  • Catherine says:

    I mentioned this in a Facebook post last year when I tried to buy something also. For some reason, bad marketers think that you should give up all your information just to peruse their online catalog, before you even choose to purchase. Whatever the workarounds, it’s an extra click, and buying should be make easy! (“Enormous FAIL!”)

  • Catherine says:

    I mentioned this in a Facebook post last year when I tried to buy something also. For some reason, bad marketers think that you should give up all your information just to peruse their online catalog, before you even choose to purchase. Whatever the workarounds, it’s an extra click, and buying should be make easy! (“Enormous FAIL!”)

  • Jeannie Wainwright says:

    This is something that has taken over, and then you are bombarded with emails notifying you when new sales occur. Like you, I pass. There’s plenty of shopping out there that doesn’t have a gatekeeper.

  • Jeannie Wainwright says:

    This is something that has taken over, and then you are bombarded with emails notifying you when new sales occur. Like you, I pass. There’s plenty of shopping out there that doesn’t have a gatekeeper.

  • Sarah Cook says:

    I’ve been checking out your awesome stuff and I generally agree with what you say most of the time. However, on your investments page, you have info for SnapGoods and they do the exact same thing. I clicked through to check it out and it was the exact same scenario. 🙁

    • shankman says:

      That’s because they use your network to get you what you’re looking for. Without your network, snapgoods doesn’t work. Nor the same with fab.com.

  • Sarah Cook says:

    I’ve been checking out your awesome stuff and I generally agree with what you say most of the time. However, on your investments page, you have info for SnapGoods and they do the exact same thing. I clicked through to check it out and it was the exact same scenario. 🙁

    • shankman says:

      That’s because they use your network to get you what you’re looking for. Without your network, snapgoods doesn’t work. Nor the same with fab.com.

  • Bea says:

    A month later and this is still happening. I read about fab on a food blog I read, clicked over and got the pop up. I’m not going to try to key in other URLs to see if it works, i just left.

  • Bea says:

    A month later and this is still happening. I read about fab on a food blog I read, clicked over and got the pop up. I’m not going to try to key in other URLs to see if it works, i just left.

  • CM says:

    Jason Goldberg you’ve got work to do to keep this buyer interested. I unsubscribed after a year because A) your shipping times are awful (the impulse dies a slow death and then I’m mad when Fab purch arrives 2 weeks later because I shouldn’t have made the purchase anyway) and B) your run on cool furniture and mid-century stuff is rigged. You obviously send these emails to dealers and such you know will buy BEFORE I get it. I immediately clicked on numerous days and weeks of that sale and the good stuff is always sold out. I emailed you about it but you didn’t answer. #FAIL

  • CM says:

    Jason Goldberg you’ve got work to do to keep this buyer interested. I unsubscribed after a year because A) your shipping times are awful (the impulse dies a slow death and then I’m mad when Fab purch arrives 2 weeks later because I shouldn’t have made the purchase anyway) and B) your run on cool furniture and mid-century stuff is rigged. You obviously send these emails to dealers and such you know will buy BEFORE I get it. I immediately clicked on numerous days and weeks of that sale and the good stuff is always sold out. I emailed you about it but you didn’t answer. #FAIL

  • Bob Bodack says:

    Yup, same situation….same outcome….It’s what is called a “Barrier to Entry”…a turnoff, a negative. They forgot the most basic rule…..they are NOT in the Merchandise or Marketing Business….they are in the “Customer Service” business….I hope they figure it out!!!

  • Bob Bodack says:

    Yup, same situation….same outcome….It’s what is called a “Barrier to Entry”…a turnoff, a negative. They forgot the most basic rule…..they are NOT in the Merchandise or Marketing Business….they are in the “Customer Service” business….I hope they figure it out!!!

  • skip says:

    I am so SICK AND TIRED of seeing their stupid ads every time I open my page. Seriously if there was a way to PAY TO BLOCK IT, I would do it!

  • skip says:

    I am so SICK AND TIRED of seeing their stupid ads every time I open my page. Seriously if there was a way to PAY TO BLOCK IT, I would do it!

  • Alien says:

    Sams does it

  • Alien says:

    Sams does it

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