Earlier this week, Wal-Mart launched a new video download site to compete with other sites and programs such as iTunes or Netflix. This new site had compatibility issues (by compatible I mean the IT morons published the site with CSS errors) with browsers like Firefox making the site non-functional.
It appears now that Wal-Mart has decided to completely shut out all browsers other than Internet Explorer. If you attempt to access the site with anything but IE, an error message appears pointing out the obvious fact that you are not using IE and providing a link to Microsoft’s website to download it.
“We’re sorry …
Our website requires the browser Internet Explorer version 6 or higher. It appears that you are using Firefox, Safari, or another browser that Wal-Mart Video Downloads doesn’t currently support. Click here to get Internet Explorer for free from Microsoft.Thank You”
While I still don’t believe the average Firefox user, let alone any other browser users, would pay the trumped up prices to download movies you can only watch on your computer, it’s still a very stupid business move to not allow as many people as possible to use their service. Besides, the average Wal-Mart shopper isn’t going to hop on their high-speed internet to download movies from Wal-Mart’s website at $20-a-pop.
Congratulations, Wal-Mart, not only are you going to get your ass taken through the ringer by the millions of current and ex female employees, you’ve also managed to alienate around 20-30% of internet users.
…not as if I would download a movie from Wal-Mart anyway…
