Can’t even get the basics right
First, implementation of instant messaging in the Alibaba platform is a haphazard mess. Conversations in standard messaging DO NOT integrate or carry over from instant messages. This also means that whatever you chat about within the instant messaging system is a separate chat log from normal messaging. There is no way for you to continue a conversation except by manually copying the entire log over. Second, as a buyer and a seller, a slow response time counts against your response time if I do not respond even to a spam message. Yet, Alibaba never included a proper rejection and block function into the chat interface. You can’t block and report someone on this app either. The function doesn’t exist. Last and not the least, this system doesn’t allow you to conduct a full escrow transaction. In other words, you have to get a laptop or desktop and manually continue the conversation. Considering that this is supposed to be a tool meant for bridging businesses and bulk dealers, I’ve seen Australian college students who created a better user experience in app competitions. Very disappointing for such a larger company that loves to blow its own trumpets.
