Australian retailer Kogan hits IE7 users with extra 'tax'

An Australian online retailer has hit shoppers who use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 7 web browser with an extra 6.8 per cent “tax” on every purchase.

Read the full story here.

that’s one way to get rid of IE

That is absolutely brilliant…..BRILLIANT

It appears you system administrator has been in a coma for over five years and you are still using IE7 …

Yep, fantastic

I think -

As a web development idea, it’s utterly tragic. And it goes against what all true devs aspire to – to create a website which is accessible to all users, regardless of device (and certainly not penalising them!)

However, as a marketing idea it’s genius. It’s never been done before, and look – they’ve attained worldwide coverage. Now that’s publicity!

I can only imagine when they stacked up the odds, the customers drawn from the publicity would vastly outrank their IE7 userbase (probably around 10%?)

matt5409 said
I think - As a web development idea, it’s utterly tragic. And it goes against what all true devs aspire to – to create a website which is accessible to all users, regardless of device (and certainly not penalising them!)

OK. Sounds like you’re taking it a bit too serious. Should they still be supporting IE6 also? This is not a philosophic argument, it’s a business decision.

As a business owner I completely understand what they’ve done. I see nothing wrong with passing on the costs of supporting a minority of users who choose an aging and limited technology. If 3% of your customers account for 30% of your development cost you must do something. I think this is much better than what I would have done… not support IE7 at all. At least this way users have a choice.

I think it’s brilliant! I’m in love with this idea!

matt5409 said
I think -

As a web development idea, it’s utterly tragic. And it goes against what all true devs aspire to – to create a website which is accessible to all users, regardless of device (and certainly not penalising them!)

IE must die. End of conversation.

matt5409 said
I think - As a web development idea, it’s utterly tragic. And it goes against what all true devs aspire to – to create a website which is accessible to all users, regardless of device (and certainly not penalising them!)

On the contrary; precisely as a web development idea is the utter killing of IE7 (and older, to say the least) necessary. The world, and its technologies, are evolving. Markets and brands do not wait for people to adapt; you get a new device, a new format, a new technology every week.

Whether you take it or not is naturally up to you; however, if you compromise the development of one of these new technologies, then you’re out of the game. The same applies to browsers. IE is and has always been a big hassle, an unnecessary weight for all developers and designers.

If “web development” wants to advance, then IE (at least version 7 and older) should be gone.

oh wow. this actually is freaking me out. as a web developer i am completely sold on progressive enhancement, but i’m also invested in graceful degredation. imagine if, for whatever reason, you were only able to use an old browser – it would piss you off that you needed to pay extra. i recently had to book a trip on a hotel PC running IE8 … certainly not my choice, but I expected the website to work and treat me fairly.

some of the opinions here are worrying. CLEARLY the Kogan have done it for publicity and NOT for a legitimate business reason!!