Customer Reviews (500)

b$97470 • 2025-03-22T05:24:34-07:00

Thanks for all the PlayStation astrobot controllers! Love this app. I have got many hard to get items from it!!!!

Boooooboooosh • 2025-03-21T18:50:18-07:00

Thank you, Hotstock, for helping me get my Canon G7X mark III! The best app!

Cxthlp • 2025-03-21T15:12:58-07:00

I have been trying to get my hands on the Canon G7X mark iii for weeks and so many people were recommending this app. I was very skeptical at first but I opted to download it and give it a shot. Literally a WEEK later, the app notified me that Canon had restocked and I was able to purchase my camera immediately! Had it not been for HotStock, I do not think I would have been able to purchase my camera! If you’re in the same boat, you should give this app a shot!

Summary of Key Insights

  • HotStock aims to help users acquire hard-to-get products by providing real-time stock alerts and an AutoBuy feature. The app receives mixed reviews, with many users praising its ability to secure sought-after items, particularly Canon cameras, GPUs, and gaming consoles. However, a significant number of users report issues with the AutoBuy feature, citing its unreliability and failure to complete purchases. There are also concerns about delayed notifications and the app's performance during high-demand periods. The sentiment is polarized, with users who successfully obtained items being highly satisfied, while those who experienced issues with AutoBuy expressing strong dissatisfaction.
  • Key Strengths: Effective notifications for in-stock items, ability to secure hard-to-get products, user-friendly interface (for some).
  • Key Weaknesses: Unreliable AutoBuy feature, delayed notifications (especially for free users), server instability during high-demand periods, inconsistent performance.
  • Overall Sentiment: Mixed. Success stories generate high praise, while AutoBuy failures lead to strong criticism.
  • Quantitative Metrics:
    • Overall Rating (Implied Average): Approximately 4.1 stars based on the review distribution.
    • Score Distribution: {"1":24.2%,"2":4.2%,"3":2.6%,"4":2%,"5":67%} (Based on 500 reviews)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews from the Apple App Store.
  • Time Frame: The reviews primarily span from 2023 to early 2025, with a concentration in recent months (late 2024 and early 2025).
  • Analysis Methods: Manual review and thematic analysis of user reviews to identify recurring themes, sentiment, and feature requests. Keyword extraction was used to identify commonly mentioned products and issues.

Key User Pain Points

  • Unreliable AutoBuy Feature: The most significant pain point is the AutoBuy feature's failure to complete purchases. Users report that it is too slow, fails to add items to cart, encounters errors, or gets stuck during checkout. Some users report that they have to leave the app open 24/7 to use the AutoBuy feature.
  • Delayed Notifications: Many users, especially those using the free version, complain that notifications are delayed, rendering them useless as the items are already sold out by the time they receive the alert. Some users also reported notifications being faster from Discord or Twitter.
  • Server Instability: The app and website crash or become unresponsive during high-demand periods, such as GPU launches, preventing users from receiving notifications or using the AutoBuy feature.
  • Inconsistent Performance: Some users report that AutoBuy works for some retailers (e.g., Amazon, Target) but not for others (e.g., Best Buy, Walmart).
  • Misleading Premium Tier: Some users feel that the premium tier does not provide significantly faster notifications or a more reliable AutoBuy experience, leading to dissatisfaction.
  • Account Logouts: Users report frequently being logged out of their retailer accounts within the app, which disrupts the AutoBuy process.
  • Poor Customer Support: Several users mentioned a lack of response from customer support when they experienced issues with the app or requested refunds.
  • Double Charges: A few users reported being charged double for the subscription.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved AutoBuy Reliability: Users overwhelmingly request a more reliable and faster AutoBuy feature that can successfully complete purchases.
  • Faster Notifications: Users want faster, more timely notifications, especially for free users.
  • More Retailer Support for AutoBuy: Users want AutoBuy to support more retailers, including Newegg and direct manufacturers for GPUs.
  • Background AutoBuy: Users want the AutoBuy feature to work in the background without needing to keep the app open and the screen on.
  • Purchase Attempt Log: A log of AutoBuy attempts, including successes and failures, would provide transparency and help users troubleshoot issues.
  • Dark Mode: A user requested dark mode.
  • Ability to change default notification sound: Users find the default notification irritating.
  • Ability to track more than one item on free tier: A user mentioned the app limits users to track one item in free tier when the app description mentions 5.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Effective Notifications (Sometimes): Many users praise the app for providing timely notifications that alert them to in-stock items.
  • Ability to Secure Hard-to-Get Products: Users have successfully obtained sought-after items like Canon cameras, GPUs, gaming consoles, and limited-edition products using the app.
  • User-Friendly Interface (For Some): Some users find the app easy to use and navigate.
  • Community Support: The comments section within the app provides a platform for users to share tips and support each other.
  • Combats Scalpers: The app is seen as a tool to fight against scalpers and obtain products at retail prices.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Improve AutoBuy Reliability and Speed: Invest in optimizing the AutoBuy feature to ensure it can successfully complete purchases quickly and reliably. Address known issues with specific retailers (e.g., Best Buy, Walmart) and improve error handling.
  • Reduce Notification Delays: Optimize the notification system to minimize delays, especially for free users. Consider implementing a more robust notification infrastructure.
  • Address Server Instability: Scale up server capacity to handle peak loads during high-demand periods. Implement monitoring and alerting systems to proactively identify and address performance issues.
  • Improve Customer Support: Provide timely and helpful responses to user inquiries and complaints. Address refund requests promptly and fairly.

Medium Priority:

  • Expand AutoBuy Retailer Support: Add support for more retailers, including Newegg and direct manufacturers for GPUs.
  • Implement Background AutoBuy: Allow the AutoBuy feature to work in the background without requiring the app to be open and the screen on.
  • Add Purchase Attempt Log: Provide users with a log of AutoBuy attempts, including successes and failures, to improve transparency and troubleshooting.
  • Improve Account Management: Fix the issue of frequent account logouts from retailer accounts within the app.
  • Improve AutoBuy Instructions: Make the instructions for AutoBuy more clear.

Low Priority:

  • Implement Dark Mode: Add a dark mode option for users who prefer it.
  • Allow more than one item on free tier: Allow users to track more than one item on free tier.
  • Allow users to change the notification sound: Allow users to change the notification sound.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Advanced Bot Detection and Prevention: Develop more sophisticated techniques to detect and prevent bot activity on retailer websites, giving regular users a better chance of securing in-demand items.
  • Personalized Shopping Assistant: Create an AI-powered shopping assistant that learns user preferences and automatically purchases items when they become available at the desired price.
  • Community-Driven Stock Tracking Platform: Build a platform where users can collaboratively track stock levels and share information, creating a more accurate and up-to-date resource.

Trends and Observations

  • Canon G7X Mark III: This camera is frequently mentioned as a sought-after item, suggesting a specific niche market the app caters to effectively.
  • GPU Launches: The app experiences high traffic and performance issues during GPU launches, indicating a need for better scalability and optimization.
  • AutoBuy Complaints: The AutoBuy feature is a recurring source of frustration, with many users feeling that it is unreliable and not worth the subscription fee.
  • Positive Sentiment Tied to Success: Users who successfully obtain items using the app are highly satisfied, highlighting the importance of a reliable and effective service.

Conclusion

HotStock has the potential to be a valuable tool for users seeking hard-to-get products. However, the app's reputation is being undermined by the unreliability of the AutoBuy feature and issues with delayed notifications and server instability. Addressing these issues is critical to improving user satisfaction and solidifying the app's position in the market. Prioritizing improvements to AutoBuy reliability and notification speed, along with addressing server stability, will have the most significant impact on user experience.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hotstock-in-stock-alerts/id1257690900?uo=2