Push-to-talk feature lets shoppers call stores from web site without phones

Car Toys, an independent retailer of mobile electronics and wireless telephones, has teamed up with ITXC Corp., a provider of Internet voice services, on launching a “Push to Talk” feature on Cartoys.com that lets users call any of the 42 Car Toys locations directly from the company`s web site without using a phone.

The feature, which requires that the user`s computer be equipped with speakers and a microphone, is linked to the site’s store locator feature, which asks for area code, zip code, or city. Any consumer with Internet access and a web browser, plus the right audio equipment, can use the feature.

“By adding the Push to Talk feature, Car Toys has created a more comfortable experience for web site visitors who prefer live assistance when making purchases, scheduling installations, or further information about products and services,” says Dan Brettler, Car Toys CEO. ITXC notes that it offers the service on a pay-per-call basis, which requires no upfront capital investment by retailers or advertisers and only a few lines of HTML code to add Internet calling capabilities to web site, e-mail messages and banner ads.