It has been the sensible order of choosing the source account then choosing the destination account. Now they’ve switched it to where you have to first choose the destination account then choose the source account.

I understand this shouldn’t be a big deal but my brain just absolutely rejects it and even knowing full well they’ve made the change on several occasions I’ve moved money the wrong way. Sometimes without even realizing it for days.

I don’t think this is simply a muscle memory thing that I’ll eventually get used to; I feel like it’s fundamentally nonsensical and I’m curious if it’s just me. Or am I just being a stubborn old man stuck in his ways?

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[–] 48 points 11 months ago

Choosing the source then the destination is the correct order. The money moves from X to Y, of course you should choose X first and then Y. Destination then source feels inherently wrong to me too

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  • [–] 27 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    Both orders make sense, although switching the order is stupid.

    Let me guess, the labels aren't extremely obvious either are they?

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  • [–] [S] 12 points 11 months ago (2 children)

    I guess I’m just stuck in a physical mindset where you have to get the thing first before you can take it to where it goes.

    The problem isn't really the labeling because when they show my list of accounts I’m just focused on finding the one I want to move from. Im not even looking at the surrounding text.

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  • [–] 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 child)

    Did they just make the page look basically the same, but reverse the order? If so, then that's on them because of shitty UI planning. Making such a drastic change should come with an equally drastic visual layout change to disrupt the automatic mental flow that goes with muscle memory.

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  • [–] 3 points 11 months ago

    I feel you could choose another metaphor though, and it would make sense.

    Like, when you go to a shop to buy something or buy something online, you have already chosen the destination. Then you decide how you pay, choosing the source.

    To me both make sense equally.

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  • [–] 21 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    They should display all your accounts as a word cloud and have you draw a line (directional arrow) from the source to the destination. Yes, using your finger (on a touchscreen) or the mouse.

    #shittyuiideas

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  • [–] 15 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    My bank did the same and I totally moved money the wrong way and fucked up and over drafted.

    Luckily I don't get overdraft fees with my bank. But who the fuck designed putting destination first after years of it being second?

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  • [–] 4 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    How much a nerd are you? Not in the insulting way though. Could use something like Greasemonkey to rearrange the elements after page load.

    For many reasons, I am not recommending that you do so but it is a possibility.

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  • [+] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 child)
  • [–] 5 points 11 months ago (2 children)

    This statement summarizes many of the problems with my modern life.

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  • [+] 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 child)
  • [–] 3 points 11 months ago* (1 child)

    Yeah, so ... This statement summarizes many of the problems with my modern life.

    edit: Also, I like your username. It makes me think of both Discworld and Adventure Time, two things that serve to partially counter the depressing nature of this conversation.

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  • [+] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 child)
  • [–] 2 points 11 months ago* (1 child)

    Yes, I am pondering trying to take over the world!

    ... I'm too tired to actually be funny/relevant, but I appreciate your engagement.

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  • [–] 3 points 11 months ago

    Source then Destination is the usual convention in my mind. I probably wouldn't make a mistake either way because I'm the type to punch shit into my calculator 3 times to make sure.

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  • [–] 2 points 11 months ago (3 children)

    Honestly, picking the destination first makes more sense.

    But the primary law of UX is you don't change shit up on people. I'd have taken a stand if I was on that team

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  • [–] [S] 13 points 11 months ago (2 children)

    Curious why you think destination first makes more sense.

    I just can’t get over the idea that when you move a thing to a different place, you go to where the thing is first so you can take it to the new place.

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  • [–] 6 points 11 months ago (3 children)

    Sure... If I want $300 in an account, that's my goal. I don't want to decrease another account by that amount

    So my goal is to move X money into Y account, or maybe all but X money into Y account

    The second half is where it comes from. It's not the goal, it's the means

    But again as I said, flipping this is a worse solution than either direction

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  • [–] 7 points 11 months ago (4 children)

    We have very different brains in regards to this subject.

    When I pay for something (moving money) the first thing to do is choose the source. Cash, credit card, venmo, etc. Only once I've decided that can I pick where to move it... The cashiers hand, credit card machine, scan a venmo barcode, etc.

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  • [–] 2 points 11 months ago (2 children)

    It's funny, in all your examples, the need to pay comes first, then your selection of the source.

    Like the cashier extends his hand, so the destination is clear, then you think about the source. The credit card machine is clear, then you choose which of your cards to use. The venmo scanner is there, then you choose how to fulfill that.

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago

    I think you're adding more layers to this than what is actually required.

    To move money from a to b. Not why it needs to be moved.

    To pay a cashier you need to get your money/payment first. That's the source. Handing it to the cashier is the destination.

    Everything else you've mentioned is a why and has no bearing on the movement of payment.

    That's my..O2 anyway

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago

    It's not a perfect example. The need to pay sort of starts as soon as you put something in your shopping basket. I'm not transferring money to the cashier unless it's cash -- otherwise it goes somewhere else and eventually the store gets it.

    It's just a thought experiment about something reasonably similar, and the similarities for me start after everything is rung up and it's time to move money.

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago (1 child)

    I think that my flow is far more natural... But suffice to say I wouldn't switch it on you either way

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago (1 child)

    I looked at three of the banks/brokerages I use and the results are interesting!

    The brokerages present you with step by step screens, and first have you choose the "to" account. Then you click 'Next' and choose the "from" account.

    My bank presents them on the same screen, going top down. On top you pick the "from", and below it you select "to".

    So, despite my strong opinion, apparently there hasn't been any consistency in my experience, granted I don't transfer money very often.

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  • [–] 9 points 11 months ago (2 children)

    If you think of it in physical terms , when you move something you have to grab it from its source then go to the destination.

    Like even moving money to pay for something, you take out of your wallet and hand to the cashier.

    Even computer filesystem management is: copy source destination, move source destination

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago (1 child)

    It depends on how you look at it, and how it's presented

    You don't fill a hole by grabbing dirt and finding a hole, you realize you need to fill a hole, and then you grab/buy materials to fill it in with.

    It's just a matter of approach. You can frame it in either direction

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 child)

    Can also think like this, "I have an invoice that I need to pay. So I need to pay to there, let me figure out where to get the money from", i.e. impetus/problem-based thinking instead of process-based thinking.

    The process is move X to Y, but the need to get something to Y actually came first, like Y is an invoice, or an account that is overdrawn, or whatever. Y created the "problem" initially, and then moving from X is the "solution".

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