For Those Hard-To-Find Items, But Beware Those Shipping Costs
Written: Sep 25 '05
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With any new obsession comes the need to feed it. In my case the obsession was my new Weber Grill, and the need to grill every cut of meat in the freezer; at home and at the local grocery store. So far I have fired up chicken, short ribs, steak, hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, baby back ribs, pork chops, and country-style ribs.
Along the way, I have learned a lot about the art of grill cooking, including the need to use the right tools and ingredients (spices) to bring out the rich flavor of meat. Gone is regular salt and pepper, hello to kosher salt and whole peppercorns. Gone is regular olive oil, hello to Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or EVOO. Most the new cooking wizardry could be had locally, but some of my new tools had to be found elsewhere. That elsewhere is Cooking.com.
The Site
Cooking.com follows the same general motif most e-commerce site adheres to: tabs along the top pf the site help guide the shopper through the myriad of choice offered by the site. Along the left hand side of the site shoppers can browse through a large selection of category goods; they include:
• Bakeware
• Barware
• Cook's Tools
• Cookware
• Cutlery
• Email Offers
• Furnishings
• Gift Baskets & Sets
• Gourmet Food (New category)
• Home Keeping
• Outdoor Living
• Small Appliances
• Vacuum Cleaners
• Starbucks Coffees
• Storage & Organization
• Tableware
• Corporate Gifts
• Gift Certificates
• Clearance
• Top Brands
The middle of the site is dedicated to daily specials, which is usually represented by a large colorful graphic. Navigating the site is easy with simple search utility at the top of the site returning whatever I am looking for on the first try.
Prices on Cooking.com, I have found, are competitive; they are not always the lowest on the Internet, but they are close enough to warrant serious consideration. But be forewarned shipping costs can be steep when compared with Amazon.com, where some of the same house-wares found at Cooking.com can also be found. Cooking.com accepts the following payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card. The site also accepts Checks or Money Orders; however your order does not ship until receipt and approval of payment.
Shipping and Handling
Cooking.com uses the United States Postal Service (USPS) and DHL to ship your order, and unlike some sites they will ship to APO and FPO addresses. There are different rates for Alaska and Hawaii, and Canada. Cooking.com also ships to American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia (Micronesia), Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Cooking.com has a number of Merchant Partners; their rates differ from the mother site. Merchant Partners include Jessica’s Biscuit, Igourment.com, Barbeques Galore, The Grill Store & More and Vacuums.com.
I was unpleasantly surprised at how long my order took to arrive. I choose the least expensive shipping option—Super Saver—which cost $7.95, ships next business day and arrives at your doorstep in 5 – 10 business days. My order usually arrive right around day ten, which to me is overly long; I guess I have been spoiled by Amazon.com, Newegg.com, and Buy.com, all of which usually get my order to me in under a week.
Complete shipping options include:
• Super Saver +: Orders ship the next business day with arrival in approximately 5-10 business days. Order total up to $15: $7.95, Carrier: USPS.
• Standard: Orders ship the next business day with arrival in approximately 3-6 business days. Order total up to $15: $8.95, Carrier: DHL Home.
• Express: Orders ship the same business day with arrival in approximately 2-3 business days. Order total up to $15: $19.95, Carrier: DHL or USPS.
• Next Day: Orders ship the same business day with arrival in approximately next business day. Order total up to $15: $34.95, Carrier: DHL.
Wrap-up
Despite the high shipping costs and the overlong shipping times, I am satisfied with Cooking.com and would use the site again. I was able to find the peppermill, spices and Marble Mortar and Pestle I needed and could not find anywhere else. The site also offers some other hard to find items I have added to my wish list, but the shipping costs will no doubt force me look elsewhere before I place my order. That being said, Cooking.com is the place to find those items that may not be available elsewhere. Stop by and have a look.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Peppermill, Spices
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Epinions.com ID:
vemartin
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Member: Vincent
Location: Aurora, IL
Reviews written: 1368
Trusted by: 548 members
About Me:
...A Great Empire cannot be Conquered from Without until it first Destroys itself From Within...
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