Fast, efficient, generally good value
Written: Apr 10 '03 (Updated Apr 16 '03)
| Customer Service: |
 |
|
| Selection: |
 |
|
| On-Time Delivery: |
|
|
|
| Full Review |
I've ordered about 5 or 6 separate times from Amazon.
Each time the initial delivery times have been accurate (although sometimes the quoted time changes inexplicably) and tracking has been top-notch. I have never had a problem with them.
Another bonus: free shipping for purchases over $25. This often makes a huge difference to the price when you order elsewhere. When I want to purchase something small (like a Mag-Lite for $8), I wait until I have a number of things to purchase and then buy them all at once. Buying them separately from different websites often results in a shipping charge for each item - so even though I found the Mag-Lite cheaper elsewhere, it wasn't worth my while to do so once I factored in shipping costs.
The other thing - the selection is phenomenal. There are few sites I can think of that provide the same diversity of choice.
In my experience with electronic goods, if you are not in a hurry, I would advise that you wait and check the price frequently. You may find that it fluctuates quite often, particularly with goods which are sold through other retailers (e.g. Tech Depot or J & R Electronics). I had my eye on a USB 2.0 adapter for my laptop, which was $53 with free shipping. When i finally decided to buy it, it was no longer stocked and I could only purchase it through the Amazon website using J & R, where it cost $59 + $6 for shipping. I waited another couple of weeks, and lo and behold, Amazon.com had it in stock again - for $53. So just be aware that the prices for electronic goods can be fairly fluid.
PROBLEMS?
I can't really say what would happen if I did have a problem. What I generally find is that when there are problems with larger sites such as Amazon, then you may have a much more difficult time getting adequate redress/compensation. Fortunately, I've never experienced a problem with faulty goods or non-delivery, etc. *fingers-crossed*
However, one bonus of Amazon.com is that you can return items you don't like without being charged a re-stocking fee. Many sites have a re-stocking fee of 10 - 20%. Return shipping is deducted if the item is not faulty.
I have used Amazon.com merchants to buy really cheap books - the service is a bit less reliable. I would recommend being very careful and reading the return policies. You also cannot track many of these deliveries, and they can take up to *21 days* in shipping alone. I did manage to snare Let's Go USA 2002 and a Rick Steve's book for less than $10 all up (brand new, they probably would have cost over $30), but they took forever to arrive.
Overall, I'm very happy with Amazon.com and will continue using them.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
berkdude
|
|
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.