Which online store? EBuyer, Amazon, Dabs or PC World Business

stevem999

Hi all, not sure if this is the right place for general advice on shopping but couldn't see anywhere better. Feel free to move though!

I'm after a particular product (a Creative Z500 Playdock) and it's available at varying delivery times/stock levels at EBuyer, Amazon, Dabs or PC World Business at roughly similar prices. I'm not too bothered about the delivery timescales but I am concerned with people's experiences of these companies and their alleged 'stock levels'. Has anyone got any real out-of-the-ordinary experiences with them as I realise that many people will have used these businesses before!

One of my concerns is stock availability. Dabs for example say 1-2 days to get stock but it's been like that for a week. When I asked them why this was, or if this is the time it takes them to source the goods once ordered, they replied that they had no better information than was on their website - useful!!

The other issue is returns - hopefully won't be an issue but each have differing returns policies.

Any thoughts much appreciated please!

PS - Any ways of reducing costs from these businesses also appreciated. Think these are all on the "don't use codes" list and know about Quidco etc already!!

glyn_s

amazon every time - they're normally as quick as everyone else and as cheap - but the one thing that sets them out from all the rest is customer service - it's second to none - i've shopped with them since 1999 and i've only had to send a couple of things back but when i have the service has been polite, swift, and i've not been left hanging on a phone for ages - in fact replacements have always been sent out before i've sent the other one back - btw avoid ebuyer like the plague for all the opposite reasons that i recommend amazon

mk-donald

You'll find the 1-2 days can be a common e-commerce website time as often they don't hold ANY stock, but just have an arrangement to call it in from an actual stockholder, or else have a 3rd party who does all the processing on their behalf.

Personally I've dealt with eBuyer a lot (99% fine), Amazon (never quite know when they will despatch/deliver if SuperSaver but always come through), Dabs (part of BT) and only PC World/Business on my blacklist as part of the 'evil' DSGI empire who I will NEVER forgive for deliberately sending me the WRONG item not ONCE, not TWICE but THREE times including after a formal complaint about their complete and utter incompetence.

Other factors to consider:
* any cashback/rebate opportunities with some sites - eg via Nectar estores to Amazon
* with Amazon you get 28/30 day price protection as if THEIR (not merchants selling via Amazon!) price reduces you can email in to claim a refund of the difference

stevem999

Thanks for the feedback folks. All taken on board and have gone for Amazon - slightly longer delivery time but price comparable and service seems to be better too. Also got triple Nectar points!

Broke_Student

Instead of tracking stock availability for a week to see if it changes for 1-2 days, and waiting to get replies on this forum, you should just order from dabs. If it doesn't arrive within 1-2 days then cancel the order and try the next supplier!

edit: irrelevant now. just read you used amazon. tell us how it goes!

stevem999

Broke_Student wrote: »

edit: irrelevant now. just read you used amazon. tell us how it goes!

Well, it hasn't gone particularly well so far! I ordered with Amazon with a 1-2 week delay quoted but good price and all the recommendations for them to go with it so worth the wait. Dispatch scheduled for between 5th and 12th July.

Waited until 12th July - still not dispatched. Noticed that delay had changed to 4-6 weeks if I ordered one that day which didn't bode well. E-mailed Customer Service to be told there was a further delay and was indeed longer and estimated delivery would now be September! They did apologise for not telling me - would have thought that was some sort of automatic e-mail? So cancelled item as that wait is ridiculous - obviously using a p*** poor supplier. Now ordered from EBuyer - £20 more expensive but got 60-odd in stock and coming this week with free delivery so not all bad. Just wish Amazon hadn't stalled in telling me there was a problem and I could have had it by now. Oh well, live and learn. Kind of put me off Amazon for anything larger than books/CD's etc to be honest - their loss.

Just wait and see how I get on with E-Buyer - sure there won't be a problem unless I need to return it as I've heard some horror stories but you often do with an e-tailer that large - bound to be some dissatisfied customers by the law of averages!

cashflow

I ordered a CD and a book online on Wednesday 5/9/07, and chose Amazon's so-called 'Super Saver Delivery' method for the items. The order only arrived today's mail -14/9/07. I had e-mailed Amazon some days ago, as follows, "I placed this order on Wednesday 5th September ....It is all well and good to state that delivery will take 2 to 4 days later than 1st Class Delivery, but if 1st Class Mail had been used this would have been Friday. Two to four after a 1st Class Mail delivery would mean that the items should have been delivered by Wednesday at the latest. Please advise why there was a delay in the despatch ( which was actually the 8th ), and delivery of these two items". I received an e-mail reply, but they did not answer my question about the late despatch, instead they wrote about delivery times 'after despatch'.....there was even a section asking me how they 'did' with their reply!The point is: the items were 'in stock', according to the Amazon website, ordered on the afternoon of the 5th September, but only invoiced on the 8th, and finally, only delivered on the 14th September. I don't think that is acceptable service

yenners

cashflow wrote: »

I ordered a CD and a book online on Wednesday 5/9/07, and chose Amazon's so-called 'Super Saver Delivery' method for the items. The order only arrived today's mail -14/9/07. I had e-mailed Amazon some days ago, as follows, "I placed this order on Wednesday 5th September ....It is all well and good to state that delivery will take 2 to 4 days later than 1st Class Delivery, but if 1st Class Mail had been used this would have been Friday. Two to four after a 1st Class Mail delivery would mean that the items should have been delivered by Wednesday at the latest. Please advise why there was a delay in the despatch ( which was actually the 8th ), and delivery of these two items". I received an e-mail reply, but they did not answer my question about the late despatch, instead they wrote about delivery times 'after despatch'.....there was even a section asking me how they 'did' with their reply!The point is: the items were 'in stock', according to the Amazon website, ordered on the afternoon of the 5th September, but only invoiced on the 8th, and finally, only delivered on the 14th September. I don't think that is acceptable service

yes, but I find that when Amazon do mess up your order, they are very good about apologising and compensation. I aways get a £5 or £10 voucher to use on my next order. It's more than I can say for a lot of other online shops

sellingmysoul666

amazon for me too

example

i ordered a dvd + a book on thursday last week on supersaver delivery
dvd despatched friday
arrived sat

book despatched this monday & arrived today

i have had 2 faulty electrical items as they were no longer in stock i returned them & got a full refund no problems :j

shopndrop

Amazon for me too. Ordered a book late on Tuesday evening, using super saver delivery, postman brought it just after 7am on Thursday. Couldn't ask for better service.