posted on September 9, 2001 11:32:18 AM
Trying to get a sense of buyer inclinations. Let's say you wanted to purchase a nice digital camera or a PC online, which sites would you visit? Which site would you visit 1st? Let's say you're looking for a nice selection, great prices, a trusted vendor, and the most value for your dollar, where would you go? Would you hit Amazon? Maybe consider making the purchase from an eBay seller? How about Half.com or Yahoo Stores? Or maybe a large chain site like Walmart.com, Best Buy, or Circuit City? Or someplace else?
I would throw Egghead auctions in there, but you have to be leery since their bankruptcy. They did have great prices, selection, quality goods from reputable vendors, and quick delivery. Bought a ton of stuff from that site, but no more.
posted on September 9, 2001 12:40:47 PM
I usually research the going prices on Outpost, followed by the Regular chain store prices, Circuit City, Best Buy, etc. . . Then I'll check and see if I can find it new in the box on eBay. If not, I'll see if Wal-Mart has it, as they are usually about 50 bucks less on the same electronic item than Best Buy and the rest of those boys.
posted on September 9, 2001 01:05:10 PM
I check the prices at Buy.com (purchased a lot of electronics there, but kind of leery lately, since they're teetering on the brink), etc. online.
Sorry fellow sellers, but I don't even check eBay, Amazon auctions etc.
Then I check around locally & buy according to the best price.
posted on September 9, 2001 03:36:50 PM
I would check with pricegrabber.com. This is an excellent search engine that will search the sites listed AND ones not listed for the best price including shipping.
DJ
http://www.onecentmusic.com/ the best place for everything Music!
posted on September 9, 2001 07:39:20 PM
TigerDirect and ComputerGeeks have some terrific bargains, but you need to know something about what you are buying and you need to read the catalog descriptions and terms and conditions carefully.
posted on September 9, 2001 08:00:35 PM
If I were sure of the make and model number I would go to cnet first to do a price check, then refine that with price plus shipping plus handling/transaction fee some companies add, noting which co's claim to have it in stock. I might also check their feeback on various bulletin boards as to service in case of problems.
Cheap is great if you buy from a customer friendly company, but many of the cheapies are not service oriented. So I am careful and do not always go for the "cheapest" since corners have to be cut somewhere....can you spell c.u.s.t.o.m.e.r. s.e.r.v.i.c.e?
Buying by price and price alone is ill advised. Once you have paid, you can be in deep doo doo if anything goes wrong with the transaction, like with Crazy Eddie or ubid for example. And watch those warrenties (are you getting "grey" market goods with a seller warrenty, not the manufacturers?)
posted on September 9, 2001 08:56:36 PM
I have bought several items from 800.com and very pleased with the service. I also check buy.com and etronics.com (formerly supremevideo.com).
I have looked at amazon a few times and their prices are not competitive. I have also looked at pricegrabber.com and have not found any companies there that I would feel comfortable sending money to.
Computershopper.com has a nicely integrated search system which has their reviews and shopping links.
posted on September 9, 2001 09:07:57 PM
I go to cnet.com and from there you can research all models and brands, read reviews and search by features, price, etc. When you get done looking you can search all the products you picked up by price and it does a websearch for you by price and customer satisfaction. Great website... www.cnet.com
greybiscuit
posted on September 10, 2001 12:57:31 AM
When I bought my digital camera two years ago I checked around. I compared online stores - Bestbuy and several others I can not think of at the moment, I looked at eBay, and I also checked B&M stores in the area. First, I would not seriously consider buying high dollar electronics on ebay due to questionable customer support and uncertain warranty coverage. Perhaps I could have saved a buck or two online but it is very important to me to have a real person to yell at (-um...talk to) if it becomes necessary. The only way I would consider purchasing online is if I felt secure with the company and it's customer service/return/warranty policies.
I finallly purchased mine at Wal-mart (hey, I work for 'em) and am very glad I did, as I did have to send it in for repairs under warranty about 8 months later (no charge).
posted on September 10, 2001 08:24:38 AM
Pricewatch. I've spent thousands on stuff I've found through them in the past few months.
I would NOT, NO WAY, NO NO NO, buy from an ebay seller. Way too much hassle, far too much potential downside. Even though I once bought a used notebook from an ebay seller and it turned out to be a good person, good deal, good notebook, good overall transaction (despite Paypal's best attempts to sabotage), more of my transactions have been less than satisfactory.
My general complaints about ebay sellers are their lack of communication, and the hurdles involved in actually placing a transaction. With an ordinary online store, all I have to do is click, type in my credit card #, and poof, there's the item in the UPS truck a few days later. With ebay sellers I have to procure some silver-lined gold juju beads from the horn of Africa, because they don't accept any other payment form or they will give you NEGATIVE feedback. Then, I have to have it hand-delivered on donkey-cart, because they will give NEGATIVE feedback if it's not delivered exactly to their specifications. Then, I have to wait until they recover from the bad back, and get over greiving for their long lost (insert beloved person's name here), until they get around to ship the item.
Do I need to go on?
Do we really need to ask the question "where have the buyers gone?"
posted on September 10, 2001 10:57:46 AM
I think you can buy anything on eBay and do ok;really depends on the seller--I have bought a computer on eBay. While my needs for a computer are relatively pedestrian, I now know too much and would want one largely custom built around a dual processor mobo. Cameras are easier; buy from an authorized dealer.
posted on September 10, 2001 11:11:53 AM
Well, count me in the minority. I purchased my Mavica on ebay. Did my homework first, knew exactly what I wanted & what the going retail price was. Even check w/some of the Sony outlets to get the "refurbished directly from Sony" price.
My seller was outstanding. From final rap of the gavel to in my hands snapping pics was under 6 days.
BUT I also did my homework w/sellers. I reviewed current & previous sales, got a good idea of the average price it was selling for, reviewed various seller's feedbacks and response times. I hit the jewel of the crop.
Where others wanted upwards of $20 shipping, this one did it for exact priority & insurance. The price was outstanding (I sniped a pretty darn good price), the seller was outstanding & the camera was perfect.
But I did study sellers for about a week until I found someone I thought I could trust. Turned out well in my case & I'd buy from him again in a new york minute.
