Buying from Amazon...

[Technical Ben]

How does it work. It's not all stuff sold direct by Amazon, right? But some stuff is? How do I tell which is which, and is it worth going for the cheaper sellers on offer?

I've not really used it before, so some advice would be helpful.

[Rik]

Amazon will tell you who the supplier is, Indigo Starfish is their Channel Island subsidiary, used mainly for CDs and DVDs. Most other names are obviously sellers, but look for the seller's rating, 98% or more is my preferred level. I happily use the sellers with good ratings, their service is generally every bit as good as Amazon, who have a vested interest in making sure they are up to scratch.

[Steve]

Some sellers orders are also fulfilled by Amazon i.e. they warehouse  the stock for them and also deliver for them.

[Technical Ben]

Thanks. The thing I've seen is a bit of PC hardware, but it looks like I could save at least £20.
It shows the Amazon logo, so I guess that means it's Amazon as the seller? That would be good, as I'd not be overly confident with the others.

The other sellers have some of the worse designs and graphics I've ever seen. Would you take me up on the offer of coming out of retirement and helping me kick them into shape? 

[nowster]

A good indicator of something actually being sold by Amazon is that "Free Super Saver Delivery" is offered for it.

[Steve]

Amazon FBA http://services.amazon.co.uk/services/fulfilment-by-amazon/features-benefits/

[Rik]

If you post the link, Ben, we'll check it is Amazon.

[Technical Ben]

I think it's ok, browsed the Amazon site, to get a better feel for it. As said the Amazon stuff has the delivery deals. on building a system I'll only save on the one part (the CPU). So might be worth ordering it from them. Everything else should be good from Dabs or Ebuyer. I just hope I get the order done before they run out of stock.

[armadillo]

Everything else should be good from Dabs or Ebuyer. I just hope I get the order done before they run out of stock.

Also try scan.co.uk  They email and text when the items are despatched and you get allocated a 1 hour delivery slot (or might have been 2hrs, can't remember!) which you can reschedule on-line if inconvenient. And they have proper telephone customer support who answer immediately and know their stuff. They will check stock for you if it is important for you to be sure before you order. They also have a neat optional insurance, which is very cheap, that replaces any item you break while fitting it.

[Technical Ben]

I think I checked them, but they were rather expensive compared to even Dabs.

[JB]

I have only ever had good experiences with Amazon.

When I had a faulty product once I was able to return it to Amazon for a rapid refund even though it was supplied by one of their 3rd party sellers. Plus they provide you with the pre paid return labels to stick to the box.

My last order, a router, was ordered on the free 5 working day service and arrived the second day after ordering it. I find that typical. Thumbs up from me 

[armadillo]

I think I checked them, but they were rather expensive compared to even Dabs.

Possibly. But I prefer to buy on quality of service. Price has always been a secondary consideration for me. Never had any problems with amazon though. I even once got a return on a substandard (but not faulty) product. It was a struggle but they did it in the end. Mind you, I don't actually remember scan as being expensive but I rarely check out dabs.

[Baz]

I find Amazon great with every thing could question their delivery terms saying next day etc but they cover their backs by saying its next day from day of dispatch, not day of ordering.

fair enough I suppose.

best unexpected refund I got from them was on as MP3 album download.The quality was poor and none of the tracks were at the same bitrate, I got in touch and they refunded my money 

[Technical Ben]

Possibly. But I prefer to buy on quality of service. Price has always been a secondary consideration for me. Never had any problems with amazon though. I even once got a return on a substandard (but not faulty) product. It was a struggle but they did it in the end. Mind you, I don't actually remember scan as being expensive but I rarely check out dabs.

True, but I've never had problems with Dabs or Ebuyer that were not dealt with correctly. Any dead on arrival stuff has been returned/replaced well. Only had one error with a delivery, a great big laser copier arrived instead of a set of speakers.  But again, they got it sorted quick. So I'm keen to keep up with them. If it changes in the future, then I'll change too.

[armadillo]

Looks like you have had only good experiences with Dabs and Ebuyer, Ben. I believe in "if it ain't broke..." so I can see why you want to stay with them.

[Technical Ben]

Yep.

I've heard of Scan before, and usually giving them a look, but  when someone sees a saving of a fiver, it's hard to turn it down. 

[Glenn]

How about Novatech, free delivery on orders over £49.99 http://www.novatech.co.uk/ I've had nothing apart from good service from them.

[Niall]

I think I checked them, but they were rather expensive compared to even Dabs.

That's very odd as Scan are cheaper or there abouts on every item I've ever bought. If its only a few quid I stick with Scan, as most add delivery on top. Plus a mate of mine worked for dabs and even he says they're very shoddy.

[armadillo]

That's very odd as Scan are cheaper or there abouts on every item I've ever bought. If its only a few quid I stick with Scan, as most add delivery on top. Plus a mate of mine worked for dabs and even he says they're very shoddy.

I agree. I have used Scan for a long time. But I just checked out Scan versus Dabs, purely on price. There is a negligible difference between the two on the items I looked at. A quid or two per item either way. Like you, I stick with a company I have been satisfied with and I will not shift for the sake of £10. Same applies to ISPs too. 

[Technical Ben]

Hence why I' not keen to shift. 

[Glenn]

I just did a quick check on an SSD I'm interested in;

Samsung 256GB 830

ebuyer £259.99 + P&P
Scan £162.30 + P&P
Dabs £169.99 + P&P
Novatech £154.99
Amazom £139.99

There are a wide range of prices there, no doubt they all buy from the same distributor/direct from Samsung.

[pctech]

For my next PC I'm going with Scan as not read a good thing about the 'new' Mesh and the guy I dealt with on their forums when I had some motherboard problems has now gone.

He organised the repair through the forum, their technical support was outsourced and was horrendous.

[JB]

I just did a quick check on an SSD I'm interested in;

Samsung 256GB 830

I'm interested in getting this same SSD within the next few weeks for a system rebuild.

I gather Novatech have quite a number of customers waiting for stock to come back in. Amazon don't seem to have it at the bargain price ATM.

[pctech]

Thing that annoys me with Amazon is, if you watch a product for long enough you'll see the price bob up and down as though the item was subject to the stock market and this can be over a number of hours.

[Rik]

The Tesco etailer.