I have experience of Amazon.co.uk both as a buyer and as a seller of books and cds that I no longer need. In almost every case I have been completely satisfied with the service, and that is not true of every online store that I have used.

There is a bit of a rigmarole involved in becoming a seller, but once the system is up and running, it is miles better than ebay, for example. For a start there is no time limit for the items you list for sale, and this prevents the annoying practice of fees building up even when your items don't sell.

If I want a book to give as a gift, then I always purchase at amzon itself, because the delivery is fast, and often free, and I know the goods will arrive and will be in good condition. I also like the fact that I can order goods to be sent to family and friends, which is great when you run a little late on remembering birthdays etc.

For my own use I tend to order second hand, unless the price difference is minimal, or I need it very fast.

There are good reasons why this is one of the market leaders in oline sales: fast, reliable and flexible choice of own range with links to cheaper alternatives. I will remain a loyal customer, methinks, to the core amazon range and also to the fringe sellers who offer better value in some situations.