This jungle is a shoppers paradise (amazon.co.uk)

Member Name: MandyMinx

Product:	amazon.co.uk
Date:	06/10/03 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: EASY TO NAVIGATE, GOOD SERVICE, FAST DELIVERY

Disadvantages: SUGGESTIVE SELLING

Being a little slow off the mark I watched people chatter about Amazon.co.uk for months and months before I actually got around to taking a proper look at it. To be honest it was the book section that appealed to me as I am a big reader and have become a lot more selective about the books I read. I found myself with an ever increasing list of books that I wanted to read and a recent visit to WHSmiths left me frustrated as many of them on my list were not in stock. It seemed only natural to check the web to find some of these titles were available there.

The home page is quite busy but not busy enough for you to get lost in it. I hate those front pages that have so much information that you haven't a clue where to start. If I find a site confusing then I tend not to stick around. My theory is that if you find the site hard, getting your money back if there is a problem is usually going to be difficult too.
You are encouraged to register and add a password. I found this a good idea. It means by logging on you can access your own information really quickly. Amazon keep you alerted to things that they think might be of interest to you. This is just old fashioned suggestive selling and while it doesn't inconvenience me, I don't usually take advantage of it.

So what do Amazon sell? Well they sell loads of stuff, from books and DVDs to Toys, Microwaves and even holidays (Through Expedian.co.uk). They sell new, or you can buy used which redirects you to the Amazon marketplace. Very often it actually works out more expensive to buy used. That sounds daft doesn't it? What I think I am saying to you is take an extra minute and check out all your options. After all it is nice to have a choice.
I have to say I haven't entered a book title that hasn't been available. I am very impressed and it sure beats trawling from shop to shop with a big list and sore feet.

The site is easy to navigate. In my opinio

n the se
arch facilities are fast and efficient. Categories at the top of the page lead you to certain sections, all clearly highlighted. Here you have the opportunity to browse or do a direct search if you know what you are looking for. The good thing about Amazon is that you can read the opinions of people who have purchased the product. This is similar to Dooyoo except that each review is attached to the product for sale so that if you like what you see and you like what you read, then you can put this item straight into your shopping basket and you are away.

I found this a really helpful service, especially when buying books. Sometimes reading the publishers notes on a book doesn't always give you a clear picture of whether this book is your kind of read or not. Many a time I have put a book back because I haven't been sure whether it's a thriller or a murder mystery for example. Reading the opinions of others does help with the decision making. Amazon offer similar books, on similar subjects. You are told what other people who bought the book also bought. Again, this is suggestive selling. I am sure some people find it really useful. Not me though. I don't really care what everyone else is reading.

Another nice feature is the fact that Amazon keeps a record of the items you have looked at. I don't know about you but I am terrible for changing my mind. I do it all the time and although I will browse loads of products I will usually end up buying the one I fancied originally. It's nice to be able to go straight back to these items at the click of a button so as not to waste time.

So what happens when you have decide to buy something? Well, with one click it is transfered to your shopping basket. The shopping basket is easy to change, items can be added and removed at the click of a button. Again this is a really handy function for me because being the sort of person that changes their mind on a whim, I can conf
ident

ly do so as many times as I want. Another thing I like is that there is a clear balance displayed on the side of whatever page you are looking at. I like to be able to see what's in my shopping basket as I usually have a limit and like to keep a close eye on my purchases. You can also put items in your wish list. Having scorned this sort of thing on other sites I do actually use this facility. It's a good place to pop all the little things I come across that I can't afford at the time but would like to buy at some point. I use it more for books and DVDs than anything else to be honest.

You can choose to have things sent gift wrapped which is a really good idea for christmas. I have not used this facility but have been informed by other's that it is expensive.
I have also not taken advantage of the opportunity to sell some of the items I have no longer any use for. You can do this on Amazon although I have been told that payments from sales can sometimes take a long time to arrive.


Anyway when you've decide what you want to buy, after changing your mind a few dozen times, it's time to make sure that Amazon know where to send it and how you're going to pay for it.
Postage for orders over twenty five pounds are free and are estimated to arrive within 3 to 5 days. You can pay extra for first class, next day delivery. I personally have tried both services. I was happy with both and the order tracker was a real comfort. I was able to check when my items were dispatched and when they should be delivered. I found that with the next day delivery my book did actually come the next day and when I opted for the free service they actually came much sooner than the date that I was first given. It was also good that Amazon did E mail me as soon the order had been dispatched.




The details that Amazon asked for we not too intrusive and when I made a mistake filling in my card details it ex
pl
ained wh
at I had done wrong. So many times, on other sites, I have sat there repeating the same mistakes over and over again until I have given up and forgot the whole thing. Amazon also have gift vouchers. Many of the Internet sites give Amazon vouchers as incentives for filling in surveys or writing reviews. I had some to spend and as soon as I gave Amazon the voucher numbers they were added to my account and the great thing was that any money I didn't spend was credited to my account and deducted from my next purchase. My second order was even easier than the first as the payment page was all set up and all I had to do was check the details and place my order. I received an immediate confirmation via E mail and then of course the dispatch confirmation I told you about earlier. All I had to do then was sit back and wait for the goodies.


I have to admit when I order from an internet site I am very cautious. I did find Amazon a really easy site to navigate. It was fast, prices were clearly marked and the illustrations were clear and helpful. I found the product information was accurate and this did make shopping so much easier.
There was plenty of choice and some of the special features like the opportunity to order DVDs and books before the release date made shopping less of a hassle. I liked being able to change my mind without having to start again. Prices were reasonable and very competitive and being able to choose between new and used was a handy option.
I was happy with the efficient way that details were logged and used in future transactions.
I was a bit put off by all the suggestive selling I have to say, but not enough not to go back.

Of course the proof of the eating is in the pudding or so they say. My pudding was delivered on time and everything was shipshape. The children are very happy with the popcorn maker I bought for them and I have a whole host of new books to read and review.
Amazon will defin <
br>itely be a site
I will use again.

Summary: