Choose your own pun on WOW!! (cd-wow.com)

Member Name: star500

Product:	cd-wow.com
Date:	19/05/03 (106 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Low prices, Free and fast delivery

Disadvantages: They could expand their dvd range a bit

I have to admit that I am a bit of a shopaholic when it comes to CDs and, more recently, DVDs. No matter how many I own, there is always another one that I want and my poor credit card gets a bashing every so often.

So you can probably understand why CD Wow is one of my favourite sites on the internet and not just because their prices are excellent (£8.99 for a chart CD with free P&P). But what exactly makes CD Wow so good? Read on....

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When you first access the site, it may be a bit daunting as there is a lot of information on the front page. The centre of the page has highlights of top CDs or DVDs and has a list of new releases and pre releases. To the left is the current top 20 best sellers chart and on the right is a menu where you can access the different categories on the site (Region 1 or 2 DVDs, pre-releases, etc) and a search box.

The prices on CD Wow are fantastic with most chart CDs retailing for just £8.99. Some limited edition or 2-disc CDs are around £10.99 with most compilations (eg Now, Smash Hits, Kerrang!, etc) priced at about £12.99. [Please note, the double CD and compilation prices vary].

DVDs have various prices too but are very competitive and there is a good selection (albeit not as varied as places like Play or Amazon but still a decent range). In the past few months, they have segregated their Region 2 DVDs into their own category (they were previously mixed in with the other regions) which makes it simpler to buy if you don't have a multi-region player and can only play R2 discs.

They also have a bargain basement where you can pick up CDs for just £6.99 and some DVDs for only £4.99. You'd be surprised at some of the bargains that you find there. Recently they have started selling PS2 and X-Box games but as I'm not a big games fan, I can't really comment on their prices.

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I find that the site itself is easy to navigate and when you
search for an item, it searches all categories and displays the results under each one (CDs, Games and DVDs).

You can register with the site and store your name, address and preferences (but not your credit card details - these have to be entered each time you make a purchase). You can also create a wish list, check your order history and see the status of any items you have ordered recently.

For those of you who have never purchased online before, you may be a bit apprehensive about sending credit card details over the internet. However, I have been using CD Wow for the best part of two years and have never had a problem. They use SSL and all of their transactions are handled by Worldpay. After you have ordered, you get a confirmation email from CDWow and an email from Worldpay also confirming your payment. On the day that your goods are despatched, CDWow send you another email to let you know that they are on their way.

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As most of their goods come from Hong Kong (well that's what it says on the customs label!!) they tell you to allow 5-7 working days for delivery but I have found that many of my parcels arrive in about 3 days - especially CDs. Most are small enough to put through the letterbox so the postie doesn't have to wake you up in the morning (which is always a bonus!)

Hang on, did I just mention Customs? Isn't that a bit dodgy when it comes to charges and the like? Well, as far as I'm aware, you are allowed an £18 limit before customs take a look at what's inside your parcel. A few months ago I ordered a DVD box set that you would find on the high street for £30; as the CD Wow price was only £17.99 and that was the value that they put on the box, the customs people didn't bat an eyelid!!

More recently I ordered a R1 Dark Angel Boxset (which rocks BTW) on pre-release at the cut price of £29.99 (RRP of £59.99) and it managed to be delivered safely to my door (all the w
ay from Sweden of all places!) without customs even bothering with it. Oh and did I mention that it arrived five days before its release date?! :o)

I am not sure how CD Wow are for items such as PS2 games (as some games are £30-ish) or how often they get stopped by customs because I usually just buy CDs and DVDs. I do know that if you order more than one item, they are dispatched separately so that helps to decrease the overall value of your package.

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Customer service from CD Wow is second to none. I have only ever had to contact them once about a DVD that was scratched and they answered my email within two hours apologising for the inconvenience. They sent me a freepost envelope to send the DVD back (not to Hong Kong though - can't remember exactly but it was a UK address) and a replacement was dispatched which arrived just three days later.

I've also emailed them a few times with various questions about their site or items in stock and have always got a quick, comprehensive reply - even at weekends!

I have heard and read other good things about their customer service but I won't go into that now or else I'll be here all night!! Although one thing I would like to mention is that if your CD case arrives cracked or damaged, if you contact them, they will send you a new one free of charge.

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I honestly can't praise CD Wow enough and they really are my favourite online retailer without a doubt. They have a great selection of top-selling CDs (including a few of the less well known bands that I listen to) and you can pick up some great bargains in their DVD section. The only thing I would say though is that because they are a worldwide supplier, check your DVD region carefully if you don't have a multi-region player. It also might be an idea to check the track listing of CDs as well especially if the artist has brought out different versions in certain countries -
just to make sure that you get the version that you want.

So go on - why not take a look and see what they've got - you might just be tempted!!


[PS - I'm not sure just what is happening with the lack of Capital Letters at the start of my review - take it dooyoo has an ickle bug then?? heehee!! ;0) ]

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