HMV (hmv.co.uk)

Member Name: danball

Product:	hmv.co.uk
Date:	11/03/09 (104 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sometimes Cheap

Disadvantages: Everything Else

I have shopped in hmv for as long as my memory allows me to remember, I must have spent a small fortune in their over the years but I have rarely used their online shop. There are a few reasons for this and I'll have a go at explaining why now.

Firstly, the cost. If you are shopping online for cds, games or dvds there are a more than a handful of websites that offer the exact same item for considerably less. I tend to use play.com for these items as they are normally much cheaper. However, when the time of year comes around for HMV to have a sale, I find that they are much cheaper than anywhere else. I always keep a bit of money aside to stock up on dvds and games when I know that a HMV sale is coming as its well worth it, you can make some real savings. I do find that the sale prices online and the sales prices instore can vary massively. Do not expect to get that bargain you spotted online in one of their stores.

Secondly, the website itself. The HMV site seems to take a very long time to load, even with a fast internet connection. Once you do manage to get it loaded the presentation of the site is very poor. The layout is quite confusing and they seem to attack you with all manner of offers and adverts (no pop-ups though, always a bonus). The search function can bring up a strange selection of items, even if you type in exactly what you are looking for. I've often resorted to searching the HMV site via google. Not exactly a great indicator of their service. I have also had their site crash on me a number of times, losing everything I had placed in my shopping basket in the process, something that it very frustrating to say the least.

Thirdly, the delivery times. I know that the items ordered from the HMV site are shipped from Guernsey so it may take some time but I have sometimes been left waiting for more than a week for my item to arrive. Twice I have had to wait almost a month for items that, after being told they are in stock and placing my order, I was notified that they were out of stock and would be delivered 'as soon as possible'. If I had known that they were out of stock I would have ordered them elsewhere! I don't know what system they use to monitor stock levels but I would suggest that they review it as soon as possible. Other sites (the superior play.com for example) seem to have their stock information totally up-to-date so I wonder why the high-street giant HMV cannot get this right?

In summary, I would only use hmv.co.uk during a sale. Always check other online retailers prices before placing an order as you may well still get it cheaper elsewhere.

Summary: Avoid unless necessary.