If only they had a loyalty card! (Play.com)

Member Name: gothiron

Product:	Play.com
Date:	20/09/01 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free post, Cheaper than mainline sellers, Huge range of media

Disadvantages: So easy to spend a bomb, Easy to become a real sad DVD anorak!, None really

In the world of on-line ordering, play247 (or as I prefer to call them, Visa's best friend) seem to have got it spot on.

Only having a humble R2 player (and a portable!) I can't comment upon the Region 1 stock in depth, only that the range offered seems to be massive and must bring a smile to all multis out there, but Region 2, I'm in my element.

I've yet to fail in my quest for a dvd when searching this site, the information available with the titles is first class and usually is more informative than a lot of the glossy dvd mags out there. Add to that the fact that there are usually various versions available that you wouldn't have a chance in hell of finding in your average high street retailer (I've a better library than Dixon's!) from Director's Cuts, SE, widescreen and bog standard makes purchasing from here a real pleasure.

Where play247 really wins over Amazon and Jungle is the speed of delivery and best of all FREE POSTAGE! I've had dvds arrive next day from ordering - unlike the standard week if you are lucky from Amazon, and no more having your online savings wiped out by excessive P&P charges (Jungle - take note!) I haven't received a faulty disc yet - and have purchased around 40 or so from play247 and I am always impressed by the prices. It's rare to find standard DVDs over £16 and even the twin sets (no not matching cardi and jumper with pearls) such as Farscape turn out at around £18.

I am constantly astounded when I see people enthusing over the bargins they get in WHS or Dixons, you want to shake them by the neck and say - shop on line, live a little!

The site offers secure payment service and unlike many of the mainline commercial sites such as WHS and Woolies, the servers actually seem to be able to process a transaction without recourse to major network errors and duplicate billing. The site is so simple to navigate and a lot of thought has obviously
gone into working out how people want to shop on online and how important it is to have pages that aren't massively graphic intensive and take yonks to load.

But it's not just DVDs, the service and range on music and games is just as good and several times the mighty Amazon has failed to locate a CD whereas play247 whips into the lead and offers cut price deal on top. The Best of Suzanne Vega being a notable success - who cares if it comes from Canada!

I would recommend the site to anyone with a credit card, although not to those of an addictive nature. Best comparison I can give is this: At times, it's even cheaper than ebay!

Efficient service, quality goods, value for money, easy accessibility and well structured shopfront - Marks and Spencers have a look!

Summary: