Good solid and reliable online store (waterstones.co.uk)

Member Name: dcmbarton

Product:	waterstones.co.uk
Date:	09/02/09 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ease of use

Disadvantages: Lack of information, and non-competitive prices

For many years I have shopped online almost entirely with Amazon.co.uk; then for Christmas, someone gave me a Waterstones token. Initially I was disappointed as most of the books I would want are rather obscure, and I didn't expect Waterstones to stock the same quantity and variety. I was wrong.

I found the book I wanted relatively easily by searching by ISBN number. The book stated 9-13 days delivery, and eventually arrived after three weeks, but to be considerate to them, it was the New Year period. I found setting up an account no harder than any other online shop, and payment was made quickly and efficiently.

Further investigation revealed that they did in fact have most of the books I would have wanted. Generally though, when you are used to shopping with Amazon.co.uk, the Waterstones store was somehow disappointing. The information provided about the items offered for sale was limited. I didn't find the site's search facility to be very effective either, and obviously the items are often considerably more expensive than the prices offered by Amazon.co.uk

Generally, it was a good experience, but unless forced to do so, I wouldn't really change from Amazon.co.uk; more than anything, the prices are simply not competitive.

Summary: It's OK, but Amazon.co.uk does so much more!