Alternatives to Amazon.com?

[Captain Tagon]

Maybe I'm lucky. But I've never had any problems with Amazon and I've ordered everything from novels to obscure CDs to RPG books.

 

[Xath]

I really like Overstock.com and ebay.com. They don't always have everything that you want, but when they do, the prices are really good.

 

[johnsemlak]

I've been happy wiht Amazon myself, and I'm quite grateful they've gotten me stuff all the way to Russia. They definitely screw up from time to time, but in my experience if they do they make amends (refunds, reship product, etc).

If there's an online bookseller that offers an overall better combo of service, choice, and convenience, I'd be surprised. But that's been my experience with them.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Maybe I'm lucky. But I've never had any problems with Amazon and I've ordered everything from novels to obscure CDs to RPG books.

Pretty much the same here. I've had the occasional problem, but every retailer has issues, and they were always quick to fix whatever was wrong.

(Though I suppose I ought not to tempt fate by saying that when I've got two orders outstanding. )

 

[JoeBlank]

Another "me too" for no problems with Amazon. But I have read and heard plenty of complaints about them. The common denominator seems to be pre-ordering, before a product is released. Amazon likes to predict release dates, sometimes with little basis in reality, and seems to do a poor job of managing any sort of "waiting" list.

Whenever something high-demand is about to come out, I watch to see when it is officially released, on Amazon and elsewhere. Then, and only then, will I order it from Amazon. I always get the product within the time promised, and oftentimes before those who pre-ordered.

 

[mojo1701]

One of my housemates with a credit card owed me some money, so I found "Arrested Development" Seasons 1 and 2 50% off, plus an extra deduction of US$10 if I buy both together.

It came quite fast, and I am quite satisfied, although I was hoping that this deal was through Amazon.ca, since it was a shipment over $39, which would've had us qualify for free shipping.

 

[ssampier]

hmm, has anyone had problems with pre-orders with Barnes & Noble.com? I have Star Wars: Clone Wars II on pre-order, so I hope I get it delivered in time.

 

[Bront]

The only "Problem" I've had with Amazon.com is ordering the M&M 2.0 book, which after contacting them reciently, was told it should ship by December 1st. Since I don't think they've charged me yet, I can't complain too much.

 

[Zander]

...you've got the release date wrong for the movie.

No, I haven't. See movies on DVD at MSN.

I don't know whether they sold any copies of this movie after Nov. 8. I think they may have done. But whatever the situation, when they set the re-release date, they should have a) informed customers who had pre-ordered as soon as they knew themselves which they didn't and b) allowed those customers who had pre-ordered to cancel without penalty which, again, they didn't.

Incidentally, I bought the Spiderwick Field Guide and WFRP Realms of Sorcery and not from Amazon: Spiderwick from a high street bookstore and WFRP RoS from Orcs Nest, my FLGS.

 

[jaerdaph]

My Amazon horror story: About two years ago I ordered a WotC hardcover and a couple of softcover sourcebooks with the free snail shipping. They arrived completely folded in half and shrink wrapped together. I returned them, but it took them four months to reimburse my credit card completely - they kept reimbursing me in small increments over that time rather than the whole thing at once. I didn't buy anything from them again until this year for work. And I used to be an amazon junkie.

I'll take the En World store, Barnes and Noble, and my FLGS over amazon anyday.