Amazon : More than books
by teddiec - Written: Jul 26 '01
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The Bottom Line
My overall shopping experience at Amazon.com has been a good one.
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| Full Review |
It's almost easier to list what you can't find at Amazon.com than what you can. Books, music, videos, dvds, electronics, health & beauty, and tools & hardware cover a pretty wide range of products available at this online merchant. In addition, they have partnered with other online merchants to make available an even wider product base with the same ease of shopping from the Amazon site.
I've ordered numerous items from this site (mostly books) for years, both because of the competitive prices and selection. I've yet to have a problem with delivery. From where I sit, Amazon.com has earned it's reputation as a comprehensive, competitive and reliable online merchant.
Although the site has a visually simple design, Amazon.com offers a complex array of product categories and subcategories designed with customer ease of use in mind. Each product grouping has it's own link-complete with detailed information, specials and sales, highlighted products, and search capabilities. Using a tab type format with link inclusions at the bottom, it's easy to get to any other part of the site from anywhere you are. In addition Amazon provides an easy to use 'site guide', and a very detailed 'help guide' to answer any questions you might have.
Product pages of each category are divided again, into sub-categories, should you be browsing instead of looking for a particular item with the on site search engine.
For example:
The Books category is subdivided into 'best sellers', 'new and future releases', computers and internet', 'E-books and docs', 'bargain books', and 'rare and used'.
In addition, you can utilize the search with book titles and author names or browse a convenient listing that breaks down the categories to specific interests.
The "Bestsellers list" is updated hourly, and prominently displayed along with current specials, books coming soon, and short profiles of books recommended by the editors. These kinds of additional information can be found on the individual links of each of the categories:
Books
Music
Videos
DVDs
Electronics
Health & Beauty
Tools & Hardware
When you are a member of Amazon.com the information and offers on these pages is generally tailored to fit your shopping tastes.
Membership
Membership at Amazon.com is free and requires signing up. The amount of information you choose to give is up to you, but if you intend to make purchases with a credit card you'll eventually have to give that number up. I feel comfortable with Amazon's security procedures, as they encrypt all personal information and use the latest in SSL ( Secure Sockets Layer) software for the online transactions.
Aside from making purchasing a lot easier, membership provides access to a host of 'extras'. These include digital downloads, e-cards, subscriptions & special offers, and seller services (both auctions and access to your own marketplace through Amazon or Z-shops). Your account keeps up with your information, purchases, wish list, etc. The settings option makes it easy to set up a profile however you like.
Shopping
Easy. Your virtual "shopping cart" keeps track of the items you select, and gives you the option to 'go to check out' or 'continue shopping'. Once you arrive at the checkout, you can always uncheck any item you change your mind about. If you have already provided your credit information you'll just need to select your delivery option and submit. Purchases with Gift certificates or discount coupons will need to have the number typed in for credit. Acceptable Methods of Purchases: Checks, Money orders, Credit Cards, Check Cards, Gift certificates, Promotional certificates, Purchase order alternatives, and Webcertificates.
Delivery
Domestic shipping (within the US) offers several options: Standard (3-7 days) UPS 2-day Air (2 days), and UPS next day Air. The amount varies dependant on the product category, but range is consistant with shipping charges elsewhere. To give you an idea: Shipping for books runs $3.00 per shipment/ $0.99 per item for Standard, $6.99/$1.99 for 2-day, and $10.99/$2.99 for one day delivery. (Coupons for free delivery from Amazon.com are easy to find online).
International shipping is somewhat higher and carries restrictions from manufacturers and warranties that make Amazon unable to send to all locations. It's best to check before purchasing if you live outside the US. Order tracking is available.
Amazon coupon codes for $ off orders, or free delivery can be found through a search using keywords: "amazon" and "coupons" or "coupon codes" A couple of good sites:
http://www.couponsanddeals.com/amazon-coupons.html
http://www.dailyedeals.com/free_online_coupons/amazon.htm
Most, not all, of my purchases from Amazon.com have been books. I've yet to seach for a title I couldn't find and have had good luck with deliveries (using the Standard option). Other orders have been similarly efficient and my overall shopping experience at Amazon.com has been a good one.
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Recommended:
Yes
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