Amazon.com selling books since 1995, and satisfying customers for as long
by jckatz - Written: Jul 27 '01 (Updated Jun 13 '03)
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The Bottom Line
I've been shopping here since they opened their doors and I will be shopping until they close them. Keep up the good work Amazon.com
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| Full Review |
A couple of year ago I received an e-mail from Amazon.com thanking me for being a customer for 5 years. To give you an idea my first order was October 28, 1996.
While I am not Amazon.com best customer I find my self a loyal one.
I have purchased books from only five places on the Internet
1) Amazon.com
I use Amazon.com for all my new book purchases. If I am buying a gift I use Amazon.com because they have all my families address in my account so I don't have to type anything. Just click.
Update Since I originally wrote this review I have added to items purchased to include clothing, electronics, DVD’s, and hiking equipment.
2) Half.com
http://www.epinions.com/webs-Web_Services-All-Merchants-Half_com
I use half.com to buy used books, the prices tend to be very good but shipping is slow and selection is not always perfect.
3) Ebay.com
http://www.epinions.com/webs-Web_Services-All-Merchants-eBay
Before Half.com I some times bought books at Ebay but only in box sets. Its great to get 25 random books for $10!
Update Books are almost gone from Ebay.
4) ABE.com (Advanced Book Exchange dot Com)
http://www.epinions.com/webs-Web_Services-All-Merchants-abebooks_com
If you need a hard to find used book, yes you will pay more Abe.com is the way to go. Amazon.com will try to find the book for you but it takes forever and their prices are horrible.
Update
5) Overstock.com
http://www.epinions.com/webs-Web_Services-All-Merchants-Overstock_com
This one only recently since its listed on Epinions.com. They have great shipping rates, but very strange selection. If Epinions.com lists it then it will be the best price, otherwise stick to Amazon.com or Half.com
So why have I never purchased a book from Borders.com? or Barnes and Nobles dot Com?
Well I love going to Barnes and Nobles sitting in the Café and reading the books I pick out, but I must say I love Amazon.com, and plan on sticking with them even if they cost more than Barnes and Nobles dot com.
Problems come with solutions
Anyone that has read my reviews knows that if there are problems I except someone to try to fix them. It doesn't seem like I am asking much and at Amazon.com it is not.
I have had a couple of problems at Amazon.com and I am going to tell you about them and show you just how wonderful Amazon.com was at fixing them.
BTW Amazon.com doesn’t list their phone number but they have a very good 800 number and best of all I never get put on hold.
1-800-201-7575 (If you forget it, don’t worry its listed) 1-800-555-1212 and just say Amazon.com that’s what I did until I added it to my Palm Pilot.
Amazon.com Z-Shop
Ever have a seller that didn't send you the product after you paid for it on Ebay or somewhere else? I did at Amazon.com!
The problem is easily fixed after 30 days Amazon.com will send you a check for the purchase price (not counting shipping). I sent in the request and as 30 days came around I moved. I called Amazon.com and stopped the claim. I then moved to New York and looked for an Apartment. By the time I found permanent residence the claim had expired.
Opps
I called Amazon.com explained the situation and they not only sent me the check they sent me $25 gift certificate as an apology for the delay! Yes that is right my fault and they apologized.
My book was broken
I was reading a wonderful book on Amtrak as I was moving from New York back to Chicago, then page 155 the book became another book on page 180 the book returned to normal, but I was missing 40 pages.
When I got to Chicago and logged on and sent Amazon.com an E-mail explaining the problem. The next day I get an e-mail telling me my replacement book has been ship 2nd day UPS.
Opps
I didn't tell Amazon.com I had moved (AGAIN). I called Amazon.com and they told me I would have to contact UPS but they would send me a book to the correct address. I told them not to waste the money, and I tried to get UPS to stop delivery but was unable to so they delivered it to my neighbor.
I informed Amazon.com what happened and they shipped the book to me Second Day Mail.
Would BN.com be this helpful with mistakes (all these mistakes have been mine and not Amazon.com's?) I don't know but to tell you the truth I don't want to find out!
What rock did you crawl out from under!
I take it for granted that nearly everyone has shopped at or heard of Amazon.com but incase you have not then this is for you
Amazon.com has perfected navigation, the are the people that invented the TABS at the top of the web page. Problem was they added so many items: Auctions, baby & Baby Registry, Books, Camera & Photo, CARS, Cell Phone & Service, Computer & Video Games, DVD, Electronics, Gift & Gift Certificates, Health & Beauty, Kitchen and House wares, Music, Outdoor living, Software, Tools & Hardware, Toys and Games, zShops, that the Tabs no longer worked so well. It got very crowed. So today they only show 9 or so tabs, a random selection of stores and a link to the full directory. Since I have only purchased from Zshops and Books I always have a link to Zshops and I believe everyone always has a link to Books.
After choosing the store or searching for your product among all stores, you will get an accurate search. Hope all you Epinionators are sitting down . Lately Amazon.com has lowed its discounts many books are now at list price, but I still shop there. Simply because there is no better way to buy gifts.
Gift giving
When you send a gift to some one via Amazon.com it keeps them in your address book making it ever so simple to send another gift a year later. For a small additional fee they wrap in and send a card also.
Amazon.com Suggests
This is where Amazon.com gets spooky. I have purchased and rated so many items at Amazon.com they know what I like. When you go to Amazon.com and start rating/buying they start building a profile and they figure out what you like and suggest it. Amazon.com is so confident with their suggestions they have a return policy allowing you to return any Amazon.com suggested book you buy and don't like.
WARNING
If you buy a book and don't like it RATE it. Recently I bought book two in a series because I forgot I hated book one and didn't tell Amazon.com. This was the first and only time that the suggestions failed me and it was my own faults.
The Purchase
Amazon.com even has a built in UPS tracking on its web site. Have a book coming find that it left Chicago station at 4:44 AM and it should be at your door my 3 PM.
Update
Amazon.com now gives free USPS shipping if you spend $25 or more. My next order is the Hairy Potter book. I got the free shipping so it won’t arrive on Saturday but they did send me an e-mail offering to upgrade to Saturday delivery for the normal UPS price. I didn’t need it that quickly. Also if you have more than one item and get the free shipping they will hold both items until both are available. Not to worry you don’t pay until it ships.
Sometimes Amazon.com will ship one item ahead of the other. I ordered a CD and the Harry Potter book, but my CD shipped months ahead of my book, WHY? My dad thinks it had to do with the fiscal quarter. They wanted my $14.99 NOW and not in June, fine with my I got my music and I’ll get my book when its available, and it didn’t cost me a penny extra.
Amazon.com I just Love it!
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Books, CD''s and DVD''s
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