I've shopped there for years, but now I'll never shop there again.
Written: Sep 16 '04
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I've been shopping at Buy.com for years. I've bought computer hardware, computer software, blank CDs, blank DVDs, ink, paper, and (believe it or not) tents and sleeping bags. I'll describe some of my previous shopping experiences toward the end of this review, from the many years that I was a happy customer.
Until last month. That's when Buy.com lost all of my confidence. The story:
On August 14, 2004, I placed an order for a Sony Cybershot DSC-T1 digital camera. As usual, Buy.com had a fantastic price ($430.00). The item was on back-order, but I didn't need it until September 5 (my wife's birthday), so I placed the order. Between August 14 and August 26, the camera showed up on Buy.com as "In Stock" twice. Interestingly, the price was $540.00, or about 25% higher than the price had. The second time it showed up as "In Stock," I asked if one of those could be shipped to me. I couldn't believe that I was the only one who had one on back-order, although it's possible. Instead of getting shipped a camera, I received an e-mail that claimed that the problems with the manufacturer were preventing Buy.com from fulfilling my order, and that if I really wanted the camera, I had to cancel my order and place a new order at the higher price. If there's no stock to ship, how can paying a higher price get me a camera?
I'm not a lawyer, but I believe that this is illegal. If I had any monetary loss from this, I probably would have checked with my lawyer. Since my only loss was some hair, and a few months off the end of my life from the stress, and since Buy.com didn't charge my credit card for the camera, I didn't bother.
I am no longer a Buy.com customer. Ever.
Now for the previous good stuff.
The web site is great. Easy to navigate, easy to find items, checkout is smooth. I've never had an order go wrong (before this). Many of the prices are much lower than other retailers, both on-line and local. Some prices are about the same as other retailers, but with free shipping on most purchases, I kept going back.
I never had to deal with customer service until this last order, so it probably goes without saying that I think Buy.com's customer service is useless. The only responses I received were either pre-written "your business is important to us" drivel or "pay us an extra $110.00 and your camera will magically go off back-order."
Up until a month ago, I had been telling everybody I knew what a great on-line retailer Buy.com was. We'll never know how much business I sent them. Now, I have to tell all my friends, family, and co-workers that I was way off-base, and that they probably shouldn't risk their money at Buy.com. Or is that Bait-and-switch.com?
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Sony Digital Camera
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Epinions.com ID:
jtjackson
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Location: Ellicott City, MD
Reviews written: 73
Trusted by: 5 members
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