800.com - Don't Be Cheap, It Will Cost You Dearly
Written: Jul 26 '01
The Bottom Line
Buying from 800.com can save you time, money, sales tax and frustration.
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You decided what electronic device to buy. Then you might be tempted to go to the web site that offers the lowest price, right? After recent experience trying to buy a digital camcorder in this manner, I use only online stores that I have had good experience with.
Stores You Cannot trust
Let me tell you a story about my experience trying to buy an entry-level digital camcorder online and why it took me more than a week and five attempts.
Attempt Number 1
I went to a price comparison web site and sorted the stores by camcorder’s price to find the best deal. The lowest price fro Sony TRV120 was $418. I went to that site and the product page for TRV120 said it was “In Stock”, so I ordered it.
At the end of checkout process, I got the message saying that I have to call them, since “For security reasons” they don’t take your credit card number online. One of the reasons I wanted to buy online is to avoid contact with sales people. I called them and they told me that the camcorder is not in stock and they don’t expect more of them, since it is discontinued.
Attempt Number 2
I ordered a camcorder from PopularDigital.com Bad idea again. The site claimed that the DV100 was “In Stock” and the 3-day shipping is $29.95. I went through the checkout process and was waiting for my camcorder to arrive in five days.
But, after tow days, I got a phone call from them, at 7 in the morning. They called me to ask why I didn’t order any accessories. I told them I didn’t need any. They told me that the camcorder comes with 8Mb MemoryStick and non-rechargeable battery or charger, so I have to buy an extended batter and charger. Funny thing number one: can you imagine a camcorder with a non-rechargeable battery and no charger?
And their own web site says it comes with a F330 InfoLithium battery and charger. Funny thing number two: TRV120 does not support MemoryStick. When I told him that, he told me that the camcorder is not in stock and they don’t expect more of them.
Attempt Number 3
Another attempt: ordered a Panasonic DV100 from AMDV.com.The sales rep called me and insisted that the battery that comes with camcorder is good for 30 minutes only. So, of course, I have to get more accessories from them. I read in “Consumer Reports” that it lasts 80-90 minutes, so I declined. He tried to convince me for a while to get some accessories, but I refused. Than he “checked his computer” and told me that they don’t have this model.
Attempt Number 4
I went to XtremeShopper.com and ordered my DV100 there. The site’s design is excellent, they brag about 100% protection and 128-bit encryption, they feature 3-D views of products and the site said that the DV100 is in stock and TRV120 is out of stock. The cheapest ground shipping cost $28.
Two days later a sales rep from XtremeShopper.com called me to “confirm the shipping address”. Yeah, right – after that he asked me... you guessed it – why I didn’t order an extended battery, camera bag, tapes and some filters. The battery, he said, is good for only 30 minutes.
He checked his “computer” and told me there is a problem. He has DV100 with “international warranty”, so I cannot get the mail-in rebate. But he can get me DV100 with US warranty for $50 more.
Attempt Number 5 – 800.COM Rules!
I went to 800.com; the site I knew wouldn’t try such cheap tricks, and ordered my TRV120 there. It wasn’t the cheapest deal, but I got a 10% discount (they had sale on camcorders), no sales tax and the shipping was less than $9. No phone calls, no “advise” on accessories. I got the UPS tracking number the next day.
Beware!
I hope you now see what you should beware of. The online stores sometimes advertise low prices just to try to rip you off with accessories, and if you refuse, they can find the excuse to not sell you the item you wanted.
800.COM is not one of them. True, the prices there can be higher than in some other stores (but lower than in the others); but you can be sure that they will not try to make you buy “accessories”, extended warranties and such. The shipping costs are reasonable and there is no sales tax.
Web Site
800.com’s web site is quite fast and well-organized. It is easy to find what you are looking for. They also have occasional sales (10% off camcorder sale, etc.) and coupons. The ordering process is easy and you can track your order easily.
They send you 2 emails – one that they got your order (receipt) and another, when the order ships. I bought from them several times and was happy every time.
Bottom Line
Buying from 800.com can save you time, money, sales tax and frustration.
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Location: California
Reviews written: 912
Trusted by: 538 members
About Me: I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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