Add to Your DVD Collection While Avoiding the Dreaded Human Contact!!!
Written: Aug 22 '01 (Updated Oct 18 '01)
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The Bottom Line
A good e-tailer with a solid reputation, Express.com's strength lies in its DVD selection. Buy movies here and prosper, buy anything else at your own risk.
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| Full Review |
If you?re reading this, you obviously know how amazing the Internet is. Where else can you find the average rainfall in the Amazon basin in less than 30 seconds? Students around the world are researching and plagiarizing term papers with greater efficiency than ever before, and don?t even get me started on what makes up 75% of the WWW. While this is all well and good, I?ve recently discovered the real use for the Internet. Between accessing the Library of Congress and shooting off my mouth on epinions, you can most likely find me shopping. Yeah, I really hate going to the store or mall, but when you're online it's a whole different world. Stuff is just so much cheaper online especially DVDs, and when I shop for DVDs I usually shop at express.com. (Howzat for an intro transition?!)
The good folks at Express.com consider themselves the web?s leading entertainment store, and on this point I wholeheartedly agree. This company has a long history of providing quality service at decent prices. Initially known as DVD Express back when the company was founded in 1996, the web site went online shortly afterwards in 1997. Changing their name in January 2000 after a merger, the newly renamed express.com has repeatedly attempted to prove to their customers that they're more than just movies. Unfortunately, a few glaring problems make it impossible for me to recommend this site for anything other than VHS cassettes and DVDs. Clicking to express.com, one quickly recognizes 5 subcategories:
DVD Movies
Wow! The Internet's first DVD retailer, Express still boasts the greatest selection. Their warehouse must be the size of the Pentagon, because their selection is right on par with Amazon. Preorders are available on most future releases, just toss it in the cart and they'll ship when your movie arrives. One of the main reasons I've given up shopping at brick and mortar stores is the money I can save online, even after factoring in shipping and handling. This is one of the main reasons I initially found myself at Express. Prices are good, but not the best out there. Express typically knocks about 15-20% off retail for lesser known and 15-25% off for more popular DVD?s. I personally know some eBay DVD speculators who use express.com for their wholesale DVD needs. (Shhhh, but don't tell anyone...)
Sadly, for someone firmly fixated upon price, these discounts just aren't enough. Anyone who's spent time pricing goods online knows that with a little hunting one can discover DVD discounts of 35-45% off retail. (Not to mention closeout specials at sites like overstock.com)
-Anime
Just a side note. In my town there's not exactly an overabundance of those so called "comic book stores." You know the places I'm talking about...unremarkable cars in the parking lot, large, balding 26 year olds who live with their parents on the inside... Even rarer is one that sells quality anime DVDs witout charging an arm, a leg and then another arm. In this respect express provides a welcome change. I've spent a great deal of time searching for some of the relatively obscure anime titles out there and I know that if I ever have trouble finding them, I can come here and buy without getting completely ripped off. Fans can browse through an entire anime subcategory, and all titles feature a subheading where they can browse Other selections popular with those who have purchased the movie.
Videogames
This is one category in which this site fails miserably. Maybe Express was just attempting to clear out summer inventory, but when I visited in August, the only console games available were closeouts. Closeout prices are great (60% off retail), but for everyday shopping I can't give my trustedun seal of approval. Poor selection, is like a third eye on the face of a blind date--a real dealbreaker.
PC game selection was much better, but prices were all over the board. Popular titles sell for list, while older and less popular games sell for up to 75% off. All the necessary add-ons and strategy guides are available, as well as all the racing wheels and graphics cards one could imagine. Short customer game reviews are included. Selection is better than console games, but not nearly as good as movies.
Music
Music selection is good, and titles are usually in stock, but the prices are nothing to write home about. Go to cdnow.com for better prices. Express usually has about 200 CDs sitting in their bargain basement, but even these prices aren't enough to get me whoopin' and hollerin'. Am I hammering home the idea that Express should've stuck to what they do best?? You bet!!
Electronics
Hearing the word "electronics" you might picture rows of shiny DVD players and amplifiers, or at least maybe a few portable CD players. Unfortunately, Express peddles nothing but accessories. Batteries, headphones and CD carrying cases seem to be the order of the day here. Once again, the closeout prices are mildly intriguing, but *yawn* this jaded netophite has seen much better.
Cool Stuff
Well, this is kinda nifty. Like that weird shop in the mall that sells everything from risque gag gifts to lava lamps to Britney Spears posters, this area boasts all the trendy stuff any self-respecting TRL addict wouldn't be caught dead without. Everything from N*Sync posters to Rugrats to Rocky Horror, it's all here. This area obviously boasts more closeouts than the remainder of the site. Still looking for the passé? Look no further for all things Blair Witch, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Wild Wild West. There are some hidden treasures here, but like a trip to the neighborhood thrift store; you?ll most certainly dig through mountains of pop culture garbage before you find 'em.
Well, that's the lowdown on the different departments. The site itself navigates easily and looks decent. A helpful 'Getting Started' tab introduces newbies to the site and outlines site features. Before you can purchase through Express, you have to register, but one has the option of storing your credit card on their secure server. I chose not to do so, but for anyone brave enough, the entire checkout process is reduced to a click of the mouse. There's your elusive convenience. Everything appeared reasonably secure, but I swear I glimpsed the express webmaster gleefully scribbling down my credit card number. (But in reality I'm probably just be paranoid.)
Shipping rates are average, but packaging is very good. I've ordered numerous DVD's, and I can always count to Express to wrap them up well. No flimsy packaging here, short of running over your package with a postal jeep, try as he might, the cheerful USPS worker won't even be able to scratch your "Ferris Buehler's Day Off" DVD. As an added bonus, express occasionally tosses in little goodies as thanks for your business. I received everything from post-its, to a balsa airplane, to a decent little calculator. These added bonuses, while harmless, were a nice addition and free advertising for Express. I've never experienced any problems with shipping and returns are easy (I accidentally ordered two of a movie once and had to pay return shipping.) You can check the status of your order on the Express site and track your package with a link to USPS.com.
All in all, while not exceptional, express.com is a respectable e-tailer who knows and respects their customers. If you're looking for movies, make sure you pull off the superhighway and check out this classy shop. If you're looking for games or music, however, rev up your Pentium 4 and burn rubber toward greener pastures.
Synopsis
Movies: 9/10
Games: 3/10
Music: 4/10
Site: 8/10
Prices: 7/10
Shipping: 8/10
Customer Service: 9/10
Overall: 8/10
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 9 members
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