The Sun Never Sets on DVDEmpire.com, Viewed 1,002 Times
Written: Aug 28 '01 (Updated Apr 21 '08)
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The Bottom Line
The next time you are tempted to use Amazon.com, give these fine folks a try instead.
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| Full Review |
I was recently looking for some new DVDs, and thought I'd try out DVDEmpire.com. When it comes to shopping online, I have not solidified my loyalties at all, and I am more than willing to try out a new vendor if they have what I am looking for and offer it at a decent price, while appearing trustworthy. Usually, before I make a purchase from a web company, I will do a search on Moreover.com or Google.com to see if there is any negative information or nasty consumer complaints out there about the company before I even consider keying in my credit card info. DVDEmpire.com is highly focused on DVD VIDEO, and they are not interested in trying to sell you toys, furniture, home electronics, or other stuff you are not interested in.
The company is headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, and I was very satisfied with their selection, price, and service. My first impression? I will probably order from DVDEmpire.com again in the future. I ordered eight DVDs and received them by FedEx within two days. If I had been willing to wait a little longer, the shipping would have been free. I'd have to say they have a very good website. The layout of their site is easy to navigate and pleasing to the eye. I spent close to $200 with them, and I hardly ever spend that much in one sitting when I am shopping online.
Selection
While DVDEmpire.com has a vast selection, they are not interested in bragging rights, nor do they claim to be the "World's Biggest Video Store." The site is well categorized, and movies can be found listed in their appropriate categories.
Customer Reviews
While DVDEmpire.com does feature the rare customer comment or opinion, much of the copy for each listing seems as if it were lifted from Blurbville.net, that poorly-constructed cyberspace home where bad copywriters and marketers go when they retire. Amazon.com does do a better job of offering customer comments on their DVD merchandise, but then again, I do not buy DVDs there.
Comparison Pricing
While attempting to pre-order a few DVDs across a set of five closely competing websites (Amazon.com, DVDEmpire.com, MediaPlay.com, TowerRecords.com, & WalMart.com), I came up with the following results:
Citizen Kane (1941) $22.49 at Amazon.com
Citizen Kane (1941) $22.49 at DVDEmpire.com
Citizen Kane (1941) $22.49 at MediaPlay.com
Citizen Kane (1941) $26.99 at TowerRecords.com OUCH!
Citizen Kane (1941) $23.98 at WalMart.com
Memento (2000) $18.71 at Amazon.com
Memento (2000) $16.22 at DVDEmpire.com LOWEST PRICE
Memento (2000) $18.74 at MediaPlay.com
Memento (2000) $21.99 at TowerRecords.com
Memento (2000) $17.47 at WalMart.com
Shrek (2001) $19.95 at Amazon.com
Shrek (2001) $18.89 at DVDEmpire.com LOWEST PRICE
Shrek (2001) $20.24 at MediaPlay.com
Shrek (2001) $00.00 no price posted at TowerRecords.com
Shrek (2001) $00.00 no listing at WalMart.com
Shipping Cost
I don't order online alot, but the shipping and handling prices for two-day delivery seemed in line with those of their competitors.
Shipping Time
The order was delivered on time, and reasonable expectations were established at the outset.
Online Order Tracking
I was able to track the order online though FedEx, thus giving me peace of mind. I was not there to receive it, but I knew who signed for it, and what time it was received.
Packaging
The DVDs were packaged in one end of a sturdy over-sized FedEx box that was half-full of peanuts. I was concerned that the peanuts were not packed on each end, but everything turned out fine. Each disc was neatly shrink-wrapped, and in pristine condition.
Customer Service
Since everything went fine with this initial order, I did not have a chance to test their customer service over the phone or through e-mail. My presumption is that they would easily handle this test.
Online Billing History
I can easily refer to previous orders, as my billing history is kept online. This is a necessity, as I have been known to order duplicate copies of items in the past.
Sales & Specials Email Notification
You can join their online mailing list, and be alerted to Sales and Specials. This is a convenient offering that I make use of.
HOW THEY STACK UP TO THEIR COMPETITORS:
Amazon.com - NEGATIVE: I can't but help think of this as a bookstore, and no matter how hard I try, I can't bring myself to order DVDs here... POSITIVE: can reserve copies well in advance, will not be billed until product ships, a plethora of customer reviews.
DVDEmpire.com - NEGATIVE: not enough actual consumer product reviews... POSITIVE: they offer a partner program. They are prompt and courteous. They consistently have the lowest prices across the board. They are efficiently managed and operated.
MediaPlay.com - NEGATIVE: now a wholly-owned subsidiary of BestBuy... POSITIVE: Replay Rewards program.
TowerRecords.com - NEGATIVE: cannot reserve titles well in advance, can only place order 28 days before release date... POSITIVE: 10% savings with Student Advantage discount, but you'll need it, they seem high-priced.
WalMart.com - NEGATIVE: very poor pre-order selection, poor search and sort capabilities... POSITIVES: none that I can think of.
p.s. parents, please supervise your children when browsing this site, as your youngster is always potentially two "yes" clicks away from an eyeful. (164/1,002)
Recommended:
Yes
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