Spiegel.com---Nothing's Too Bad--Except The Prices!
Written: Dec 10 '01 (Updated May 23 '02)
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The Bottom Line
I've shopped at worse sites, and much better. Spiegel.com is just about average in every way except pricing. In that respect they are MUCH higher.
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I've been a Spiegel.com shopper for a year or so now and I must say the only thing that keeps me going back now and then are the frequent coupon offers that I receive. I have not been overly frustrated or exceptionally delighted with any of my experiences there. They are in a word AVERAGE.
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The Products-
Spiegel offers an array of merchandise such as clothing, housewares, jewelry, and toys. They seem to primarily cater to the female shopper, with no children's items for sale, save some bedding ensembles. Selection for women's items seems adequate, however they do offer limited items in specialty sizes. Men's apparel is somewhat less varied.
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Finding Your Way Around-
The visitor is welcomed on the front page with many features. You may pick from one of the featured areas on the front page to begin your search or use the search box.
I have always managed to confuse the search box for some reason, it never finds anything and then offers me a gift certificate. I give their search feature low marks overall.
Once you've selected a category from the departments (Fashion, Home, Kids, Electronics, Jewelry, and Gifts). You may begin to narrow your search further.
A click to Electronics, for example, will bring up sub-menus such as video games, t.v.'s etc. Once you've narrowed your search to a specific item, you will see thumbnail (small pictures) views of your items with a small
description. Some items have prices listed, others require clicking to see more information, another negative in my opinion.
I also find that often the same exact item appears multiple times in the same listing, so time is wasted clicking on two or more of the same images to see that indeed they are the same item, just listed repetitively. It's yet another annoying little bump along the Spiegel.com shopping road.
Once you've made a selection, you always have the option to add to your shopping cart. Each time an item is placed in the cart you can continue shopping or check out.
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Checkout-
Checking out is fairly straightforward. Return customers can simply log back in, and new customers need to take a moment to register at the site. After that only the selection of shipping method and payment choices remain to be made. (See below for more detail).
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Payment-
Spiegel.com accepts the following forms of payment:
Spiegel, Eddie Bauer, Newport News, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover Novus. You may also use gift certificates during the checkout process.
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Shipping-
There are 3 shipping options at Spiegel.com. Standard (3-6 business days)
Express (3 day)
Express Plus (2 day)
Shipping charges vary and are calculated by purchase amount and start at $4.95 per order. Express orders add an additional $10.00. Express plus orders add an additional $15.00.
I have received my orders via both UPS and USPS mail with delivery confirmation.
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Customer Service-
Customer service is offered on site, but you will need to do the legwork yourself for most answers here. There is an archive of F.A.Q.'s (frequently asked questions) that may answer most questions. If you hunt around you will also find the customer service number to call in case you don't come across the answer you want or if you simply get tired of trying. 1.800.474.5555.
My biggest complaint about Spiegel.com is in this area here. When your order is placed you will receive an immediate confirmation of your order, however when it will ship or has shipped will be a great mystery. My latest order placed all at once, came in 4 pieces on 3 different days by two different methods without any notification. We were out of town this weekend and had I known things were coming I could have planned better.
I also placed an order over the summer and got my confirmation right away, but no order ever came. About 1 weeks later, I got a letter saying my credit card had expired and my order had been canceled. Cancelled, without a phone call, or an e-mail to simply get the new expiration date. Not terribly efficient customer service.
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BEWARE the prices-
On a recent browsing expedition, I decided to take a gander at the Sony Playstation 2 that my husband has long had his eye on. The price everywhere else I've looked is $299. The Spiegel.com price is $399.99. I called customer service as well as sent an e-mail, and that is indeed their price. Now I don't know about you, but if they are charging $100.00 more on a big name brand item I know the price of, it doesn't make me terribly confident that their prices on lesser known items are competitive.
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Why The Heck Do I Shop Here?-
Well, I am sure at this point, you might wonder why I am still shopping at this site. In answer to that, I don't really shop here too much, but Spiegel.com does offer occaional coupons to past shoppers, and I do use them when they present themselves.
This is not a terrible site, but it's far from great. I have been quite frankly spoiled by some others that really nail down the details in your shopping experience. Eddie Bauer and Nordstrom being the two that jump to mind immediately.
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Who Might Like This Site?
I know there are people who like this site, my mother in law is one of them. As I said, it is not terrible. Navigation is simple enough, albeit with a few glitches, and you can find some downright steals at times on sale items. I would just caution anyone who is not buying a sale item to do some careful comparison shopping before finalizing your purchase.
Recommended:
No
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About the Author
Location: Washington State
Reviews written: 212
Trusted by: 205 members
About Me: Working on school! Hoping to finish soon.
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