Overstock.com: How Much Do You Like To Gamble?
Written: May 01 '03 (Updated Jul 11 '04)
| Ease of Ordering: |
 |
|
| Customer Service: |
 |
|
| Selection: |
|
|
| On-Time Delivery: |
 |
|
|
| Full Review |
A policy I have is that when I order anything over the Internet, I want the cheapest price, and, if possible, a rebate either through Ebates or one of the other rewards programs.
When my usual DVD supplier dropped off of all the rewards programs, I decided to start checking around. One of the first sites I came across was Overstock.com.
With that name, you have an idea of what exactly will be at the site. If you are looking for a specific item, it may or may not be at the site. What they sell is primarily the items that are "left over" at stores, or that aren't selling for one reason or another. Their products include clothing & accessories; books, movies, CDs, and games; electronics & computers; home & garden; jewelry & gifts; sports, travel & toys; and a catch-all category for everything else: worldstock.
On the media front, the items aren't just "can't sell" items - Overstock.com carries new releases. When a specific DVD I was waiting for was about to be released, Overstock.com has the most inexpensive price, low shipping charges, and a rebate through Ebates. I had to set up an account first, but I placed my order with ease. The site navigates very easily, and the search engine works very well. Both titles and brands come up remarkably fast and accurate.
Shipping costs are fairly inexpensive. On media items, the cost is $1.40 to ship one item, $2.80 for two, and a flat $2.95 shipping charge for 3 or more items. These ship via media mail and can take anywhere from two to fifteen days to arrive. On non-media items, there is a flat $2.95 shipping fee. The only change to this is any oversized items which will incur a $50 handling fee. This is made clear on the product pages for these items.
From the time my DVD shipped until the time I received it was fourteen days. I wasn't waiting with bated breath for this particular item, but I was somewhat disappointed that it took so long. I would rather pay $2.95 for the regular shipping next time.
The return policy at Overstock.com is one of the red flags that makes me hesitate to use this site again. They point out that many close-out places have an "all sales final" policy, trying to make it seem that their policy is very gracious.
Within 20 days of the shipping date of your order, you must initiate a return to Overstock.com The item must reach them within 30 days. The original shipping charges are not refundable, and there is a $.95 restocking fee, except on computers and electronics which carry a 15% restocking fee. All warranty cards - unmarked - and directions, etc. must be returned with the items.
This policy makes no distinction between something that doesn't work and something that you just changed your mind about. I know if I go to my local Target and purchase a toaster oven, if I find that it doesn't work I just take it back for exchange or refund. Occasionally, after purchasing an item, I might not use one or two features until several days or more later. Though these features would be covered under the company's warranty service, if I had already filled out the warranty card to the company, then realized something didn't work, Overstock.com's return policy says that I can't return it to them.
In fact, Overstock.com's return policy specifically excludes swimming suits, undergarments, body jewelry, software, media products, gourmet foods, flowers, and factory-sealed sports collectible sets. This policy does not say there is an exception for items that are damaged or defective. If a DVD I purchased happens to show up cracked, am I stuck with it? If a bathing suit has a defect will you be stuck repairing that hole in the seam?
Even if that allowance is made, in my case the item took fourteen days to get to me. That leaves a window of only six days to initiate a return. I must pay shipping fees to return it to them, and the restocking fee.
The scenario is like this: I buy a DVD for $16.99. There is a $1.40 shipping fee, so my order total is $18.39. The DVD arrives and is cracked. If I manage to beg and plead my case and they accept a return, I must now pay a shipping fee. I can't take the chance on media mail to get it back to them in under 30 days, so my shipping fees will probably around $2. Then there is the $4.95 restocking fee, and no refund of the original shipping fees. The only refund I will see from Overstock.com is $12.04. Of that, I have spent $2 sending it back to them. It has now cost me $8.35 and I have nothing to show for it.
In the case of other items, the same scenario applies. There is nothing in the policy about sending a replacement for defective items, so it sounds like you'd have to place a second order, paying the shipping charges once again, to get the merchandise.
I don't think I'll make a purchase at Overstock.com again, despite seeing a certain toaster oven I'd like there at a great price. Their return policy just makes purchasing something from them too much of a gamble. I'd rather pay a few extra dollars and know that I have some recourse in the case of defective or damaged merchandise.
© 2003 Patti Aliventi
revisions © 2004 Patti Aliventi
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? DVD
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
AliventiAsylum
|
 in Movies, Hotels & Travel |
 in Movies |
 - Top 50 |
|
Member: Patti Aliventi
Location: Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire
Reviews written: 2079
Trusted by: 687 members
About Me:
Now writing reviews to pay for the "out of network" costs of our health insurance...
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.