Mercata offers Power Buys and More
Written: Jan 30 '00
|
| Full Review |
Several friends told me about Mercata and it seemed that I was reading about it over and over again on the Bargain Hunters Board on America On-Line. I finally joined up in December of 1999 and as a bonus, Mercata applied $50 in Mercata Dollars to my account. Right now, they are offering $25 to anyone who joins.
What is a Mercata Dollar you ask? A Mercata Dollar is money that can only be used on Mercata.com and can be used for up to 50% of your purchase. For example, If you are buying an item for $50, Mercata would apply $25 to your balance and you would only have to pay the remaining $25.
Mercata's biggest deal they offer is something they call Power Buys. Power Buys are a limited time buying opportunity for Mercata members to participate in. It is something that consumers have direct influence over and can get a lower price.
Mercata Power Buy group purchases bring buying power to the consumer. The more consumers who want to buy something the lower the price. Consumers cooperate with other shoppers to drive the price down by making bids, each one driving the price down. It is the exact opposite of an auction where prices are driven up.
Last week, Mercata offered a power buy of an AT&T 100 minute calling card. I got in the power buy when the card was offered at $5.50. by the time the deal was over, I ended up paying $1.00 for a 100 minute phone card. Pretty good deal to me, 1¢ per minute. : )Today, they are offering a 60 minute card. I got in on it earlier this morning and it was $5.25 but now it is already down to $3.50.
My best deal ever at Mercata has to be the VCR I bought in December. My VCR broke down last spring and I had yet to replace it. I was waiting for a good deal. I participated in a Group Power Buy for a Sharp, 4-head/Hi-Fi MTS Stereo with High Speed Rewind, EZ Set Up & Auto Clock setting. I bid $100.00 on the VCR and when the deal was over, they were sold for around $95 but with my Mercata dollars I earned by joining, I ended up paying about $49 for this VCR. My best deal in 1999. Maybe this year I can beat it.
The only problem I have ever had with Mercata is when I made a bid on something that I decided later I did not want to buy. The Power Buy was already completed too so I called Mercata and talked to the customer service department and they quickly took the purchase off my credit card. I don't know why Mercata is listed in the jewlery department because they offer so much more than jewlery.
Mercata also offers items for sale other than power buys. They offer low prices on everything they sell and you can use your Mercata dollars, if you have any. For a limited time, they are offering $25 to anyone who signs up with a new account.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Bar2969
|
|
Member: Belinda
Reviews written: 90
Trusted by: 83 members
|
|
|
View Information
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.