We would like to bring you a lot more online store coverage, since we know that many of you are visiting from other parts of the country than just New York or California. (Hello out there!) And while we really like to support the little guy, the local store, the interesting and unique mom-n-pop shop, sometimes we just have to turn to the big ones too.
And why not kick it off with the biggest one of all: Amazon.com. To be honest, sometimes we actually forget about Amazon.
We forget about Amazon's newish Gourmet Food store, their beta Grocery service, and of course their good deals and free shipping on pretty much any housewares or kitchen item you can think of.
Their vast selection and good deals make them an obvious place to shop for kitchen appliances and gadgets, but they are so huge sometimes we forget to check there first. They're not just books and music, after al.
The downside to Amazon is the same for every online store: you can't touch the product, feel it in your hand, or play with it before purchasing. Sometimes, too, Amazon's mix of in-house products and outside vendors gets a little confusing; we spent quite a bit of time sorting through different product listings for the exact same knife before realizing they were all describing the same thing. Then we had to figure out shipping costs for each individual vendor and decide where to buy it.
Still, whatever good customer experience Amazon loses in its overwhelming product selection and at times poor interface they make up for by, well, their overwhelming product selection and good prices. We have always had good experiences ordering from them.
Any other perspectives? Good experiences? Bad? Secret tips to getting the most out of the big old Amazon.com?
| Website: | www.amazon.com |
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© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Aside from their generalyl unbeatable prices, I find Amazon most useful for the wealth of customer reviews. Given the range of, for example, indoor contact grills (george foremans, panini presses, etc.), sifting through the reviews is generally the only way I feel comfortable picking one model from the dozens available. The reviews are also great for finding unexpected flaws in popular products, tips on use (especially for things like rice cookers and yogurt makers), and occasional product hacks.
For anything electric, and also for cookware, I always check Amazon reviews before buying (regardless of where I eventually purchase).
Same goes for books, too. And I am an unabashed lover of Amazon Marketplace for cheap cookbooks. The discount on used or remaindered books can be incredible.
I like Amazon.com too but I thinkt they're a real pain to order from. Unless its a really great deal (and admittedly, Amazon has plenty of those), I try to buy locally, even if that means I drive 45 minutes into the city. Way easier, faster and more satisfying then ordering online.
LOVE LOVE LOVE amazon.com. I have had no problems using the website.
If I can't find it at a local store, most likely, amazon.com will have it. I love the reviews too. I depend on them when selecting household items. And you can't beat free shipping for most items over $25.
for cookbooks, I prefer Jessica's Biscuit
(the site is UGLY, but the books are well priced and they give you coffee and other freebies)
http://www.ecookbooks.com/
or
Powell's
for new and used
http://www.powells.com/
since it's a great real store that's made a perfect leap into online selling. and unionized workers.