Shopping sites.. feedback / problems

[Michelle]

Have you used a particular shopping site and have nothing but praise.. or maybe a gripe? Would you like to share the good or the bad with others? Maybe you're having problems at ebay? If any of these apply, feel free to post here. :)

[Tash]

I wished to post this just to advise people of something I noticed whilst buying through this method.

I have recently bought 6 books, all from individual sellers through Amazon. Unfortunately, Amazon themselves did not sell these books nor did one seller sell more than one, hence 6 individual sales.

Each book has cost me 2.75 gbp in p&p which I had no problem with, assuming the books would be sent by some secure method (First class recorded or something which is merely 66p on top of first class cost).

A paperback book arrived this morning, in a jiffy bag, with second class postage of 83 pence. Yesterday, I bought 10 jiffy bags the same size for 2.99, so to round up, each one costs no more than 30 pence.

I have therefore paid 2.75 p&p yet total cost was merely 1.13 gpb.

I spoke to a rep at Amazon to query this, as on their sites 'help' pages, there is a table of postage costs. You will basically be charged the same price for p&p for a book, regardless of it being a small Mr Man book or the thickest, heaviest hardback you can imagine. Someone like me who has bought a paperback has basically had to swallow the postage cost of someone with heavier taste in books.

Amazon did say that they issue guidelines to their marketplace traders, stating first class delivery, however, this is only a guideline, not a strict rule.

I was less than amused by this and found it quite an quite an insult when an item was received clearly showing less than half the price I paid for it.

After speaking to Amazon and before writing a review of this particular seller, I telephoned her and spoke to her for her feedback on this issue. I'm very glad I did. It turns out that Amazon forgot to mention to me that they take money from that 2.75 for themselves (in fact the seller gets no more than 2.32 in total). The other thing she pointed out was the amount of loss she does make on bigger, more expensive books, not being able to charge more for a more securer method of delivery. The only guideline these sellers actually have is to despatch the book within 2 days. Her own method is to send the book on the same day but by 2nd class. Her reason for this is that it will get to the buyer in the same time as a book sent 2 days later by first class and helps her recoop some of her losses. I couldn't argue with this and by the end of the conversation I felt so sorry for her.

There are some incredible deals out there through this method of buying, some serious bargains, in fact the p&p is my only gripe, but I felt it was worth bringing to peoples attention as the p&p charge is not the sellers fault. These postage costs are set by Amazon regardless of size/weight of book.

[Michelle]

There are some incredible deals out there through this method of buying, some serious bargains, in fact the p&p is my only gripe, but I felt it was worth bringing to peoples attention as the p&p charge is not the sellers fault. These postage costs are set by Amazon regardless of size/weight of book.

There certainly are - look out for the sellers selling NEW books for 1p - then it's definitley worth doing.

Thanks for pointing it out Tash, I guess alot of us are used to the likes of ebay, where we *expect* postage costs to be realistic. (yes, I know they often aren't!)

[Inanna]

I think the postage on Amazon, when buying from either Marketplace sellers or under the free delivery limit is way too much for most paperbacks.
Sellers on ebay can be the same, though I do understand that after
paying your sellers fees and paypal fees, sometimes its like giving books away!

[Michelle]

Sellers on ebay can be the same, though I do understand that after
paying your sellers fees and paypal fees, sometimes its like giving books away!

Absolutely! To me it's not worth selling small bits on ebay (books, baby clothes etc).. I'd rather give them to charity shops.

[jake]

For once I am happy about the postage costs on Amazon being capped at 2.75 as I have just bought a couple of textbooks from the marketplace. They are both on eBay and the sellers wanted 10 quid postage on each. They are pretty hefty tomes though.

I certainly would object to paying £2.75 postage for a paperback unless I was really desperate to get hold of it.

PS: Michelle I remembered to go through the site :)

[Michelle]

Thank you jake - I'll keep an eye and make sure it shows up. :)
I suppose it's good and bad on Marketplace, depending on what you're buying.

[claire55]

I used to use Amazon Market place all the time to buy my books and felt the deal was OK. however when I decided to do the same and sell some of mine I realised how little I made from the sales - I didn't do it for this reason, but the hassle that you go through to send them - getting to the post office etc, far outweighs what you get back in profit - i.e. hardly anything. I would not recommend doing this - unless it really was going to be worth your while, as on a previous post I would definately recommend swapping and i will be looking to put some of my books on this site to swap - at least you get something back for what you have done

[joanapt]

I used to spend fortunes on books (read about 1-2 a week). Then fell in love with Amazon 2nd hand books but now found something better...swapping. I am a real advocate.

I have joined several sites so my recommendations are below (ones I have joined):

www.eswapnow.com - swap books and other stuff like DVDs on library basis - lots of choice
www.readit swapit.com - swap books only. Have to find the person who has what you have and vice-versa. Good variety.
www.myswap.co.uk - swap everything but have to pay for posting items.

Well, if anyone knows of any other sites and has any experience, let me know!!!

Joana

[Michelle]

Welcome Joana! Some of the members here use read it swap it. :)

[joanapt]

Thanks for the welcome!!! Any other sites that are hot tips? Which and why do you think are best: eswapnow, readitswapit, titletrader? others? :?

Not into the eBay solution to getting books. Friend of mine said I should give it a try. Posted some of the best books I had as 1 posting, starting bidding at £0.10 (on advice of friend!!! ) and finally sold it for £0.60 or something!!! Instead of the £££ I thought I would get. Did not even allow me to buy any other book that was worthwhile...Just my luck or is that the general experience???

Swapping gets my vote!! :D

[Michelle]

Ebay is useless for most books - it's just a swamped market.

Swapping is great if you're not worried about condition, and you have plenty to swap with.

When I'm after a book, I check:
Amazon
Bol
Read it swap it
GreenMetropolis
ListBooks
and compare prices.

Then there's always the library! ;)

[jake]

I haven't gotten into the whole swapping thing yet. I don't have the time at the moment to list my books (ummm that means sorting them out first) and run to the PO. Maybe once I'm on summer break it's a job I can look at.

[Angel]

Jake wrote

I haven't gotten into the whole swapping thing yet.

I must admit I haven't yet but in the future I may

[claire55]

Definately recommend the swapping - the beauty of it is, that the people that do it are lovely just like on this forum and understand if you have a delay posting for some reason - where as on Amazon and Ebay they get impatient !

[joanapt]

At first it all might seem a bit of hassle. But really it is like Claire55 says, people are really understanding and they dont get impatient if you cant immediately post a book.

I have picked up loads of tips over time too. I keep envelopes of books I receive so that I dont have to go to out to buy them, I take the packages to work and drop them off on the way at the PO at the station, etc.

And it is just such a great feeling getting a book and not having paid for it!!! Just like Christmas :D

You have to give it a try!

Joana