Consumer Reports: Best online shopping websites
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Flowers make beautiful gifts. But ordering online can be pretty unpleasant, Consumer Reports discovered. It surveyed 28,000 of its subscribers about their experiences shopping at the 52 largest retail websites. Online florists 1-800-Flowers and FTD rated near the bottom.
They had low marks for value, and there were lots of complaints about high shipping charges and customers having to wait longer than expected.
Ticketmaster doesn’t have a lot to cheer about either. It was at the bottom of Consumer Reports’ ratings and got the lowest marks of all for customer support.
Consumer Reports says a good online retailer should offer great value, have good products and services, and deliver them on time. It also should have great customer support.
Among the highest-rated sites:
- B&H Photo
- Zappos
- Costco
- Nordstrom
- L.L.Bean
- NewEgg, for electronics
- REI, which carries outdoor gear and clothing
REI stands out with its guarantee that shoppers can return or replace items any time at the store or online. There’s no expiration date. Zappos also has a good return policy. You have a year to return something, and Zappos picks up the cost.
Another way to save on shipping — shop at sites such as Walmart, which doesn’t charge if you have the item delivered to the store for pick up.
Shopping online can be really convenient, but getting a ton of spam is not. Consumer Reports says a good idea is to set up a separate e-mail address for all your online purchases.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports’ website. Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.
Zappos is absolutely amazing. Free shipping, free returns, and 365 day return policy. I had a pair of shoes I bought from them start to come apart at the heel after about a month. They told me to keep them, and and I had a replacement pair on my doorstep the next morning. Can't beat service like that!
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B&H is also very good, my only gripe is their weird schedule on when you can order that's based around the owner's religion. Great site though, as is Newegg.
Lowes is a really good store to shop online with. Ordered my product on 10:00am tuesday and it was at my door by 10:00am on wednesday. No problems and free shipping.
More free advertising masquerading as "news"!
On mother's day I called a (brick and mortar) florist a few blocks from mom's house, spoke to the owner who was the one who answered the phone. I gave him my CC over the phone and the next day my mother was very impressed with the delivery on all accounts. "Happy Mothers Day Mom"! I have also used Costco, Walgreen's, CD Universe, L.L.Bean, Cabela's. The one time I was very disappointed was with Target, Target was horrible and I would never do that again. Target failed with their web site and failed again with customer service!!!
Where is Amazon on this list....by far the best site out there! Â BY FAR! Â Anytime I see something in the store I know I can go on Amazon and get it 20% cheaper at least!
 @B Smizzle Without seeing the article it is hard to tell, but I have had great service from Amazon and good prices on almost every purchase. Certainly as good as Costco, although Costco prices are probably a bit lower, but when I joined Costco wasn't available to everyone (that may have changed) and there is a substantial membership fee. None at Amazon. A little CR bias?Â
@Nobody @B Smizzle I just hate to buy a membership anywhere just so I can save a few cents off what I want, and spend more for gas to get there.
@B Smizzle I concur.  I use Amazon quite a bit and have never had a problem.
Yup! Used Amazon for the first time last week to find a book I couldn't locate in a physical book store. Got it today without having to drive around looking for it! Total cost including shipping was less than the price printed on the book. Great! I'll be using them again, youbetcha!
 @Dirtman  @BÂ
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I bought a computer case from Amazon. The first one was defective (manufacturing error) so I wanted to return it.
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When I put in the request, they sent me another one. That one has shipping damage (i didn't sign for it and based on the box's damage would not have).
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The third one looked like it was used and was missing parts (this is from a third party seller not Amazon directly).
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The fourth one was new and complete, undamaged and no defects.
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How many places would do THAT for you?
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