Why are people still so clueless about internet shopping?

paleoperson

Like 7-8 years ago when Amazon return labels came out first, I knew I might have to explain the postage was already paid.

So today I was returning something again, clearly this time the post office people would know all about the labels, probably see them every day (admittedly I rarely have to return goods myself) and to my amazement the woman there at the post office for years and years looked like she'd never seen the like of it in all her life. An amazon return label. It's not 1999 anymore.

I was also talking to my cousin recently who is in her 40s or 50s and she was saying she needed a certain product and apparently she never buys stuff online. Wow...?

Ciderswigger

paleoperson wrote: »

I was also talking to my cousin recently who is in her 40s or 50s and she was saying she needed a certain product and apparently she never buys stuff online. Wow...?

I'm 28 and have never bought anything online...

paleoperson

Ciderswigger wrote: »

I'm 28 and have never bought anything online...

I don't understand that. Don't you realize that the vast majority of things work out a lot cheaper online? You can also be surer of the quality, in fact when I consider buying something in real life now I try to check reviews of it on my mobile phone.

smellmepower

Lady in the post office and your auld cousin are clearly representative of the entire population.

kneemos

Ciderswigger wrote: »

I'm 28 and have never bought anything online...

Twice the quality for half the price of the high street in my experience.

paleoperson

smellmepower wrote: »

Lady in the post office and your auld cousin are clearly representative of the entire population.

Lady in the post office is a proxy for all the people who come into the place.

Chucken

paleoperson wrote: »

I don't understand that. Don't you realize that the vast majority of things work out a lot cheaper online? You can also be surer of the quality, in fact when I consider buying something in real life now I try to check reviews of it on my mobile phone.

Can you not trust yourself?? Why do you need others opinions?

paleoperson

Chucken wrote: »

Can you not trust yourself?? Why do you need others opinions?

Because I never tested out the product myself? Because I don't know the alternatives? Because sometimes you need an expert or some sort of quality-testing system to know whether a product is good quality or not?

Hotfail.com

paleoperson wrote: »

I don't understand that. Don't you realize that the vast majority of things work out a lot cheaper online?

A lot of people don't like using their debit/credit card though, especially older people.

I prefer to hand over cash to a local business anyway tbh if the price difference between there and Amazon isn't that big.

cml387

paleoperson wrote: »

I don't understand that. Don't you realize that the vast majority of things work out a lot cheaper online? You can also be surer of the quality, in fact when I consider buying something in real life now I try to check reviews of it on my mobile phone.

But you keep returning things...?

Lyaiera

Was the Amazon return label for a broken product or was it a general, "If you don't like it, return it" label.

I know some of the clothes retailers offer free postal returns if you don't like a product but I have to say I'd be too embarrassed to go in and find out how the system works. I should probably look it up, but if it means dealing with a post office worker who knows less than me I'd be worried.

same ol sh1te

You have more rights when you buy online than when you buy in a bricks and mortar shop. You have 14 days to change your mind and ask for a refund for no reason other than you changed your mind, this you don't have in a shop, in a shop it must be faulty or unfit for purpose and even then they can offer a replacement.

MS.ing

paleoperson wrote: »

I don't understand that. Don't you realize that the vast majority of things work out a lot cheaper online? You can also be surer of the quality, in fact when I consider buying something in real life now I try to check reviews of it on my mobile phone.

pmsl! sucker!

Chucken

paleoperson wrote: »

Because I never tested out the product myself? Because I don't know the alternatives? Because sometimes you need an expert or some sort of quality-testing system to know whether a product is good quality or not?

But if you walk into a shop all the alternatives are there for you to look at.
Jayses I don't know how we managed at all....in the dark ages.

5uspect

Even my mother, who can barely grasp copy and paste, can use Amazon return labels.

As regards not buying online. I loath having to deal with smug know nothing sales staff who try to fob you off with expensive rubbish. The only way bricks and mortar shops are going to compete is actually give a **** about their customers.

holystungun9

What I don't understand is why my laptop refuses to recognise when I put my credit card into it to pay for stuff. I've tried pushing notes into that slot, coins, cards. Nothing seems to work.

paleoperson

Hotfail.com wrote: »

A lot of people don't like using their debit/credit card though, especially older people.

I prefer to hand over cash to a local business anyway tbh if the price difference between there and Amazon isn't that big.

Credit cards have insurance built-in and a limit. You will never lose money in a credit card. I'd be vastly more worried about someone cleaning out my bank account.

cml387 wrote: »

But you keep returning things...?

No, I extremely rarely return things. That is a ridiculous suggestion that flies in the face of everything I've said here.

Lyaiera wrote: »

Was the Amazon return label for a broken product or was it a general, "If you don't like it, return it" label.

I know some of the clothes retailers offer free postal returns if you don't like a product but I have to say I'd be too embarrassed to go in and find out how the system works. I should probably look it up, but if it means dealing with a post office worker who knows less than me I'd be worried.

If you don't like it return it. It was headphones that I found low quality and I hated the offputting blood-red wire. When I'm listening to music often I need a little calm, not this bloodlike colour.

Kiwi in IE

Reading reviews and buying online is certainly the way to go. Also booking holidays. I cannot bear being 'sold' to by a shop assistant with an agenda (monthly targets) that is contrary to mine (best product for best price). As soon as someone starts a 'sales' pitch on me in a shop I turn around and walk out. Often they don't even know what they are talking about. I have also worked in shops years ago and I know the score with sales targets.

Shops are good for trying on for size and seeing the product in real life before buying online though! :P

Also online you have the international option so far more variety and selection than a shop.

Ciderswigger

Kiwi in IE wrote: »

Also booking holidays.

Oh yeah, I take it back. I buy my holidays online. I'm not a weirdo.

MS.ing

street shop:

+'s
can feel touch inspect stuff
can leave shop with your purchase (dafuq right)
can meet hot chicks/studs*



*for the ladies


-'s
listen to a gob****e try to sell you stuff you dont want need or value

online:

-'s
inverse of above


online hands down.
when the gimps learn to ****off overselling me stuff I dont want ill return :rolleyes:

shruikan2553

Chucken wrote: »

But if you walk into a shop all the alternatives are there for you to look at.
Jayses I don't know how we managed at all....in the dark ages.

All the alternatives aren't there. The likes of Amazon tend to have a far better selection.

MS.ing

shruikan2553 wrote: »

All the alternatives aren't there. The likes of Amazon tend to have a far better selection.

thing is though a real shop you have comeback, but amazon is just an add for someone selling stuff...that may be a business.....or not.
you gamble shopping online more than the high street

same ol sh1te

MS.ing wrote: »

thing is though a real shop you have comeback, but amazon is just an add for someone selling stuff...that may be a business.....or not.
you gamble shopping online more than the high street

Absolute nonsense, I suggest you read my post earlier about your rights when shopping online

shruikan2553

MS.ing wrote: »

thing is though a real shop you have comeback, but amazon is just an add for someone selling stuff...that may be a business.....or not.
you gamble shopping online more than the high street

How are you gambling? Amazon is a giant warehouse full of crap. There are some private sellers which have feedback and most of the time are genuine. I doubt amazon would want their website being used for scams.

pajor

Kiwi in IE wrote: »

I cannot bear being 'sold' to by a shop assistant with an agenda (monthly targets) that is contrary to mine (best product for best price). As soon as someone starts a 'sales' pitch on me in a shop I turn around and walk out. Often they don't even know what they are talking about. I have also worked in shops years ago and I know the score with sales targets.

A certain well known retailer of computers and other electronics always springs to mind with this. Overpriced too.

kneemos

Just tried to order one of those tiny batteries on Amazon about the size of a 5c piece,it cost 99p and they wanted €23 Euro for postage.
They really do take the piss on postage a lot of the time.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

I love shopping online a little too much

paleoperson

kneemos wrote: »

Just tried to order one of those tiny batteries on Amazon about the size of a 5c piece,it cost 99p and they wanted €23 Euro for postage.
They really do take the piss on postage a lot of the time.

That's just a rare marketing device, you see it on books a lot. The books will be like £0.01 and you'll have to check the postage for the real price. They're not trying to con you, you might rarely have to be on the lookout for genuine postage overcharging on ebay or independant websites, not on amazon. Also sometimes to Ireland the postage might be different, just watch how much it says you're paying before you pay for it, it couldn't be easier.

But don't mind me, tbh I'm starting to wonder if it's better that certain types don't use internet shopping anyway as they might abuse it and ruin it for everyone...

same ol sh1te

kneemos wrote: »

Just tried to order one of those tiny batteries on Amazon about the size of a 5c piece,it cost 99p and they wanted €23 Euro for postage.
They really do take the piss on postage a lot of the time.

Amazon has free shipping on orders over 20, Go to eBay for small items like that

demanufactured

Amazon?
I haven't bought off amazon since 2005.
Ebay ftw

Grayson

I buy stuff occasionally. I just bought a copy of Capital in the 21st century for a tenner on eBay. It's 35 in easons.

I still only buy certain things online. I work for a huge e commerce company but I still walk into a shop rather than buy online. I've ordered takeaway online yet I've never considered doing food shopping online. I've bought teeshirts but have never bought any other clothes online.

Deranged96

I never understood it... so I use paypal? and it just comes to the door by courier?
Freaky Shít

Grayson

same ol sh1te wrote: »

Amazon has free shipping on orders over 20, Go to eBay for small items like that

was about to say that.
I'd go to amazon to buy a lot of books. I'd go to ebay to buy a single book. Postage is always lower for individual items on ebay but Amazon have great combined postage.

paleoperson

same ol sh1te wrote: »

Amazon has free shipping on orders over 20, Go to eBay for small items like that

No it doesn't. You only get that if all items are also on prime/super-saver.

The whole point is for you to package lots of small products together as one to save postage, it's IDEAL to buy small items on Amazon if you use the super saver delivery.

I feel like I'm lecturing people on how to use supermarket valuecards. :rolleyes:

Grayson

paleoperson wrote: »

That's just a rare marketing device, you see it on books a lot. The books will be like £0.01 and you'll have to check the postage for the real price. They're not trying to con you, you might rarely have to be on the lookout for genuine postage overcharging on ebay or independant websites, not on amazon. Also sometimes to Ireland the postage might be different, just watch how much it says you're paying before you pay for it, it couldn't be easier.

But don't mind me, tbh I'm starting to wonder if it's better that certain types don't use internet shopping anyway as they might abuse it and ruin it for everyone...

actually ebay cap postage according to whatever Royal mail or an post etc say it should be. When someone's putting up a listing it won't allow them if they go over.

It means that it's possible to buy something for €1 and pay a fiver postage, but it also means that the actual cost to post it is a fiver.

FobleAsNuck

paleoperson wrote: »

No it doesn't. You only get that if all items are also on prime/super-saver.

The whole point is for you to package lots of small products together as one to save postage, it's IDEAL to buy small items on Amazon if you use the super saver delivery.

I feel like I'm lecturing people on how to use supermarket valuecards. :rolleyes:

of course it does: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1204872

FREE Super Saver Delivery £25.00
A minimum total spend of £25.00 (including VAT) is required for an order to qualify for FREE Super Saver Delivery.
Delivered 3-4 days after dispatch.
Items sold and fulfilled by Amazon.

paleoperson

FobleAsNuck wrote: »

of course it does: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1204872

FREE Super Saver Delivery £25.00
A minimum total spend of £25.00 (including VAT) is required for an order to qualify for FREE Super Saver Delivery.
Delivered 3-4 days after dispatch.
Items sold and fulfilled by Amazon.

Those are sold by Amazon themselves which is only a fraction of the goods listed on amazon. I was talking about all goods on Amazon.

Did you buy the items from a Marketplace Seller?
Items dispatched by Amazon.co.uk are eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. For the UK and the Republic of Ireland, this includes items that are "Fulfilled by Amazon".

All other items sold by Marketplace Sellers on Amazon Marketplace are dispatched directly by the Seller and aren't eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery

If it's not marked as super saver delivery you won't get it delivered for free.

If you have small items you need to make them amount to over £25 so that they qualify for free delivery.

lulu1

When I buy on line I usually use e bay Cant make head or tail of amazon at all.

kneemos

Got another item for a fiver with free postage on Amazon.
Really is off putting to have wildly varying postage charges.

syklops

holystungun9 wrote: »

What I don't understand is why my laptop refuses to recognise when I put my credit card into it to pay for stuff. I've tried pushing notes into that slot, coins, cards. Nothing seems to work.

This would be funny if you could not get a dongle for your computer(even tablet!) which could accept payments.

Grayson

paleoperson wrote: »

Those are sold by Amazon themselves which is only a fraction of the goods listed on amazon. I was talking about all goods on Amazon.

Did you buy the items from a Marketplace Seller?
Items dispatched by Amazon.co.uk are eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. For the UK and the Republic of Ireland, this includes items that are "Fulfilled by Amazon".

All other items sold by Marketplace Sellers on Amazon Marketplace are dispatched directly by the Seller and aren't eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery

If it's not marked as super saver delivery you won't get it delivered for free.

If you have small items you need to make them amount to over £25 so that they qualify for free delivery.

I find other sellers a headache on amazon. last time I went looking for something from a seller on amazon (Admittedly about 2 years ago) I couldn't even tell if they shipped to ireland until I got to the checkout stage. At which point I'd discover thet they didn't and would have to try again.

syklops

lulu1 wrote: »

When I buy on line I usually use e bay Cant make head or tail of amazon at all.

Whats to understand?

Mountainsandh

It's easy to spot the good marketplace sellers on Amazon though, with the feedback, and experience. I get loads of 0.01 c books from my favourite seller and postage is only 2.25 or so a book, and they're practically new. I've seen the disproportionate shipping charge ones alright. You just get caught once and learn your lesson I suppose.
I buy heaps online !
Clothing, books, anything and everything really.
Love the choice, the guarantee something's in stock (with reliable sellers).
Never returned anything with Amazon though, never really paid attention to the labels

Hate the attitude of a lot of retailers here who will try and sell you some crappy alternative to a specific item you have enquired about, for a ridiculous price. In my experience most times they will tell you what you're looking for doesn't exist for the sale. I don't like to be taken for a fool when i have just checked the very existence and availability of said item online (and a lot cheaper) so I have a pretty extensive list of retailers crossed out.

I do reward Irish retailers who have taken the clever step of selling online though, if the price is reasonable I will go Irish rather than abroad.

holystungun9

syklops wrote: »

This would be funny if you could not get a dongle for your computer(even tablet!) which could accept payments.

I've a very nice dongle thank you very much. To be fair I am almost out of tablets though.

Mountainsandh

Grayson wrote: »

I find other sellers a headache on amazon. last time I went looking for something from a seller on amazon (Admittedly about 2 years ago) I couldn't even tell if they shipped to ireland until I got to the checkout stage. At which point I'd discover thet they didn't and would have to try again.

Yeah I do get that too, and it's really annoying. We need a real Amazon.ie site that will tell us exactly what's available on the item page (without having to search). That's why for items other than books & cds i prefer Ebay. Also, Ebay sellers combine shipping which I haven't been able to do with Marketplace sellers ?

FobleAsNuck

paleoperson wrote: »

Those are sold by Amazon themselves which is only a fraction of the goods listed on amazon. I was talking about all goods on Amazon.

Did you buy the items from a Marketplace Seller?
Items dispatched by Amazon.co.uk are eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. For the UK and the Republic of Ireland, this includes items that are "Fulfilled by Amazon".

All other items sold by Marketplace Sellers on Amazon Marketplace are dispatched directly by the Seller and aren't eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery

If it's not marked as super saver delivery you won't get it delivered for free.

If you have small items you need to make them amount to over £25 so that they qualify for free delivery.

there are 3 type of items:
1. sold by Amazon
2. fulfilled by Amazon - these are shipped free, as the seller ships them to Amazon Warehouse first
3. sold by 3rd parties

As I'm only ever buying 1/2 I always get free delivery. For no 3 there's always Parcel Motel for e3.95 if you feel adventurous.

lulu1

syklops wrote: »

Whats to understand?

Never even bothered to try I prefer e bay

syklops

holystungun9 wrote: »

I've a very nice dongle thank you very much. To be fair I am almost out of tablets though.

You know you can buy tablets online?

syklops

lulu1 wrote: »

Never even bothered to try I prefer e bay

Theres the problem then.

lertsnim

Apart from groceries and alcohol, 90% of my purchases are online. So much money to be saved by doing so.

syklops

lertsnim wrote: »

Apart from groceries and alcohol, 90% of my purchases are online. So much money to be saved by doing so.

I still buy in shops but I buy groceries and alcohol online as well.