Safe Internet Shopping List

[M_the_C]

Hi,

There are so many websites that sell products. It can be hard to tell which are good and which are not. (Gamechimp anyone?) If you are searching for the best price and come across a good deal from a website you have not used before it can be hard making the choice. Risk your money or get the best deal?

So I thought I'd start a list. Post the name and preferably a link to sites which you have used and know to be safe.
Please also leave a comment as to their service, do not however leave a comment as to their prices the are other places to find that out (such as OogieBoogies thread), so leave this thread to just talk about the service. Avoid marking down a site for one bad transaction, problems happen and we just have to accept it, if however a site is regularly late or difficult then please post a warning here.

Update: I shall start putting them in a rough order according to the comments posted.
*New Import section.*
Thanks for the comments so far.

Comments - Highly recommend Shopto.net, next day delivery and I've never had a single problem with them! - FooFan
- The next day delivery is always fantastic. - punio 75
- I've used them on 3 occasions. They sometimes have very good offers and lived up to their next day delivery promise each and every time! - JBond007

Comments - Mentioned several times on this website. Good service, used often.
- I've used them on 3 occasions. They sometimes have very good offers and lived up to their next day delivery promise each and every time! - JBond007

Comments - Used for years and years now. - FooFan
- Have used them for the last 10 or so years, highly recommend them mate. - ror100
- The only think I've ordered from them was Super Mario Galaxy for a relative for 1 of my Christmas presents but they did good so a semi-recommendation from me too! - Pvt. Michael J. Caboose
- i ordered a game and it didn't come, so i got in touch with them through email and the same day i got in touch they sent out another one and i got it the next day. the customer service very good. - dazz159

Comments - PowerPlay Direct have a lot of cheap Wii games atm. I Pre-Ordered Endless Ocean off there for £15.99 and it was delivered no problems at all - FooFan
- Good site, 3 day delivery no problem. Also good selection of 3 for £9 PC games.

Comments - Received both DVDs within a week. Well packaged as they were delivered in cardboard boxes. - JBond007
- No problems, reasonable delivery time.
Jersey
Comments - Tesco Jersey comes up with a great deal now and again and safe!- Ricksta7

Comments - I've bought several items from them, including my Wii and a load of games when I first got it!...certainly they are a reliable site with good customer services. - biddenden_sue
- I'd recommend them. I don't think you have to sign up for anything, but the reward card points are pretty good. You get double on preorders. - beve-snailey

Comments - Been buying from there for a few years. No problems, quick delivery and they give out vouchers for repeat custom - Venerable(ish)Bede
- I have used them throughout, and they have never let me down. They also have a good customer service reputation. - biddenden_sue

Comments - Well known reputable website. Be aware, free delivery is only on orders over £15 and not on every product.
- Some products are sold on the main website from the Amazon Marketplace. These may not be the exact product you think. Some accessories may be third-party versions. - Scotty32
- I think they are very reliable.. And if you have any problems they are great. - Gukophoto
I buy and sell on Amazon all the time. They are very reliable. To get a game or DVD on the day of release, you need to pay for 1st class postage. - biddenden_sue
- Amazon are brilliant, I've had no problems and I've used them for years. - ChalkWii
- i just bought my first thing of it and im happy at how easy it was - doylen05
- Amazon is one of my favourite online sellers and have never let me down. - NazzWii

Comments - Another well known website. Beware of buying DS and Gamecube games for here, they sometimes send you version from other regions. They still work on UK hardware but it's annoying.
- i use Play.com on a regular basis, they have a great customer service errrr service - mjh24
- Play.com are just ace! - KandiDesigns

Comments - The prospective Ms Bede swears by them. Quite cheap (very for EO), and fast delivery. - Venerable(ish)Bede
- They deliver stuff quickly, and I've dealt with them a couple of times with no problems. And you get 10 ipoints for every pound you spend. - JBond007

Comments - Ive used Choicesuk.com and they seemed fine - game came next day though nunchuck took couple of weeks :( - Scotty32
- Choices has always been effective too. - punio 75
Otherwise known as Zavvi.
Comments - you can have some problems whilst ordering, but they are quick delivering!!! i back ordered a game and it came quicker than one i ordered at another webby that was in stock! - wiimadjay

Comments - Order arrived fine. Slight difference between picture and actual product (original picture, budget item) but otherwise fine.
I have ordered from them before (about 5 orders, last placed an order about 2 months ago), personally i have not had any problems but apparently some people have received pre owned games when the ordered new. - hothothot

Comments - Where I ordered my Wii from. Good service, products can be delivered or picked up in-store.
- Games come well packaged, not a scratch on them in 3-5 days. - DK_rules

Comments - Good website with strange workings. You pay for delivery on your first order, but then get a code so you can signup. Free delivery from then, plus you get 6% of the price back either deducted from the order or paid into your account. If deducted then they do not need your bank details.
- If you delete your confirmation email, you lose your order number and it can be hard to contact them.
- very impressed, game arrived in two days. - punio 75

Comments - Good website, did have one order lost in the post, other came fine.
- I found they tried stalling me/ not answering emails and blanking me to keep my order, however I cancelled (which took ages) - Ed00wii

Imports
If you need to import games for your DS, then you could do worse than look at either:

Logo removed due to limit.
Both are reputable. - Captainff

Safety Tips:
Make sure a website has a Padlock symbol when inputting your details. This should appear either on the address bar or on the bottom of your browser.

Only use your Wii for browsing, buy products on your computer for better security.

Setup a separate card used for online shopping. Transfer only a small amount of money to it, so that if your details are stolen, you only lose a small amount. If that, due to fraud protection.

[Scotty32]

First off, if you do use a site not on here make sure its on a Secure Server, you can tell this as the page you enter your credit card details on should be "https://www....." and the browser should show a padlock somewhere ie address bar or status bar (in firefox the address bar goes yellow)
if it goes through Paypal or Google Checkout even better.

anyway with Amazon you should check its actually amazon as they have "AStores" which is bit like ebays "Buy Now".


Ive used Choicesuk.com and they seemed fine - game came next day though nunchuck took couple of weeks :(

[FooFan]

I highly recommend Shopto.net Very good prices, next day delivery and I've never had a single problem with them!
Also Gameplay.co.uk I have used for years and years now.

[OogieBoogie]

Originally Posted by Scotty32

anyway with Amazon you should check its actually amazon as they have "AStores" which is bit like ebays "Buy Now".

Yes that bugs me about Amazon - a quick search on accessories brought up everything first time, then I found that Wiimote, Nunchuck and Classic Controller were all from third parties, Amazon didn't have any.

[wiziwii]

Not sure if you mean safe for the wii or safe in general? but the safest way is to use a pc/laptop next to going to the shop.

Just my to pennies as usual

[M_the_C]

Originally Posted by wiziwii

Not sure if you mean safe for the wii or safe in general? but the safest way is to use a pc/laptop next to going to the shop.

Just my to pennies as usual

Safe in general. But thanks I shall add not doing it on your Wii.

[wiziwii]

Originally Posted by M_the_C

Safe in general. But thanks I shall add not doing it on your Wii.

Ok, i suppose a lot of the big name shops will be safe, but it's the internet you can never be too careful, it's not just down to the shop having a secure payment method but also the user.

Try not to use a credit if you've got one with a high limit, keep it minimal or have a couple one just for the internet keep track of all the emails and history.

keep on top of it and they won't get on top of you

Sort of off-topic but just my as usual two pennies

[Ed00wii]

I don't like Sendit.com. I tried getting my wii of them last Xmas. I found they tried stalling me/ not answering emails and blanking me to keep my order, however I cancelled (which took ages) and today they still send me junk emails... It should be called Spamit!

[M_the_C]

Updated. Added names to the comments.

I'll give this one more try and then drop it. Maybe it would do better in the bargain bin?

[wiimadjay]

what about virgin megastores/zavvi????


you can have some problems whilst ordering, but they are quick delivering!!! i back ordered a game and it came quicker than one i ordered at another webby that was in stock!