Move over DX, meet FocalPrice
Yup, a pretender to the throne. Maybe they are so cheap because they didn't need to pay to create a new website design? Not that DealExtreme was the prettiest in the world to begin with... Cheap $0.01 deal on iPod Nano 4G skins this week (1 per customer)
Good watching at the Hut
Yes, I do like the Hut. Free shipping and they keep the prices updated and competitive. Oh, and you get the order within a few days. Beat that, CD-WOW. Peep Show for approximately €24, anybody?
One rotten egg for Zavvi
Well, from the sound of nightly explosions it's that time of the year again. Zavvi have raised their shipping prices to Ireland, £4 to an address or £2 for in-store pickup. Boo! Hiss!
Please note: I do not condone the pelting of stores with rotten egss, tomatoes or poetry.
Recession got you down? Live a little without spending a lot!
Showing posts with label dealextreme. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dealextreme. Show all posts
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Making payments online
Over the last 9 days I've meandered about from site to site, letting you sample some of the plethora of delights the internet offers. From the cheap and cheerful dealextreme*, to sober dabs and the ever useful but downright dull revenue commissioner. In my first post, I promised to cover the basics. To my mind there is a part of online purchases that I haven't gone into enough detail on: purchasing. So, here is a list of ways you can make purchases online, with comments where appropriate.
1. Paypal
THE online payments processor. Owned by and promoted heavily by Ebay. Acts as a proxy between you and a seller, allows you to pay by bank account or credit card. Big. Well known.
The good: It's pretty safe. The seller never sees your credit card details, so they can't draw all your money and leave you to pick up the pieces. Free to use for consumers.
The bad: Their customer service has left a trail of destruction. Don't make purchases over €500 with Paypal or you could be very sorry if things don't go smoothly. Also, they have a convoluted verification process which is a nuisance, but necessary for some sellers.
2. CCNow, WorldPay, RealEx etc.
The other online payments processors. Independently owned. Do pretty much the same thing as paypal and quite often better. Small. Frequently bullied by Paypal in the yard.
The good: Very little difference to Paypal. Don't ask too many questions.
The bad: Again, like Paypal. Lack of verification may give people the impression that they are less secure than Paypal (not true).
3. Credit Card
The standard in international payments. There isn't a business man alive who doesn't understand visa. Accepted by medium to big stores. Most common and easiest method of online payment. Costs €30 in tax to hold one for a year or part thereof.
The good: Reasonably safe to use. Unlikely to lose money if you are a victim of fraud. Easy to acquire.
The bad: If you do get into a dispute, you could be without a working credit card for a while.
4. Virtual Credit Card
Ooh, virtual! Nothing to do with virtual reality. Acts as a pay-as-you-go rechargeable credit card. Not taxed. Suitable for 16+ years.
The good: Same as a credit card. Can only be emptied of the credit that is on it.
The bad: Joining fees and administration charges. Cannot be used on certain websites.
5. Debit Card
Direct access to your current account. Payment is transferred (almost) immediately. Usually specific to a certain country or area.
The good: Convenient. Easy to acquire.
The bad: Not accepted in a lot of places. Not particularly safe.
6. Cheque
Limited access to your current account. Payment is transferred within 5 working days upon receipt.
The good: Easy to acquire.
The bad: Not accepted in a lot of places. Not particularly safe. Slow.
7. Bank transfer
Don't even think about it.
8. Cash
What did I just say?
That about covers it for today. If you have any questions, comments or just want to hang out and talk rubbish, feel free to leave a comment (see below). Comments can be anonymous so if you want to ask a question without giving away your email, go for it!
1. Paypal
THE online payments processor. Owned by and promoted heavily by Ebay. Acts as a proxy between you and a seller, allows you to pay by bank account or credit card. Big. Well known.
The good: It's pretty safe. The seller never sees your credit card details, so they can't draw all your money and leave you to pick up the pieces. Free to use for consumers.
The bad: Their customer service has left a trail of destruction. Don't make purchases over €500 with Paypal or you could be very sorry if things don't go smoothly. Also, they have a convoluted verification process which is a nuisance, but necessary for some sellers.
2. CCNow, WorldPay, RealEx etc.
The other online payments processors. Independently owned. Do pretty much the same thing as paypal and quite often better. Small. Frequently bullied by Paypal in the yard.
The good: Very little difference to Paypal. Don't ask too many questions.
The bad: Again, like Paypal. Lack of verification may give people the impression that they are less secure than Paypal (not true).
3. Credit Card
The standard in international payments. There isn't a business man alive who doesn't understand visa. Accepted by medium to big stores. Most common and easiest method of online payment. Costs €30 in tax to hold one for a year or part thereof.
The good: Reasonably safe to use. Unlikely to lose money if you are a victim of fraud. Easy to acquire.
The bad: If you do get into a dispute, you could be without a working credit card for a while.
4. Virtual Credit Card
Ooh, virtual! Nothing to do with virtual reality. Acts as a pay-as-you-go rechargeable credit card. Not taxed. Suitable for 16+ years.
The good: Same as a credit card. Can only be emptied of the credit that is on it.
The bad: Joining fees and administration charges. Cannot be used on certain websites.
5. Debit Card
Direct access to your current account. Payment is transferred (almost) immediately. Usually specific to a certain country or area.
The good: Convenient. Easy to acquire.
The bad: Not accepted in a lot of places. Not particularly safe.
6. Cheque
Limited access to your current account. Payment is transferred within 5 working days upon receipt.
The good: Easy to acquire.
The bad: Not accepted in a lot of places. Not particularly safe. Slow.
7. Bank transfer
Don't even think about it.
8. Cash
What did I just say?
That about covers it for today. If you have any questions, comments or just want to hang out and talk rubbish, feel free to leave a comment (see below). Comments can be anonymous so if you want to ask a question without giving away your email, go for it!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Camera Memory
A quick one today. The most common question I get asked is why memory for cameras is so expensive. Well, it is if you buy from a retail chain or local electronics store. These are the places you buy cookers and fridges, basic workhorse stuff that can be serviced by a technician. If you want good quality memory at affordable prices I'm going to recommend a couple of places further afield:
They sell other types of memory too, so take a look before you blow your cash at the checkout. Go forth and snap happily!
* Affiliate link. This means if you click on this link and buy an item within a certain amount of time, I get a small reward. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but if enough people do it it means I can save on some of the cost of maintaining this site. Which is nice.
- LED Shoppe
- Dealextreme (affiliate link*)
They sell other types of memory too, so take a look before you blow your cash at the checkout. Go forth and snap happily!
* Affiliate link. This means if you click on this link and buy an item within a certain amount of time, I get a small reward. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but if enough people do it it means I can save on some of the cost of maintaining this site. Which is nice.
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