Buying direct from amazon vs buying from a local electronics store

[jbcohen]

Assuming that the price I would pay for a kindle directly from amazon is equal to the price that I would pay if I bought from a local electronics store, what are the advantages of ordering directly from amazon?

My local electronics store tells me that they have the new basic and Paper White in stock and can put it in my hands as soon as I walk through the doors, it would take amazon at least a week to get it to me.

[dordale]

IMO, the biggest reason to buy directly from Amazon is their 30 day return no questions asked policy. So you can use the device for a while, and if you find you don't really like it you can simply return it. This is true in the U.S. anyway, not sure about elsewhere.

The only other advantage I can think of (and it's fairly trivial) is that if you buy from Amazon, your reader will come pre-registered to your Amazon account.

[pidgeon92]

Not having to go there, look for the item, stand in line, or interact with their employees. All advantages for me.

[FizzyWater]

Amazon has a copy of your receipt when warranty issues come up

[kaufman]

No tax?

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by kaufman

No tax?

Not the situation everywhere.

[JoHunt]

Originally Posted by kaufman

No tax?

No such luck. $19.31 in taxes for Amazon to deliver the Voyage/origami cover to New Jersey

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by dordale

IMO, the biggest reason to buy directly from Amazon is their 30 day return no questions asked policy. So you can use the device for a while, and if you find you don't really like it you can simply return it. This is true in the U.S. anyway, not sure about elsewhere.

Unless the item is defective, Amazon will charge you for return shipping costs.

Return Shipping Costs
If you return an item using the return label provided in the Online Returns Center, and the reason for return is not a result of an Amazon.com error, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund. If you choose the U.S. Postal Service option, the amount that will be deducted from your refund is displayed. If you choose the self return option, you'll pay the cost charged by the carrier selected.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Unless the item is defective, Amazon will charge you for return shipping costs.

Yes but the return postage cost is a small pirce to pay for the chance to evaluate the ereader.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Yes but the return postage cost is a small pirce to pay for the chance to evaluate the ereader.

Take care if you are just "buying to evaluate"; Amazon have been known to close the accounts of people who repeatedly buy and return products - ie people who are obviously using Amazon just to "evaluate" products with no intention of keeping them.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Yes but the return postage cost is a small pirce to pay for the chance to evaluate the ereader.

My point is to make sure that people are aware of the policy. It becomes another factor to consider.

[mycurlylocks]

For me personally, there is no real advantage to buying directly from Amazon. I have to pay the sales tax, and if I don't like the item, I'd still have to pay for the return shipping.
I prefer to spend my money locally if I can. Most stores have a return policy of 14 -30 days. I get 45 days at Best Buy since I'm an Elite Plus customer.

Having said all of that, this is the first time I've ordered a tablet or e-ink reader directly from Amazon. I was offered the five payment plan, so I took it.

I've bought several Kindles and Paperwhites as gifts from Best Buy and Staples. I've never had a problem with them.

I'd buy locally, especially to avoid the wait.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Take care if you are just "buying to evaluate"; Amazon have been known to close the accounts of people who repeatedly buy and return products - ie people who are obviously using Amazon just to "evaluate" products with no intention of keeping them.

I never just order to evaluate, I want the Voyage, it will only go back if I don't think its worth the money, or have issues with the page press buttons as there position is where I hold the kindle anyway.

If it does go back i'll order a PW2 wifi as I want hubby to have my 6 month old PW2 3G as he gets all his books from Amazon, I don't so the 3G is not much use to me.

[Barbara1955]

My 1st k Fire HD I got at Radio Shack Also got 3-$10 coupons My 2nd I got from a lady that purchased hers from B.Buy...she paid $200 I paid her $130 She never opened the box so Both warrenty started when I reg them to my account. I still received the same Great CS on Both inc was told I could return them to Amazon within 30 days if I didn't like them. So I see no differences in going thru Amazon or to a B&M store. & in Both cases I got to open the boxes & exam them before I purchased them.

BTW the 1st K3 I got from Amazon I had to Pay S&H the 2nd I had to Pay Taxes + S&H So I ask Where was I saving anything??

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

My local electronics store tells me that they have the new basic and Paper White in stock and can put it in my hands as soon as I walk through the doors, it would take amazon at least a week to get it to me.

If it were me, I would just go with my "local electronics store" -- in my case Best Buy, right up the road.