For years, we’ve advised people who need audio-visual accessories—especially the little stuff, like cables—to shop on eBay. And we still do—there are some great deals to be found out there. But the next time we need a component video cable or a fiber-optic audio Toslink cable, we’re going to try Monoprice.com. Here’s why:
shopping
Consumerist Asks You: How to Sort Products by ‘Direct From Amazon?’
By 12.15.05
This question is our own and we’ve yet to find a suitable answer, despite doing a fair amount of research into it. Is there a way to sort search results on Amazon to reflect ‘Amazon-only’ orders? Which is to say, orders that are sold and shipped directly from Amazon?
PriceGrabber Grabbed for $480 Million
By 12.15.05
Little ol’ PriceGrabber has been picked up by the UK holdings company that also controls Experian for $485 million. How does that affect you, the shopper?
Manhattan Shopping Alert: A. P. C. Winter Collection Sale
By 12.12.05
It’s not until January 5th, but if we didn’t post it now, we’d sure to forget it. All women’s, men’s, children’s, and whatever’s clothes and accessories will be 30 to 50 percent off. They’re leaving Soho, though, and are moving to Tribeca. Stay sharp.
Xbox 360 @ Best Buy: The Return
By 12.12.05
The ol’ Xbox 360 inventory tracker is back, this time detailing how many 360’s your local Best Buy should be receiving for the December 18th restock (very probably the last chance you’ll have to pick up an Xbox before Christmas). According to The Consumerist’s top-secret internal Best Buy sources (this dude we know in the stock room), the numbers are legit.
Big Idea: Don’t Wait on Hold, Collect $20
By 12.12.05
Seth Godin proposes customers get a reward for using the phone to call companies, as an incentive to leave their information and get a callback:
“Hi, you’ve reached us when we’re too busy. Quick, write down this code: 123×23. Now, give us your phone number. When we call back (within an hour, we promise), give us the code and we’ll pay you $20 on the spot for the hassle in getting this order processed.”
Call center justice is one of our most petted peeves, so for us this idea resonates. Sadly, since most customer interaction is measured on a per-transaction basis by the management, we doubt they would be willing to fork over any rewards of substance just so they can sell to you.
Online Ordering Deadlines for Holiday Delivery
By 12.9.05
DealHack has compiled a very useful index for online Christmas shoppers, showing the absolute deadline to place online orders for them to arrive in time. There is slight variance from store to store, but on the whole you’ll want to order by the 15th if you get standard shipping and by the 22nd for overnight.
Wal-Mart: The Movie
By 11.8.05
Detailing the means through which the Arkansas giant continues its retail dominance, WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price is now in wide community screening and available for purchase online. We haven’t seen it yet, so must reserve judgement, but are intrigued by the website’s promise of sweaty Chinese laborers named Princess.
