Circuit City online - Compare and save. Guaranteed.
Written: Dec 24 '03
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Circuit City online is a terrific way to research before you buy and to find the best prices for your electronic purchases.
As far as research, CC has a rating system similar to what you see at Epinions.com. Customers can rate on a scale or write up reviews on the product purchased. When you click to an item, you see the overall rate on a bar. It will show something like 4 on a 5 scale. Then, you can click and read the reviews for details. Most of these are very short reviews, but 10 people noting a problem with a feature can help a lot. Personally, I like the more detailed reviews for products at Epinions, but CC has more electronic reviews for the big-ticket items. They also seem to have more people who actually bought the product writing than at Epinions where that is often in question. Those bar rates and mini reviews are good and do help.
When you click on a product at Circuit City, you also see a box with all the features and information from the manufacturer. For a phone for example, it will list the various features and whether the model includes the feature or not. They also include, in the info box, things like the warranty and how long it lasts. This is a wonderful set up. You can see what you’re getting right on one page.
When it comes to prices, CC has a low price guarantee. This is great for online shoppers. You can compare many stores online and then get the best price period. CC will go 10 percent lower than the lowest price you locate. Not only can you get the match on the day you buy, you can get the difference up to 30 days after the purchase. It’s really discouraging to buy something and then see it lower at another store the next week. If you keep up with your receipt, then you are safe at CC.
As far as buying online, they have two ways of doing that:
In Store Pick-Up
The first time I bought at CC online a couple of years back, I ran a price check through Amazon. The lowest was CC with an in-store pick-up. It takes me about 15 minutes to get to the brick and mortar store in town, so I didn’t mind picking up the camera. The online price was $10 lower than the store price. If the store had a sale going with that camera and I used the online buy with pick-up, then I would get the lower price and I think 10 percent on top of that. I’ve never had the store run a lower price than what I’ve found online though the on-line prices with pick-up are generally lower than a store walk-in. If you see something you like at the CC store, then it pays to go home and run it online to see if you can get a lower price and then go back and get the item.
If you decide to use in-store pick-up, then you’ll have to go yourself and pick up the item. They need the credit card you used online plus an ID. You’ll have the receipt printed online. They just double check to make sure that you are the person who bought the item online. This does mean that you can’t send your spouse or a buddy to pick up your purchase.
Online Purchase
Normally, I prefer to shop online and have items delivered. That’s how I make most of my Circuit City purchases. The only reason I go to the store is when the price difference with the shipping makes it worth my time to drive over.
As far as shipping, the cost is average and fair. They do have free shipping days pretty often, and they also have many items that show FREE SHIPPING when you check the page. Sign up for the newsletter and ads, and you’ll get those deals when they come up. Do note that you’re less likely to get free shipping on the big and heavy pieces at CC and on the tiny stuff like CDs. Many of the more expensive items that are not so heavy will ship out free with standard shipping.
With the in-store pick-up, they said that I could go the next day, and that’s what I did. On the deliveries, they run about 4 days on average to get things in my box. That’s with standard shipping and no upgrade.
The Circuit City Site
CC was not as solid a couple of years back, but they have come a long way. It’s one of the easiest sites to search now, and the overall organization is terrific. They’ve added all the features (without cluttering the site), so it’s a nice one-stop shop if you don’t have time to read up other places and compare prices.
If you shop here and get signed up, they do send the email flyers about once per month. If you don’t like to sign up, then you can visit the homepage and see the specials clearly marked with a click.
As far as help, they list an 800 number, and they do answer the phone. You can also call the local store with help on items picked up there or even those purchased online. I had a buzz with a speaker, and I called the store. The guy listened to the buzz over the phone and suggested that I push the connector in a little tighter. My problem was fixed just that easy. He and the other employees with CC have always been very helpful. When I returned a zip drive that would not release the disks, they replaced it on the spot—no questions at all.
Over the last year, Circuit City has been top notch. I would not hesitate to send my best buddy over to shop at the site. They have solid information, great prices, and very personable sales help. They pack carefully and send things out fast. They are one of the very best of the online electronic stores.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? camera, phone, games, accessories
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Epinions.com ID:
CyndiA
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Member: Cyndi
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If you beat your head against the wall long enough . . .
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