Amazon vs "Local"

Bona Botse

Bona Botse

A little insight goes a long way
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I noticed that Amazon ships most electronic goodies to SA now, and I was in the market for a few new toys (wireless KB & mouses, SSD and other smaller accessories).

I ended up comparing Amazon with Rebel Tech, Wootware and Takealot and to my surprise, Amazon ended up being a whole R1k cheaper (R6.4k with shipping and customs fees vs R7.4k). What's the point of buying local then? The instant gratification?

Needless to say I ordered from Amazon and that will be my default shop until the local guys shape up. I'm buying on a small quantity retail level, while they buy large quantities at wholesale level (bulk discounts, not to mention bulk shipping discounts as well), but somehow it costs less for me to import. I'm disgusted TBH.
 
Brewmaster said:
I noticed that Amazon ships most electronic goodies to SA now, and I was in the market for a few new toys (wireless KB & mouses, SSD and other smaller accessories).

I ended up comparing Amazon with Rebel Tech, Wootware and Takealot and to my surprise, Amazon ended up being a whole R1k cheaper (R6.4k with shipping and customs fees vs R7.4k). What's the point of buying local then? The instant gratification?

Needless to say I ordered from Amazon and that will be my default shop until the local guys shape up. I'm buying on a small quantity retail level, while they buy large quantities at wholesale level (bulk discounts, not to mention bulk shipping discounts as well), but somehow it costs less for me to import. I'm disgusted TBH.
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Import duties, warranty etc.
 
Thier return policy is amazing. I ordered a monitor which I received last week with defects. They've already shipped a new one and are covering all shipping costs, so it's not costing me a cent... seriously Amazon are eerily amazing with that.

(This was from Amazon direct, not a 3rd party)
 
Brewmaster said:
Import duties are included in the price you pay to Amazon. Amazon items also have warranty.
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Check carefully. Most electronic goods don't carry an international warranty. When you get to checkout, Amazon will warn you that they are unable to deliver to your address because of this.
 
Brewmaster said:
Import duties are included in the price you pay to Amazon. Amazon items also have warranty.
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I think you have to pay the shipping in that case (returning it)
I checked a few things quickly and local is cheaper...?
 
Sysem said:
Check carefully. Most electronic goods don't carry an international warranty. When you get to checkout, Amazon will warn you that they are unable to deliver to your address because of this.
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And I'm speaking of items that CAN be shipped here so they'd obviously have a warranty. All 7 items in my order are covered.
 
Archer said:
I think you have to pay the shipping in that case (returning it)
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See Joker's anecdote below. I've read similar from others here.
Joker said:
Thier return policy is amazing. I ordered a monitor which I received last week with defects. They've already shipped a new one and are covering all shipping costs, so it's not costing me a cent... seriously Amazon are eerily amazing with that.

(This was from Amazon direct, not a 3rd party)
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Yes I make it a point to always order from Amazon direct.

Archer said:
I checked a few things quickly and local is cheaper...?
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Examples?
 
Brewmaster said:
And I'm speaking of items that CAN be shipped here so they'd obviously have a warranty. All 7 items in my order are covered.
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Yep, I also buy from Amazon when the price is better. If the price is about the same I purchase it here due to peace of mind in case I ever need to swap out the item and a shorter delivery time.
It all depends on the goods in question.
 
I check everywhere, and buy wherever is the cheapest. I am not loyal to local shops just because of the country I stay in, if Amazon can deliver cheaper I get from them.
 
Johnatan56 said:
Yep, I also buy from Amazon when the price is better. If the price is about the same I purchase it here due to peace of mind in case I ever need to swap out the item and a shorter delivery time.
It all depends on the goods in question.
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Don't you feel shafted by the locals though? Why would it cost the same to import or buy local when the local chain has much more buying power than a user clicking his mouse 20 times? Local is broken?
 
Brewmaster said:
Examples?
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CPU,Motherboard, seems like things that don't change in price quickly

Seems like SSDs though are cheaper from Amazon - I suspect they are clearing stock fast so always have the low price (since SSD prices are always dropping). Local is probably sitting with older stock at older prices

edit: GPUs I know are notorious for being 2x the price of Amazon, I must check that sometime
 
And how long does the shipping usually take from Amazon? Do they use the post office or they use a more reliable service and is there some sort of guarantee that you will get your stuff? Seriously considering going this route
 
kianm said:
And how long does the shipping usually take from Amazon? Do they use the post office or they use a more reliable service and is there some sort of guarantee that you will get your stuff? Seriously considering going this route
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Like TakeAlot it depends on teh type of shipping you chose.
 
They use UPS, direct to door - the shipping options just give it priority.

However for reference I ordered my monitor on the 11th, it said a 2-3week delivery time but I received it on the 18th a week later.
 
Joker said:
They use UPS, direct to door - the shipping options just give it priority.

However for reference I ordered my monitor on the 11th, it said a 2-3week delivery time but I received it on the 18th a week later.
Click to expand...

My kindles on average took around 4 days.
 
kianm said:
And how long does the shipping usually take from Amazon? Do they use the post office or they use a more reliable service and is there some sort of guarantee that you will get your stuff? Seriously considering going this route
Click to expand...

yebocan said:
^....Yeah...how reliable is delivery?
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They seem to use couriers only, even with the cheapest option. Can take up to 14 working days for delivery, but I have another order placed on the 11th which will be arriving today, so just under 2 weeks.
 
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