Over the last few years I've bought quite a few items online, but I've just tallied up my "bad" purchases and how they panned out.
What I found was that I had 6 purchases from China that were basically junk - the postage costs to return were more than the item cost so put that down to experience.
Also had about 4 from Australian sites which cost about the same to return or just below to return - I followed thru with these as they were in Australia and figured if I don't follow thru they don't know they may be selling poor products. I'm currently mulling over what to do with a wifi range extender from that Australian mob that starts with K which just does not work. I navigated online to their warranty section where they ask a just about everything to do with the product/ordering/code number/order number etc possibly designed to deter returns.
Then I thought about a electric kettle I bought locally from the best know electrical retailers - it boiled for about 30 secs before switching off so I took it back and what do you know, they apologised and offered a refund or exchange on the spot.
So the bottom line is that I'm not quite sure about this "online" business. I think maybe cheap prices may in no way equal good service.
Good Luck.
Santa said
09:19 PM Dec 8, 2017
Have to say Hako my on line buying experience has been the exact opposite to yours.
Been buying on line regularly for about 15 years and never had a bad experience.
Purchases have been from U.S. U.K. and Aust.
I do my homework prior to ordering, know exactly what I want, check prices and suitability for use in Oz and research the vendor.
I don't buy on line from Asian countries.
Desert Dweller said
05:03 AM Dec 9, 2017
hako wrote:
Over the last few years I've bought quite a few items online, but I've just tallied up my "bad" purchases and how they panned out.
What I found was that I had 6 purchases from China that were basically junk - the postage costs to return were more than the item cost so put that down to experience.
Also had about 4 from Australian sites which cost about the same to return or just below to return - I followed thru with these as they were in Australia and figured if I don't follow thru they don't know they may be selling poor products. I'm currently mulling over what to do with a wifi range extender from that Australian mob that starts with K which just does not work. I navigated online to their warranty section where they ask a just about everything to do with the product/ordering/code number/order number etc possibly designed to deter returns.
Then I thought about a electric kettle I bought locally from the best know electrical retailers - it boiled for about 30 secs before switching off so I took it back and what do you know, they apologised and offered a refund or exchange on the spot.
So the bottom line is that I'm not quite sure about this "online" business. I think maybe cheap prices may in no way equal good service.
Good Luck.
Never had a problem buying on line. The bottom line is to buy quality products, not cheap & nasty bargain junk. Then you don't have to worry about returning it.
montie said
07:07 AM Dec 9, 2017
hako wrote:
Over the last few years I've bought quite a few items online, but I've just tallied up my "bad" purchases and how they panned out.
What I found was that I had 6 purchases from China that were basically junk - the postage costs to return were more than the item cost so put that down to experience.
Also had about 4 from Australian sites which cost about the same to return or just below to return - I followed thru with these as they were in Australia and figured if I don't follow thru they don't know they may be selling poor products. I'm currently mulling over what to do with a wifi range extender from that Australian mob that starts with K which just does not work. I navigated online to their warranty section where they ask a just about everything to do with the product/ordering/code number/order number etc possibly designed to deter returns.
Then I thought about a electric kettle I bought locally from the best know electrical retailers - it boiled for about 30 secs before switching off so I took it back and what do you know, they apologised and offered a refund or exchange on the spot.
So the bottom line is that I'm not quite sure about this "online" business. I think maybe cheap prices may in no way equal good service.
Good Luck.
I agree Hako.
A lot of cheap junk online plus I like to see feel and touch before I hand over the $$$$!
Aus-Kiwi said
08:13 AM Dec 9, 2017
The old saying you get what you
PAY for !! Iāve bought electronic gear from Asian countries, had almost no issues !! The worlds electronic protucts are nearly ALL made there now !! But letās face it ?? If most products are say ?? $100 then there one for $20 ?? Why would you think itās as good as the $100 product !! In most cases this is where the issues start . Built to price !! Weāve recently bought linen & towels off line . So so happy with price and product . 1/4 the price in shops !! Btw Chinese gov sponsers overseas freight !
Dickodownunder said
09:29 AM Dec 9, 2017
Price is usually quite a strong decision maker when buying anything.
I have been considering replacing the 350 kpa water pressure valve in my van with a 500kpa unit to increase the water pressure available in the van.
My requirement that the replacement valve had the same body as the original so that I had no need to re adapt a different valve.
My research started in Mackay where the Big Green Shed had the valve I require for $69.00
I did not buy it and thought I will continue to look.
Got to Adelaide and the same valve in the same outlet was $79.00
I went online and a supplier in Brisbane had the same valve for $28.00 including free postage.
It took 5 days including a weekend to arrive at my home in rural SA and when I opened it I note it is the same brand as the Big Green Shed.
While in Adelaide I also tried a dedicated plumbing supplier and the assistant there tried to convince me to buy a different type of valve at a cost of $109.00 and extra for fittings to make it fit. His comments were that his brand was a "better quality".
I cant see that this valve will be categorised at a later date into "my bad purchases" list.
The valve consists basically of a pressure sensitive spring that regulates water pressure.
I will take my chances for the savings made.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:48 AM Dec 9, 2017
I have to ask . Could the original pressure reg have a shimmed or stounger spring fitted ?? I did a little the same . I fitted a fuel pump stainless steel spring .
Dickodownunder said
11:41 AM Dec 9, 2017
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
I have to ask . Could the original pressure reg have a shimmed or stounger spring fitted ?? I did a little the same . I fitted a fuel pump stainless steel spring .
Hi AK
Yes I actually removed the spring and stretched it with two pairs of multi grips .
This worked fine for a while but it slowly dropped pressure again until it resumed its miserable output.
For $70 dollars I would have tried to get another spring ( they are stainless) but for $28 I will give the new valve a chance.
Stretching is not the go I recon shimmimg would do the job.
Aus-Kiwi said
12:22 PM Dec 9, 2017
Yea lucky I have plenty of stainless springs around here from my automotive projects . Lol
Dickodownunder said
01:32 PM Dec 9, 2017
Yes, up until about 10 years ago when we sold a property that had my huge shed and a lifetimes collection bits and pieces, I could have done a similar thing.
Today unfortunately, I am stuck with what I can buy from the local hardware store.
Aus-Kiwi said
02:43 PM Dec 9, 2017
Your mrs finally won too ha ? Lol
Dickodownunder said
08:48 PM Dec 9, 2017
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Your mrs finally won too ha ? Lol
You seem to have a full understanding of my dissapointing past. Lol AK.
Yes they all win in the end...Lol
Tony Bev said
12:50 AM Dec 10, 2017
I have no problems buying online, but I only pay with PayPal, as it gives a bit of security to me
I always look to see if the same item is for sale locally, most times it is not
I am also prepared to pay a bit extra when I buy locally
My latest buy was a 12 volt fridge, there are two shops in my area who are suppose to stock them, they do not
Both shops would have had to order them in, so I ordered it myself
moamajohn said
10:52 AM Dec 10, 2017
I am also happy thus far regarding online purchasing.I recently got an Eberspacher heater from Turkey.Ordered and payed for on Thurs evening and it was at our PO box on the next Wed morning ! Cheers.
Kisha said
12:18 PM Dec 10, 2017
Hako I agree with you. Online shopping is a big no no for many reasons. I would only purchase online if it was impossible for me to purchase from a store, and I would have to be really desperate for whatever the item to purchase online. Have a wonderful Christmas. regards Kisha.
-- Edited by Kisha on Sunday 10th of December 2017 12:24:40 PM
aussie_paul said
01:35 PM Dec 10, 2017
With my dissabilities I love shopping on line, so convenient and economical. I do lots of research. One disadvantage is having to plan ahead with jobs that I need parts for.
Aussie Paul.
Dhutime said
05:27 PM Dec 11, 2017
Just today received a table that my wife bought on line . NOW I have to build it . Itās got million bits .
hako said
10:09 PM Dec 11, 2017
I must admit that most of my online purchases are spur of the moment and generally are under $20 - examples are endoscope, cree torches, anderson copy plugs, 12v timers etc., and in all honesty even if I bought local I possibly would not take it back. I am a sucker for a cheap price however and that's a bad habit to break.
Good Luck.
Aus-Kiwi said
06:47 PM Dec 12, 2017
We have recently bought linen , towels and bedding sheets
. WAy better quality at half the price
Ron-D said
08:54 AM Dec 13, 2017
We find buying online saves use lots of money ,the postage has always been free,and every thing so far has been delivered promptly.
Santa said
09:57 AM Dec 13, 2017
I'm a member of another forum inhabited mainly by a younger group of people.
The attitudes to online shopping etc there is poles apart from what we see on GN, buying online is an accepted part of daily life, with seldom a grumble about bad shopping experiences.
I suspect a lot of bad online mishaps perceived or real, experienced by older folk, comes down to not fully comprehending exactly how the system works, along with lack of awareness of pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:16 AM Dec 13, 2017
Yep even Santa uses it !!
Santa said
10:37 AM Dec 13, 2017
Sure do.
Blues Man said
11:05 AM Dec 13, 2017
I have brought about half a dozen items all at different times that were on line ,and at no time have they not turned up .All arrived on time and in
good condition and everything was well packed .
On line shopping these days is a common and very popular form of commerce .
Dickodownunder said
11:10 AM Dec 13, 2017
Another reason why I do a bit of online shopping is that I live in a rural area and when I travel I try to avould big cities and camp in regional areas.
While I find the more rural areas are nicer than a big city, the availability and variety of goods is quite often restricted.
Online shopping makes it a simple exercise for me.
I take advantage of Aus Posts "Parcel Collect" service so that the furthest I drive for any purchase is to the closest Post Office.
For security reasons I even use this service when I am at home because quite often Aus Post will just leave a parcel on my front porch.
Aus-Kiwi said
01:24 PM Dec 13, 2017
Blues Man . Be careful you offend ?? Lol 3 hoās .
Blues Man said
06:00 PM Dec 13, 2017
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Blues Man . Be careful you offend ?? Lol 3 hoās .
oops , gotta be careful what i say here,but hey that's the truth and sometimes the truth hurts .
Desert Dweller said
06:14 PM Dec 13, 2017
We don't have Pay pal or use our credit card on the internet.
If we see something we want to buy on a site we go to CONTACT & usually they have a toll free phone number.
We ring it & use our credit card over the phone.
It's worked like a charm for thousands of dollars worth of gear.
SLR cameras, lenses, binoculars, mandolins & guitars all delivered on time without a hassle of any kind.
Izabarack said
04:18 PM Dec 14, 2017
Just bought some quick dry pants online. $14.75 compared to $60 + if sourced from local store. Two points - max size available was just big enough, and, I have ethical issues with going to a Brick-&-Mortar store to pick item to buy online.
Iza
Hylda&Jon said
12:43 PM Dec 18, 2017
I'm another one that buys online with no problems.
I have bought nearly 500 things on eBay and only been disapointed a couple of times many years ago when I got a couple of cheapy things so I got what I deserved for my stupidity. I have also bought many many other things direct from the companies, many of these overseas, but I have learned there is cheap junk out there too so it's best to use a bit of common sense and not take too many risks and also do your research.
I rarely buy from China or Hong Kong as, apart from an abundance of cheap knockoffs coming from there, I also found they take a couple of month or more to be delivered yet things bought from USA or England I usually have the in my hands in a couple of weeks.
Best advice I can give.....Check feedback on eBay and google products for reviews and peoples opinions in forums.
Over the last few years I've bought quite a few items online, but I've just tallied up my "bad" purchases and how they panned out.
What I found was that I had 6 purchases from China that were basically junk - the postage costs to return were more than the item cost so put that down to experience.
Also had about 4 from Australian sites which cost about the same to return or just below to return - I followed thru with these as they were in Australia and figured if I don't follow thru they don't know they may be selling poor products. I'm currently mulling over what to do with a wifi range extender from that Australian mob that starts with K which just does not work. I navigated online to their warranty section where they ask a just about everything to do with the product/ordering/code number/order number etc possibly designed to deter returns.
Then I thought about a electric kettle I bought locally from the best know electrical retailers - it boiled for about 30 secs before switching off so I took it back and what do you know, they apologised and offered a refund or exchange on the spot.
So the bottom line is that I'm not quite sure about this "online" business. I think maybe cheap prices may in no way equal good service.
Good Luck.
Have to say Hako my on line buying experience has been the exact opposite to yours.
Been buying on line regularly for about 15 years and never had a bad experience.
Purchases have been from U.S. U.K. and Aust.
I do my homework prior to ordering, know exactly what I want, check prices and suitability for use in Oz and research the vendor.
I don't buy on line from Asian countries.
Never had a problem buying on line. The bottom line is to buy quality products, not cheap & nasty bargain junk. Then you don't have to worry about returning it.
I have been considering replacing the 350 kpa water pressure valve in my van with a 500kpa unit to increase the water pressure available in the van.
My requirement that the replacement valve had the same body as the original so that I had no need to re adapt a different valve.
My research started in Mackay where the Big Green Shed had the valve I require for $69.00
I did not buy it and thought I will continue to look.
Got to Adelaide and the same valve in the same outlet was $79.00
I went online and a supplier in Brisbane had the same valve for $28.00 including free postage.
It took 5 days including a weekend to arrive at my home in rural SA and when I opened it I note it is the same brand as the Big Green Shed.
While in Adelaide I also tried a dedicated plumbing supplier and the assistant there tried to convince me to buy a different type of valve at a cost of $109.00 and extra for fittings to make it fit. His comments were that his brand was a "better quality".
I cant see that this valve will be categorised at a later date into "my bad purchases" list.
The valve consists basically of a pressure sensitive spring that regulates water pressure.
I will take my chances for the savings made.
Hi AK
Yes I actually removed the spring and stretched it with two pairs of multi grips .
This worked fine for a while but it slowly dropped pressure again until it resumed its miserable output.
For $70 dollars I would have tried to get another spring ( they are stainless) but for $28 I will give the new valve a chance.
Stretching is not the go I recon shimmimg would do the job.
Today unfortunately, I am stuck with what I can buy from the local hardware store.
You seem to have a full understanding of my dissapointing past. Lol AK.
Yes they all win in the end...Lol
I always look to see if the same item is for sale locally, most times it is not
I am also prepared to pay a bit extra when I buy locally
My latest buy was a 12 volt fridge, there are two shops in my area who are suppose to stock them, they do not
Both shops would have had to order them in, so I ordered it myself
Hako I agree with you. Online shopping is a big no no for many reasons. I would only purchase online if it was impossible for me to purchase from a store, and I would have to be really desperate for whatever the item to purchase online. Have a wonderful Christmas. regards Kisha.
-- Edited by Kisha on Sunday 10th of December 2017 12:24:40 PM
With my dissabilities I love shopping on line, so convenient and economical. I do lots of research. One disadvantage is having to plan ahead with jobs that I need parts for.
Aussie Paul.
Good Luck.
We find buying online saves use lots of money ,the postage has always been free,and every thing so far has been delivered promptly.
I'm a member of another forum inhabited mainly by a younger group of people.
The attitudes to online shopping etc there is poles apart from what we see on GN, buying online is an accepted part of daily life, with seldom a grumble about bad shopping experiences.
I suspect a lot of bad online mishaps perceived or real, experienced by older folk, comes down to not fully comprehending exactly how the system works, along with lack of awareness of pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Sure do.
I have brought about half a dozen items all at different times that were on line ,and at no time have they not turned up .All arrived on time and in
good condition and everything was well packed .
On line shopping these days is a common and very popular form of commerce .
While I find the more rural areas are nicer than a big city, the availability and variety of goods is quite often restricted.
Online shopping makes it a simple exercise for me.
I take advantage of Aus Posts "Parcel Collect" service so that the furthest I drive for any purchase is to the closest Post Office.
For security reasons I even use this service when I am at home because quite often Aus Post will just leave a parcel on my front porch.
oops , gotta be careful what i say here,but hey that's the truth and sometimes the truth hurts .
If we see something we want to buy on a site we go to CONTACT & usually they have a toll free phone number.
We ring it & use our credit card over the phone.
It's worked like a charm for thousands of dollars worth of gear.
SLR cameras, lenses, binoculars, mandolins & guitars all delivered on time without a hassle of any kind.
Iza
I'm another one that buys online with no problems.
I have bought nearly 500 things on eBay and only been disapointed a couple of times many years ago when I got a couple of cheapy things so I got what I deserved for my stupidity. I have also bought many many other things direct from the companies, many of these overseas, but I have learned there is cheap junk out there too so it's best to use a bit of common sense and not take too many risks and also do your research.
I rarely buy from China or Hong Kong as, apart from an abundance of cheap knockoffs coming from there, I also found they take a couple of month or more to be delivered yet things bought from USA or England I usually have the in my hands in a couple of weeks.
Best advice I can give.....Check feedback on eBay and google products for reviews and peoples opinions in forums.