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I've done some intense research over the past few minutes in search of the UK's BEST online games retailer, and here are my rankings, in reverse order. If they're not even here, then it's because they're not as good. Simple as that. So, here are DA WINNAZ:
9th: Simplygames
Nice, moderately cheap games. Problem is, there aren't many games in their database. Plus, their search engine is sh!te. Not bad though. OH - their delivery service ain't that reliable, and trying to call them is more trouble than it's worth, with the phone line engaged most of the time. And no "On hold" line either. Pffff.
8th: dabs
Dabs? Don't they sell other stuff as well? Yes, and admittedly their games catalogue is even more limited than Simplygames - but they're quite cheap. I don't like their after sales service, so a loss of brownie points here.
7th: cd-wow
Now we're getting somewhere. Moderately cheap games and fast delivery. Site is quite good too. However, they ship items from their warehouses in the Far East, so a potentially dodgy area they're doing business in.
6th: Gamesplanet
Not bad, a nice website in my favourite colour. They got the shade perfect as well. Oh, broad games selection, all quite cheap.
5th: GAME
Would have been higher but their recent customer service has been lacking. Refunds take ages, and the games are pricer than most. In fact, the only reason I've included them here is because of the ***0 b**b* I got from them.
4th: gameplay
Not bad. Occasionally publish a catalogue, though it's flimsy and printed on thin toilet roll paper. Also smells bad. Their prices aren't the cheapest, but at least it does beat those of GAME's. You have a choice of whether your games will arrive in a padded envelope or box too, which I guess is nice if you're picky or admire the packaging more than the game itself.
3rd: play
Okay, though on the website you have to select the field you are searching in before typing in the search. Then pressing Enter. A trivial problem, but still wastes a bit of time for the user. Stuff arrives from Jersey, which I hear is a nice place. Good.
The runner-up for the best online games retailer goes to...
Amazon:
Nice selection of games and other stuff you might need; search toolbar is rather conveniently placed too. Website design is rather cluttered however, and takes a bit of getting used to at first. Also, the games bought from there smell a bit rotten, as if someone's been eating bananas and left the whiff behind on your games prior to packing.
And the UK's best online games retailer goes to......
Special Reserve
The best in the UK, possibly the world. The only one featured that has a lively online community present on forums, in addition to a huge games database. Searching is easy, just type part of the product name and there's a good chance the item you want is near the top of search results.
Regularly publishes a catalogue featuring not only the best of its product database, but also reviews and competitions. It even has a website dedicated just to the members of the forums, it's that good. Ordering from the site is easy and delivery is fast.
The killer blow comes in the form of free gifts offered, claimed by collecting Special Resrve's own "Reddy" system. Cool.
So there you have it. SR are the best. Woo-hoo
EDIT: Not biased in any way, so this topic can be relied on in determining future shopping habits.
9th: Simplygames
Nice, moderately cheap games. Problem is, there aren't many games in their database. Plus, their search engine is sh!te. Not bad though. OH - their delivery service ain't that reliable, and trying to call them is more trouble than it's worth, with the phone line engaged most of the time. And no "On hold" line either. Pffff.
8th: dabs
Dabs? Don't they sell other stuff as well? Yes, and admittedly their games catalogue is even more limited than Simplygames - but they're quite cheap. I don't like their after sales service, so a loss of brownie points here.
7th: cd-wow
Now we're getting somewhere. Moderately cheap games and fast delivery. Site is quite good too. However, they ship items from their warehouses in the Far East, so a potentially dodgy area they're doing business in.
6th: Gamesplanet
Not bad, a nice website in my favourite colour. They got the shade perfect as well. Oh, broad games selection, all quite cheap.
5th: GAME
Would have been higher but their recent customer service has been lacking. Refunds take ages, and the games are pricer than most. In fact, the only reason I've included them here is because of the ***0 b**b* I got from them.
4th: gameplay
Not bad. Occasionally publish a catalogue, though it's flimsy and printed on thin toilet roll paper. Also smells bad. Their prices aren't the cheapest, but at least it does beat those of GAME's. You have a choice of whether your games will arrive in a padded envelope or box too, which I guess is nice if you're picky or admire the packaging more than the game itself.
3rd: play
Okay, though on the website you have to select the field you are searching in before typing in the search. Then pressing Enter. A trivial problem, but still wastes a bit of time for the user. Stuff arrives from Jersey, which I hear is a nice place. Good.
The runner-up for the best online games retailer goes to...
Amazon:
Nice selection of games and other stuff you might need; search toolbar is rather conveniently placed too. Website design is rather cluttered however, and takes a bit of getting used to at first. Also, the games bought from there smell a bit rotten, as if someone's been eating bananas and left the whiff behind on your games prior to packing.
And the UK's best online games retailer goes to......
Special Reserve
The best in the UK, possibly the world. The only one featured that has a lively online community present on forums, in addition to a huge games database. Searching is easy, just type part of the product name and there's a good chance the item you want is near the top of search results.
Regularly publishes a catalogue featuring not only the best of its product database, but also reviews and competitions. It even has a website dedicated just to the members of the forums, it's that good. Ordering from the site is easy and delivery is fast.
The killer blow comes in the form of free gifts offered, claimed by collecting Special Resrve's own "Reddy" system. Cool.
So there you have it. SR are the best. Woo-hoo
EDIT: Not biased in any way, so this topic can be relied on in determining future shopping habits.
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Yer, SR are the best!!!
I've never once had a problem with SR. Any games I preordered I got on release day, without leaving my own home.
Some things are at really good prices, sometimes not as good as a competitor. Normally the difference is minimal, but in the occasions that it isn't, I buy from the competitor. Simple really.
Some things are at really good prices, sometimes not as good as a competitor. Normally the difference is minimal, but in the occasions that it isn't, I buy from the competitor. Simple really.
Huge games database?!? Where the feck is Tak and Sphinx for the Cube, then?
Muh, you bum licker, shall probably earn you a game though. :-D
Muh, you bum licker, shall probably earn you a game though. :-D
Icaruss wrote:
> EDIT: Not biased in any way, so this topic can be relied on in
> determining future shopping habits.
Right, whatever :D.
> EDIT: Not biased in any way, so this topic can be relied on in
> determining future shopping habits.
Right, whatever :D.
I've never had a problem with SR. I recently ordered a couple of games (not at the same time, about a week apart) and I ordered them both in the evening about 9-10pm. I got them a couple of days later.
Icaruss wrote:
> I very much doubt you're in a position to tell me whether I'm capable
> of running a business.
About as qualified as you are to comment on these sites! I've been able to finance pretty much everything I have wanted during my (nearly) 3 years at University solely by buying and selling on eBay, which is good enough for me - if you are dealing with people in any way who you expect to buy stuff from you you do not, no matter what they do or say, insult them or mess stuff up simply because of something they did. They're the people paying your wages after all...
On another note, this morning ordered West Wing Season 3 DVD from Amazon, it's out March 29th, I paid for 1st class posage. Estimated dispatch date? april 4th....cancelled that order. Went along to Play, ordered same thing (only £2 more) and Harvest Moon for GC, and they shipped out this morning just 1 hour after ordering.
Now that is quality service.
> I very much doubt you're in a position to tell me whether I'm capable
> of running a business.
About as qualified as you are to comment on these sites! I've been able to finance pretty much everything I have wanted during my (nearly) 3 years at University solely by buying and selling on eBay, which is good enough for me - if you are dealing with people in any way who you expect to buy stuff from you you do not, no matter what they do or say, insult them or mess stuff up simply because of something they did. They're the people paying your wages after all...
On another note, this morning ordered West Wing Season 3 DVD from Amazon, it's out March 29th, I paid for 1st class posage. Estimated dispatch date? april 4th....cancelled that order. Went along to Play, ordered same thing (only £2 more) and Harvest Moon for GC, and they shipped out this morning just 1 hour after ordering.
Now that is quality service.
They aren't a touch on some companies out there, including some of their biggest rivals, way way behind. I know if I order from Gameplay, GAME or Amazon and pay for 1st class postage that I will receive the game two days later, always on release or one day before release and will not get some pathetic excuse about stock levels and the like which are quite frankly a complete joke.
Yeah OK.
Besides, there's no need for some of you to point out the painfully bleedin' obvious; I mean, d'uh!
Besides, there's no need for some of you to point out the painfully bleedin' obvious; I mean, d'uh!
SR might be the best in the UK but no way is it the best in the world.
Belldandy wrote:
> So, as the customer, I'm supposed to keep them happy? Okay....for
> Christ's sake don't start your own business Icarus.
I very much doubt you're in a position to tell me whether I'm capable of running a business.
> So, as the customer, I'm supposed to keep them happy? Okay....for
> Christ's sake don't start your own business Icarus.
I very much doubt you're in a position to tell me whether I'm capable of running a business.
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