I do all my online shopping from Amazon, mainly because it's cheap, affordable and comparable.
Amazon is basically an online 'catalogue' website of all different stuff to purchase, either brand new from Amazon and alternative sellers or 'used'.
****** Registering with Amazon ***********
What I love about Amazon is that it remembers my previous orders or stuff that I've recently looked at. When you register (which is really simple) you can save all your bank details and postal address so you don't have to type it in again with every purchase you make. I have selected for the website to 'remember' me, so when I log on, it says 'Welcome back Alaycia' at the top of the screen. However, for security reasons, when making a purchase, I still have to -re log in with my password, which is very good if someone uses my computer and enters to web.
******* Logging on - The design and layout *************
Because the website remembers all my previous orders, stuff held in my shopping trolley for later and things that I have viewed recently, it'll display a whole list of recommendations with products on the welcome screen which is fantastic. For example, I recently ordered 'Big tunes back to the 90's' CD, thus, when I next logged in, there were lots of Dance and 'Mash Up' cd's recommended for me.
The screen colours consists of blue and orange toolbars. It's quite plain, nothing fancy or glitzey but then again, this makes it easy to use.
The website is very easy to use. On the left you have all your categories, like: Books, Music, electronics, toys etc... As you place your mouse on each category, a sub menu will automatically appear and detail subsections. So if I went onto 'Electronics' to sub categories displayed are: 'Camera & phone'; 'IPOD, MP3 & Accessories'; 'Sat Nav, Phones and PDA' 'PC and Video games' etc...
When you click on these, they'll be a list down the side which categories, say, camera's, into the different manufactures.
This allows you to go to the exact section you want. Alternatively, if you know of a particular product you want, like an 'Apple Iphone', just type it in the search box and it'll display the results.
When you click on a product that takes your interest, you'll be directed to a new page which shows the product picture bigger (and this can be made bigger still by clicking on the picture again and sometimes there are alternative side shots, usually with phones, mp3's an camera's). This page will detail the price that 'Amazon are selling it at (usually it's really cheap!). There is always a 'Supersaver' delivery available for orders over just £5. So basically, P & P is free.
Underneath the Amazon price, there is an alternative price range which says, for example: '25 New from £4.67' and '7 used from £2.49'.
If you click on the '25 new' there is a list of alternative sellers which offer the product cheaper. However, remember that these usually require P&P charges so sometimes, Amazon's price works out a better deal. If you chose the 'used' you'll find another list of sellers which provide the item.
Though it says 'used' more often than not, it says 'Used - like new' beside the sellers name so you can really bag yourself a bargain. The description is always given, for example ' used -good condition' or 'used - very good condition'.
Most of the products are reviewed from other users so this really helps you in your buying decision. All the sellers are rated on their reliability as well, with regards to delivery times, postage and packaging etc... They are usually in the region of 95 - 100% positive.
Another absolutely brilliant thing about the web is that if you chose 'CD's'; it'll list all the songs on that CD and will even allow you to play a short sample of each song so you can see if you like it or not. Below, it will have sccrolling pictures of products that were bought from people who purchased the item you are viewing.
I ordered all 'used' text books for my A level exam. I ordered some poetry books that cost me just 1p, YES 1P! And P & P was just 50p and the condition was perfect! Bargain!
****** Purchasing**********
Buying products is so simple. You just select the item and click 'add to trolley'. There's a little box with a trolley design in the top right corner which details what's in your basket and the total amount. To pay for the goods, you just click 'go to checkout'. Once you've re-signed into your account, all your address details are loaded. Simply confirm your purchase and delivery address (or type an alternative) and you're done! If you're ordering from Amazon, make sure you select 'Super saver delievery' (if the order is £5 +) because it will not automatically give you free P & P if you don't select the box.
Postage is so quick. They arrive in about 2 days if it's directly from Amazon. If you're purchasing from one of the alternative suppliers, they will have different delivery times which they should detail on the screen before you commit to buy.
You don't have to buy straight the way. You can hold an item in your trolley for however long you like. However, sometimes, if the product is from a seller, the price may change or the it may go out of stock. Amazon will notify you of this and offer alternative sellers at the same original price as the one you had selected before.
You will be sent an email confirming your purchase and detailing the charges. If you have purchased from a seller, you'll recieve an email of confirmation and then you'll recieve another telling you that the item has been despatched for delievery.
Sometimes, the seller will send you an email personally, thanking you for the purchase.
**** other features******
At the top of the web there is a tag called 'deals of the week' where you can view all the latest price cuts for various items and categories.
At the bottom of the screen, there are all the products you last viewed, so if you looked at something and then chose to look at something else but then decided you wanted the product you originally looked at, rather than going back through all the categories and trying to find it, just scroll down and it'll be there at the bottom.
Rather than buying, you can also sell your stuff as well. I personally don't know how this works as I don't sell stuff on Amazon but it may be of interest to you.
Overall, I thing this is the best site for purchasing bargains. Here's the low down on why it's fab:
- Easy to use website
- Details can be saved for convienance + it's secure
- Fast delivery from Amazon
- Loads of products with pictures and shot angles for full viewing
- Most of the products have reviews for buying guidance
- Bag a bargain with 'used items' in 'very good' or 'like new' condition
- View alternative suppliers at the cheapest possible price
- Sell your stuff
- Get recommendations from Amazon
- Fantastic Super Saver delievery offer
- Chose to have your items gift wrapped with a personal message for a small additional fee from Amazon
Amazin' Amazon 
