{The actual site is an off-shoot from Comet's main one. I've e.mailed Ciao! and asked for the category to be created but as yet am still waiting. I'll move it when they do create it.}
I've been after a wide-screen TV for ages. I've ordered a couple but they took so long in pratting about with the order that I cancelled them. But I still want one. A shiny silver-effect 32" for the living room. Smart. They are a bit pricey so stumbling across Comet's clearance site (not the main site), of course I had to have a gander. And to be honest with you I'm so underwhelmed. Damp Squib!
I don't go in for these bidding sites, too technical for me. But is it normal for clearance stock to be sold at almost the normal price? If yes, then what's the point? If no, then Comet have got everything upside down. £30 off the RRP off a washing machine that
has a dent in it and shop-soiled is not so much a bargain. Is it? Oh well, it's a relatively new site and they say more stock is coming on-line all the time. Maybe things will get better.
All bids are sealed online and start at a £1, no reserve. First you need to register and give them your life story in order for them to flog it to some mail-shot nuisance. No register, no bids. Each auction last for one week only and the highest bidder gets the goodies. Just submit your maximum bid and if it is eventually beaten an e-mail will wing its way to let you know, just in case you want to increase the amount before the auction closes. If it was me I'd keep my eye on it to make sure as e-mails don't always get through quickly. They do have a convoluted hierarchy of bidding, depending on how many lots you're bidding for, the amount etc. So check out the T&C carefully before jumping in.
The site is very well laid-out, no heavy graphics to slow the download. Always a good thing. The sections are divided into:
Fridge/Freezers Cookers/Microwaves Laundry/Ironing Dishwashers Vacuum Cleaners Videos Recorders DVD TV Camcorders/Cameras HI-Fi PCs/Peripherals 'Phone/fax
. . .it's easy to find your way around. Don't expect a lot of stock, some sections don't even have any lots. But where products are offered, sometimes there is more than one on offer, though this isn't always made clear. Simply select what takes your fancy, place your highest sealed bid and voila! Wait and see. Apparently the software on site places your smallest bid, incremental to your maximum. But do ensure that you know what you're buying and what the fault was in the first place. Click on the 'more info' icon under the product photograph and the details are supplied, along with the bid history and closing date. All items have either been returned, are slightly damaged, shop-soiled or end of line. Each is supposedly in full working order and backed with a 1 year guarantee. Not bad.
Delivery is going to set you back £7.05 for smaller items such as videos, increasing to £23.70 for larger white goods. It's worth bearing in mind that they will only deliver in mainland UK and to the address you supplied when registering. If you live close enough you could even pick your purchase up from the Chingford store. If you haven't heard of Chingford then obviously it's too far. (London E4 I believe it is?) Though if you are not collecting you may select a delivery date from the few offered, pretty accommodating really.
If you get stuck on anything prior to or during a bid there is a very detailed Q&A section, huge. If you can't get your answer there a help-desk number is in place. Chances are though with the Q&A being so well thought out and presented and in such an accessible format that all the information you'll need will be here someplace. Just takes a bit of time.
At the moment I'd give the site 1 star. The idea is good but the stock is limited, sells for roughly the same amount as normal shop prices, and once you add-on the delivery charge, not much of a bargain after all. The more popular the site becomes, the more bids, more bids, higher bids - less of a chance of picking up something cheap. It's nicely laid out, easy to navigate and has a terrific Q&A section, backed up by the help desk. But for me, I won't be bothering. No doubt other stores will also jump on the bandwagon of clearance auctions and perhaps this competition will go some way to keeping prices lower, but as it is consumers vying against each other rather than the companies, perhaps not. By all means have a gander but don't expect much.
www.clearance-comet.co.uk
And I still haven't got a bloomin' wide-screen TV...
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I have (a widescreen TV that it). Interesting concept, but like you say, not really a bargain once you include delivery charge. I have picked up a few bargain 'returns' from Currys, so at least I could see what any damage was and take it home myself. Good review.
castlebinn 23.12.2001 13:35
Nice op. If you're after cheapish electrical stuff on the web try empire direct.
Advantages: Easy to use online shop, good illustrations and descriptions of products, excellent auction service for clearence items Disadvantages: This site can be somewhat slow at times, especially during the early evenings
smkinnair 20.01.2003 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of comet.co.uk
Advantages: It's a laugh that customer services in this day and age can be so BAD Disadvantages: customer services why have em the managers have all the power in store
bridtown 31.01.2008 (31.01.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of comet.co.uk
Dec 15th, 2001
very helpful by (95%):
somewhat helpful by (5%):
