This was one of my very early opinions. The revamp on ciao has meant it is worthwhile for me to revisit it as it has a chance of being read at the top of my profile. The original review follows and add ops are at the end.
This site sells new and used computer hardware and some software.I have used this site for the past two years and found it an excellent way to pick up a bargain. If you don't mind receiving goods with no instructions, or hardware with no drivers, then this is the site for you. Prices are very keen and there is a simple bid system including a bid robot to let you keep on bidding to your maximum even if you have gone offline. You can also practice biding in a fantasy auction. What are the prices like - I picked up a laptop for under £350 including VAT and delivery. This was a Pentium with CD, infrared etc.
There are disadvantages - you are going on a limited description and you might not get what you thought you would. (This is not always bad - I bought 3 soundcards because I needed 1 for my computer and found it didn't fit. The good news is I sold them on Yahoo for a profit!) Most of the goods are either second hand or come without drivers etc. If you can use the net (and you have found ciao) then getting drivers from websites is no problem. I have twice needed to use the after sales service. Once when a digital camera stopped working, and I was given all the information needed to return it to the manufacturer for replacement. On the second occassion I bought a laptop with less memory than stated on the web page. The memory I should have got was sent the same day and I was allowed to keep the incorrect memory.
I would recommend this site if you know what you want and have the bare minimum of knowledge about what is inside your computer.
Even with more experience there is not much to add. This is a very straightforward site. The homepage has a link to bids, and now has the facility to narrow your search to a certain category. Since there are only about thirty items on auction at any one time there is not really much point. Since my last op they have included a link to more information on the item, including in some cases links to the manufactures web site.
The same pluses and minuses still apply. You need to know what you are buying, and what its value elsewhere is. If you avoid getting carried away it is a superb source of computer peripharels. (The problem with updates is no spellchecker and that last word looks wrong. Peripherals?) My latest purchase was a new digital camera for a hundred quid. Expect an op when time permits.
More details
Content Update
Very often
Security & Privacy Statement
Good
Search Facility
Average
Bid Tracking Function
Satisfactory
Ability to Customise
None
Customer Service Support
Excellent
Client Number / Order Number
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