Circuit City
Circuit City online is a terrific way to research and find the best prices before you buy electronics.
CircuitCity.com shoppers rate and review their purchases. Those ratings --- good and bad -- are displayed for each item. Even the reviews, just like this one, are there. They also seem to have more people who actually bought the product writing reviews.
Clicking on a product at CircuitCity.com displays a box with the features and manufacturer information. Even the warranty information is included, which is great for deciding whether you want to buy an extended warranty. Shoppers can see everything on one page.
Circuit City's Lowest Price Guarantee
Online shopping is not only convenient and cost effective, but often creates better value. Circuit City's low price guarantee actually compares pricing from other stores and goes 10 percent lower than the lowest price displayed.
Think about that lowest price for a minute.
Find the lowest price, and Circuit City doesn't match it, but goes lower.
Not only can you get the match on the day you buy, you can get the difference up to 30 days after the purchase. It's really discouraging to buy something and then see it lower at another store the next week. If you keep up with your receipt, then you are safe at CC.
In Store Pick-Up
Getting to my local Circuit City takes about 15 minutes. The best part is that consumers can use the low price guaranee online, even against big companies like Amazon, and then go pick up their item dn the store. I've never had the store run a lower price than what I've found online though the on-line prices with pick-up are generally lower than a store walk-in. If you see something you like at the Circuit City store, then it pays to go home and check online to see if you can get a lower price.
If you decide to use in-store pick-up, then you'll have to go yourself and pick up the item. They need the credit card you used online plus an ID. You'll have the receipt printed online. This does mean that you can't send your spouse or a buddy to pick up your purchase though!
Online Purchase
Normally, I prefer to shop online and have items delivered. That's how I make most of my Circuit City purchases. The only reason I go to the store is when the price difference with the shipping makes it worth my time to drive over.
Shipping costs are average and fair. Circuit City often has free shipping days, and they also have many items that show FREE SHIPPING when you check the page. Sign up for the newsletter and ads, and you will get those deals when they come up. Do note that you're less likely to get free shipping on the big and heavy pieces at CC and on the tiny stuff like CDs. Many of the more expensive items that are not so heavy will ship out free with standard shipping.
With the in-store pick-up, they said that I could go the next day, and that's what I did. On the deliveries, they run about 4 days on average to get things in my box. That's with standard shipping and no upgrade.
The Circuit City Site and Great Phone Service. Yes, Phone.
CircuitCity.com has come a long and is now one of the easiest sites to search. They've added all the features shoppers expect without cluttering the site so it's a nice one-stop shop if you don't have time to read up other places and compare prices.
Electronics retailers who list phone numbers often do so to try and upsell shoppers. Circuit City lists a toll-free customer service number, and they actually answer the phone. You can also call the local store for help on items you bought online.
I had a buzz with a speaker, and I called the store. The guy listened to the buzz over the phone and suggested that I push the connector in a little tighter. My problem was fixed just that easy. He and the other Circuit City employees have always been very helpful. When I returned a disc drive that would not release the disks, they replaced it on the spot — no questions at all.
Over the last year, Circuit City has been top notch. I would not hesitate to send my best buddy over to shop at the site. They have solid information, great prices, and very personable sales help. They pack carefully and send things out fast. Circuit City is one of the very best of the online electronic stores.