« Getting the best deals shopping online in the UK »

Introduction

This is a particular hobby-horse of mine, so forgive me if I rant, but:
You can butter it any way you want, paint it any colour you like and show me dubious statistics 'til my eyes drop out but if I outlive Methuesela you'll still not convince me that the UK and often Europe in general isn't being done up like a kipper when it comes the retail goods. Cameras, cars, steroes, the list goes on.

I've been told outright by some suppliers that manufacturers have different rules for different countries.
Here's just a few examples...

• Gray imports. As a reseller if you buy a 100% genuine copy of Windows XP and Microsoft doesn't approve your source (ie Europe, whatever), you can be taken to court for piracy as MS deem gray import illegal!
  
  
• I can't remember the details but only a few months ago Tesco's (I think) where stuffed over branded jeans with a similar ruling. How dare they sell legally bought products at below manufacturers RRP. That's stealing is that...
  
  
• I believe Sony where fined $100 million for price fixing in Europe. Argos and Littlewoods where certainly fined over a scam with Hasbro.
  
  
• As for that idiocy that is regional encoding for music CD's and DVD's is that isn't related to blatant price fixing I'm beggered it I know what is. Protecting copyright my...
  
  

No matter how you look at it, as the big players get ever bigger and swallow the smaller companies so the underhand bribes, strong-arm tactics, legal minefields and outright dirty tricks (of which I've heard a few) get more prevalent.

I have an unhealthy dislike for "suits" and the multiple layers of admin that make rules to justify their ever rising salary - which we are paying for. I've seen it far too many times. Maybe I'll add a new webpage detailing every time a major corporation or monopoly incumbent is taken to task for bending and breaking the rules...

*Glances at the clock and stumbles of to bed muttering rebelliously*

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• BizRate
  
  
• Also recommended: ShopZilla
  
  

Literature, media and related

• Amazon UK
  
  

Electrical & Household goods

Technically I'm still trade so I hear and read a lot about electrical retail and when the more printable terms include comments like "virtual monopoly" well, you get the idea. Prices below are "at the time" which was around 2003. Anyway:

• 24-7 Electrical
  Some good bargains to be had.
  
  
• Argos
  Very good, but it can be frustratingly slow at times
  
  
• Buy-Cheap-Electricals - price comparison at its best
  A shoppers search engine.
  
  
• Comet
  Generally poor prices, but good to browse for specs or ideas.
  
  
• Comet Clearance
  I assume this is for off-loading returns, but Comet have this bidding website too!:
  
  
• CompareShopPrices.co.uk
  Another search engine to find you the best deal in the country for household and electrical goods and gadgets.
  They also got the Phillips 36PW9607 to £1,439. Given their phenomenal buying power, ever get the feeling Dixons are seriously taking the proverbial when the say they have the best prices around...
  
  
• Dixons
  Despite the dubious claims of the best prices around they generally offer poor deals, but are at least good to browse for specs. or ideas.
  
  Out of interest, in store a Phillips 36PW9607 36" Widescreen Television is £1,946 the same model from their own website is just £1515 !
  Over £400 difference buying it over the web? Come on!
  
  
• Electriconland
  You just have to visit this place!
  
  
• Empire Direct
  They claim up to 30% off top brand electrical goods. Ain't hard if they compare against one chain I could mention
  
  
• Half Price Or Less .com
  
  
• Home Cinema Choice
  Over 1.500 pages of home cinema news, reviews, articles and information.
  Helps you make an informed choice...
  
  
• Kelkoo
  This is more like it! Basically a shoppers search engine.
  
  
• PC World
  Part of the Dixons group.
  I find it fascinating to wander round now any again. Gotta love the range of tech toys!
  Again, despite claims of the best deals around I tend to find their prices are often noticably higher than other suppliers.
  For instance, the Nikon 5700 digital camera is £891.82 whereas our local photographers has it for £794.99
  Being fair, the Epson c82 inkjet sells for £96.89 with one local reseller at £99.88, though online Dabs have it at £90.47. I managed to source it locally at just £86, but I do get discounts...
  
  
• Shopping.com - Find, Compare, and Buy Anything in Seconds
  
  
• Vacuum Cleaners Direct - The No. 1 place to buy vacuums on-line!
  
  

Insurance

According to my wife Churchill were pushy - and we got a far better deal via HSBC (Ireland)!   That said, the following year she got her car insurance from them. As ever, shop around.

Another year, another footnote. According to my wife who deals with all this sort of thing, we got a far better deal this year from 'More Than'.

• Churchill Insurance
  Than's the one with the bulldog, "Oh yes!"
  
  
• MORE TH>N
  That's the one with the (Jack Russell?), Lucky... That was lucky
  
  
• HBSC...
  
  
• Quote me happy goes the advert
  I intensely hate that ad. If I ever remember the insurer behind it I will make a point of NOT adding them here!
  
  

Specialist items

• [ www.microscopy-uk.org.uk ] Brunel Microscopes Ltd - One stop shop for microscopes and related
  
  
• FTSE 100 - latest up to the minute share prices
  
  
• RAVEN ARMOURY
  Looking for a made to measure chainmail surcoat? A warhammer, shield and broadsword to go with that? Look no further. These guys even make arms and armour for the Tower of London!
  
  

General interest links

• Net Buyer
  Visit ZDNet UK's new shopping channel to get prices from the UK's leading resellers and manufacturers -- all in real time! Make sure you don't put your hand in your pocket until you've checked out where you can get the best deals.
  
  
• Media UK Internet Directory
  100's of newspapers etc listed in detail
  
  

Business & Office Supplies

• Global Direct
  Not the cheapest, but good for cables and networking tools. They even do a "fan 3 pin to 4 pin adapter"
  
  
• Misco
  Again, not the cheapest, but good for cables and networking tools.
  
  
• Viking Direct
  These are really great, if you don't use them, do should try them.