ShopTo are the best by far. They've always got games to me at least a day before release, usually at fairly cheap prices (comparable to Amazon most times anyway), and now you even get points per order for money off future orders. Absolutely can't fault them, although their links are still banned on here.
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Warning: Amazon UK delivery service is unreliable. (Anywhere else worth buying from?)
- Thread starter bobs...onGaf
- Start date
I loved ShopTo ... Until their Database got breached. Resulted in someone buying Czech plane tickets on my credit card and I had to go through a lot of hoops to get the money back
Made tens of orders from Amazon UK, in the last.. 5 or so years, and it never skip a beat.
I haven't ordered anything from the last months though, so i don't know if they have changed something recently.
On the other hand i had several problems with Play.com and other stores who don't offer a tracked delivery, so i tend to stick with Amazon.
I haven't ordered anything from the last months though, so i don't know if they have changed something recently.
On the other hand i had several problems with Play.com and other stores who don't offer a tracked delivery, so i tend to stick with Amazon.
NekoFever
Member
I use Tesco. I usually get games and Blu-rays early, and you earn Clubcard points with every purchase. They're quite strict about release dates on big games so I doubt you'd have got Halo 4 early, but I can usually count on receiving a Monday/Tuesday release on the Friday or Saturday before.
Is your letterbox smaller than a DVD case? If it is I'd recommend buying a new one instead of COD.
Some apartments do not allow for a custom letterbox though, i know it would be a pain in the ass for me to have one.
Also most of the time, if the pack is not tracked, they just put it *on* the letterbox, often without even trying to ring the bell, so anyone coming into the building can just take it (i've had a couple stole this way).
Now i only buy stuff i have to sign for at delivery.
I use Amazon UK for pretty much all of my video games, as they are one of the only stores professional enough to remove tax I'm exempt from (the specialists all refuse). This also makes them the best value for me.
I agree that their delivery service is inconsistent. Even as a Prime member, they seemingly at random assign either of their two very slow couriers to deliver my stuff... as I'm not on the mainland this becomes a five working day service, not the 1st Class that Prime pays for. I cross my fingers for Royal Mail each time.
Lately they have gotten games to me by the release date, apart from Borderlands 2 PC (two weeks late!) - which they blamed on the supplier not allocating enough stock. I am lucky that I don't care about the major Call of Duty or Battlefield releases, because Amazon seems to screw those up big time. I have, however, had several other releases miss me by a number of days because they chose to assign a courier instead of Royal Mail, and post it the day before.
If I lived on the mainland and had to pay VAT, I would probably use Shopto. Amazon are great if you have to return something/get a refund. Otherwise, you have absolutely no control over which delivery company they get to ship your items, and they really don't "get it" when it comes to release dates. Their release date delivery guarantee is a bucketload of manure half the time.
I agree that their delivery service is inconsistent. Even as a Prime member, they seemingly at random assign either of their two very slow couriers to deliver my stuff... as I'm not on the mainland this becomes a five working day service, not the 1st Class that Prime pays for. I cross my fingers for Royal Mail each time.
Lately they have gotten games to me by the release date, apart from Borderlands 2 PC (two weeks late!) - which they blamed on the supplier not allocating enough stock. I am lucky that I don't care about the major Call of Duty or Battlefield releases, because Amazon seems to screw those up big time. I have, however, had several other releases miss me by a number of days because they chose to assign a courier instead of Royal Mail, and post it the day before.
If I lived on the mainland and had to pay VAT, I would probably use Shopto. Amazon are great if you have to return something/get a refund. Otherwise, you have absolutely no control over which delivery company they get to ship your items, and they really don't "get it" when it comes to release dates. Their release date delivery guarantee is a bucketload of manure half the time.
blitzcloud
Banned
I loved ShopTo ... Until their Database got breached. Resulted in someone buying Czech plane tickets on my credit card and I had to go through a lot of hoops to get the money back
yep. And I got my details stolen after the breach that was mentioned. I wasn't even user at the time. So I think two breaches happened, and they just shut their mouth about it.
The main problem is the inconsistency from Amazon. I can't work out if I'll get Royal Mail or some other random courier, although it's supposed to be based on parcel size. I'd rather just have a choice. As soon as it's another courier you know you're gonna have problems. I remember one who left a card saying he would try and get me in for the next 2 days but I could also pay £25 to have it delivered on a Saturday. Luckily I sometimes have random weekdays off.
bobs...onGaf
Member
First time I have come across the breach. Glad I made this thread:
Amazon have been unreliable for me and people I know so im scratching them off my personal list.
Shopto seem to have a lack of security? Despite the good delivery that makes them a no-no. When did the breaches happen?
The others seems to have so-so reviews. :/
Even when I preorder a game from amazon.co.uk I've never really cared or even noticed if it arrives on launch day. I buy from amazon.co.uk primarily because it's damn cheaper than retail and even other online shops. And their delivery is superb. Almost always when they tell me they've shipped my order, it arrives exactly 2 business days later. This is from UK->NL and with their free shipping method! I've also never had problems from amazon.es, amazon.fr, amazon.de or amazon.it. Even though I don't use them that often anymore, amazon.com used to be excellent, and the few times I've had issues their customer service have been keen to fix those issues.
EDIT: I'm guessing my good experiences mostly comes from them using PostNL/TNT here locally instead of the surprisingly bad DHL, or the horrendous SelektVracht.
EDIT: I'm guessing my good experiences mostly comes from them using PostNL/TNT here locally instead of the surprisingly bad DHL, or the horrendous SelektVracht.
Canis lupus
Member
TheHut.
Little Old Man
Member
Yep, agree with all this. You even get a picture of your package as it is dispatched (not sure if pre-orders get this), which is a nice touch.
Steve McQueen
Member
Ordered many games at Amazon. Never had any problems and their warranty/customerservice is great.
fabricated backlash
Member
Amazon UK usually is the part in the shipping chain that delivers on time. Takes about 1 or 2 days for a package to arrive in Austria. The next 3-5 days it takes the austrian postal service to deliver it.
You can use PayPal with ShopTo if you are too scared to order with a credit card or whatever. I've been using them consistently for around 4-5 years and have never had a problem. They are even better now thanks to their new loyalty scheme.
Steve McQueen
Member
I dunno, but my paypal account was hacked once, and I keep getting e-mails that I should confirm my account etc ( phishing etc. ). I don't use Paypal unless I have no other options.
davidsaurus
Member
I'd add that I ordered Assassins Creed 3 from ShopTo on Wednesday and it has been over a week with "First Class" delivery, first class my ass. Still waiting
whatevermort
Member
Never had an issue.
33-Hit-Combo
Member
I had a funky issue when they updated their website to this snazzy crap. They auto charged my previously used card as soon as I clicked checkout. Never got the chance to enter details of any sort.
Great service though... Dispatched before I could even tell them what had happened (i.e. 1 hour after ordering). They need a telephone number tbh for urgent situations.
I normally tend to receive my post 2 days before release dates, love them.
Starwolf_UK
Member
Provided the package dispatches on time (is it me or have dispatch times got really slow for super saver as of late) I find its a coin flip between release date or day after on Super Saver.
First class arrives day before release.
Same with GAME (but first class is free there). Not used others for release date so can't comment.
It really depends on where you are in the country and how much of the internal logistics it has to go through as much as when it leaves the Amazon warehouse (apparently goods leave the warehouse when the van is full now rather than a set frequency).
First class arrives day before release.
Same with GAME (but first class is free there). Not used others for release date so can't comment.
It really depends on where you are in the country and how much of the internal logistics it has to go through as much as when it leaves the Amazon warehouse (apparently goods leave the warehouse when the van is full now rather than a set frequency).
Yeah, I put in an order an hour ago and it won't dispatch til Saturday or Sunday. 3-4 days dispatch time is kinda ridiculous.
Same here, UK to UK though. Sorry to hear about other people's problems though.
EternalDarko
Member
Hmm, this is the total opposite of my experience with them...possibly depends on the courier though.
I actually pre-ordered Halo 4 at the last minute on Sunday night and set it to 1st class delivery.
Got it this morning and have been enjoying the game since getting back home from work. Awesome.
I actually pre-ordered Halo 4 at the last minute on Sunday night and set it to 1st class delivery.
Got it this morning and have been enjoying the game since getting back home from work. Awesome.
Guerrillas in the Mist
Member
Shopto's service is phenomenal.
shopto breach was over three years ago, I doubt if they are still insecure. There is a bunch of info about their security here http://***********/help/securitypolicy
edit: site admins really need to unblock this url, it's quite obviously a popular site despite this old ban.
edit: site admins really need to unblock this url, it's quite obviously a popular site despite this old ban.
Guerrillas in the Mist
Member
I believe they completely changed their payment system (which you would expect), I haven't heard of a single issue since that major breach years ago.
MCV has named it retailer of the year for a at least a year now, I think.
Bucket-o-roadkill
Member
Dont use GraingerGames whatever you do, I ordered F1 2012 from them and I got a German import with a massive notice on the back 'NOT FOR SALE IN UK'. (I'm in the UK by the way) That's gonna be a bitch when it comes to trade in time. Plus the fact its got Vettel on the front and not Hamilton gives it away.....
I ordered a few Vita games from ShopTo the past month and they've been great. Cheapest by a mile and incredibly quick to deliver. Haven't looked at Play in years. Gone way down hill.
I echo the praise for Game, been using them for a long time and they're reliable for release dates, if nothing else. Pricing-wise they're never usually anything special.
I ordered a few Vita games from ShopTo the past month and they've been great. Cheapest by a mile and incredibly quick to deliver. Haven't looked at Play in years. Gone way down hill.
I echo the praise for Game, been using them for a long time and they're reliable for release dates, if nothing else. Pricing-wise they're never usually anything special.
JustAnotherOtaku
Member
ShopTo delivery is, in my experience anyway, perfection. New releases have always shown up a day or two early and they sometimes literally have your game packed and on the way to you mere minutes after you order.
bobs...onGaf
Member
URL ban sucks lol - tempted to do more research and use shopto if they have been secure for the last few years though.
Amazon have yet to deliver a ton of copies of halo 4 and they don't even track packages etc - in my mind that's too unreliable
MarshMellow96
Member
Halo 4 dispatched on Monday. Still not here... Ergh.
Quite strange, their free international delivery has tracking.
coughlanio
Member
I'm in Ireland, and my latest order arrived in 2 days with Free Super Saver Delivery.
That's the fastest I've ever gotten anything from the UK, including courier delivery.
That's the fastest I've ever gotten anything from the UK, including courier delivery.
Ravensmash
Member
I ordered Dark Souls over the summer, and sent it to my Uni address by accident.
Quickly realised my mistake, but literally 2 minutes later the dispatch email had been sent to me with a photo of my package.
I phoned up their help desk and one of their staff said that he'd put a note down to the warehouse people, and try and change address for me before it actually left the premises - which was a fairly slim hope.
Unfortunately they were unable to locate it in time, but I was really impressed at the customer service regardless, and I guess this story serves to highlight the speed of their dispatch system - literally minutes of being placed it was packed up ready.
But yeah, always use ShopTo - like their reward scheme also.
I've been using them for a few years now and can't say that I have a single complaint to hold against them.
Android18a
Member
Back when I got a lot of stuff from Amazon I had Prime so I always got really fast, reliable deliveries. I cancelled it now though, I hardly buy things these days.
Hmm I only ordered Halo 4 yesterday morning after the LE came back into stock and it turned up early this morning (on Prime via Royal Mail).
Amazon are generally slow for preorders though from what I hear. I always receive my goods on the day of release but it seems that a lot of people will tend to receive it after while with Shopto it is common to receive it earlier than release.
Protip: Order your goods as late as possible in the day if you are using Prime or next-day delivery. The later you order, the greater the chance they will send the item via courier.
As for GAME, my Forza Horizon preorder turned up three days late and the preorder code didn't even work.
Amazon are generally slow for preorders though from what I hear. I always receive my goods on the day of release but it seems that a lot of people will tend to receive it after while with Shopto it is common to receive it earlier than release.
Protip: Order your goods as late as possible in the day if you are using Prime or next-day delivery. The later you order, the greater the chance they will send the item via courier.
As for GAME, my Forza Horizon preorder turned up three days late and the preorder code didn't even work.
show me your skeleton
Member
same but i'm pretty sure the problem i have is with my local post service, haha.
KennyLinder
Member
I've had problems in the past when buying a TV with regards to delivery, it being dead on arrival (Plasma and it was smashed) and getting them to refund it. I have Prime now and can order things up until 7pm and they come the next day.
I'm having quite a go at Amazon UK over this over my Halo 4 LE pre-order not arriving. My Mass Effect 3 LE pre-order also arrived four days after release day.
Amazon UK are now attempting to claim that Microsoft did not supply them with the LE's in time to ship them on Friday or Saturday. Given I know people who recieved their shipping notices on those days, this seems to be crap to be honest.
Amazon UK are now attempting to claim that Microsoft did not supply them with the LE's in time to ship them on Friday or Saturday. Given I know people who recieved their shipping notices on those days, this seems to be crap to be honest.
JimmyRustler
Member
I used to order from Amazon.uk frequently but stopped after the Tin Box of Back to the Future (the movies) was delivered. Not only did it take more than a month for the package to arrive but it was also in a unacceptable condition. Not only didn't Amazon offer any kind of compensation what so ever but all the contact with them was difficult and not very friendly. I told them in my last message that I will never order anything again from them and haven't been doing so ever since.
Now I almost exclusively use zavvi and play.com for UK imports and I'm fine with it. Play.com deliveries sometimes take ages but you always get your stuff one way or the other if you have patience.
Now I almost exclusively use zavvi and play.com for UK imports and I'm fine with it. Play.com deliveries sometimes take ages but you always get your stuff one way or the other if you have patience.
Acquiescence
Member
I used to buy from ShopTo all the time, but they're a fair bit more expensive now then they used to be. Their delivery service is second to none though, and they've never let me down in that respect. It's phenomenally good.
Avoid Zavvi at all costs - they're shite. I haven't bought much from them, but what I have has always taken an aeon to turn up. Play is a little better, but not by much. Don't know what happened to them as they used to be quite reliable some years back.
Avoid Zavvi at all costs - they're shite. I haven't bought much from them, but what I have has always taken an aeon to turn up. Play is a little better, but not by much. Don't know what happened to them as they used to be quite reliable some years back.
I say why switch? The law of averages says some deliveries are going to be late whoever the source and you've just been the guy figured by chance. I use Amazon Prime and have only had 1 late delivery in years (and they gave me free prime for a month to apologize).
A lot of the time different retailers are using the same delivery companies anyway so you're not necessarily switching delivery mechanism anyway just who you buy the game from.
With a big launch like Halo 4 some are bound to be late. Nobody likes being the unlucky one but some will and I guess recently it's been you.
If you do want to change your best bet is probably a smaller retailer who will have less volume of deliveries overall - of course, if they're smaller they may be using cheaper delivery options...
I guess this is a long way of saying you're probably trying to fix something random that can't be guaranteed to be fixed.
A lot of the time different retailers are using the same delivery companies anyway so you're not necessarily switching delivery mechanism anyway just who you buy the game from.
With a big launch like Halo 4 some are bound to be late. Nobody likes being the unlucky one but some will and I guess recently it's been you.
If you do want to change your best bet is probably a smaller retailer who will have less volume of deliveries overall - of course, if they're smaller they may be using cheaper delivery options...
I guess this is a long way of saying you're probably trying to fix something random that can't be guaranteed to be fixed.
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