Amazon.com or Play.com
January 28, 2008
I have started to put Amazon links for books and stuff from some pages as I am reviewing some books - but the recent nonesense about the French authorities penalising Amazon for giving the French booksellers competition makes other options perhaps more interesting - can anyone else comment about their experience with Play.com
Hi Tony,
Glad to hear you’re enjoying your country walks. I have just been reading your ‘as always’ interesting newsletter, and would like to point out to anyone who doesn’t already know that although it’s very nice for you to extol the virtues of Amazon, that Play.com sends DVD’s and books and anything else they sell to France post free, no matter how small the order is.
It can be 1 DVD or 1 book, or in my case when our son wanted two of the biggest heaviest books I’ve ever seen (one was called Ocean) for Christmas. Play.com sent them post free and very promptly. Our postlady really deserved her Christmas box this year when I saw her staggering down our drive with a huge sack like Santa. anyway just thought I’d let you know. Of course you probably already know, but it deserves a mention for those people who are still paying Amazon postage.
kind regards Chrsitine Tyler
Technorati Tags: Book Reviews, Discover France, French life, New Ideas, Personal
Comment by Ralph Kent
Tony
Also be aware that with play.com you have to wait 21 working days if an item gets lost in the post before you are allowed to apply for a replacement or refund. Amazon are far more helpful than play in this respect. I ordered xmas presents mid november from Play but when none of them arrived had to wait unti mid december before I could actually get my money back. I won’t be shopping with them again.
Oh, I’d be careful in your spiel of saying “Owning shares in a Paris apartment will be a good investment”. This smacks of investment advice, which I don’t think you are qualified to give, and could land you in hot water (e.g. when the global recession really hits home and asset values correct). I just think brazen statements like that are a little amateurish (and possibly illegal under financial services laws).
Comment by Tony
Thanks for your feedback Ralph - my own experience with Amazon is that their customer service is brilliant - their prices sometimes are slightly higher - but I am happy to pay a little more for peace of mind and prompt service.
I take your point and thank you for your sound and generous advice - I am, thank goodness, not a “qualified” financial advisor (whatever that is just look at the mess the banks make of their own money) - when asked questions I do make it clear that what I say is my own opinion based on my own experience and that for, any individual, independent advice from insured experts is needed.
However I do have my own personal opinions and am am happy that I am still allowed to express this in my own personal blogs and newsletters - so, yes, I do think buying in a good Fractional Ownership property is a sound investment of time, money and experience, but I do make it clear that this is not just measured in financial return - it is a luxury/lifestyle thing as well.
It has always seemed odd to me that the Financial Services Agency laws still allow a casino to operate where the return is a guaranteed loss - weird. Mind you, much the same as most investments really.