The Cold Cut

I was recently informed of the very well kept secret that is play.com. Play is an online retailer in the same vein as Amazon.com, which has done extremely well for itself over the last couple of years. But now, excuse the cliché , there's a new kid on the block. Amazon, whilst being convenient, has done far too well due to the fact that it is the online retailer, alongside ebay. Play, which cannot currently compete with Amazon because of its size, still offers a much more efficient and satisfying way to shop online, both in terms of usability and the toll its has on your wallet.

The main reason Play.com can compete is because of its prices; even as a relatively small firm, it consistently undercuts the prices of its competitor's by £2-3. This isn't very much, you might be thinking, but it amounts to a lot after you by 10 CD's or 20 DVD's. And don't forget to counter in the fact that there is free shipping on every item you buy, and this isn't reflected in the prices. There is no silly 'Super Saver' deal, where you have to spend £20 in order to receive free postage which takes a week to arrive. No, at play.com, packages are sent quickly and with care: I received my last order with a day or ordering it.

The basic point of my post today is that I think that there is currently an imbalance in the online shopping world; companies such as Amazon are dominating solely due to the fact that they are there, and have been for many years now. But does this mean that there is no room for competition: i urge you, branch out and have a better look before you buy your next CD or DVD online; you will save money, and will be doing companies such as Play a huge favour...