Ebuyer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
 The homepage of Ebuyer |
|
| URL | http://www.ebuyer.com |
|---|---|
| Commercial? | Yes |
| Type of site | E-commerce |
| Registration | Yes, Required to purchase |
| Owner | Vida Capital Partners |
| Created by | Paul Cusack |
Ebuyer is an online computer hardware and software retailer based in Howden, United Kingdom.
Contents |
[edit] History
Founded in November 2000 with startup capital of £250,000 by Paul Cusack, its annual turnover was in excess of £220m by September 2005.[1] It claims to be the UK's largest independent online retailer of computers, components and electronics.[2] It was founded in Sheffield, but in February 2006 closed its Sheffield, Eastrington, and Holbrook outlets[3] to move to 280,000 square foot premises in Howden. However, the company has recently re-opened a premises in Sheffield for IT staff only. It opened its US facility in February 2003, but this arm of the business closed in 2006.[4] The company is owned by Vida Capital Partners, a venture capital group.
[edit] Criticism
Ebuyer has a reputation for low prices, and perhaps due its keenness to cut costs wherever possible, its customer service has been criticised. In 2005, after reports that Sheffield Trading Standards (where the firm was based) had received 282 complaints, the firm promised to improve its service, and restored its customer service phone number to its website.[5] The group has since instituted support by telephone, with average daily telephone wait times published on its website (as of March 2nd 2007, this was around 1 minute average wait, with a longest time of 6 minutes). Customers wishing to communicate online are required to use the firm's 'eNote' system.[6] Having placed orders, customers have only about 5 minutes to cancel them[7], even if the delivery date is several days ahead.
[edit] References
- ^ "Etailers eat away at Dixons", The Guardian, 2005-09-22. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
- ^ Ebuyer.com homepage. Ebuyer. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
- ^ "Ebuyer lines up new £19m headquarters", Yorkshire Post, 2005-12-12. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
- ^ "Net gains for online retailer", Yorkshire Post, 2006-02-07. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
- ^ "Ebuyer promises to be better", Channel Register, 2005-07-21. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
- ^ Ebuyer.com Customer Support page on eNotes. Ebuyer. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
- ^ Ebuyer.com Customer Support page on order status. Ebuyer. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
[edit] External Links
- Ebuyer.com Ebuyer homepage
