Ebuyer

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Ebuyer
Type Private
Founded 2000
Headquarters Howden, UK
Website http://www.ebuyer.com

Ebuyer is an online computer hardware and software retailer based in Howden, United Kingdom.


Contents

[edit] History

Founded in November 2000 by Paul Cusack, Mike Naylor, Steve Kay, Neeraj Patel, and Adam Ashmore - with startup capital of £250,000 from 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.

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Ebuyer began building another warehouse alongside their current Howden warehouse in December 2007 and is due to be completed in November 2008.

[edit] Customer Service

The current quality of customer service is a controversial topic. It is quoted as very highly rated (as of June 2007), with quick dispatch of items and an excellent returns policy.

However, in 2005, and previously, Ebuyer had serious customer service problems. Sheffield Trading Standards (where the firm was based) had received 282 complaints about the company, and the customer service phone number had been removed from its website. After this, the firm promised to improve its service, and restored its customer service phone number to its website. Average daily telephone wait times are published. [5]

Customers wishing to communicate online can use the firm's "eNote" system .[6]

Ebuyer is also noted for using the courier City Link.

[edit] Ebuyer Forums

The Ebuyer forums allow members to discuss products or find out information before they buy as well as seeking post sales help and advice from knowledgeable customers, moderators & staff.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Etailers eat away at Dixons", The Guardian, 2005-09-22. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  2. ^ Ebuyer.com homepage. Ebuyer. Retrieved on 2007-03-03.
  3. ^ "Ebuyer lines up new £19m headquarters", Yorkshire Post, 2005-12-12. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  4. ^ "Net gains for online retailer", Yorkshire Post, 2006-02-07. Retrieved on 2007-03-03. 
  5. ^ "Ebuyer promises to be better", Channel Register, 2005-07-21. Retrieved on 2007-09-12. 
  6. ^ Ebuyer.com Customer Support page on eNotes. Ebuyer. Retrieved on 2007-09-12.