As its name suggests, the 24 Electric website is all about electrical products, from audio items to vacuum cleaners, and that includes coffee makers. Unfortunately the choice is not as broad as it could be, although the site is easy to navigate and items easy to find. 24 electric offers ‘ipoints’, a programme that allows you to collect Internet points and claim rewards such as CDs. The ‘Shopping.com‘ reviews were basically good, with some exceptions, of course – an average rating of four out of five.
Finding the website
Visit the 24electric home page at www.24electric.com.
Finding the section on coffee makers
When you have arrived at the 24electric home page you will see a ‘Departments’ menu on the left hand side. Click on ‘Small Appliances’ to open the relevant page. On the left hand side is a secondary menu. Click on ’Coffee Makers’ to go to the coffee makers page.
Selection available
The selection is not large. It includes popular brands such as Kenwood, Morphy Richards, Krups, Hotpoint, AEG and Whirlpool. Prices range from low for filter makers to expensive for bean to cup espresso models.
Information provided on the site
Items are listed one after the other on this site, with an image where available. It’s one of the few sites where images are not always available which is a pity because coffee makers are often bought on style merit as well as function.
The full name of the item is given with its model number and brand. There is also a product reference number. Price is to the right hand side of the band. It includes delivery and VAT. A Delivery time is given if the product is in stock. There is a ‘Buy’ button to click on if you want to purchase. Click on the image or the product name to bring up an item page. The image on this page is larger, but there is no option to enlarge further. At the top of the page are ‘Product Specification’ and ‘Product Extras’ tabs.
‘Product Specification’ where applicable brings up a bullet pointed list of specs including type of machine, type of jug and pressure system as well as whether the product has an integrated coffee grinder, milk foamer or cup warmer. This is all useful information, but there is no dimension data given for built in models.
For full specifications you are advised to visit the product website.
‘Product extras’ doesn’t apply to all items but where it does it shows a collection and disposal programme whereby for a fee your old product can be collected and disposed of.
There is a review button, but few items have been reviewed.
Buying from the website
When you’ve decided on a purchase, click on the ‘Buy’ button on the left hand side of the page. This will take you to a ‘Deliver Options’ page. You can choose between Monday to Friday no set date, morning or afternoon and specified Saturday dates. Prices for each option are given. Choose your option then click on the ‘Continue with order’ button. This brings up your ‘Shopping Cart’ page. It lists what you’ve got in the cart the quantity unit price, delivery charge and Sub-total.
You can click on the ‘Continue Shopping’, ‘Update Shopping Cart’ or ‘Continue with Order’ button. Click on the latter to bring up the ‘Sign In’ page. If you’re an existing customer fill in User name and Password. If not, fill in your personal details, invoice address and contact details. Click on ‘Continue with Order’ for payment information.
Delivery information is located in an ‘About Us’ box at the bottom of the left hand side of the item page. Click on ‘Delivery Information’ for Delivery times, Charges and Delivery Address. In stock items are delivered within 2-5 working days by Business Post. Weekday delivery is free for all items listed on the site.
Finally
This is a reasonable website with a limited range of product. The website itself is easy to use with enough information given about the product to help you make a purchasing decision as long as you know a little about coffee makers. On the left hand side of the item page is a ‘Most Popular’ box that lists items that have obviously sold well through the site. A glance at this might help you decide what people in the know are more likely to purchase. Product specification is straightforward but aficionados might want a little more.