This is a fairly basic website setting out the 30 or so items Amazon have for sale. You can sort by price, best sellers or customer review. There are a reasonable amount of manufacturers to choose from and prices range from low for basic filter machines to high for espresso ones.
Finding the website
Visit the Amazon page at www.amazon.co.uk.
Finding the section on coffee makers
On the upper left hand corner of the home page is a department menu. Hover over ‘Home and Garden’. This brings up a secondary menu. Click on ‘Kitchen and ‘Dining’. On the left hand side of this page is a browse menu. Go to Kitchen Appliances and click on ‘Coffee Machines’.
The Selection Available
The selection is good, starting from very inexpensive machines to those costing hundreds of pounds. Manufacturers include Micromark, Morphy Richards, Flavia, Krups, De’Longhi, Gaggia and others. With many items you have the choice of buying new or used.
Information Provided On The Site
Each item is named with an image. In a few cases the image was not available. Buy new prices are given as well as used prices and whether the item is in stock. A five star customer rating is shown as well.
With some items there is the option to buy quickly – in the next however many hours – and become eligible for free Super Saver Delivery.
If you click on the item it brings up a more detailed description with more product details including boxed-product weight, delivery destinations, whether the item has a gift-wrapping option, the item model number, its ASIN, the date first available at Amazon, the average customer reviews and the item’s sales rank in Kitchen and Home. The number of new items in stock is noted as well as the number of used ones, with price guide.
Technical details or Product Features are listed, such as ‘stainless steel boiler or ‘jug warmer device’ on this page as well as items ‘Frequently Bought Together’, which often means a coffee grinder to go with the coffee maker.
Under Price, there is a ‘See Details and Conditions’ link. This takes you to Super Saver Delivery. On the upper left hand corner are two more useful links, ‘Dispatch and Delivery’ and ‘Help’. Both of these links have long and useful menus and should be easier to reach, particularly if you’re new to the website.
The ‘Customer Reviews’ are always good to read as many people make their purchases based on these reviews. Product is rated on a star system, five stars being the highest.
‘Delivery Destinations’ has its own help page where you can learn to where the item can be delivered.
Amazon also has its ’Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought’ list that shows items that relate in some way to the coffee maker – although the link isn’t always clear!
Buying From The Website
On the top right hand side of the item page is a link where you can add to shopping basket or sign in to turn on one-click ordering. On this page you slot in your e-mail address. If you have a password, slot that in; if you’re a new customer follow the links to set up an account. Go to ‘How To Order’. This takes you to ‘Placing Your First Order’.
There is a ‘Recent Orders’ link on this page where you can track your order and a ’your account’ link where you can look at or change your order.
A ‘Delivery Rates and Policies’ link outlines the costs of delivery and options. There is a “Super Saver Delivery” page that outlines how to qualify, beginning with a minimum of £5. This delivery time is marked as 3-5 business days after dispatch.
On the left hand side of this page is the ‘Dispatch and Delivery’ menu that covers just about all your possible delivery queries, from rates to options and times as well as undeliverable packages.
If you need your goods in a hurry all the time, Amazon offers its ‘Amazon Prime’ programme. It’s a membership programme that guarantees one day delivery for eligible purchases as well as upgrades for an annual fee.
Finally
The Amazon site is useful as it offers both new and used items for sale; it’s easy enough to navigate and gives a reasonable, if not complete description of its coffee makers listing their features or technical details. The customer reviews help here. There is far more information on how to buy them, however.