Better Prices, Free Shipping Create A Winner
Consumer advocates warned a decade ago of toner replacement scams where unscrupulous businesspeople arrived with orders that were never replaced. These orders were often substandard or badly refurbished items and gave the entire sub-industry a poor reputation, especially among purchasing agents. The web changed all that, allowing companies like DataBazaar to flourish. An authorized HP reseller, the Florida-based company also sells printer and copier supplies for thirty different manufacturers.
My recent order with them went off without a hitch and was handled so well that they are now bookmarked. I’ll still use price to choose commodity products, but when Data Bazaar will likely get my business when all things are equal.
Lots Of Consumer Protection
Shoppers will immediately notice that this is not a garage business. The entire site, from design to execution, seems built on customer assurance. A large BBB Online reliability seal sits far above the fold. Those can be faked, of course, but checking the company through BBB shows a business in operation for more than seven years with a fine record. I know this BBB program well and respect firms adhering to its strict standards.
The privacy policies are also well written in easy-to-understand language and offer prominent opt out and other good customer services. At this writing, the company pledges not to share customer information with anyone. Thinking about the plain language approach to privacy, I am even more impressed with the firm than when I first entered their site. Too many organizations cloak their customer data intentions in ambiguities and qualifiers. DataBazaar is refreshingly forthright in their approach.
Remember: That Price Includes Shipping
DataBazaar offers free shipping, a wonderful bit of differentiation. Staples does the same over a certain dollar amount, but DB’s is pretty wonderful. They reserve the right to use any carrier for this, including the US Postal Service, but there are no minimums, and the company does a fine job in advising customers on order status.
Getting The Stuff
I placed my order on a Saturday afternoon, and it was immediately acknowledged by an automated, detailed email. A shipping confirmation arrived Monday evening that again included all pertinent information and links to other resources, such as package tracking. The order arrived Thursday. Sure, Staples would have delivered by Tuesday assuming the item was in stock, but at a higher overall price.
The automated systems and obvious care in providing customer assurance paid off for DataBazaar because I never questioned their reliability. Companies with good fulfillment practices learn this lesson early. By flooding me with information about each stage of the order, I never doubted the company I didn’t know or wonder about my order’s arrival.
The Bottom Line, Clicks and All
DataBazaar is easy to navigate, customer friendly, offers free shipping and wins on price. Clearly they have found a way to stay in business, presumably profitable, for years so this may be a case of a small merchant beating the big guys. I am impressed and will return.
Five Things To Remember About Data Bazaar
1. DataBazaar supports 30 different copier and printer manufacturers.
2. Shipping is free.
3. Live help is available via chat, and there are phone numbers and personal email addresses plastered all over the site.
4. In my small price test, DataBazaar beat the manufacturer and a large supplier.
5. The company’s fulfillment systems are very smooth.
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