FragTek
New member
Newegg.com Online Retailer Review
www.newegg.com
Overall Score: 9/10
Site Layout, Accessibility, and Connectivity
Score: 9/10
Newegg uses a great page layout and color scheme. Nothing on the site is hard to read or visually displeasing. Right off the bat when you first enter the site you notice the "deals of the day" smack in the middle of the page where you can find some great items and prices you simply can't find anywhere else. On the top of the page you'll notice generalized navigation links Newegg's key profit centers. On the left of the page you'll notice the sub navigation bar which is very straight forward and includes a nice search feature at the top. A small problem that I've found with the left side sub navigation bar is that it doesn't show every major component group needed when building a computer from the ground up, to view the additional groups you must click the "See All Catagories" link which takes you to a fairly unorganized page in which you must hunt down the catagory you're looking for. The biggest one that's missing from the list that I've encountered so far is Power Supplies, which I think should be added to the list. Once entering a specific component area from the navigation bar you get to experience one of Newegg's best features, the "Advanced Search" bar which takes place of the navigation bar. This search area lets you filter every aspect of what Newegg carries so that you can browse only what you want to see. Trust me when I tell you this is the best thing since sliced bread!
Newegg also features an easy to navigate user account control panel. This area of the site gives you quick access to order information, account maintenance, online rma requests, and other essential information.
For the most part Neweggs servers are pretty darn fast and you don't have to wait very long for pages and images to load. However, during peak hours (weekday evenings and weekends) the servers get pretty heavily bogged down and the site tends to take some time to load and display images. It's usually never bad enough to discourage me from browsing the site but I have become impatient with it more than once. I don't attribute this problem to Newegg as they are the largest computer part E-tailer in the world. I don't think there's a fast enough server/backbone on the planet that could fix Newegg's lag issues during peak hours
.
Product Selection and Pricing
Score: 9/10
There is no question that Newegg carries a wider variety of parts than any other online retail operation at a better price. This doesn not mean that you can find exactly what you're looking for all the timehowever. The average Joe that visits Newegg would never have to look elsewhere for computer parts, but when it comes to hardcore computer enthusiasts like ourselves we don't often get catered to by Newegg. Newegg is THE place to go for the newest motherboards, processors, video cards, and memory. When it comes to specialty parts often sought after by overclockers and enthusiasts, such as extreme cooling equipment (water, tec, phase change, etc.) you won't find it at Newegg.
Newegg has absolutely fantastic prices, and are most commonly unbeatable by anyone else. If you do find something that Newegg carries on another site for less, compare the prices after shipping! Newegg is the king of cheap (We're talking $.99, $1.99, and $2.99) and usually FREE shipping via FedEx Express Saver (a guaranteed air delivery service that usually takes no longer than two business days to any location in the country). This is more often than not what makes the products at Newegg such an awesome deal.
Shipping & Transit Time
Score: 10/10
As I stated just a few lines up, Newegg has an incredible shipping department to say the very least... I'd give this section a rating of 15/10 if I could, it's really that good. Newegg usually ships orders the same day if placed before 3pm and will arrive at your door 2 business days later, simply amazing for the prices they charge for shipping. When I placed my last $1200 order with Newegg for large parts such as my case, motherboard, psu, vid card, etc. they only charged me $6.99 and it all arrived in record time.
There's really not much more to say about shipping from Newegg other than it's 100% amazing!
Returns (Refunds & Exchanges)
Score: 10/10
This is another area that Newegg really accels in. Newegg has an online RMA request system setup in the control panel that is a complete life saver. Within 30 days of purchasing an item from Newegg you can go to the RMA system and request a refund, replacement, or repair. Newegg automatically issues and never declines RMA's. As long as you send back the parts (with all original boxes, manuals, and accessories) within 14 days of requesting the RMA you're set! I have yet to be notified that they wouldn't RMA an item for me for any reason, and I've RMA'd a LOT of with Newegg.
Some items on the online RMA system claim to be "un-RMA'able" and must be RMA'd with the manufacturer. This is a load of crap, if you ever try and RMA something that says this and it won't let you select it online just give Newegg a call. The representatives at Newegg that man the phone lines are very nice, knowledgable, and for the most part all speak good English
Just let them know the invoice number of the part that you are trying to RMA is and make them aware of why you're RMA'ing it and they will manually issue you an RMA number over the phone and set it all up in the computer for you, it's quite hassle free.
Conclusion
Overall Newegg is the best online retail shop for anyone living in the USA with the minor exception of extreme cooling odds and ends. The prices are great, the shipping is fast and affordable, and the overall shopping experience is always top-notch.
Newegg is HIGHLY recommended.
Hope you enjoyed the review, more to come! -FragTek
www.newegg.com
Overall Score: 9/10
Site Layout, Accessibility, and Connectivity
Score: 9/10
Newegg uses a great page layout and color scheme. Nothing on the site is hard to read or visually displeasing. Right off the bat when you first enter the site you notice the "deals of the day" smack in the middle of the page where you can find some great items and prices you simply can't find anywhere else. On the top of the page you'll notice generalized navigation links Newegg's key profit centers. On the left of the page you'll notice the sub navigation bar which is very straight forward and includes a nice search feature at the top. A small problem that I've found with the left side sub navigation bar is that it doesn't show every major component group needed when building a computer from the ground up, to view the additional groups you must click the "See All Catagories" link which takes you to a fairly unorganized page in which you must hunt down the catagory you're looking for. The biggest one that's missing from the list that I've encountered so far is Power Supplies, which I think should be added to the list. Once entering a specific component area from the navigation bar you get to experience one of Newegg's best features, the "Advanced Search" bar which takes place of the navigation bar. This search area lets you filter every aspect of what Newegg carries so that you can browse only what you want to see. Trust me when I tell you this is the best thing since sliced bread!
Newegg also features an easy to navigate user account control panel. This area of the site gives you quick access to order information, account maintenance, online rma requests, and other essential information.
For the most part Neweggs servers are pretty darn fast and you don't have to wait very long for pages and images to load. However, during peak hours (weekday evenings and weekends) the servers get pretty heavily bogged down and the site tends to take some time to load and display images. It's usually never bad enough to discourage me from browsing the site but I have become impatient with it more than once. I don't attribute this problem to Newegg as they are the largest computer part E-tailer in the world. I don't think there's a fast enough server/backbone on the planet that could fix Newegg's lag issues during peak hours
.Product Selection and Pricing
Score: 9/10
There is no question that Newegg carries a wider variety of parts than any other online retail operation at a better price. This doesn not mean that you can find exactly what you're looking for all the timehowever. The average Joe that visits Newegg would never have to look elsewhere for computer parts, but when it comes to hardcore computer enthusiasts like ourselves we don't often get catered to by Newegg. Newegg is THE place to go for the newest motherboards, processors, video cards, and memory. When it comes to specialty parts often sought after by overclockers and enthusiasts, such as extreme cooling equipment (water, tec, phase change, etc.) you won't find it at Newegg.
Newegg has absolutely fantastic prices, and are most commonly unbeatable by anyone else. If you do find something that Newegg carries on another site for less, compare the prices after shipping! Newegg is the king of cheap (We're talking $.99, $1.99, and $2.99) and usually FREE shipping via FedEx Express Saver (a guaranteed air delivery service that usually takes no longer than two business days to any location in the country). This is more often than not what makes the products at Newegg such an awesome deal.
Shipping & Transit Time
Score: 10/10
As I stated just a few lines up, Newegg has an incredible shipping department to say the very least... I'd give this section a rating of 15/10 if I could, it's really that good. Newegg usually ships orders the same day if placed before 3pm and will arrive at your door 2 business days later, simply amazing for the prices they charge for shipping. When I placed my last $1200 order with Newegg for large parts such as my case, motherboard, psu, vid card, etc. they only charged me $6.99 and it all arrived in record time.
There's really not much more to say about shipping from Newegg other than it's 100% amazing!
Returns (Refunds & Exchanges)
Score: 10/10
This is another area that Newegg really accels in. Newegg has an online RMA request system setup in the control panel that is a complete life saver. Within 30 days of purchasing an item from Newegg you can go to the RMA system and request a refund, replacement, or repair. Newegg automatically issues and never declines RMA's. As long as you send back the parts (with all original boxes, manuals, and accessories) within 14 days of requesting the RMA you're set! I have yet to be notified that they wouldn't RMA an item for me for any reason, and I've RMA'd a LOT of with Newegg.
Some items on the online RMA system claim to be "un-RMA'able" and must be RMA'd with the manufacturer. This is a load of crap, if you ever try and RMA something that says this and it won't let you select it online just give Newegg a call. The representatives at Newegg that man the phone lines are very nice, knowledgable, and for the most part all speak good English
Just let them know the invoice number of the part that you are trying to RMA is and make them aware of why you're RMA'ing it and they will manually issue you an RMA number over the phone and set it all up in the computer for you, it's quite hassle free.Conclusion
Overall Newegg is the best online retail shop for anyone living in the USA with the minor exception of extreme cooling odds and ends. The prices are great, the shipping is fast and affordable, and the overall shopping experience is always top-notch.
Newegg is HIGHLY recommended.
Hope you enjoyed the review, more to come! -FragTek
