Ebuyer
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | , UK |
| Website | http://www.ebuyer.com |
Ebuyer is an online computer hardware and software retailer based in Howden, United Kingdom.
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 (26,000 m2) 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.
The current Operations Director is Armando Sanchez.
Ebuyer began building another warehouse in Howden alongside its existing one in December 2007. The new facility completed in November 2008. The new warehouse will help with the storage for other items such as kitchens, as part of their new sister company, Wren Kitchens.
Customer Service
Until 2005, Ebuyer had significant customer service problems. Sheffield (where the firm was based) Trading Standards had received 282 complaints about the company, and the customer service phone number had been removed from its Web site. After this, the firm promised to improve its service, and restored the customer service number to its Web site. Average daily telephone wait times are published. [5]
Ebuyer has received much criticism of its implementation of "national rate" 0870 and 0871 numbers for customer service and returns, although the 0871 returns number has now been replaced with an 0845 "local rate" number; and Ebuyer staff have confirmed that the company is happy to refund call charges for unhappy customers. [6]
Customers wishing to communicate online can use the firm's "eNote" system .[7]
Ebuyer is also noted for using the courier City Link, although as of May 2009 they have started shipping most orders through Parcelforce.
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.
Security
In July 2008, a man who spotted flaws in Ebuyer security admitted stealing equipment worth £20,000 from the firm.[8].
Partnerships
Ebuyer have a number of strategic business partnerships in place, most notably with Hewlett Packard (HP Preferred Partner 2008). Other key partners include Microsoft, Toshiba and Sony. Ebuyer sponsors The KC Stadium scoreboard in Hull, East Yorkshire, on matchdays there is an Ebuyer.com banner at the bottom of the screen.
References
- ^ "Etailers eat away at Dixons". The Guardian. 2005-09-22. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
- ^ "Ebuyer.com homepage". Ebuyer. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
- ^ "Ebuyer lines up new £19m headquarters". Yorkshire Post. 2005-12-12. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
- ^ "Net gains for online retailer". Yorkshire Post. 2006-02-07. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
- ^ "Ebuyer promises to be better". Channel Register. 2005-07-21. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
- ^ "Ebuyer staff agree to refund call charges". Ebuyer. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ "Ebuyer.com Customer Support page on eNotes". Ebuyer. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
- ^ "BBC News report on court case regarding security breach". BBC. Retrieved 2008-07-26.