Christmas Shopping

[Gillf]

As you might expect I like to shop online - and like most of us Amazon does get a fair amount of my business but then I thought - why don't we share what we do and support fellow BP'ers. So I am currently shopping for a silver pendant and delivery is needed before Christmas. Anyone out there?

[Dave]

There is a feature your website section on the forum but its hard to see exactly who does what. Doesn't help you on this occasion but would be great if perhaps for the future we could set up some kind of shopping portal listing BP sites and what they do by category? I have some hosting space if anyone is interested in helping putting something together or perhaps Rich could or donate a free site?

[Gillf]

Hi Dave, That was what I was thinking. I know there is the feature your website but as you say it is hard to see who does what. If there was some way of listing sites by product category or service on here it would be much easier to support each other with some business. Why give it all to Amazon!?

[icegems]

What sort of silver pendant are you looking for? I have some gorgeous Swarovski pendants which are finished with silver - http://www.icegems.co.uk/fashion-jewellery-non-medical.html - I don't think the pictures do these justice as they are beyond stunning in real life!

[Gillf]

Hi Nadine,

Thanks, they are lovely but not quite what I was looking for - but I will remember for the future. I have now found what I was looking for. But I still think it would great if there was a list of BP sites with their product category on the forum (like a directory in fact) so we could shop "in house" when ever possible.

[icegems]

No problem and agree with you that it would be fab to have a director of some sorts!

[shelleym]

I have to agree with Gill, doing my online shopping at Amazon is starting to feel like I'm walking past my local green grocers to get my fruit & veg at Tesco! (does that make sense...) I've just sent my family to the lovely www.hirstandhirst.co.uk (http://www.hirstandhirst.co.uk) to get my xmas presents :) but can't think of any BP jewellery sites of the top of my head

[Dave]

Hi Dave, That was what I was thinking. I know there is the feature your website but as you say it is hard to see who does what. If there was some way of listing sites by product category or service on here it would be much easier to support each other with some business. Why give it all to Amazon!?

What do you think Rich. Is this something you could achieve on the forum?

[Rich]

It's an interesting idea. It wouldn't really work on the forum, but I have had some ideas along these lines before. Too late for this Christmas, but leave it with me!

[Dave]

It's an interesting idea. It wouldn't really work on the forum, but I have had some ideas along these lines before. Too late for this Christmas, but leave it with me!

Fantastic, thanks Rich

[john]

It's an interesting idea. It wouldn't really work on the forum, but I have had some ideas along these lines before. Too late for this Christmas, but leave it with me!

Why not start the Bluepark Shopping Mall and then Bluepark can be an affiliate for all the merchants on there, a very useful extra profit line?

[little-linguist]

A agree that a Bluepark private directory would be fab. It would be great if we could each log in to some kind of portal to maintain our own listings so that we could add special offers from time to time.

[jimmyservis]

Sounds like a good idea to me!
Everyone i ask says 'oh i'm just getting it all off Amazon' - drives me crazy!!

[Laura@FYP]

Great idea and look forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve Rich!
I just did a drop of shopping with http://www.happybags.co.uk/ today, and would love to shop with more of you in 2012!

[KayJay]

Great idea and look forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve Rich!
I just did a drop of shopping with http://www.happybags.co.uk/ today, and would love to shop with more of you in 2012!

Thanks Laura!! I have sent you an email. I agree, a directory would be great. Only yesterday I was looking at Protect the Planet's squashed wine bottle bowls and wished I'd known about them when I was Christmas shopping.

[Ashley]

A agree that a Bluepark private directory would be fab. It would be great if we could each log in to some kind of portal to maintain our own listings so that we could add special offers from time to time.

Doesn't need to be private, I expect Rich is thinking along the lines of a Bluepark Mall to showcase both merchants and Bluepark. I know other ecommerce systems do this.

[powertoolworld]

I cannot believe the service offered by some of the larger online retailers.

I bought 2 items of a merchant on Amazon - 5 days delivery!
I bought 1 item off John Lewis - 5 days to despatch then 3 days to deliver! (then it was broken, no more in stock!)

If we dont get a delivery out and delivered within 2 days all hell breaks loose. How do these guys get away with appauling service?

[dan1el]

I cannot believe the service offered by some of the larger online retailers.

I bought 2 items of a merchant on Amazon - 5 days delivery!
I bought 1 item off John Lewis - 5 days to despatch then 3 days to deliver! (then it was broken, no more in stock!)

If we dont get a delivery out and delivered within 2 days all hell breaks loose. How do these guys get away with appauling service?

They hide there contact number!

[Laura@FYP]

Im about to buy a toddler harness, do any BP'ers sell them? Specifically the GoldBug Monkey one...

[hirstandhirst]

I have to agree with Gill, doing my online shopping at Amazon is starting to feel like I'm walking past my local green grocers to get my fruit & veg at Tesco! (does that make sense...) I've just sent my family to the lovely www.hirstandhirst.co.uk (http://www.hirstandhirst.co.uk) to get my xmas presents :) but can't think of any BP jewellery sites of the top of my head

Thanks Shelleym! I'm sitting in our shop at 6.15 on Thursday evening - it's cold and dark out there and no one wants late night shopping :( so it's nice to feel some love!

Joanne