I received two emails from KBkids.com. One was a reply to my email asking about the slow loading webpages and requesting a price match, the other was from the Founder of the company.

My email (November 29, 1999):

Dear KBkids service,

I have listed two URL's from Amazon.com that show a selling price of $19.99 on November 29, 1999 (moments after completing my order with you :-)) for the "Disney Toy Story 2: Woody's Round-Up TV Show."  Your price was $24.99; please confirm and match their price on this item.  Thank you.

The amazon URLs:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/toys/browse/toys-leaf-page/-/266182/12/102-1909271-4132847
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/toys/toys-glance/-/B00000ISAF/102-1909271-4132847

Also, what's the scoop with your server?  I have a 1.5 meg connection and it was slooooooooooow.  Are you going to upgrade soon?

Sincerely yours,

Bruce D. Weinberg

KBkids.com reply (December 5, 1999):

Hello Bruce!

Thanks for shopping with KBkids.com!

You'll be happy to know that we have priced matched your item and yes we are up grading our system.  Sorry for it being so slow.

Should you have further questions or comments, please contact us at service@kbkids.com.

Sincerely,

_Rayshon M_____________________
KBkids.com Customer Care
Mailto:service@kbkids.com
Web:  http://www.kbkids.com
Fax:  303-692-6993

Email from the Founder of KBkids.com:

Dear KBkids.com Friend,

During this hectic holiday season, I want to stop for a moment and thank you for your patronage of KBkids.com. 

Although we only launched in July, we have been thrilled by the strong support you have shown us. It has been both exhilarating and challenging to grow so fast while striving to keep up with your expectations. We hope you will continue to help us build a place where you will find the right toys for the kids in your life.

As a parent myself, I know the joy that comes from seeing the smiles on kids' faces when they receive that "perfect" gift. To help you celebrate the season, we are happy to bring you some of this year's "must have" gifts - like Pokemon, Sega Dreamcast, Toy Story 2, and Teletubbies. With thousands of toys, video games, videos and software to choose from, we know you'll find that special gift you're looking for.

Happy Holidays! We look forward to seeing you soon at: http://www.kbkids.com/index.html?keycode=abhs

Srikant Srinivasan
Founder
KBkids.com

I knew that trusting my "gut" instinct about KBkids.com was the right thing (recall that it took me several hours to complete my order and for some unexplained reason I tolerated this and placed my order with them); they are the best online toy company that I have experienced thus far.

ToysRus had a ridiculous promotion listed on its website.  If you place an order for at least $50 of merchandise, and elect to have your order shipped in January, you will get $10 off and free shipping; delivery will occur between January 1-14, 2000.  I am sure that some people will take them up on their offer.  I doubt, however, that many people want their order to arrive after December 24, 1999.  Please note that if you spend at least $30 at KBkids.com, you will get free shipping (through December 12) and your order, based on my experience and that of others with whom I have communicated, will arrive by December 24, 1999.  Again, good luck ToysRus.com.

Last evening, I ordered batteries for my calculator and a light bulb for the refrigerator from HomeWarehouse.com.  Before ordering, I had questions about each product and they replied promptly (1 hour, 7 minutes after I emailed my questions to them).

My email to HomeWarehouse.com:

Dear Homewarehouse,

I'm glad I came across your website; it looks like you have a fine situation.  I'm looking to buy some batteries for my HP 12-C calculator.  The type I have are LR44; these are small little disc-shaped batteries of the type that go in watches.  I did look at your batteries and I didn't see the LR44 listed.  Sometimes different model styles are appropriate replacements, though I didn't see this information on your website for the "specialty" battery that looked like it might be appropriate.  Any way, do you carry either the LR44 or an appropriate replacement for it?

Also, I am looking for a light bulb for my refrigerator.  I have a Sylvania Appliance 10W 115-125V bulb.  The screw in mechanism appears to be the same size as that of a regular size light bulb.  It's only about 2.5 inches tall (including the metal screw in part at the bottom).  Again, in my search, I did not find this bulb on your website.  I'm not loyal to any brand; I'm only interested in getting the correct size.  Thank you.  I'm off to peruse your website a bit more.  (By the way, if you do not carry any of these products and you know of someone who does, I would greatly appreciate it of you would pass along this information.)

Sincerely yours,

Bruce D. Weinberg

HomeWarehouse.com's reply:

Dear Bruce,

Thank you for coming to HomeWarehouse.com with your questions about the batteries and the light bulbs.

I checked the Eveready cross reference chart and your "LR44" Is an "A76BP": http://www.homewarehouse.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=969&product_id=35196&path=0:415:427&dept=415&bti=0 

Your refrigerator bulb sounds like a GE: T7 Tubular Clear Appliance Bulb. http://www.homewarehouse.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=970&product_id=34041&path=0:415:472&dept=415&bti=10 

I hope that this was of some help to you.

If you have any questions or if you would like additional assistance, please feel free to contact me again. 
 

Home Pro Chuck

HomeWarehouse.com 
Home Improvement. Improved. 
http://www.homewarehouse.com 
Toll free: (877) 806-0888, daily 6 AM - 11 PM P.S.T. 

In the end I ordered a few other items (e.g., regular size light bulbs, AAA size batteries).  They are offering 20% off one's first order and free shipping through the end of the year for orders of $50 or more.  Their shipping charges are extremely reasonable (e.g., orders under 30 pounds ship for $2.95 -- my prior was that shipping was going to exceed the combined cost for my calculator batteries and refrigerator light bulb); I also found their prices to be low on many items and very fair on most items I searched.