Amazon will no longer offer 30 day price-match guarantee

[TallGuyMe]

from someone over at CAG:

"Only orders placed before September 1, 2008 are eligible for a price difference refund under the Post-Order Price Guarantee policy. As of September 1, 2008 we are no longer offering discounts if prices change on our website after you make a purchase."

[dtcarson]

Just reading that. Don't like it. I'm going to copy and paste my own post (from there).
Sometimes (quite often) Amazon's prices are later beaten by--Amazon. There's very little that feels worse as a consumer than buying a product, then seeing it for less days after, from the same retailer.
This will definitely make me more wary of buying things at Amazon. I'd rather pay the tax and get it from Best Buy etc, knowing I could return/PM it within 30 days.
I've be very interesting in knowing how often people used this policy, and how much money Amazon "lost" by using it (and as a corollary, how much money they "made" on item sales within the first 24 hours of an item's price going up.)

[GizmoDVD]

Looks like my days at Amazon are now over. I won't be renewing my Prime account again. Amazon prices change so damn often.

[rkndkn]

Between this and the closing of accounts for "incidents", I don't know what's up with Amazon. Quite a few people at SD have had their accounts closed. Kind of makes me want to use up my credit just in case.

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=908910

[NoirFan]

I hope this doesn't mean their Pre-order Price Guarantee is next to go.

[big whoppa]

That sucks. I've only used it once though but it was easy to get a credit for the price difference.

[Xbox69]

Never really used it myself. If I feel I got a good price to begin with, I'm ok. Not worth it to me just to save a couple of bucks, IMO.

[dx23]

Between this and the closing of accounts for "incidents", I don't know what's up with Amazon. Quite a few people at SD have had their accounts closed. Kind of makes me want to use up my credit just in case.

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=908910

Amazon.com has also closed seller accounts like mine without even giving any explanation as to why even though I have perfect feedback. There is something weird in the changes in policy at Amazon. Another thing they changes that I recently became aware off is a policy that limits who sells top video games like Mario Kart Wii and Grand Theft Auto and the video game consoles.

Like ebay, Amazon is becoming less customer friendly. I don't know if it is the recession in the economy or just corporate idiocy, but companies like Amazon, Ebay and Borders are making drastic changes that aren't bringing new customers and actually are diving old ones away.

[mcfly]

Never really used it myself. If I feel I got a good price to begin with, I'm ok. Not worth it to me just to save a couple of bucks, IMO.Same here.

[nemein]

I've used it several times, mainly because of their annoying habit of changing prices all the time. In fact w/ any $100+ item I get from them I usually end up putting it back in my cart and use the "save for later" feature to watch the price over the next few weeks. Guess I'm not too surprised they are getting rid of it. The next change I expect is the reward $ amount needed for a GC via their Visa card.

[JckRbbitSlim]

Aww shucks, this news sucks, if it is indeed true. Nothing made me happier than being a cheap bastard and emailing Amazon for a credit of like (hmmm...let me see, my last one was:) $3.23. I mean, even Best Buy still matches the price difference within thirty days and their policies completely suck. This is not enough to make me close my Prime account but it sure makes me feel less loving to Amazon. Thanks for the heads up, OP.

[dtcarson]

The few times I've used it it's been easy, an email from the form, and credit back in a day or so. The least I've saved is 3.00, the most is 15.00. Definitely worth it, especially when I don't have to drive to a store (I wouldn't bother doing that with an item from a B&M for three bucks.) Definitely seems like Amazon is reducing their customer focus.

[cardsfan111]

I'm not a fan of this announcement. As others have mentioned, Amazon's prices jump around so much. Wonder what their return policy is like....if the price drop was big enough, could you contact them to return something and then re-order it?

[stevevt]

While I'm disappointed in this policy change, I appreciate the heads up. I was going to wait a little while to make a big electronics purchase, but now I'll be placing the order tomorrow.

[dtcarson]

If you do the return/rebuy thing too often, that might lead to the other apparently new/stricter policy of being banned, plus, unless it's defective or their screwup, you probably have to pay return shipping (and hope it gets there, in good condition and on time.)
It might not be that bad if Amazon wasn't so spastic with their price changes, not even counting "limited time offers" like DotD and Gold Box. I bought something Gold Box before last Christmas that was a great deal off the regular price, then a week after, the regular price was cheaper than my GB price.

[Al_Tahoe]

Never really used it myself. If I feel I got a good price to begin with, I'm ok. Not worth it to me just to save a couple of bucks, IMO.Me too. I bought The Maltese Falcon 3-Disc for $11.99 just before they lowered the price to $9.99. While the cheap-ass bastard in me was a little disappointed I didn't get the absolute best price - I felt I got a good deal, and it wasn't worth the hassle for a couple of bucks.

[foxdvd]

Wow this sucks. I am a big fan of amazon, but when it comes to older video games, the ones between 6 months and a year, I will no longer buy from amazon if they are not WAY cheaper. The price of these games will fall fast and hard with little notice. Dark Sector dropped almost 6 times in 30 days, a total of about 30 bucks.

[bunkaroo]

Just saw this notice on the price guarantees I submitted for the Eraser and Outbreak Blu-Ray's.

So basically under the new policy I would have been punished for pre-ordering. I had my pre-orders in at 19.95. If I had placed my pre-orders after the 9/1 deadline, they can ship to me at 19.95 and then drop the price the next day and I'm screwed. There goes the incentive to pre-order from them, and possibly order from them at all.

This will definitely limit my blind buys from them - I'll just get those locally where I can still get price guarantees. I also won't be renewing my Prime when it's up.

[fumanstan]

I don't think i've ever noticed if a price ended up dropping a few bucks later, so it doesn't really bother me too much. That and I don't think I order anything major that could drop a lot shortly after.

[stingermck]

Well Amazon just sent me 4 emails, from 4 Blu-rays I bought this week, saying the prices changed, and refunded me $18.50. Eraser, Under Siege 2, Every Which Way But Loose , Gauntlet.

I'm pretty sure I ordered over the weekend though, but hey I'll take it as my last one.

[rfduncan]

Well looking on the bright side of this change (though I agree losing it stinks), perhaps Amazon will make prices for things lower more quickly if they don't have to worry about the financial repercussions of having to refund customers from 30 days past. I'm sure they track that sort of thing to a degree.

[blokhed]

Lame, Amazon. You changed the price nearly daily on the 40" TV I bought, and I ended up getting over $100 back in the following 30 days. I bought it with confidence knowing that you would honor any price drops in the next 30 days. Now I will be a lot more wary in my purchases.

[gimmepilotwings]

Lame, Amazon. You changed the price nearly daily on the 40" TV I bought, and I ended up getting over $100 back in the following 30 days. I bought it with confidence knowing that you would honor any price drops in the next 30 days. Now I will be a lot more wary in my purchases.

Agreed. Last month I got 2 items, and $14 in credit back between the two.

[uteotw]

THIS BLOWS.

I have used this feature MANY times and saved hundreds of dollars, and I can't believe they're dumping it, considering the ridiculous rate at which many of their items change prices significantly. I got over $300 back after I bought my HDTV, $25 on a Zune--and that's how it SHOULD be if they're going to constantly be changing prices.

At minimum they should stop doing that (so dramatically); but really they should keep it, since you can get an adjustment at any brick/mortar store like Target or Best Buy. VERY BAD.............

[BlackCapTen]

Very disappointing to hear. The post order price guarantee is a primary reason I do a ton of shopping with Amazon, even if items are a little more expensive than other online stores (knowing I can easily get a refund for a potential price drop).

My standard practice for a long time was to place an order and then re-add the item(s) to my cart and periodically refresh my cart in following days/weeks to take note of price changes. I've gotten 100s of dollars in refunds from price drops this year alone, and it takes no time at all as I have a simple letter in notepad and I just plug in the numbers/data for the price drops as needed.

As GizmoDVD, I will most likely not renew my prime subscription at the end of the year.

I will still shop with Amazon, certainly not as much as I usually do (especially with the pricey items).

[DVD Polizei]

Amazon is probably doing this for several reasons. Their customer service reps are refunding prices on products several months out. I think they are trying to control their CSR behavior more. Second, the economy is probably taking a chunk out of their bottom line. Think about it. Shipping costs. Amazon ships a lot of stuff. UPS more than likely gave them a nice "Fuck You, Pay Me" letter, informing them of fuel costs.

I would recommend to just be more prudent when buying from Amazon. I think most of us know when a good deal is a good deal, and get on it. I don't track my purchases to the penny like some do, and this is probably driving Amazon crazy. I don't blame them. So, when a product gets within my Great Deal radar, I buy it and forget about it.

[brianluvdvd]

Any chance that they might reinstate the 30 day price guarantee?

This has really changed my buying habits at Amazon now. I used to buy with no without even thinking about it but now I think, "Well, what the price drops in the next couple of weeks?" Now I won't buy anything unless I feel like it is rock bottom...and then I even second guess the purchase.

Anyone heard any responses on this change so far since it has been almost a month since it went into effect?

[big whoppa]

If they simply don't change their prices quite so often in a 30 day period then this price guarantee wouldn't be necessary.

[Walker Boh]

Any chance that they might reinstate the 30 day price guarantee? I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming that they didn't do this on a whim, and that some analysis went into it: how much they're losing on refunds and how much paid time is being spent by CSRs dealing with it vs. the amount of money they're going to lose when a small percentage of their customers change their buying habits under the new policy. If the sales loss is a lot more than they expect, I imagine they'll bring back the guarantee.

This has really changed my buying habits at Amazon now. I used to buy with no without even thinking about it but now I think, "Well, what the price drops in the next couple of weeks?" Now I won't buy anything unless I feel like it is rock bottom...and then I even second guess the purchase. That's the biggest danger of their new plan, in my eyes. People know that their prices fluctuate.

Something you want is $20. Under the old system, you might've been more included to buy it and hope for a drop. Under the new system, you decide to wait to see if the price drops. The next day it's up to $21. Well, you're not going to pay that, so you wait until it at least drops back to $20, which might never happen, or a local retailer might come along with a better price first.

Of course, people are still going to jump on the great deals when a boxed set is 67% off MSRP. Their new policy shouldn't affect that very much. What it might affect are the many, many purchases where prices are very similar to Borders / Best Buy / etc. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out for them.

[Josh-da-man]

If they simply don't change their prices quite so often in a 30 day period then this price guarantee wouldn't be necessary.

It is weird. The prices on certain things (not just DVDs) seem to constantly fluctuate. I've seen books, older books that are low demand, have the discount go from 34% to 27% and back and forth every few days. More than a few times, I've put things in my shopping cart only to have the price go up or down within a few hours.

I'm not really sure what the point of this is; is someone changing prices manually, or are they using some kind of algorithm to figure discounts?

[rennervision]

I was just getting ready to post this topic when I saw one was already created.

I called to get the difference in an item credited ($2) when the cst serv rep told me after September 1st they no longer do price matches. I thought she didn't understand me so I said, "No, I'm not talking about a price match with anybody. The price is now lower on your own site."

She reiterated they don't do that anymore. I didn't think it was worth arguing with her, so I just said thank you, hung up, and redialed for someone else.

The next guy who answered said the same thing, so now I'm thinking this is obviously not a fluke. I decided to try a little logic:

"So what you're saying is, if I return the item I just bought and then rebuy it, I can get the credit."

"Yes, that is correct."

"Wouldn't it be easier to just credit me the difference now?"

I swear, if he didn't agree, I was going to ask for an RMA # right then and there just to be a dick. (Although, I confess, I wouldn't have really gone through the hassle of returning it for $2.) Much to my surprise, he agreed with me and issued the credit!

[big whoppa]

^You could return it but the shipping back and forth would likely be on your dime. Depends on how big the price drop as to whether it would be worth it.

[rennervision]

If Amazon didn't change their prices every five minutes, I wouldn't check items I've already bought every day to see if it goes down in price. They could reintroduce their price guarantee and stop the crazy price fluctuations. This would probably satisfy everybody.

[foxdvd]

I just checked up on this...pulling records.

Amazon Prime member...total spent in 2007 at amazon.com $8890.

Average spent per month before new price match change in 2008- $934

Amount of that on games (pc, ds, psp, 360, ps3, ect) about $300 per month

Amount spent at Amazon since this new price-match policy- $120

Amount on games-$30.

I have spent about 800 bucks on games at other sites since the change, along with other purchases that I WOULD have made along with the game purchases.

I was a BIG spender at amazon. I did ALL my shopping for birthdays, gifts, ect at this site. In total, I prob use the price-match less then 5% of the time, but just because I now don't have the option I have moved on.

[big whoppa]

^You should tell Amazon that. The more feedback they get like that, they may go back.

[kuroiinu]

This policy definitely sucks. They even denied a price adjustment for an item that is still in "Shipping soon" status. And they won't let me cancel the order and re-order at the new price either.

UPDATE: I e-mailed them. and they refunded the price difference "as an exception." Way to go, Amazon.

[Kevin M. Dean]

In the past if the price is lower during the Shipping Soon phase and ships at a higher price, I've usually received an email a few days later with the credit due to their pre-order price guarantee. So, you may still get the lower price since their rules still apply until it actually ships.

[kuroiinu]

In the past if the price is lower during the Shipping Soon phase and ships at a higher price, I've usually received an email a few days later with the credit due to their pre-order price guarantee. So, you may still get the lower price since their rules still apply until it actually ships.

They told me over the phone that the new policy applies once the order is placed, even if it has not shipped yet. But, since it is in "Shipping soon" status, I couldn't cancel the old order and re-order at the new lower price. As I updated above, they later agreed to refund the difference, but probably this time only.

[mmconhea]

First the tax thing and now this. When my prime membership is up, it's over.

[zoran009]

Well, they LOST my business! I think it went to their head with all success that their company is INVINCIBLE! When greed takes over then it is DOWN HILL>

[That'sAllFolks]

well, they haven't lost my busniness just ALOT of it.

The only thing that may have been abused (I'm guilty), is PMing the B1G1 items that went down in price. They should just educate their CSRs a lot better!

I don't think it will hurt their business that much for the avg consumer, but the bargain hunters and big spenders wil definately take notice. I know my father bought a Heroes set for a brother of mine. He paid like $40 bucks for it and Amazon had it in January for like $18 or so. He didn't even know about the PM and got a decent refund. I know I made out like a bandit (or so I thought at the time!) on the HD DVD Toshiba player with no less than 3 PM's.

If there is a Blu Ray player deal this year I will be a WHOLE LOT more hesitant to jump on the deal, knowing, like so many, that their price jumps up and down at the drop of a hat.

Really, as many have said, 30 day policy of PM'ing is not that extreme. Wal-Mart and Target (in a way) do it for 90 days!

[uteotw]

What I don't get is this: Nearly every other store I know (B&M) has a policy that if the item drops in price in 30 days, they will give you the adjustment. Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. all do this.

But now, if I buy a TV on Amazon for $1900 and 3 days later it's $1800, I cannot get the price adjustment. (I did buy a 50" plasma for about that much and get an adjustment for at least that much.) In the past, the savings and ability to get the adjustment were enough to offset the uneasiness about buying a big-ticket item from a non-B&M store. Not anymore.

I've found I just keep things in my cart, check them from time to time, see the prices are STILL constantly fluctuating, and keep waiting for them to go down more (or again), and I buy much less.

They REALLY need to come up with a new policy that allows them to stay competitive without alienating and stiffing their customers.

[big whoppa]

From feedback here, it looks like if you bitch to Amazon, they will cave in and credit the difference.

[kuroiinu]

From feedback here, it looks like if you bitch to Amazon, they will cave in and credit the difference.

They'll probably do it once "due to special circumstances," but I don't think they will continue to do every time there is a price drop as they did in the past.

[Tarantino]

Well, they LOST my business! I think it went to their head with all success that their company is INVINCIBLE! When greed takes over then it is DOWN HILL>

I could be wrong, but I'm guessing it has more to do with the current state of the economy and less to do with pure greed.

= J

[GizmoDVD]

Amazon has lost quite a bit of my business as well by now offering a 30 day guarantee. Oh well, Best Buy might be lovin' it.

[uteotw]

Here's a perfect example: At work, I put in my "cart" a Harmony Universaral remote for $180 and a 16 GB Zune for $171. Later at home I went to make my purchase, and the remote was $199.99 and the Zune $188.51.

They're still at the increased price, so now I'm not buying either right now. Maybe later, or maybe I'll just get them somewhere else, but either way this new policy of theirs just ain't workin' for me...

[uteotw]

Here's a perfect example: At work, I put in my "cart" a Harmony Universaral remote for $180 and a 16 GB Zune for $171. Later at home I went to make my purchase, and the remote was $199.99 and the Zune $188.51.

They're still at the increased price, so now I'm not buying either right now. Maybe later, or maybe I'll just get them somewhere else, but either way this new policy of theirs just ain't workin' for me...

Well, against my better judgment I purchased this Zune when it was $170.

And, OF COURSE, literally within the hour, it went to $160. (It's almost like they were just waiting for me.)

I knew the policy, so I know I deserve nothing, and got exactly that after emailing and calling. I was told to mail it back if I wanted, so that is what I'm going to do. And I'm done with amazon, at least for the Christmas season. All my money will be going to B&M stores nearby.

[b2net]

Just had a product drop $30. When I called, I was told the reason they HAD to change the policy was because, get this, "too many people abused the policy". I am not sure how to abuse the policy. I figure it is just the fact they cannot afford to continually give refunds. Their financial issue, not customer abuse.

Anyway, I thought I would mention that Best Buy had this same policy for Black Friday/Saturday as well. I hope this is not a sign of things to come with retailers. I had an item drop $80 in less than 20 days. I asked for a pricematch with my receipt. This would be a regular pricematch where they simply refunded the difference (not the competitor one with the extra 10%) . I was told to buy a new one and then return the old one. So I did just that. I bought a new one from a competitor for $90 less and took the orginal back to Best Buy for a full refund.

[dtcarson]

As much I as like the convenience of online shopping, that's one advantage to B&M shopping. I have done that more than once, and feel no guilt about it, when the PM policy period is less than the return period, either from one store or another. Last year for a Christmas present I bought something at the store, it dropped in price 10 days later, I couldn't PM, so I bought the new one and immediately returned it with my old receipt. Done the same with different stores too. I can't resent them for making a policy and enforcing it, but they can't resent me for using the policies either.

[Snowmaker]

Damn, I was just going to ask if they did this. The Onkyo receiver I ordered 2 weeks ago from Amazon is now $21 cheaper. :(