Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

You have to look and read carefully when doing the return process. You’ll be given between 1 and several radio button options (depending on the item and return reason), and one option, which is selected by default, is Refund (to gift card). However, there is an additional option to refund to your original credit card, but it is NOT one of the radio button options, so it is easy to overlook it. It is a separate link that appears below the full list of radio button options.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Thanks Amazon! In perfect shape!


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/dvdtalk...3fbfd1e7e.jpeg

And I shit you not, this is how it arrived.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

That's the thing, I would swear those options were not there. Just the Refund radio button already selected with no specific options for how it would be issued. No link under it.

Maybe if I'd clicked on that pre-selected button those options would've shown up, but I've done this enough times that I was puzzled by what I saw with this return. Just tested the process again on another item in the same order and it did display the different refund/exchange methods (with credit card listed at the bottom with no button next to it until you click the link). Definitely not how it was displayed the other day. FWIW, the return reason I'd selected the first time was "Inaccurate website description".

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Amazon sold someone an obviously used waffle maker as "new."

https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/1/3/...hD4Xolwxzyzy-E

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/dvdtalk...caaf6f279d.jpg

Makes me wonder how many of their items that get returned used or for being defective are being thrown back into their inventory.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

In the last couple of years, I've received at least three items sold as new (sold/fulfilled by Amazon) that were very obviously used returns. I'm just about done with Amazon at this point.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Amazon just delivered my 2 packages to my next door neighbor's house.

So I go over and knock on their door and there was no answer so I left my packages on their steps.

Called Amazon and complained and they gave me 10 dollars off my next order but I still need to wait too see if my neighbor is honest and gives me my packages.

They have lived here since May and I have never talked to them.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

They are addressed to you, you should have just taken them. Unless you were afraid someone would call the cops on you for being a porch pirate.

But you would have evidence they belonged to you.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Yes, there is zero chance I would leave packages, with my name and address, on my neighbour's porch.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I believe Amazon in their ruthless march for efficiency and expense cutting has lost some control over their sprawling inventory. It wouldn't surprise me if Amazon simply throws open returns back into "new" inventory after a cursory inspection.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I had the exact same thing happen to me a few weeks ago. I had to use their delivery photo to track down the house they left it at. And I didn't want to just grab my package since they had a Ring doorbell and I didn't want them to think I was stealing a package of theirs. Thankfully they were home and I got it back.

My last two Amazon Warehouse items were completely flipped. I bought an entry way table that was listed in like new condition that came broken in multiple places that someone tried to repair with wood glue. It was also missing one of the ends for assembly. So I'm not sure who inspected that one, but they are eating the 50 pound return label on that one.

On the flipside I ordered a 65 inch LG OLED that was listed in acceptable condition and was $500 off. I knew I was rolling the dice on that one and was fully expecting to have to return it if it the screen was damaged. I was absolutely stunned when it arrived in nearly perfect condition and was just missing the screws for the TV stand.

I have a love hate relationship with Amazon Warehouse. It's like playing the lottery, you never really know what you are going to end up with :lol:

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I have received a few things that were supposed to be new by various vendors that were in fact used or at least opened before, but never anything this bad. The worst order I got with Amazon was a pair of Panosonic headphones that I ordered and I selected an item that was a "fulfilled by Amazon" seller. The pair I received had packaging that had said Panasonic on it but also had Chinese writing on the package. I suspected it was a counterfeit product and sure enough when I opened it, the headphones barely worked and had loose internal wires that caused the sound to be scratchy and cut off numerous times a minute. I contacted Amazon and got an immediate refund without having to return the product. I gave the seller a negtive and noted in the feedback that the item sent was a Chinese knockoff. The sell emailed me daily for weeks offering to send me a replacement pair of headphones at no cost if I would just remove or revise the feedback I left. I only messaged them back once and said I don't need them to send me another product that I am just going to toss in the trash and to stop selling counterfeit goods.

What I hate more than receivng used good that are supposed to be new by mail order is when I receive clothing by mail order that still has the magnetic security tags on them that they use in the stores to help prevent theft. I've lost count of how many times my family has received clothing from Kohl's like this, but it's been at least eight times if not more. If i'm ordering online, it's mostly for convenience and I don't want to have to take the time to drive to the store to have them remove the security tags so I can wear it. It sets off the alarms when you walk into the store with the item and their employees look at you like you are trying to steal the item from them even if you have your packing slip in hand.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

What compensation has everyone been getting from Customer Service for late packages these days? Apparently it’s been over a year since I’ve had one (Amazon has its delivery dates to Hawaii down pat these days), and when I asked for a free Prime month for a late package, they said they can’t offer that (anymore). They said they could only offer a $5 promotional credit. Is that about what everyone’s getting these days? Since a free Prime month is worth about $8-10, I guess that means they’re giving about half as much credit as they used to.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I'm finally going 4K this year and am currently buying the components one by one. I ordered the Atmos speakers last week and received the shipping notice that they were on the way. Last Friday I got a prompt that said there was an error in transit I had to wait until yesterday before contacting customer support. They sent me a replacement set that arrived today via UPS.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I ordered 15 cheap CDs from amazon two days ago and they split them up into 7 shipments from three carriers. Anyone want to do an an over/under on how many broken jewel cases I receive?

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I would say the under/over is 3.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

cheers and jeers
I went to renew my 1 month free prime membership and they gave me another free month.
Only bought about 20 items through BF until xmas. They got me back at least for another year.

Usually searching just a movie title brings up streaming choices and no blu.
can tell what they are pushing these days. :sad:

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I ordered a copy of the Kino release of Money For Nothing from Amazon Warehouse. It said it was in like-new condition. The packaging was the Kino version, the disc was the older Mill Creek one.

Someone must've bought the Kino version, swapped the discs, and returned it.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

If your packages go to someone else's house and they have a Ring doorbell, just hold up the shipping label to the doorbell so they can see they're for you. Even make eye contact with a thumbs up so they know it's you. Neighbors help neighbors!

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Since when did it become our responsibility to track down misdelivered packages?

Amazon collects OUR money in exchange for goods, who in turn PAY people to deliver them. Amazon needs to either replace this shit, or make their idiot drivers track down the packages that they lost in the first place. It should never be the customer's responsibility.

Look, where I live, if you walk onto someone's porch and take something, there's a larger than slight chance someone is going to pull a gun on you. And, even if the package was mine and addressed to me, going onto someone else's property and taking something still sounds a lot like theft. Will Amazon cover my legal bill if I get arrested and charged?

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

C'mon, man, the package is addressed to YOU, and you're perfectly within your rights to take it from a neighbor's porch. And you can 100% prove that it's YOURS to any stupidly litigious neighbor, and if he insisted on suing you, the judge would laugh it out of court, and any legal costs would be moot. If you STILL had doubts in spite of the axiomatic fact the the package is YOURS, a ring of the bell would suffice to prove to your neighbor that you are merely removing your property. You're overthinking it, or you live in a slum area where murders are common!

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

All of my preorders are arriving two days after release date. Prime is useless.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I think it's all about how close you are to amazon distribution centers.
I'm within 30 minutes of 3 separate amazon warehouses that have their "prime" vans coming in and out of all day - and that's just the ones I know about.
I'm sure many other spots, particularly the mid-west, aren't don't have as many distribution centers that are so close. Not the customer's fault, of course, but it's unrealistic to expect amazon to have the same exact fulfillment across the entire country.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Every time an order is late, start a customer service chat and request a credit. I've gotten two $5 credits in the past 2 months because of that. That's basically halving my monthly Prime cost.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Yep. I'm lucky to have one local. Many of my orders are same day. I'll order in the morning and get it by early evening.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I received an ominous e-mail from Amazon's shadowy "Account Specialist" department this afternoon. Not going to lie, I'd requested eight returns in the last twelve months - though I ended up canceling one of those requests after businesses began shutting down due to the pandemic. The problems with my orders involved a couple "Warehouse Deal" electronics that were complete duds, as well as a few collector figures that had serious defects (Diamond Select, I'm looking at you) or were shipped in inadequate packaging and arrived looking like they were run over by a car. I almost always selected a straight exchange when the choice was offered, but most of the time a refund is your only option for "fulfilled by Amazon" items.

With my latest order, they threw a heavy bag of food on top of a figure in a giant box with little padding. The collector packaging was trashed, so they replaced it. The replacement was crammed into a box that was too small for it, causing some shipping damage with paint defects on the face. Though I was slightly nervous to do so (and rightly so, as it turns out), I submitted another replacement request. The following message appeared: "Sorry, we are unable to create your replacement request. Please contact our Customer Service department to process your request."

So I opened the chat and spent thirty minutes on hold with the rep. He advised me to buy the item from a different seller so it wouldn't be defective (huh?) and said he would help me with a refund instead. The rep must have reported my account, because two hours later I got an e-mail titled "Your Amazon Returns", basically stating that I had requested multiple returns in the last few months and some of the items were not returned in their original condition. They then invited my feedback so they could better understand any problems I might be having, while advising that future orders not returned in their original condition may be subjected to partial refunds or restocking fees.

I replied to the e-mail stating my case, but it was upsetting to get this message. Items not returned in their original condition? That's how they were delivered to me, for Pete's sake! As for better understanding the problem, is that not why customers are required to describe the issue when submitting the return? Even if it means paying more, I'll stick to buying anything electronic or collectible elsewhere from now on and cool it with the Amazon purchases unless it's absolutely necessary. It's ridiculous it might come to that, but I certainly don't want to get banned given the uncertain atmosphere of the world at the moment. Hell, I couldn't even find a loaf of bread at Wal-Mart yesterday.

UPDATE: They replied to my response, but basically sent the same message as before - only slightly rearranged and once more stating "items returned by you were not received in original condition". So they're either disregarding my message or implying I'm a liar. At this point, I'm cautious about pushing the issue further with them. Again, I'm cooling it with any Amazon orders unless I have no other option. Regardless of their metrics, it's appalling that the world's largest retailer needs to threaten a twenty year customer with partial refunds on damaged goods returned in the same condition they were delivered in.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

^ I'm sure your reply wasn't even read by a real person, just some damn AI algorithm. So, it's useless to try to state your case with that wall in front of you. Hence why you simply got a "rewording" jarble of platitudes as your reply. Don't worry about it, and hold Amazon in righteous indignation as you place any future orders. Order only essentials. All they care about is getting your money. They're fucking devils.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

It's true, there's no human touch or understanding. That's been my experience with them for the last decade. I did come to the realization that I was probably trying to reason with an automated response program.

It's scary to know they've put so many small town shops out of business (if Wal-Mart hadn't already) and then some office drone can permanently shut you out as a customer if their data flags you as no longer profitable. All because you were unlucky enough to receive a few damaged or defective items each year and opted to send them back in clear compliance with Amazon's return policy. I could imagine being an elderly or disabled person living out in the sticks on a fixed income. You depend on this company for affordable essentials delivered to your door and one day find yourself cut off from your biggest supply source.

As it stands, I can never again risk buying an item on Amazon that might have even the slightest chance of requiring a return. Any peace of mind I had about shopping on the site is gone after receiving that e-mail. It's framed as a "What can we do to improve?" message, but it's basically a thinly veiled "You've been warned" - and also the last step before they ban a customer outright, apparently. A quick web search indicated this is Amazon's usual operating procedure.

The reply from the Account Specialist explicitly stated restocking fees and partial refunds on any future returns were "as a result" of my recent activity. Implying I've been singled out for punishment for not accepting damaged or defective merchandise. That's what frustrates me most. Am I in danger of being perma-banned if I dare protest? Is this flag on my account ever lifted? I'm sure they wouldn't tell me, so there's no way to know. Who wants that kind of uncertainty and paranoia hanging over your head while browsing for bed linens?

Their refund policy states they may only refund "up to 50% of the item's price" if it's not returned in original condition for "reasons not due to an Amazon.com or seller error". So apparently if the item ends up being faulty or gets broken in transit (and if they choose to deny their inadequate packaging was at fault), they can keep more than half of your money once the return is processed? Regardless of what you selected as the reason for the return? That's completely unacceptable, even if it's something they only enforce on accounts flagged as problematic that they don't end up closing outright.

Not to go off the rails, but I've read stories of customers being banned on Amazon for choosing to dispute a transaction after reaching a dead end with customer service. Not banned for a year, not five years, but for life. Any appeals are ignored and any new account you might open is closed by their bots within a few hours. So even contacting your bank or credit card for help in that situation could negatively impact your life if you're someone who relies on Amazon for necessary supplies. That's a dangerous and morally dubious policy for a mega-corporation who classify themselves as providing an essential service to the public during these stressful times - a service that a good chunk of the planet (thanks to Amazon's ruthless undercutting of any competition) is now finding increasingly more difficult to live without. Without government intervention, I fear there could come a day when an Amazon account is required to buy groceries, fill up your gas tank or get your prescriptions filled in America. Can you imagine being shut out of commerce all together because the Bezos empire blacklisted you for returning some damaged shipments twenty years prior? I don't want to live in that creepy Twilight Zone world.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I ordered a bunch of Blu-rays and CDs today Tues March 24 and none of them have any preorders and the estimate shipping date is May 1-2

I assume they don't have priority with people buying essential items with the Corona-virus pandemic and those items getting priority?

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

^ Correct. Folks wanting physical media items will have to wait a month or two. They are not essential items. Even on a select few items - there may be a longer than usual wait time.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Not a complaint by any means yet wanted to mention the No Rush Shipping Credit is also suspended as they adjust to priority items. I mentioned this as an awareness not to complain.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Well it turns out that some items do still have No Rush Shipping as an option and also have increased the amount to $3.

​​​​​

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

For those who have complained about or received the famous/infamous lack of packing in an Amazon shipment, my latest Staples external hard drive arrived in a similar package. Luckily being lightweight, yet not a SSD, it arrived fine. Largish box with one air pillow (better than some Amazon packing I know) floating in the box.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

In Canada we get a much shittier option. Either wait a month for shipping, or pay $4 to get it shipped at a normal time. The benefits of Prime...

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I have started receiving emails for preorders for May and June stating that amazon will no longer be honoring the release date delivery shown when I placed the order. I get why so not so much of a complaint as letting others know.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I ordered the $50 Neo Geo Mini and was given a date a month out, but I got it in a week, but I suppose they are just conditioning us not to expect anything in two days and feel grateful to get a prime shipment in a week.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I ordered a PS4 game that was marked down yesterday afternoon and it just showed up. The order page said it wouldn't arrive until Sat, IIRC

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Got the email today. No biggie since I was expecting this to happen.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

I'm pretty sure if it's already in a warehouse near you, it's going to go out fine, but getting the items to the warehouse is where the prioritization takes place, hence the issues with new/preordered stuff.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

3 of the 10 items I ordered are now being shipped.

I guess the new Weeknd album is an essential item.

Re: The complaining about Amazon thread
 

Why did the "saved for later" section in the cart change? Now I have to click on another link to get them to show up. Annoying since I keep items in there to watch their prices.