Fun with Amazon

[kippieland]

So I didn't want to share this story with the board, but I thought I might see if others have had similar issues....I know at least one member has!

The day after , I was on Amazon.com and saw they had the top chest for my International bottom on sale. So for $232 (down from $550), I though "what a deal....I can't pass that up!" So needless to I bought it. The next day, I was on GJ and shared with my excitement on an international thread, when another member warned me that Amazon had damaged his purchase in shipping so many times that he cancelled the order. So with that, I was a little worried when I received the box. The package was completely trashed, with holes so big that you could see the box inside plain as day. I though, "well maybe it be alright?" Once inside, I found the box to be completely bent up and our of level...the drawers weren't even level...it was bad!

So, if I would have gotten this on CL for $50 bucks, that would have been one thing, but for $232 it shouldn't look like this (if I would have paid $550, I would have cancelled it straight away.)

Amazon took it back with no problems and told me it wouldn't happen again. Plus, for $232 bucks, I figured what do I have to loose in waiting! So today, my reordered on was going to arrive through UPS. I checked this morning and it showed that the "customer had refused to sign for it" which wasn't true, since I had been home all day. After calling around, the local UPS rep said that was the only code they had when I driver thinks a package is to damaged to deliver. The rep. told me the package had holes in it where they could see the box inside was clearly damaged and had minimal to no packing protection aroudn it....so they refused to deliver it to me and sent it back to Amazon as damaged.

Amazon answer was to give me a refund instead of a new one. I insisted on a new one and would continue to send damage ones back until they could get their sh*t straight. I figured since its winter and I can't do anything in the shop, I can wait them out.

So I am curious if other member (other then the one who warned me) have had similar issues with Amazon? Do you think they are shipping damaged boxes to me or just that dumb?

 

[padronanniversary]

I have gotten so much free amazon stuff for their packaging issues. For large items or food items, they say simply keep it. I had an issue like yours with a large item, and I ended up with about 5 "guts". I was able to hobble a new one together from all the freebies. I figure sooner or later they better pony up and pack it right.

 

[trboxman]

It's a UPS issue. UPS has a really hard time with one of heavy items. IIRC your packaging needs to be able to withstand a 3' drop...that's just crazy...

 

[Skin]

It's a UPS issue.

No, no it isnt. I've purchased extremely large telescopes, containing many large optical elements, from California and they arrive 100% fine. Thats ground shipping to boot. Its all in the packaging. If they dont want to spend the money to put it in an oversized box surrounded in about 8-12" of high quality formed packing foam then they should be should be strapping them to a palette, simple as that. This is what HF did to my side boxes when i ordered them and those too arrived fine.

 

[kippieland]

The first package was through Ontrack, not UPS. The second one was through UPS. Both times the packaging has been different and clearly NOT Internationals packaging.

 

[kippieland]

No, no it isnt. I've purchased extremely large telescopes, containing many large optical elements, from California and they arrive 100% fine. Thats ground shipping to boot. Its all in the packaging. If they dont want to spend the money to put it in an oversized box surrounded in about 8-12" of high quality formed packing foam then they should be should be strapping them to a palette, simple as that. This is what HF did to my side boxes when i ordered them and those too arrived fine.

Agreed!

 

[plinker]

IMO, Amazon's packaging leave alot to be desired.
(thin boxes and bubble cushions)

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

No pallet was used on the base? Well I guess then shipping price would be adjusted.

 

[bas157]

I had a compressor sent to me twice, both times there was damage to the regulator and/or pressure switch, tank pump and motor were fine, the rest kept getting beat up. After the second one they said they wouldn't send me another but would give me 30% off the price I paid (which was one of the super low prices when prices bounce up and down). I was able to fix it for cheap so I was happy with the deal I got. The compressor obviously wasn't packaged to be shipped across the country. Probably got to the warehouse on pallets and was really just designed to go to a retail store's backroom then into a customer's vehicle. It was packed fine for that, but not for UPS or Fedex shipping.

 

[kippieland]

No pallet was used on the base? Well I guess then shipping price would be adjusted.

Nope. Its heavy to...126lbs. When I got my bottom cabinet, it was on a pallet...I think this one really needed one....I would have paid for the higher shipping.

 

[kippieland]

If they would have deeply discounted the price, I would have kept that one and tried to fix it, but they said to just return it.

 

[jdv]

I haven't bought anything that large off of Amazon, but did they offer to match the discounted price next time you purchase?

 

[Outlawmws]

It's a UPS issue. UPS has a really hard time with one of heavy items. IIRC your packaging needs to be able to withstand a 3' drop...that's just crazy...

That's dead wrong. It's a 4 ft drop!

Reason being, the conveyor systems actually do drop packages that distance!

Beats the heck out of me that conveyor companies can design a system to deliver delicate aluminum cans through the entire manufacturing and filling process, then seal them, and do it without a ding, and the maroons at all the package shipping companies can't be bothered to get a conveyor that won't have a box dropped from one belt to another without a drop like that...

 

[kippieland]

I haven't bought anything that large off of Amazon, but did they offer to match the discounted price next time you purchase?

Not yet. We will see this next time around.

 

[kippieland]

That's dead wrong. It's a 4 ft drop!

Reason being, the conveyor systems actually do drop packages that distance!

Beats the heck out of me that conveyor companies can design a system to deliver delicate aluminum cans through the entire manufacturing and filling process, then seal them, and do it without a ding, and the maroons at all the package shipping companies can't be bothered to get a conveyor that won't have a box dropped from one belt to another without a drop like that...

I also think they are using Forklift on it with no pallet.

 

[eborcim]

How about going to International to see if they will work with Amazon and get you one shipped from their warehouse with no middle operator?

 

[kippieland]

Great point! I haven't thought about that, I can try and email them. Thanks

 

[trboxman]

That's dead wrong. It's a 4 ft drop!

Reason being, the conveyor systems actually do drop packages that distance!

Beats the heck out of me that conveyor companies can design a system to deliver delicate aluminum cans through the entire manufacturing and filling process, then seal them, and do it without a ding, and the maroons at all the package shipping companies can't be bothered to get a conveyor that won't have a box dropped from one belt to another without a drop like that...

This is why I refer to it as a UPS problem not an Amazon problem.

 

[kippieland]

This is why I refer to it as a UPS problem not an Amazon problem.

Please re-read the post I wrote earlier:

"The first package was through Ontrack, not UPS. The second one was through UPS. Both times the packaging has been different and clearly NOT Internationals packaging."

 

[eric_koski]

[ when another member warned me that Amazon had damaged his purchase in shipping so many times that he cancelled the order. /QUOTE]

That was me. Three deliveries from UPS one worse then the next. I finally ordered one from sears.com and had it shipped to the store for pickup.It came on a pallet with reinforced corners and shrink wrap.Sears sells International boxes as well as rebadged craftsman international boxes. I wound up paying 465 after fighting for a price match guarantee for a 10 drawer top. Same exact box with craftsman md logo.

 

[trboxman]

Please re-read the post I wrote earlier:

"The first package was through Ontrack, not UPS. The second one was through UPS. Both times the packaging has been different and clearly NOT Internationals packaging."

Yeah, I don't have a problem understanding your view point that the packaging was inadequate. I have a problem that UPS requires that packages have to survive a 3 to 4' drop.

 

[kippieland]

Yeah, I don't have a problem understanding your view point that the packaging was inadequate. I have a problem that UPS requires that packages have to survive a 3 to 4' drop.

Yeah thats retarded for sure. I know UPS is no Saint in this....I think they all have a part in this problem. That being said, I order a lot online from MX sites and have never had a problem with UPS or Fedex. But all those packages are well protected and can handle their throwing. I say throwing, because I used to do that to stuff at Seatac...it happens...but thats different then dropping it from a 3' to 4' drop!

 

[lametec]

Add me to the list.

Ordered one after you posted about it. The first one wasn't even delivered. It was "out for delivery", then "returned to sender due to damage".

Second on arrived. Upper left rear corner all smashed in. Top lid pushed in. Fronts of all left side drawers dented.

Third arrives. Top lid totally smahed. Whole box looks tweaked.

I approach Amazon with the issue, and they decide to refund instead of shipping another. I suggest I might keep/repair one box if they give a partial refund. They offer $40 (making the total for the box $164.72). I tell 'em I'll take the complete refund.

The 2nd box would be usable. Most dents could be straightened out, and the drawers could be replaced with those from the 3rd box. The one corner on the top lid would always be ugly, though.

So I've decided to go with HF boxes instead. I would have loved to support our Canadian friends instead of the Chinese, but unfortunately it didn't work out this time.

 

[kippieland]

Doesn't make me feel to good about the third one they are sending me. I don't think this is an International problem. I ordered the bottom roll cabinet from Sears.com and it arrived on a pallet with not damage. Its more a principal of the thing right now...I told them I didn't want their refund and would be sending all of them back until they got it right. I sent an email to International but haven't heard anything back; probabley won't, but I thought I would try. I just don't get it...are they not in the business of selling things? They are wasting more money on shipping then anything else! We will see.