Thanks Amazon! you got me!

[lrhredjb]

In early May I ordered the Astro Pnuematic wobble head ratchet set from Amazon at the the listed price of 19.99. They replied that my order would be delivered by July 18th. Huh? thats pretty shabby service even if it has to come across the pond. About every week or so I would get another e-mail telling me my order would be there on or before 07-18. On July 16 or 17 I get an e-mail telling me they will not be able to fill the order. So, ok I will learn to live without the ratchets. Just today they send me an e-mail saying I can now order the AP wobble ratchets, oh BTW the price is now $50. WTF kind of service is that from a company I have done business with for many years. I almost placed an order with them before I checked my e-mail this afternoon. Not gonna happen now.

 

[jd_1138]

They have variable pricing that changes constantly. Their business model is killing a lot of competitors. Most love Amazon. I still prefer local mom and pop brick and mortar. I may pay 5-10% more but at least I can touch/feel the item and my money helps the community.

 

[Zeke]

Out of the millions of items they sell, hiccups in the system will sometimes happen. I'm more concerned about being misinformed about a product. They are pretty good about keeping things straight, but lemons do get sold now and then. Always check the reviews.

 

[pop pop]

After my last few dealings they are now on "ignore".

 

[PelicanPines]

Yea it's horrible how 1% of 1% of 1% of the deals don't come out so you can get a $50 item for $19.99. The other 99.99% workout just fine.

 

[papavolume]

Yea it's horrible how 1% of 1% of 1% of the deals don't come out so you can get a $50 item for $19.99. The other 99.99% workout just fine.

Haha I know right.


However, I buy stuff from Amazon all the time and have ZERO complaints. I do notice the price changes frequently on stuff on my wish list but I kind of expect that anyway.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I had to laugh at the heading RE: Amazon! you almost got me! I recently ordered a 3/4" drive 2 1/8" ProTo impact socket through Amazon.. It came this past weekend in a box with the Amazon tape around the center seam, plus a couple bands that were loosely placed around the sides of the box... Looked to have arrived in good condition.. I held the box in my right arm and cut the bands with a kitchen knife. The box shifted a bit, immediately followed by a solid "thud" .. My first thought was whew, that socket missed my foot... The kitchen linoleum is due for replacement anyway.. I was lucky... When I turned the box over, there was a little sticker that read: RECEIVED IN DAMAGED CONDITION initials ___________ the Amazon tape was ripped the full length of the bottom of the box... Only the straps were holding the bottom closed.. Amazon almost got me....

 

[404]

Was this sold by Amazon, or just a reseller advertising on Amazon? Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference.

 

[lrhredjb]

Yea it's horrible how 1% of 1% of 1% of the deals don't come out so you can get a $50 item for $19.99. The other 99.99% workout just fine.

Yeah, you seem to know a lot about how my Amazon deals work out. I figure about 90% go as planned. The other 10 % leave something to be desired, that's about a 1000 times your .01%. Here in the midwest when someone offers something for sale we expect them to honor the price they ask and we expect them to actually have the item in stock, if not, say so.
Who says it's a $50 item anyway, 2 1/2 months ago it was a $19.99 item according to the vendor. Did China revalue it's currency?

 

[papavolume]

Was this sold by Amazon, or just a reseller advertising on Amazon? Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference.

Yeah, you seem to know a lot about how my Amazon deals work out. I figure about 90% go as planned. The other 10 % leave something to be desired, that's about a 1000 times your .01%. Here in the midwest when someone offers something for sale we expect them to honor the price they ask and we expect them to actually have the item in stock, if not, say so.
Who says it's a $50 item anyway, 2 1/2 months ago it was a $19.99 item according to the vendor. Did China revalue it's currency?

As this post states, you may have been middle manned. It could have been $19.99 from a third party person who never restocked. Now this new or other supplier has them for the higher price. If it was a third party seller than Amazon has no contractual obligation to that sale price, the third party seller did.

 

[Jacobson]

Amazon is a company that is designed to sell $1 bills for .99c.
That is so the stock can go up. See Amazon is not a store, it's a stock.
Ignore the store at your own expense.
Nose? See face. Spite.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

An hour ago, I placed an order for two dvds,, a screw assortment for laptop repair, and a replacement keyboard for a notebook.. I opted for the free shipping because there is no rush on my part.. the delivery estimate for the screw assortment is 30 days, and is coming from one place, The keyboard will supposedly arrive three weeks earlier from a second location, and the dvds should be here next week and are shipped from Amazon....
Thinking those packing orders will be printed out at the three different sites ; awaiting the warehouse crew to make their first human contact with the parts of my order..

My new cell phone was three weeks late in arriving, as it decided to first go on a coast to coast tour , courtesy UPS and the USPS.... With the volume of goods that are handled, there is bound to be an occasional error... Backorders can happen, and factories can run into problems on the production line.... There are things that can go wrong, but trying to sell something for $50 when it had been ordered for $19.99 is plain wrong.. This is where some human action should take place to remedy the goof..

 

[iScream]

Yeah, you seem to know a lot about how my Amazon deals work out. I figure about 90% go as planned. The other 10 % leave something to be desired, that's about a 1000 times your .01%.

I believe the percentage is 96.32 percent. I also know that 79.4 percent of all stats are just made up on the spot.

 

[Zeke]

Out of the millions of items they sell, hiccups in the system will sometimes happen. I'm more concerned about being misinformed about a product. They are pretty good about keeping things straight, but lemons do get sold now and then. Always check the reviews.

OK, that's what I said this morning. Come later I have my story to tell. I bought a Kohler toilet on Amazon on the 22nd and it was to be delivered today in 2 boxes (tank and bowl). I get one box. So I'm thinking the 2nd box got separated and will come tomorrow. I go online to check and see that the "shipment was refused" and on it's way back. The place of refusal was one city over or IOW, the UPS terminal. The status check says it was damaged.

So, I've got one half a toilet here and am wondering what's next? I email Amazon and get a very timely reply. What they say is the order is cancelled and they will credit my account when the returned goods get back. I email back that I have 1/2 of the shipment. So they then tell me (mind you the names of the email responders are all East Indian) that they have attached a UPS return shipping label for me to send back what is the good half. No mention of a replacement bowl.

The box is 2' x 3' x 3.5' and weighs 40 lbs by my best guess. I email back and say I'm not repacking this, loading it in the car and taking it to a UPS Store. So I get now a call tag and UPS will come by 'sometime' and pick it up for a return to Amazon so they can credit my CC.

I have company coming this weekend and have no toilet as of yet. Why did I buy the damn thing on Amazon to start with? Well, I get 40% off Kohler at the plumbing supply but this one particular toilet that I was going to order came up cheaper with free shipping. So went with that.

I guess those that want to use the guest bath this weekend will have to squat over the hole. Thanks, UPS, you dickheads. And thanks to Amazon for a nice clean policy when shipments come in separate boxes. **** them.

I'm now with the OP. Amazon is starting down the Sears rabbit hole AFAIC.

 

[PelicanPines]

Zeke, you're lucky it was UPS. USPS would have broken both boxes and delivered them to two different wrong houses. I hear you tho... sometimes frustration outweighs expected convenience...

Like when I ordered a socket set thru amazon and they shipped me a brake fluid vacuum kit. Like how can you confuse the two???

 

[gagreen]

OK, that's what I said this morning. Come later I have my story to tell. I bought a Kohler toilet on Amazon on the 22nd and it was to be delivered today in 2 boxes (tank and bowl). I get one box. So I'm thinking the 2nd box got separated and will come tomorrow. I go online to check and see that the "shipment was refused" and on it's way back. The place of refusal was one city over or IOW, the UPS terminal. The status check says it was damaged.

So, I've got one half a toilet here and am wondering what's next? I email Amazon and get a very timely reply. What they say is the order is cancelled and they will credit my account when the returned goods get back. I email back that I have 1/2 of the shipment. So they then tell me (mind you the names of the email responders are all East Indian) that they have attached a UPS return shipping label for me to send back what is the good half. No mention of a replacement bowl.

The box is 2' x 3' x 3.5' and weighs 40 lbs by my best guess. I email back and say I'm not repacking this, loading it in the car and taking it to a UPS Store. So I get now a call tag and UPS will come by 'sometime' and pick it up for a return to Amazon so they can credit my CC.

I have company coming this weekend and have no toilet as of yet. Why did I buy the damn thing on Amazon to start with? Well, I get 40% off Kohler at the plumbing supply but this one particular toilet that I was going to order came up cheaper with free shipping. So went with that.

I guess those that want to use the guest bath this weekend will have to squat over the hole. Thanks, UPS, you dickheads. And thanks to Amazon for a nice clean policy when shipments come in separate boxes. **** them.

I'm now with the OP. Amazon is starting down the Sears rabbit hole AFAIC.

You ordered a fragile toilet. Sounds to me like amazon did everything to make returning it super easy. I've gotten things at a local hardware store that had damage in the box so then I'd repackage, load, drive, stand in a return line, only to be told that it was the last of that item in stock and that they would refund or call me when more were in stock. That is much less convenient than getting a free return label that they pick up at your house.

If you absolutely have to have something in a timely manner (like a toilet for guests who will be there in a few days) buy it locally so you know you have it. Stuff happens in shipping thats life. No one working for the shipping company intentionally broke your toilet.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have had far more trouble with Amazon purchases than Ebay , and I have ordered tons more stuff from Ebay.

 

[iScream]

Like when I ordered a socket set thru amazon and they shipped me a brake fluid vacuum kit. Like how can you confuse the two???

I seem to find myself defending Amazon a lot around here and I'm not quite sure how it happens. I have no special connection to them or anything.

But, if you think about your question, (yes I know it was rhetorical) it seems pretty obvious that the worker in the warehouse goes to pick item number XXXX and packs it. He doesn't go look for a 1/4" socket set made by whatever company.

While it seems somewhat reasonable to think just about anyone would know the difference between sockets and a vacuum kit, it isn't at all reasonable to think Amazon could have some system where the people picking orders even attempt to look at each item and make sure what they pulled off a rack matches a generic product name in their mind.

 

[iScream]

I have had far more trouble with Amazon purchases than Ebay , and I have ordered tons more stuff from Ebay.

And I average at least two deliveries a week from amazon and have had no problems at all. This has been true for the last couple years that I've paid for prime and the free 2 day shipping. But even before I signed up for prime we ordered a lot from Amazon without issues.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

I've really never had issues with amazon. When they mess up they correct it no questions asked.

I find myself now ordering multiple single orders and picking the option of gaining $1 credit towards movies. I have prime and MOST of the time I don't need things 2 days... Juts last week I ordered 10 items all separately and got 10 bucks worth of credit towards movies, but the nice thing is when you do that and place all order in the same day, MOST of if not ALL of your total order is shipped at once, and it's normally less than the 5 days they say. I ordered everything on a Monday and received it by Wednesday-Thursday...lol I love it, been doing that for a while after my friend told me about it.

-Nigel

 

[kctyphoon]

you have to take into consideration when ordering - ANYONE can advertise on amazon now.. if you want a pretty good guarantee you wont have any issues, you have to look and see if it says "order fullfilled by amazon". otherwise it coming from someone else, and amazon is just a middle man.

you also have a choice when placing multiple orders to have free shipping or paying a little extra to get your items quicker. thats because they are coming from multiple locations. so you either choose to wait for eveything to arrive at an amazon wharehouse, and then be sent out to you - OR you pay to have multiple packages dispatched from multiple locations..

ive shopped on amazon more than anyone i know, and ive never had an issue with them.

also - if the price changed, its probably because they are getting the same item from someone else at a bigger cost.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I won't buy anything off amazon unless it is a prime item 9/10 times. I've only ordered from a 3rd party unless i had to.

Usually I'll order from another website before ordering 3rd party

 

[Parrothead]

I won't buy anything off amazon unless it is a prime item 9/10 times. I've only ordered from a 3rd party unless i had to.

Usually I'll order from another website before ordering 3rd party

For me it's 99/100. I just check prime eligable before I even start looking. I've only had a few problems with Sunday delivery, but other than that it's been smooth.

*I didn't even care about Sunday delivery, it's just based on when I order.

 

[WHT]

Zeke, you're lucky it was UPS. USPS would have broken both boxes and delivered them to two different wrong houses. I hear you tho... sometimes frustration outweighs expected convenience...

Like when I ordered a socket set thru amazon and they shipped me a brake fluid vacuum kit. Like how can you confuse the two???

USPS actually delivers to our house and is great in our area. UPS delivers packages to somewhere in the neighborhood and it is up to you to try and find them. At least the neighbors are good about helping each other and making deliveries for UPS.

When you call UPS, they claim the drivers swears he delivered correctly and it must have been stolen (too bad and so sad for you). Two HD cameras took care of those "stories" and now prove they never made the delivery.

 

[Spinaker01]

Yea it's horrible how 1% of 1% of 1% of the deals don't come out so you can get a $50 item for $19.99. The other 99.99% workout just fine.

Actually based on your compounding percentages its 99.9999%

 

[PelicanPines]

Actually based on your compounding percentages its 99.9999%

yea... sorry about that math error... i don't have a smart phone and couldn't find my bowmar brain calculator.

 

[mmack66]

You ordered a fragile toilet. Sounds to me like amazon did everything to make returning it super easy. I've gotten things at a local hardware store that had damage in the box so then I'd repackage, load, drive, stand in a return line, only to be told that it was the last of that item in stock and that they would refund or call me when more were in stock. That is much less convenient than getting a free return label that they pick up at your house.

If you absolutely have to have something in a timely manner (like a toilet for guests who will be there in a few days) buy it locally so you know you have it. Stuff happens in shipping thats life. No one working for the shipping company intentionally broke your toilet.

Yep.

 

[Brownsfan]

They have variable pricing that changes constantly. Their business model is killing a lot of competitors. Most love Amazon. I still prefer local mom and pop brick and mortar. I may pay 5-10% more but at least I can touch/feel the item and my money helps the community.

I fefeel the same way. I have a local tool store that most of my new tool purchases go to. They sell SK, Wright, Proto, Klein, huge selection of Channellock. Also sell a lot of Sunnex and Gearwrench. I love the place. Cash discounts and all.

 

[Zeke]

You ordered a fragile toilet. Sounds to me like amazon did everything to make returning it super easy. I've gotten things at a local hardware store that had damage in the box so then I'd repackage, load, drive, stand in a return line, only to be told that it was the last of that item in stock and that they would refund or call me when more were in stock. That is much less convenient than getting a free return label that they pick up at your house.

If you absolutely have to have something in a timely manner (like a toilet for guests who will be there in a few days) buy it locally so you know you have it. Stuff happens in shipping thats life. No one working for the shipping company intentionally broke your toilet.

You know, a lot of times stock isn't local. I waited 4 weeks for a Kohler faucet (local purchase), 10 weeks for a shower surround (local purchase) 8 weeks for a shower base and there is a back ordered item that there is no delivery date for.

So you're gonna tell me that I'm wrong for finding a toilet that I want, that might or might not be in stock locally, AND at a better price than I can get it for LOCALLY and then being disappointed with the policies involved when part of the order gets damaged.

I guess you don't think I plan very well. One more thing, Amazon's price for the toilet I did buy was 231.99 free shipping but not 2 day, they gave me a 5 day delivery date. By the time this all came to be, the price for the same toilet on the "buy again" tab was $424.99. Now, why don't they owe me a toilet that I bought at the advertised price?

 

[jeffmoss26]

I fefeel the same way. I have a local tool store that most of my new tool purchases go to. They sell SK, Wright, Proto, Klein, huge selection of Channellock. Also sell a lot of Sunnex and Gearwrench. I love the place. Cash discounts and all.

I still need to check that place out!

 

[PugetDude]

OK, that's what I said this morning. Come later I have my story to tell. I bought a Kohler toilet on Amazon on the 22nd and it was to be delivered today in 2 boxes (tank and bowl). I get one box. So I'm thinking the 2nd box got separated and will come tomorrow. I go online to check and see that the "shipment was refused" and on it's way back. The place of refusal was one city over or IOW, the UPS terminal. The status check says it was damaged.

So, I've got one half a toilet here and am wondering what's next? I email Amazon and get a very timely reply. What they say is the order is cancelled and they will credit my account when the returned goods get back. I email back that I have 1/2 of the shipment. So they then tell me (mind you the names of the email responders are all East Indian) that they have attached a UPS return shipping label for me to send back what is the good half. No mention of a replacement bowl.

The box is 2' x 3' x 3.5' and weighs 40 lbs by my best guess. I email back and say I'm not repacking this, loading it in the car and taking it to a UPS Store. So I get now a call tag and UPS will come by 'sometime' and pick it up for a return to Amazon so they can credit my CC.

I have company coming this weekend and have no toilet as of yet. Why did I buy the damn thing on Amazon to start with? Well, I get 40% off Kohler at the plumbing supply but this one particular toilet that I was going to order came up cheaper with free shipping. So went with that.

I guess those that want to use the guest bath this weekend will have to squat over the hole. Thanks, UPS, you dickheads. And thanks to Amazon for a nice clean policy when shipments come in separate boxes. **** them.

I'm now with the OP. Amazon is starting down the Sears rabbit hole AFAIC.

Zeke, look on the bright side. Amazon could have delivered the complete toilet to one of your neighbors (aka Haugy's cabinets) and you would have had to send your guests over to their house to ****....

 

[davethorik]

I've bought off Amazon only a handful of times, usually when something had an insanely low price.
Once I bought some 1/2x24" sanding belts for my Dynafile that were advertised as 20 belts for $1 and some change. Of course it was a typo, that was an individual price not 20 pack price. Amazon let me keep the belts I had received and refunded my money.

Most recently I bought a Spyderco Endura 4 pocket knife from Amazon, I selected free shipping. It was sold by Amazon and was in stock in their warehouse. Took a little over a week for them to even put the damn knife in the mail. That pissed me off a little but I still got a good deal.

My best Amazon deal was on a Starrett 650B5 back plunger dial indicator. As of right now Amazon shows $331 for this indicator. A couple of years ago for one day it was randomly $101. Price went back up next day but I snagged one for over 66% off

 

[logical]

I have had far more trouble with Amazon purchases than Ebay , and I have ordered tons more stuff from Ebay.

that's just luck. ebay doesn't make, warehouse, sell or ship anything... they just run a fancy classified ad website. If you've bought 100 items, it was probably from 99 different sellers.

 

[The Cobbler]

actually to clarify, I have had more trouble with amazon third party sellers than with ebay sellers. the amazon warehouse purchases have been fine.