Joined Nov 2017
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I'm starting to hate Amazon....
February 15, 2024 at
11:48 AM
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Last Edited by oharag1 February 15, 2024 at 11:53 AM
So of course, I order a bunch from Amazon but lately I'm having issues with the price match or return policy.
Here are a few initial events that have made me frustrated with Amazon's policies:
- I bought a Govee heater. It was priced reasonably, and I believe I clicked a coupon to get a discount. I paid around $44. Not more than 3-4 days later the price dropped to $24ish. I had already received the product - and had no intention on returning it - but it would be nice to get a price match so soon after my purchase. Well, what a pain. Amazon would rather me return the product instead of offering a price match. First getting past the automated agent is near impossible. What a joke. This goes to Amazon's poor customer service all told. I understand that Amazon doesn't want to spend too much time on price matches - but this was directly from Amazon. During the return process online there is an option for return due to an item for a lower price, but it wants you to return the product instead of requesting a price match. It would seem cost effective and easier for both parties. Overall disappointed with this policy.
- Just yesterday I received a food product that had been crushed, and contents spilled all over the inside of the box. Besides trying to get by the automated agent - the person on the other side of the phone actually did provide me a refund without having to return the product. But - why can't I do this online without having to call in? I have no problem taking a picture to provide evidence.
- I also just received a trash can from Amazon. The outside of the box didn't look damaged - but once I pulled out trash can - one side was pushed inward. I applied pressure to the inside - and managed to pop some of the indentations outward. It is still damaged. In this case I would have liked to apply for a possible discount to accept this damage without the need to package up product and request a refund. This won't happen. With my previous experience with Amazon customer service, and with the possibility that another product may also be damaged upon delivery, I've decided to accept damage.
I'm starting to consider making all of my purchases at brick and mortar. You can see the product - you can take away product that day (in most cases), and if there is an issue just go in for a return/refund or exchange.
Just venting to the SD community.
Here are a few initial events that have made me frustrated with Amazon's policies:
- I bought a Govee heater. It was priced reasonably, and I believe I clicked a coupon to get a discount. I paid around $44. Not more than 3-4 days later the price dropped to $24ish. I had already received the product - and had no intention on returning it - but it would be nice to get a price match so soon after my purchase. Well, what a pain. Amazon would rather me return the product instead of offering a price match. First getting past the automated agent is near impossible. What a joke. This goes to Amazon's poor customer service all told. I understand that Amazon doesn't want to spend too much time on price matches - but this was directly from Amazon. During the return process online there is an option for return due to an item for a lower price, but it wants you to return the product instead of requesting a price match. It would seem cost effective and easier for both parties. Overall disappointed with this policy.
- Just yesterday I received a food product that had been crushed, and contents spilled all over the inside of the box. Besides trying to get by the automated agent - the person on the other side of the phone actually did provide me a refund without having to return the product. But - why can't I do this online without having to call in? I have no problem taking a picture to provide evidence.
- I also just received a trash can from Amazon. The outside of the box didn't look damaged - but once I pulled out trash can - one side was pushed inward. I applied pressure to the inside - and managed to pop some of the indentations outward. It is still damaged. In this case I would have liked to apply for a possible discount to accept this damage without the need to package up product and request a refund. This won't happen. With my previous experience with Amazon customer service, and with the possibility that another product may also be damaged upon delivery, I've decided to accept damage.
I'm starting to consider making all of my purchases at brick and mortar. You can see the product - you can take away product that day (in most cases), and if there is an issue just go in for a return/refund or exchange.
Just venting to the SD community.
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The bot online should give support without having to call in. Whenever I've had an issue like the one you suggested, I just go through the chatbot and 90% of the time I get the same results as you without having to call and speak with someone. Have you tried that option?
Yeah, Amazon doesn't do partial refunds for damaged items sadly either.
Generally I do a lot of purchases through Amazon (around 300 orders a year), but some items I do go the Best Buy or Costco route for the return abilities/price matching/warranties/etc. I do get the frustrations though as I've experienced them before as well
I don't think it is helpful to think too hard about why Amazon does things the way it does. Often it is not the way I would do it if I were running the business.
One area in which Amazon exceeds my expectations is the process of returning products to Whole Foods or Kohl's. That is some frictionless e-commerce right there.
- packaging: how the hell do they decide on packaging or box sizes. They sure as heck never add additional filler or foam to protect the product. Sometimes you get a box that is huge compared to product with zero support. You pick up box and items are just bouncing around.
- I have just recently got food items like tuna and soup cans. The cans were strewn all around the box. Box looked beat up. Some cans are dented. It's bad packaging from Amazon.
I'm learning - food stuffs - go to grocery stores clothing and shoes - department store anything that is fragile go to brick and motor.
So yes I buy from Amazon because of price but the inflexibility from Amazon regarding price matching and returns makes me reconsider online purchases
I won't even go to fake products or questionable suppliers from Amazon suppliers.
- Just yesterday I received a food product that had been crushed, and contents spilled all over the inside of the box. Besides trying to get by the automated agent - the person on the other side of the phone actually did provide me a refund without having to return the product. But - why can't I do this online without having to call in? I have no problem taking a picture to provide evidence.