In other news ..........
It looks like I'll be closing my Amazon acct.!
First, let me say, I'm not all that familiar with "on line shopping" to begin with and I may have been ignorant about how Amazon does things. Still, what lead up to this decision (I feel) was "cheesy" at best and outright deceptive and usury at the other end of the spectrum.
Here's the deal, I placed an order for a U.C., a little wand mixer, a couple of boxes of coils and some glass bottles. As Amazon does, they "recommended" a little S.S. funnel (a $1.73 item) to go with the glass bottles (supposedly from the same supplier, Eclectic Supply) and I figured, what the heck. I don't really NEED a little S.S. funnel but it's only a buck, seventy-three so, sure, why not. I get "the cart" loaded, go to check out and there's $50 + in shipping charges, even though I selected the FREE Shipping that was offered on ALL items. Now maybe I just didn't/don't know where to look but I went back and double checked everything and MADE SURE I had clicked Free shipping on EVERYTHING. I went back to checkout and there was still shipping there but it had dropped to $32 (?). I went back again and STILL couldn't figure out what shipping was being charged on and, rather than scrap the entire order (most of which was REQUIRED equipment for our venture into DIY) I assumed (YES, I KNOW ....) that it had something to do with our order coming all the way to Alaska. I went ahead and placed the order and of course that's when you get the email "receipts" and how the shipment will be broken down & shipped. (It is still NOT an itemized receipt showing the cost of the product and the cost of the shipping.) LIS, being new to "on line shopping", and this being only my third order from Amazon, I never really did understand why everything wouldn't just come in one box and all be shipped together, and this was the case again. Oh well, whatever. The coils were coming direct from the seller, The UC, mixer & bottles were coming from Amazon and the funnel was coming direct from the seller as well (even though it was "supposed to be" from the same seller as the glass bottles. (? again). A couple of days goes by and the coils arrive and UPS drops off the UC, mixer & bottles but NO FUNNEL in a box that it would have easily fit into. I told my lovely Bride, "This is JUST STUPID! That little funnel would have easily fit in this big box, it's supposed to be from the same place as the bottles, Amazon RECOMMENDED IT, What The
???!!!)
The next day I receive tracking info on the little S.S. funnel and it states that UPS is the carrier & provides a tracking #. I go to UPS (Even MORE ridiculous to ship such a tiny thing via UPS!) and the tracking # was not recognized by their system. Okay, I'll go back into Amazon and contact the seller to find out where this silly little funnel is. I click "contact seller" and fire off a "where is it?" email. Amazon immediately sends me an "e" stating, "Your attempt to contact the seller failed. There is a problem with their email and the only way they will see it is if they check their Amazon acct." I replied to that email, saying, "I am trying to track this package. Can you assist me?" They wrote back, "We have contacted the seller directly and you should hear from them within two business days." (This was last Thursday)
Monday came and I still had not heard anything from the seller so I contacted Amazon through their "Help" link (which in itself is a PITA!) I explained the situation in a "chat" and was told the same thing, "We will contact the seller directly. Two business days, blah, bibadee blah, blah, blah..." I expressed my appreciation and asked, "While I've got you here, why was I charged $32 for shipping since EVERYTHING was listed as eligible for FREE SHIPPING?" The response was "Just a moment." and then they came back with, "The seller of the funnel you are trying to track DID state that it was FREE Shipping but charged you for shipping anyway." My response was an immediate, "THIRTY TWO DOLLARS TO "SHIP" A FUNNEL???!!! That can't be right, Amazon must have charged the shipping on the big box!" Their response was, " No Sir. Amazon did not charge the shipping. The seller was in error and we will contact them immediately and have them refund your overcharge."
Mid day Tuesday, I had not heard any more about this issue and I contacted Amazon again, by phone this time. I explained that I had tried all links through Amazon to remedy this issue on my own and none had worked. Furthermore, I had now invested over two hours of my time over a $1.73 funnel and STILL had not heard ANYTHING from "the seller". I would like to know where my funnel is and I would like to be reimbursed for the shipping I was charged in error. .......... "No problem Sir, I completely understand. Give me a minute to review the information and I'll be right back with you. (Time passed with an occasional, pleasant, "Just another few minutes please...") Finally, the person at the other end comes back (just as my wife walks in with a little 3.5 x 5 inch package and I explain that "it" has arrived via STANDARD MAIL and I would be more than happy to provide a picture of this tiny package that I was charged $32 in shipping for!" Their reply, "No sir that won't be necessary. I see that you were charged the shipping in error and that you have been trying to resolve this problem for quite awhile, Amazon can now file an A-z guarantee claim, since you have received the item and get your money credited back to your CC. I have also credited your Amazon acct. $32 for all of the inconvenience." (Me) "Oh well, OK, I appreciate that, THANK YOU very much! This is a move in the right direction and again, I really appreciate it!" The usual "Any thing else...." and we hang up, problem(s) solved, I THOUGHT!
Wednesday comes and the first thing in my email is "Your A-z guarantee claim has been denied." I responded with, "I appeal this denial.", and stated my reasons, backed up with the documentation of my efforts and conversations. Today I receive the same "Claim Denied" so THAT'S IT for Amazon as far as I'm concerned!
They made a "recommendation" to purchase an item from a "third party seller" (which I was unaware of until much later in the above process) which (in my opinion) they haven't properly vetted. I was given the run around by the same seller. I was lied to by THEIR representatives. (My Amazon account was credited AND I was ASSURED that my CC would be reimbursed as well, since the seller was in error.) Then, not only was my "claim" denied but my acct credit was removed as well. One hell of a crappy way of doing business if you ask me!!!
The kicker is that it was all over THIS! ....................
). My vote (which doesn't count) is for ROCK OUT!!!
. Keep on smilin'!
