Is there a recourse? (Amazon)

[LAS14]

This is the third post I've made over the last few months about dealing with Amazon. (I'm not the only one.)

My question is, who is fighting these battles. Aren't there groups like Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency that deal with multi-nationals? Can I go to my State Attorney General? Some agency at the U.N.?

The other posts were about impossible support practices.

This is about plain, outright THEFT!!!!

In March I ordered a projector to be delivered to my granddaugther in another state for her birthday. It didn't arrive and the web site told me they were sorry it had been delayed, but it's on it's way. It kept saying that, and then I forgot all about it. My daughter reminded me today that it still had not arrived. The web site still says they're sorry it's been delayed and it's on it's way.

I've been engaged in chats and phone conversations with three people for over an hour and a half. All have told me that they can't issue a refund for an order over 30 days old. (When I got to the manager he allowed as how sometimes it's 60 days.) The manager did spend time researching, but the most he could do for me was an $80 credit. The purchase was $137. I have a screen shot of the order details still saying it's delayed and is on it's way. It does not say "It's lost and you must request a refund within 30 days of purchase."

What can I do next? The last person refused to tell me how to bump the issue higher.

[Laffy Kat]

1. I had similar issue.

I ordered an inexpensive blouse which never arrived. I got a email waying it was "lost" and no suggested recourse. It wasn't a lot of money and there is still no credit to my account. I guess I'll have to call, although I know that will skyrocket my blood pressure, so I may just let it go. Of course, that's what they're probably counting on.

[hlthe2b]

2. I am assuming this is a 3rd party seller, rather than being sold directly from Amazon?

If so, that makes it a lot tougher. As a very long-term Prime member, I've been able to cajole Amazon reps to intercede on occasion, but until the seller's original shipping date has been exceeded by some number of days/weeks, then you have little recourse. I had purchased something that gave a six-week estimated delivery date for an item likewise supposedly "delayed." Since the seller was the ONLY one, I placed the order. At six weeks and after I sent a message through Amazon to the seller, the seller canceled the owner, stating they were unable to fulfill. I think it was two more weeks before they refunded via Amazon. However, I see comments all the time about 3rd party scammer sellers and in that case, I guess you are left negotiating with Amazon.

Bummer

[AZSkiffyGeek]

21. They probably neve me had the item in the first place

When I see “one left in stock” I assume it’s a scam - I think they sell it without the product on hand, then try to get it to ship and meet the delivery time.
I know the second hand book sellers do this a bit.

[claudette]

3. I closed out my account with Amazon

because I got emails saying that I had bought things I had not. Nothing was charged to my credit card, I think because I NEVER keep that information on their website. If I ever do go back to Amazon, I will only buy a hefty gift card and use that to buy items instead of using my credit card number. Since they changed their free shipping minimum to $35, I won't be going back that often.

Walmart has the same minimum for free shipping but their prices are MUCH lower!

[Ms. Toad]

14. Those emails are almost certainly phishing emails coming from somewhere

Other than Amazon.

[claudette]

17. Probably

But I feel safer not using my credit card

[orleans]

15. so does target -- with the min. $35/free shipping nt

[claudette]

16. Yes

I ❤️ Target

[mercuryblues]

4. The biggest resource is to write a scathing review

About their scam and how Amazon would not do anything to help you. Use the words scam and rip-off many times.

Next only use 1st party sellers with 4+ star reviews or buy through Amazon.

[LAS14]

6. Where would I post the review? nt

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. On the page for the item you did not receive. Nt

[GoodRaisin]

27. My guess is Amazon would probably not print it.

They’ve blocked several of my negative reviews, claiming my review in some way violates their policy - without of course saying how specifically it violates the policy. But there is nothing in their policy I have violated. If they don’t like it they just don’t print it.

My opinion is what the OP is dealing with is just plain old theft and must likely be handled as such if any money is ever to be refunded.

[Hekate]

12. There's a couple of places. One is to look up the vendor's page and drop a comment there...

I am treating this as if there’s only one vendor (if more than one vendor, be sure you ding the one you used and not someone else).

First page, advertising and describing the product, where you originally decided to buy it —

Note name of vendor on upper right of that first page, in box noting price & condition: sold by (Name of Vendor). Tap on (Name of Vendor). Takes you to new page

On the upper right of that new page it says, “Have a question for (Name of Vendor)?” Tap on Ask a Question and let them know your issue.

On the lower left of the same new page it says “Feedback” and below that, “Share your thoughts with other customers.” Tap on that and let the other customers know you never got your product at all, and the issue remains unresolved.

Back on First page: note review-stars & comments further down. On the left, it says “share your thoughts”. Tap on “Write a customer review”

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Did you put it on a credit card?

Contact them.

[Hekate]

13. This

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, your options may be limited

Disputing the charges with your credit card issuer may be the best and only option at this point.

[ret5hd]

9. Small claims court.

Bonus: if you win and they don’t refund you, you get to go to a facility of theirs and take what you want.

[dlk]

10. Have you contacted your credit card company to dispute the charge?

If the merchandise was never delivered, that would seem to be fraud. Your credit card company will investigate and then credit your account if the merchandise was never delivered.

Good luck.

[in2herbs]

18. My recommendation is also to contact your CC company if the charge was on your

CC. However --- don't ever claim fraud! The CC company will tell you they have to issue you a new card which means you'll have to change the card info on any accounts that retain your number. All that work is a pain!!! Instead, always -- even if you suspect fraud --- always tell the CC company that the package was not delivered and let them sort it out. We pay interest rates and fees on CCs, put the burden on the CC company.

[dlk]

22. It was fraud to charge for the merchandise and not ship it

The seller may have been running a scam. The credit card company should have this information. No need to panic.

[Maraya1969]

11. First write a scathing review of the item and tell everyone not to buy anything from them

because they will take your money and not give you a product.

[LAS14]

23. thanks for the suggestion. I did followed it, but they still seem to be "reviewing" the review. nt

[Prairie_Seagull]

19. Also contact your congressperson. There needs to be protections for this type of shit

Sounds like they are straight up trying to rip you off for at least 57 bucks. WTF.

[marybourg]

20. [e-mail] ( yes, I know, but people have said it still works),

and [e-mail].

[Sogo]

24. If you paid with a credit card, contact them.

They will take care of it. Especially since you have already tried to work it out with the vendor.

If you didn't use a credit card, this should be a lesson to always buy anything online with a credit card. They really do cover for your best interests.

[Maraya1969]

25. You mentioned the BBB. I suggest you files a complaint with them. I have in the past and they

have been helpful.

[womanofthehills]

26. You can go after the carrier- UPS, Fed EX, PO if you have the tracking number

When you track the package, what does it say?
l

You need to find a real person at Amazon. Search the web for Amazons phone number. That's what I've done in the past. Someone out there has it.

[LAS14]

28. I'm most interested in hurting Amazon (like a mosquito attacking a hippo, I know).

I'll write to congresswoman. I'll try to get The Globe consumer person to deal with it. I looked to post a message on Reddit and found lots of peripheral subreddits, but the main, big Amazon subreddit lets you post complaints only on Mondays, as replies to a particular post and doesn't allow comments on those posts. Other discussions of an individual nature can only be posted on Wednesdays. There's a note on the Monday complaints post, "Amazon doesn't read this, but it may make you feel better."

Sounds pretty much like Amazon administers this subreddit itself.

Arggh!!!!!! We're prisoners of the multi-nationals.