Amazon.com question...

[trancejeremy]

Just out of curiousity, what is it that you ordered from them?

First, Neverwinter Nights 2 (in stock, said they'd ship the 11th). Which I cancelled and then ordered from Gogamer.com (for $5 less, including priority mail shipping), which they shipped in 24 hours and I got today.

Now, the Kedrigern Chronciles Vol 1 & 2 by John Morrisey

http://www.amazon.com/Kedrigern-Chr..._bbs_sr_1/102-4118561-4434507?ie=UTF8&s=books

http://www.amazon.com/Kedrigern-Chr...ef=sr_1_2/102-4118561-4434507?ie=UTF8&s=books

 

[trancejeremy]

I haven't looked at it in a while, but don't amazon's shipping policies specifically state that the free "Super Saver Shipping" takes an additional 3 to 5 days to ship?

Aha! That does seem to be the case, now that I look (they don't make that info all that easy to find, I missed it the first time, I had to check shipping info, then click on more info on super saver to find out). However, I used them back in July a couple times, and that was not the case then.

That's pretty slimey of them, though. Just as dodgy as Netflix supposedly unlimited movies a month (when in fact, they "throttle" heavy users so you only get about 15-17 or so)

 

[Piratecat]

That's pretty slimey of them, though. Just as dodgy as Netflix supposedly unlimited movies a month (when in fact, they "throttle" heavy users so you only get about 15-17 or so)

I disagree. It was pretty clear to me last time I ordered that free shipping took longer, and I made my decision accordingly. I certainly think it's more ethical than Netflix's sleazy throttling tactics, which really annoy me.

 

[CarlZog]

I certainly think it's more ethical than Netflix's sleazy throttling tactics, which really annoy me.

Huh? I don't know what that is.
I've got Netflix; no problems here -- that I know of...

 

[Mycanid]

The only time I have had problems with amazon.com is when I ordered from them and failed to notice the "item provided by ______" in the item description.

Generally they always come through very nicely. I have been ordering from them for many years now too. Amazon has never given me problems. Individual sellers are an entirely different story though....

 

[trancejeremy]

Huh? I don't know what that is.
I've got Netflix; no problems here -- that I know of...

You're probably not a heavy user then.

But basically, if you are like me, and don't watch TV much, but do watch a movie or two a day, you can generally watch the movie the same day you get it and then mail it back the next day.

In theory, if all goes well with the post office, you can pretty much get 6 movies a week (if you are on the 3 out at a time plan).

However, Netflix presumably doesn't make much money off people like that. (since figure .40 cents for shipping each way). So they "throttle" it, by delaying shipping movies. Like they get a movie, then they won't send you the next one for another couple of days.

They got sued for this a few years ago, now they put this information in the fine print (much like Amazon.com's free shipping delay). (And of course, I think lawyers got all the money in the settlement, affected users I think got an extra month).

They also put you at the back of the list for new movies.

What also irks me about Netflix (and other rental companies) is when they say "No late fees, keep movies as long as you want, like it's some big deal). Well, duh, since it's a monthly fee, they've obviously love to have to keep your movies as much as possible.


Anyway, back to Amazon.com, while they are still technically offering "free" shipping, it's still pretty weasally delaying it by a week. And they should make it clear right on the ordering page that the shipment will be delayed, not having to click on shipping policies, then on the fine print for free super saver shipping.

And they are overcharing for "regular" shipping. The two books I ordered should cost about $2 to mail via media mail (they aren't that big), yet Amazon.com wants over $5. Even with the cost of a mailer, they are still probably making $2 off of it between the actual cost of shipping and container vs. what they charge. If they don't want offer "free" shipping, they should offer legitimate low cost shipping.

 

[cybertalus]

Anyway, back to Amazon.com, while they are still technically offering "free" shipping, it's still pretty weasally delaying it by a week. And they should make it clear right on the ordering page that the shipment will be delayed, not having to click on shipping policies, then on the fine print for free super saver shipping.

And they are overcharing for "regular" shipping. The two books I ordered should cost about $2 to mail via media mail (they aren't that big), yet Amazon.com wants over $5. Even with the cost of a mailer, they are still probably making $2 off of it between the actual cost of shipping and container vs. what they charge. If they don't want offer "free" shipping, they should offer legitimate low cost shipping.

I haven't gone for Super Saver Shipping in a while, but whenever I have it has always been very clear to me that doing so could incur a delay in shipping. I don't use One Click Ordering though, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

As for shipping costs, I find Amazon to be very reasonable. About six weeks ago I placed very similar orders on the same day from both Amazon and a well-known online gaming store (3 DCCs from each store). Amazon charged me $5.97 for shipping and handling and shipped Priority Mail in a box. The gaming store charged me $8.45 for shipping and handling and sent my order Media Mail in a thin cardboard envelope. My Amazon-sent modules arrived in perfect condition, while the ones from the gaming store were slightly warped out of shape.

I didn't place those orders as an intentional comparison, I was just looking for certain DCCs and ordered what was available from each store. Still it was an interesting comparison.

 

[trancejeremy]

That RPG store really did screw you. (You should have known that when they charged $8.45. DCCs aren't that heavy)

But still, my point about Amazon.com still stands - they charged you $6 for priority, which is almost fair (probably closer to $4, I'd think, but $5 with box and confirmation). But they've eliminated the cheaper option of media mail, by supposedly making it "free", but adding a week's delay in shipping. I would pay $2 for media shipping vs $6 for priority, because the difference is usually only a day or two. But Amazon is basically practicing extortion - either pay for priority, or they will make sure you get it 7-9 days later by forcing their own week delay.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I remember the good old days when Amazon actually cared about it's costumers.

These days, the Makeup and Props departments get all the love... poor old Wardrobe is the red-headed stepchild.

-Hyp.

 

[cybertalus]

Thing is, it's "shipping and handling", not just "shipping". Someone has to pull product, pack it up and get it ready to mail. I figure the "and handling" part is to help cover the cost of paying somebody to do that.

I picked up the notion from somewhere (maybe Amazon themselves back when they introduced Super Saver Shipping on a trial basis) that the reason the shipping is free is because the delay gives them the flexibility to pack and ship an order "whenever", which could mean they're not paying overtime on busy days.