Anyone else trying NOT to join Amazon Prime when ordering?
Discussion
Amazon is great, but they do have some sharp tricks. I discovered another one recently:-
Order a couple of items and all the way through the process they are popping up quick links to make you accidentally join the "Free" One-Day delivery which actually costs something like £79 per year.
Recently I had two items totalling over £20, so I qualified for free delivery without any special offers, except that they wouldn't let me have the free delivery. When I selected the Locker, the second item told me the locker was full. That had to be untrue, because both my items would be delivered together, in the same locker.
No matter how I selected a locker or delivery point (unless I had them both to my home) Amazon claimed they could not deliver them both to the same point, which meant I would not qualify for the free delivery over £20, because the order was split. But of course they had an answer - it would still be free if I joined Amazon Prime. What a scam.
Order a couple of items and all the way through the process they are popping up quick links to make you accidentally join the "Free" One-Day delivery which actually costs something like £79 per year.
Recently I had two items totalling over £20, so I qualified for free delivery without any special offers, except that they wouldn't let me have the free delivery. When I selected the Locker, the second item told me the locker was full. That had to be untrue, because both my items would be delivered together, in the same locker.
No matter how I selected a locker or delivery point (unless I had them both to my home) Amazon claimed they could not deliver them both to the same point, which meant I would not qualify for the free delivery over £20, because the order was split. But of course they had an answer - it would still be free if I joined Amazon Prime. What a scam.
This sharp practice wound me up so badly that I no longer order stuff from Amazon.
I just want to click a couple of times and have the goods through the letterbox in the next few days, not piddle about for twenty minutes avoiding Prime.
Its not as if you cant get things cheaper and quicker off Ebay, before I abandoned Amazon the majority of items I tried to order were out of stock and the rest took weeks to arrive so no loss really.
I just want to click a couple of times and have the goods through the letterbox in the next few days, not piddle about for twenty minutes avoiding Prime.
Its not as if you cant get things cheaper and quicker off Ebay, before I abandoned Amazon the majority of items I tried to order were out of stock and the rest took weeks to arrive so no loss really.
Agree with all of the above.
Amazon used to be my go to source for stuff and then i started just having a quick look on ebay before committing and realised that most stuff is available for less and without the delivery shenanigans. I haven't looked on Amazon for anything for quite a while now.
Amazon used to be my go to source for stuff and then i started just having a quick look on ebay before committing and realised that most stuff is available for less and without the delivery shenanigans. I haven't looked on Amazon for anything for quite a while now.
I currently have prime as it’s been good for the last few year, with the tv package too.
However I won’t be renewing as amazon is no longer that cheap any more and a hate the way they treat the staff.
Argos is great now, either delivered within a lofted time or delivered to my local Sainsbury’s for collection. Used them 3 times in the last 2 weeks each time cheaper than amazon.
However I won’t be renewing as amazon is no longer that cheap any more and a hate the way they treat the staff.
Argos is great now, either delivered within a lofted time or delivered to my local Sainsbury’s for collection. Used them 3 times in the last 2 weeks each time cheaper than amazon.
Yes, I accidentally signed up for a Prime trial before Christmas - despite being aware of their postage tricks, just wasn't paying attention.
So I binged on The Grand Tour and some other films over Xmas then cancelled before the 30 days was up. I don't use Amazon enough for the postage benefits, and the prime video offer is pretty weak. It annoys me that they won't even sell you some things now unless you are a prime member though! Sod off - there are plenty of other places to shop!
So I binged on The Grand Tour and some other films over Xmas then cancelled before the 30 days was up. I don't use Amazon enough for the postage benefits, and the prime video offer is pretty weak. It annoys me that they won't even sell you some things now unless you are a prime member though! Sod off - there are plenty of other places to shop!
I use three different accounts for Amazon, a Prime work account, my mums Prime account if I need something quickly and my own for the inevitable Christmas gift vouchers.
I ordered a drill on my account just after Christmas, delivery 3-4 days. Looked through emails after ordering and had a ‘welcome to prime’ email! I don’t recall hitting a button, didn’t order (or receive) next day delivery, but yet signed myself up to a free trial. There must be enough people out there that don’t bother to cancel to make it worthwhile, but as above eBay is my ‘go to’ where possible.
I ordered a drill on my account just after Christmas, delivery 3-4 days. Looked through emails after ordering and had a ‘welcome to prime’ email! I don’t recall hitting a button, didn’t order (or receive) next day delivery, but yet signed myself up to a free trial. There must be enough people out there that don’t bother to cancel to make it worthwhile, but as above eBay is my ‘go to’ where possible.
M4cruiser said:
When I selected the Locker, the second item told me the locker was full. That had to be untrue, because both my items would be delivered together, in the same locker.
What a scam.
I don't think that it is conspiracy, as you suggest.What a scam.
I use amazon fairly regularly for home and work related purchases, and it is not uncommon for different products to be dispatched from different fulfilment centres / sellers, and for them to arrive separately, even when part of a single mixed order.
Same here, I don't want prime and I'm always doing the dance of avoiding it.
More irritating though is when buying something that qualifies for free delivery, sometimes it still defaults to the standard delivery charge. It's too easy to miss this on the Amazon app. You have to manually select free delivery which is a bit cheeky in my opinion.
More irritating though is when buying something that qualifies for free delivery, sometimes it still defaults to the standard delivery charge. It's too easy to miss this on the Amazon app. You have to manually select free delivery which is a bit cheeky in my opinion.
Mandat said:
I don't think that it is conspiracy, as you suggest.
I use amazon fairly regularly for home and work related purchases, and it is not uncommon for different products to be dispatched from different fulfilment centres / sellers, and for them to arrive separately, even when part of a single mixed order.
I'd also be inclined to give the benefit of the doubt in this case.I use amazon fairly regularly for home and work related purchases, and it is not uncommon for different products to be dispatched from different fulfilment centres / sellers, and for them to arrive separately, even when part of a single mixed order.
Amazon in fairness have a very clever logistics system which considers the volume of each product packed to increase the efficiency of their distribution. Wouldn't be surprised if this was the reason.
M4cruiser said:
Amazon is great, but they do have some sharp tricks. I discovered another one recently:-
Order a couple of items and all the way through the process they are popping up quick links to make you accidentally join the "Free" One-Day delivery which actually costs something like £79 per year.
Recently I had two items totalling over £20, so I qualified for free delivery without any special offers, except that they wouldn't let me have the free delivery. When I selected the Locker, the second item told me the locker was full. That had to be untrue, because both my items would be delivered together, in the same locker.
No matter how I selected a locker or delivery point (unless I had them both to my home) Amazon claimed they could not deliver them both to the same point, which meant I would not qualify for the free delivery over £20, because the order was split. But of course they had an answer - it would still be free if I joined Amazon Prime. What a scam.
This happened to me, I only found out as I could watch tgt. Had it a year prior with no knowledge as I didn't sign up.Order a couple of items and all the way through the process they are popping up quick links to make you accidentally join the "Free" One-Day delivery which actually costs something like £79 per year.
Recently I had two items totalling over £20, so I qualified for free delivery without any special offers, except that they wouldn't let me have the free delivery. When I selected the Locker, the second item told me the locker was full. That had to be untrue, because both my items would be delivered together, in the same locker.
No matter how I selected a locker or delivery point (unless I had them both to my home) Amazon claimed they could not deliver them both to the same point, which meant I would not qualify for the free delivery over £20, because the order was split. But of course they had an answer - it would still be free if I joined Amazon Prime. What a scam.
Reminds me if the old 10000 business card trick from vidtaprint where they duped you into a £10 a month voucher subscription
I tried to order something and i can't remember exactly what it asked but there was basically no option for continuing without your 'free' subscription.
Was fairly annoyed and ended up ordering the same thing on ebay for a few pence cheaper in the end. A good way to lose casual business (and any future business from me)
Was fairly annoyed and ended up ordering the same thing on ebay for a few pence cheaper in the end. A good way to lose casual business (and any future business from me)
Shuvi McTupya said:
Agree with all of the above.
Amazon used to be my go to source for stuff and then i started just having a quick look on ebay before committing and realised that most stuff is available for less and without the delivery shenanigans. I haven't looked on Amazon for anything for quite a while now.
+1Amazon used to be my go to source for stuff and then i started just having a quick look on ebay before committing and realised that most stuff is available for less and without the delivery shenanigans. I haven't looked on Amazon for anything for quite a while now.
I cancelled Prime and now order virtually everything from ebay. Don't think I've ordered anything from Amazon since I cancelled...
Thanks for the warning on this chaps.
I remembered my wife ordered a small item from Amazon just yesterday afternoon. Upon reading this we checked her account and she had, indeed been enrolled as a subscriber although, curiously, the real thing not just the free trial.
We cancelled the subscription immediately and Amazon are kindly making a refund but keeping £20 for 'benefits already used' although I don't see any of these 'benefits' manifesting themselves.
Anyhow a lesson learned and one, or rather two, less Amazon customers as of now, probably more as word spreads.
I remembered my wife ordered a small item from Amazon just yesterday afternoon. Upon reading this we checked her account and she had, indeed been enrolled as a subscriber although, curiously, the real thing not just the free trial.
We cancelled the subscription immediately and Amazon are kindly making a refund but keeping £20 for 'benefits already used' although I don't see any of these 'benefits' manifesting themselves.
Anyhow a lesson learned and one, or rather two, less Amazon customers as of now, probably more as word spreads.
I order a lot over the course of a year, so Prime membership is worthwhile for me. eBay often has competitive sale rates to Amazon and often comes with free postage too.
Where Amazon "wins" for me is the no-nonsense returns policy. I haven't had to send much back but I know that I can, for quite some time after the sale, if the product fails in any way. I don't always get that level of confidence in eBay sellers.
I think I might be less Amazon-friendly if I couldn't justify Prime membership. The TV element is a nice add-on but there is never anything available on there that would justify the membership alone. I do watch some things but only because they are there.
Where Amazon "wins" for me is the no-nonsense returns policy. I haven't had to send much back but I know that I can, for quite some time after the sale, if the product fails in any way. I don't always get that level of confidence in eBay sellers.
I think I might be less Amazon-friendly if I couldn't justify Prime membership. The TV element is a nice add-on but there is never anything available on there that would justify the membership alone. I do watch some things but only because they are there.
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