BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders

Subject: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 02:36 PM

I am contemplating making an expensive purchase and find that the item I want is available on Amazon UK at several hundred pounds less than I can find it anywhere else.

The problem is that the blurb says "Usually dispatched within 1 to 2 months". The saving would certainly be worth waiting that long. However, it strikes me that they probably get such items in when the manufacturer gets round to sending them. If so, I could end up waiting a whole lot longer - like for ever.

I know that Amazon has a cancellations policy on what they call "open orders", but has anyone ever used it, and how reliable is it?

The item is extremely bulky and would cost a fair bit to send back. So I don't want to find something similar somewhere else, and cancel the Amazon order, only to have it arrive on my doorstep 6 months later.

Many thanks

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 03:00 PM

I have found that items usually are sent much sooner than stated. Posted times are outside estimates. The order is not what you call "open." Be prepared to be patient or don't place the order.

Estimated shipping time does not mean the same as "open" order (I think I understand your meaning); Amazon usually lists the item "if available' if they don't know if the item is available or not, and this possibility is clearly stated.

On a couple of orders, I have received a message from Amazon that the item cannot be provided by the dates specified, and asking if I want the order to stand or be cancelled.

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Greg B
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 06:42 PM

I've generally found that cancellation is quite possible so long as the item hasn't been sent yet, or isn't about to be sent. This is even true in cases where I've tried to cancel online, been denied because "the order has been sent to the warehouse for fulfillment." All that is required is to give them a ring, and they'll cancel it for you. Do you have Amazon Prime, and is the item Prime-eligible? That can have its advantages as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 01:25 AM

I hope you have taken import duties (there are levies on some US originated stuff) customs fees, handling charges and VAT into account in computing the saving

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 02:17 AM

My experience with Amazon US, is that when it says the item ships in a month or more, your changes of actually getting the item are pretty slim. In the US, you can cancel an Amazon order any time until "my orders" says the item is "shipping soon." So, before you commit yourself to buying the item elsewhere, take one last look at Amazon and cancel your Amazon order before ordering elsewhere.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 06:12 PM

I sometimes start research on items through Amazon, and depending on if an item is actually sold by Amazon or one of their vendors, I sometimes to directly to the vendor.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 06:29 PM

My experience tallies with Q's, and I use that site a lot. I have generally received items sooner than stated, and when something was of questionable availability they'd send me we-are-still-trying notices and offer the option to cancel. (And if they finally give up on it, they'll tell you.) You can cancel an order pretty much anytime until it is being prepared for despatch - by which time you can be sure the goods will be arriving shortly. If it were me, I'd take a chance.

Don't forget to access Amazon through Mudcat so Max gets some help:

http://mudcat.org/support.cfm (Amazon links are the bottom of page) (yes, Fred, I know you know... just sayin'... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 06:31 PM

PS: I'm talking about the British Amazon, .co.uk

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 06:42 PM

I have had good service from Amazon.com and Amazon.ca. Mostly I use the Canadian .ca since shipping of items above about $30. is free within Canada. I have occasionally used Amazon.fr (France) and co.uk probably twice. Each has items not available from the others.

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 06:19 AM

Thanks for the advice folks, and to Perigrina who pm'd me. I've placed the order with a view to cancellation should I come across anything comparable elsewhere.

I use Amazon UK a lot for EG., records and books and have never been less than delighted with their service. The trouble is this purchase involves knocking on for a thousand sovs. So getting it right before I pushed the GO button was pretty important.

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 05:40 AM

I've just received an email from Amazon saying that the computer I ordered will be dispatched today and delivered on Saturday. The original estimated dispatch date was anywhere between October 12th and November 5th.

So happy happy singey dancey and hats off to the folks at Amazon. I only placed the order 8 days ago, so that's the sort of turnaround time I would have expected if I'd ordered one direct from the manufacturer.

By gum. They must be a hard working lot in that there warehouse of theirs.

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 03:11 AM

I think Amazon is a pretty good company, Fred. I've always been very happy with their service. The few times I have had complaints, they have always resolved the problem in my favor.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: DebC
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 09:03 AM

Except that any merchant that sells stuff through Amazon Adsvantage (as I do) gives up almost 50% to Amazon. One has to be on Advantage to be listed with various streaming radio sources such as Pandora here in the USA.

I am also a bit peeved at Amazon as they allow un-regulated sales of musician's CDs by folks who have obtained these CDs illegally. This means the musician sees no money from the sale. I found it very interesting in doing a search for my last CD before it was released, that several folks were offering used copies for sale. How can that be?

I do understand that many times review copies of CDs to media and radio submissions do get put out there for folks to grab. So be it.

But to have my CDs on offer through Amazon before the release date was very strange indeed and did not endear me to them.

So if you want to support the musicians, especially independent ones, buy from the musician directly.

Debra Cowan

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 09:50 AM

See this thread

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: DebC
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 10:36 AM

I have, I did, I contributed, Fred :-) :-)

Deb

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 10:57 AM

Debra. I didn't mean you specifically, but anyone looking in on this thread would do well to have a look at the other as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Amazon Cancelled Orders
From: DebC
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 04:24 PM

Ahhh...the nuances of internet communication. Thanks, Fred.

Deb