Review: Beware Amazon

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 01:51 PM

(well now I do remember a couple of instrument purchases - presents. A kalimba for mum, a bit of a fiddle to tune initially but nice sounding and a lovely bit of wood and I'd think reasonably priced. And a couple of Hohner harmonicas for a brother - no problems with them)

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 01:45 PM

I'm not saying it doesn't happen but I've not encountered this with Amazon.

I've not made a musical instrument purchase from them and the last 2 musical related purchases I made were for Daddario PB strings. They were as competitively priced as I found anywhere.

A couple of other past music related purchases I can recall were for a Rode M2 and a CAD GXL1200 microphone. A fair while ago but again my memory is that they were at least at the competitive end of the pricing. It's highly unlikely I'd have used them otherwise.

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 12:01 PM

Most 99% of music electronic gear, mics, FX pedals, etc I buy from Amazon,
way below usual retail price, are brand new boxed - faultless...

However, nearly every guitar I have bought from Amazon
has some problem.
Leading to suspicions that guitars sold at bargain price as 'brand new' are really distributor's B stock / returns...???

Some guitars have involved lengthy bitter disputes,
but in the end it payed off as determined complaining and negotiation
was eventually resolved by Amazon very much to my advantage.

You need to phone as many times as it takes to find the right sympathetic Amazon customer service manager.
Don't be afraid to hang up on all the other awkward jobsworths...

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 11:10 AM

Price algorithms do have their reasons from the sellers' point of view. If you are willing to play the game, all will be happy.

But: one of ten ukuleles from mass production is hopelessly mis-fretted, many others are barely tolerable. If you buy without thorough trying (by someone who knows how to do it), you risk huge disappointments. Particularly fatal if you buy it as a present for a beginner. It is not a question of cheap vs. expensive.

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: leeneia
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 11:04 AM

I've found it pays to be alert. Amazon was recently asking $7 for a bag of cracked wheat which usually costs around $3. $30 for a knee brace that I bought elsewhere for $20.

Nonetheless, I've bought many things at fair prices. I'm so glad to be able to say goodbye to stores with ugly music.

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 10:51 AM

Clearly 'he who hesitates ..... '
I was also offered a pathetic Amazon credit amount to make up for no gig bag etc. if I jumped through numerous hoops - glad in a way they lost me, I'm not after a monster bargain, just a fair deal.

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 08:49 AM

i constantly get excellent bargains..
and I don't mean "deal of the day"...

Just a mattter of knowing what to look for, patience, and luck...

A bit like monster carp fishing.. or pulling at a Disco...

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 08:38 AM

oh bugger...

Now let's try again in the right order this time...
[I really must get reading lenses one day...]

=======================================================================

"Hint - if you want more than one of an item make sure you buy at the same time at the low price.
Sometimes the system won't let you do it,
but you never know...???

Only once ever have I ever been messaged to say that the order will not be fulfilled as it was a mistake.
but that was a 3rd party seller..."

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: beachcomber
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 08:32 AM

Are there no "bargains" to be found then, on Amazon ? books or whatever ?

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 08:30 AM

You have now entered the secret world of Amazon price monitoring...
Keep a close eye several times a day as they often drop crazy low for a few hours or minutes...

The fluctuations are remarkable, no logical explanation - just take advantage of an ineptly run business that makes too much profit..

I regularly buy music equipment for a fraction of normal price.
At best less than a 1/4...

Then as soon as I press buy now, the price zooms back up to stupid high again for the next buyer to follow...

Hint - if you want more than one of an item make sure you buy at the same time at the low price.

Only once ever have I ever been messaged to say that the order will not be fulfilled as it was a mistake.
but that was a 3rd party seller...
Sometimes the system won't let you do it,
but you never know...???

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 07:25 AM

They've been at this sort of trick since they started.

I've never bought anything from them.

Subject: RE: Review: Beware Amazon
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 06:32 AM

Prices on Amazon(marketplace) are set by algorithms.

search 'Amazon prices algorithm'

See, for example : The infinite loop of algorithmic pricing on Amazon

Subject: Review: Beware Amazon
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 05:45 AM

A well reviewed Tenor ukulele was a good price on Amazon. I have had polite emails with Amazon regarding a discount as packaged items listed ( gig bag etc. ) actually do not get included, says previous buyer. Interesting that within hours the price has gone up over £30, about 20%. A similar thing happened when I looked at wound .017 strings for a bouzouki, £2.50 went up to around £7!! Is this common Amazon strategy? Uke friends have said do shops, but hard to find ones I want to try.