I won't be renewing because Amazon's service has gone steadily downhill the past few years. It's become common for shipments that are supposed to arrive on a particular day to arrive late. Amazon has also started using private couriers who are generally morons that get lost or leave packages at the wrong house. And if you contact Amazon to complain, you just get precanned responses from someone sitting in a room in Southeast Asia who doesn't bother reading your complaint. If it wasn't for AWS and commissions off third-party sales, Amazon would have ceased to exist long ago.
Actually, I also noticed that the couriers they use are complete amateurs and tend to leave packages just about anywhere. They're terrible.
I won't be renewing because Amazon's service has gone steadily downhill the past few years. It's become common for shipments that are supposed to arrive on a particular day to arrive late. Amazon has also started using private couriers who are generally morons that get lost or leave packages at the wrong house. And if you contact Amazon to complain, you just get precanned responses from someone sitting in a room in Southeast Asia who doesn't bother reading your complaint. If it wasn't for AWS and commissions off third-party sales, Amazon would have ceased to exist long ago.
I have never had that experience when chatting with support. In nearly all cases where I've had a delivery delay or missing package or other issue, they've always quickly fixed my problem in a friendly way and not once questioning my honesty or passing the buck, and often offer to make things right. I would rate their customer service in this regard up there with Apple's.
I often wonder how people who have bad experience with customer service reps handle their end of the conversation. I was in a thread about CenturyLink's allegedly poor CS on Nextdoor once, with someone who ended up admitting that they usually "aren't very nice" to CS reps when they're upset about something. You get back what you put in.
I won't be renewing because Amazon's service has gone steadily downhill the past few years. It's become common for shipments that are supposed to arrive on a particular day to arrive late. Amazon has also started using private couriers who are generally morons that get lost or leave packages at the wrong house. And if you contact Amazon to complain, you just get precanned responses from someone sitting in a room in Southeast Asia who doesn't bother reading your complaint. If it wasn't for AWS and commissions off third-party sales, Amazon would have ceased to exist long ago.
I agree that I’ve had a lot of late deliveries. And I also agree that their canned email responses are pretty lame, and they often don’t appear to have read your original email to them. But if you bug them long enough if they will give you credit.
Use chat — it's far better than email support in my experience, especially if there's any back and forth or extra explaining to do.
Still a great service at that price. Amazon Prime has ruined delivery charges across the board as people now often expect deliveries to only take two days and be free of charge.
Completely agree. What's even better is if you live in an area where Amazon offers free same day delivery. I use that quite often.
I wish I had that luxury (but maybe it's better than I don't ). Obviously, if I don't have same-day delivery then I also don't have that one-hour delivery service they offer in some cities. I wonder what kind of damage I could do if that was an option.
I definitely have spent more ever since Amazon started offering same day delivery. I live in a city that has Prime Now as well. I've used that a few times ordering from restaurants. It's pretty convenient when you don't feel like dealing with all the traffic, especially during tourist season here.
Prime Now rules. I just ordered a 15lb bag of cat food, a pound of coffee, and some grains/and nuts for the pantry and it'll be dropped off on my porch sometime in the next hour and a half without me having to be there.
No price hike in the UK yet but they did introduce a £3.99 delivery fee for Prime Now in December which defeats the whole purpose of having a Prime membership; there are fewer and fewer benefits and very often lately, the "free next day delivery" seems to default to 2 working days from the day of the order as opposed to "next day delivery". I assume they want to drive more people to amazon fresh but in order to get that service (and it's a great service by the way), you now have to pay: 1. prime membership, 2. fresh membership, and 3. a £6.99 delivery fee (for orders under £40). It's just ridiculous really. All these fees just to get some groceries delivered...
Many items sold by Amazon are not the cheapest. Walmart and Target often beat Amazon.
And most items sold by Amazon are advertised at Target and Walmart only to show up and find they need to be ordered. Walmart is especially guilty of this practice. Most items I buy on-line aren't generic crap you can get at Walmart or Target, and a third party.
Take the RODE PSA1. It's available to order from Guitar Center, Walmart and Amazon, but only Amazon wipes the S&H fees if your purchase is > $25. Or perhaps the focusrite Scarlet 2i2/2i4 or the Blue Mic Baby Blue Cardiod Microphone there is no effing way I'm bothering with Target or Walmart.
I hadn't stepped into a Best Buy in 5 years until I bought the replacement Airport Extreme Base Station just a few months prior. Completely overhauled their experience, had their products in stock and was as cheap as anyone else. Picked it up and more items to boot.
If I want new Saucony running/walking shoes I go straight to their site. Their deals are always lower. Same with Nike.
If I want cleaning products, sure I'll go local, but I'm not going to buy a pair of Saucony shoes for $120 +Tax when I get them for $69 + S&H at Saucony online. I'll shop local for other exercise clothing options as they are right there. If I have a week to ten days I'll order on line.
I’ve had nothing but stellar customer service from Amazon for almost 20 years. The private couriers are generally as good or better than USPS in my area. The only time I’ve gotten totally mangled packages have been from USPS. Plus, the couriers are getting gainful employment while filling a real need. In each case of package damage Amazon reimbursed me 100% of the order total and reshipped the item. I did have a recent incident where the courier left my package in a snow pile a just a few feet away from my covered porch, while it was snowing. The funny thing was the courier posted a picture of the package laying in the snow pile to my Amazon account. I never did get a delivery notification but the picture allowed me to find the package under a fresh layer of snow. The item was undamaged but it does demonstrate that no matter how much effort and expense Amazon expends in its lengthy warehousing and delivery chain a broken last link in this chain can seriously detract from the overall customer experience. I do wish Amazon took the shipping feedback more seriously and followed up on posted comments.
We use Amazon for the majority of our shopping and have been prime members for many years. However I never watched Prime video regularly until they finally came out with the Apple TV app. Since then we have discovered and watched many great shows on Amazon like Man in the High Castle and Lore. I suspect that the increase in monthly versus annual plan is to discourage people from signing up for Prime for just a month, binge watch all of the shows that they want to see, and then drop their subscription for another year when they can do it all over again.
The Amazon Prime subscription is only available as an annual option here. However, it works out to about $16, which makes it a no-brainer.
I'm not too fussed about the layout of the website or the app, mainly because I know exactly what I want to buy. The only times I browse is when looking for a particular design for a t-shirt.
Having used Prime Video since it launched, we haven't hit a paywall so far. It looks like Amazon knows that this market is different. So while I won't get the absolute latest shows at the same time, there are still a lot of new stuff that I get to enjoy on it.
The Amazon Prime subscription is only available as an annual option here. However, it works out to about $16, which makes it a no-brainer.
I'm not too fussed about the layout of the website or the app, mainly because I know exactly what I want to buy. The only times I browse is when looking for a particular design for a t-shirt.
Having used Prime Video since it launched, we haven't hit a paywall so far. It looks like Amazon knows that this market is different. So while I won't get the absolute latest shows at the same time, there are still a lot of new stuff that I get to enjoy on it.
Where is "here" that Amazon Prime is $192 per year?
The Amazon Prime subscription is only available as an annual option here. However, it works out to about $16, which makes it a no-brainer.
I'm not too fussed about the layout of the website or the app, mainly because I know exactly what I want to buy. The only times I browse is when looking for a particular design for a t-shirt.
Having used Prime Video since it launched, we haven't hit a paywall so far. It looks like Amazon knows that this market is different. So while I won't get the absolute latest shows at the same time, there are still a lot of new stuff that I get to enjoy on it.
Where is "here" that Amazon Prime is $192 per year?
India. We pay INR 999 per year. So no, it's not $192 per year, it's about $16 per year.
I’ve had nothing but stellar customer service from Amazon for almost 20 years. The private couriers are generally as good or better than USPS in my area. The only time I’ve gotten totally mangled packages have been from USPS. Plus, the couriers are getting gainful employment while filling a real need. In each case of package damage Amazon reimbursed me 100% of the order total and reshipped the item. I did have a recent incident where the courier left my package in a snow pile a just a few feet away from my covered porch, while it was snowing. The funny thing was the courier posted a picture of the package laying in the snow pile to my Amazon account. I never did get a delivery notification but the picture allowed me to find the package under a fresh layer of snow. The item was undamaged but it does demonstrate that no matter how much effort and expense Amazon expends in its lengthy warehousing and delivery chain a broken last link in this chain can seriously detract from the overall customer experience. I do wish Amazon took the shipping feedback more seriously and followed up on posted comments.
Excellent summary and one which represents my experience with Amazon.
Customer service is way over the top in how it treats you. Almost as if they were so overjoyed at helping you that they would name their kids after you but it's hard to criticize when they really do try a solve your problems and in the shortest possible time.
I once had a doubt on a camera because the title of the product and description did not match with what I knew the product actually had. It was almost 2am but the chat button was active so I hit it and was gobsmacked to enter an instant live chat with someone who broke his back trying to help, keeping me informed of what he was doing every step of the way. In the end the only way to resolve the doubt was to have someone physically pick up the product in the logistics centre and report back. The following day I received an email clarifying the product details.
On another occasion a camera bag I'd ordered was missing its waterproof cover. They couldn't send me one separately but offered to send me the bag again (no need to return the first one before getting the second) or a discount. With the discount they gave me I was able to order a better cover from a different brand and still have some savings leftover. People I know have ordered books in the wrong language, offered to return them in exchange for the correct language but been told to keep the first one and still be sent the correct book at no extra charge.
Delivery, as you say is the weak link. It's true that when you complain about the lying product battering louts that often deliver the products, you get personalised but canned responses but I'm sure the complaints have statistical value and when it comes to contract renewal I'm also sure it gives Amazon some leverage.
I'm pretty sure that Amazon's investment in alternative options is also a result of complaints with delivery companies. I have many pickup options open to me, including Amazon locker.
Prices are not as good as they once were but but the vast array of options open to you makes paying a little more sometimes worth it. If you want to something like a kettle you can go to a local store and, depending on the size, choose from around seven or eight. Amazon gives me access to many times more from the comfort of home. Large or small, you can probably find it.
If you happen to live near a logistics centre you can even choose the two hour delivery option , choose the two hour period and have it delivered by Amazon itself.
Brick and mortar stores are fighting back with great options on pricing and, on some products, one hour pickup from the store of your choice (on top of home delivery of course) but I buy a lot from Amazon because I trust them and they have always given me the impression that I'm truly important for them as an individual (even if I'm not).
Some say Amazon employees are treated like dogs by the company and that management is overbearing but I haven't seen enough widespread evidence of this so can't really comment.
The Amazon Prime subscription is only available as an annual option here. However, it works out to about $16, which makes it a no-brainer.
I'm not too fussed about the layout of the website or the app, mainly because I know exactly what I want to buy. The only times I browse is when looking for a particular design for a t-shirt.
Having used Prime Video since it launched, we haven't hit a paywall so far. It looks like Amazon knows that this market is different. So while I won't get the absolute latest shows at the same time, there are still a lot of new stuff that I get to enjoy on it.
Where is "here" that Amazon Prime is $192 per year?
India. We pay INR 999 per year. So no, it's not $192 per year, it's about $16 per year.
My bad. I thought the “works out to about” comment was a conversion to a monthly fee, not a currency conversion.
Comments
I often wonder how people who have bad experience with customer service reps handle their end of the conversation. I was in a thread about CenturyLink's allegedly poor CS on Nextdoor once, with someone who ended up admitting that they usually "aren't very nice" to CS reps when they're upset about something. You get back what you put in.
Use chat — it's far better than email support in my experience, especially if there's any back and forth or extra explaining to do.
Prime Now rules. I just ordered a 15lb bag of cat food, a pound of coffee, and some grains/and nuts for the pantry and it'll be dropped off on my porch sometime in the next hour and a half without me having to be there.
Take the RODE PSA1. It's available to order from Guitar Center, Walmart and Amazon, but only Amazon wipes the S&H fees if your purchase is > $25. Or perhaps the focusrite Scarlet 2i2/2i4 or the Blue Mic Baby Blue Cardiod Microphone there is no effing way I'm bothering with Target or Walmart.
I hadn't stepped into a Best Buy in 5 years until I bought the replacement Airport Extreme Base Station just a few months prior. Completely overhauled their experience, had their products in stock and was as cheap as anyone else. Picked it up and more items to boot.
If I want new Saucony running/walking shoes I go straight to their site. Their deals are always lower. Same with Nike.
If I want cleaning products, sure I'll go local, but I'm not going to buy a pair of Saucony shoes for $120 +Tax when I get them for $69 + S&H at Saucony online. I'll shop local for other exercise clothing options as they are right there. If I have a week to ten days I'll order on line.
The Amazon Prime subscription is only available as an annual option here. However, it works out to about $16, which makes it a no-brainer.
I'm not too fussed about the layout of the website or the app, mainly because I know exactly what I want to buy. The only times I browse is when looking for a particular design for a t-shirt.
Having used Prime Video since it launched, we haven't hit a paywall so far. It looks like Amazon knows that this market is different. So while I won't get the absolute latest shows at the same time, there are still a lot of new stuff that I get to enjoy on it.
India. We pay INR 999 per year. So no, it's not $192 per year, it's about $16 per year.
Customer service is way over the top in how it treats you. Almost as if they were so overjoyed at helping you that they would name their kids after you but it's hard to criticize when they really do try a solve your problems and in the shortest possible time.
I once had a doubt on a camera because the title of the product and description did not match with what I knew the product actually had. It was almost 2am but the chat button was active so I hit it and was gobsmacked to enter an instant live chat with someone who broke his back trying to help, keeping me informed of what he was doing every step of the way. In the end the only way to resolve the doubt was to have someone physically pick up the product in the logistics centre and report back. The following day I received an email clarifying the product details.
On another occasion a camera bag I'd ordered was missing its waterproof cover. They couldn't send me one separately but offered to send me the bag again (no need to return the first one before getting the second) or a discount. With the discount they gave me I was able to order a better cover from a different brand and still have some savings leftover. People I know have ordered books in the wrong language, offered to return them in exchange for the correct language but been told to keep the first one and still be sent the correct book at no extra charge.
Delivery, as you say is the weak link. It's true that when you complain about the lying product battering louts that often deliver the products, you get personalised but canned responses but I'm sure the complaints have statistical value and when it comes to contract renewal I'm also sure it gives Amazon some leverage.
I'm pretty sure that Amazon's investment in alternative options is also a result of complaints with delivery companies. I have many pickup options open to me, including Amazon locker.
Prices are not as good as they once were but but the vast array of options open to you makes paying a little more sometimes worth it. If you want to something like a kettle you can go to a local store and, depending on the size, choose from around seven or eight. Amazon gives me access to many times more from the comfort of home. Large or small, you can probably find it.
If you happen to live near a logistics centre you can even choose the two hour delivery option , choose the two hour period and have it delivered by Amazon itself.
Brick and mortar stores are fighting back with great options on pricing and, on some products, one hour pickup from the store of your choice (on top of home delivery of course) but I buy a lot from Amazon because I trust them and they have always given me the impression that I'm truly important for them as an individual (even if I'm not).
Some say Amazon employees are treated like dogs by the company and that management is overbearing but I haven't seen enough widespread evidence of this so can't really comment.