Live data from Hacker News

Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

petapixel.com

41–50 of 647 posts

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#41
post #17

> This was despite the fact that when boxed the Sony a1 weighs 3.22 lb (1.46 kg), and the Chiles’ package was listed by UPS as weighing only 2 lb (900 g). Not sure why Amazon was still arguing at this point. If UPS confirms the package was basically empty, then Amazon has no reason to believe the customer was lying.

This is not trustworthy. They dont really confirm at all. I've had them be off with label weight by multiple pounds before.

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#42

Haven't had any problems with Amazon shipping, but I'm thinking I might need to record every unboxing just to make sure I can prove what happened the first time it DOES hit me. Because it most certainly will, sooner or later.

This isn't going to help with the cc dispute, or with Amazon. They're going to decide without any information from you.

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#43

I do not trust Amazon to ship anything safely and securely anymore. Almost everything I receive is damaged, late, or mis-delivered. Books are especially abused somewhere in Amazon’s fulfillment. (They’re always bent, creased, or dirty.) Items that are supposed to be 1-day shipping typically take >=3, and Amazon’s tracking mostly says “oops! it’ll come trust us”. (Not verbatim, obviously.) Amazon’s return process is b…

I bought a new 32" monitor about 2 years ago that when I unpacked it, it was clearly an open box item. The way it had been packed was extremely unprofessional, tape was haphazardly wrapped and twisted around the stand and cords and things that normally come in plastic bags weren't bagged.

They've been shipping the wrong items lately too, twice in the last year when I order something that has multiple selections like color, scent or flavor etc I'll sometimes get the wrong item sent. I've done more Amazon returns in the last 2 years than my previous 15 combined.

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#44
I've placed approx. 15k orders with Amazon Germany in 20 years and have probably had less than 100 issues, mostly with FBA sellers. I get an answer from CS within 10 minutes and 1-day shipments are on time ~98%. Refunds are issued as soon as I drop the package in the return box. Call me a fan.

The best experience is still Amazon JP but returns are a little more complicated (Even within Japan) — Obviously b/c you more or less do not return stuff in JP [Hansei (反省].

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#45

I do not trust Amazon to ship anything safely and securely anymore. Almost everything I receive is damaged, late, or mis-delivered. Books are especially abused somewhere in Amazon’s fulfillment. (They’re always bent, creased, or dirty.) Items that are supposed to be 1-day shipping typically take >=3, and Amazon’s tracking mostly says “oops! it’ll come trust us”. (Not verbatim, obviously.) Amazon’s return process is b…

It's genuinely astonishing how bad Amazon is at shipping books now. It used to be their Thing, and now basically any book you buy from them arrives damaged. You can complain and get them to send a replacement and the replacement is damaged too. In my experience Amazon Japan still knows how to pack books correctly, but I haven't ordered from them since the start of COVID... they properly secure books to a bit of backi…

I order lots of printed musical scores. The higher quality scores are $45+ a pop. Amazon frequently renders them completely useless as a work you’re supposed to be able to sight-read with your instrument. After all the folding, bending, and creasing, the books don’t even stay open properly, and the bent pages make for terrible and distracted reading. It’s depressing and an absolute shame.

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#46

I don't see anywhere that says the item was shipped and sold by Amazon.com. If it was, then I can see how Amazon.com bears responsibility, but if not then it seems more like an issue with a third-party seller.

If you buy on the Amazon.com website it’s on Amazon to deliver your order and provide a good shipping experience.

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#47
post #18

I do not trust Amazon to ship anything safely and securely anymore. Almost everything I receive is damaged, late, or mis-delivered. Books are especially abused somewhere in Amazon’s fulfillment. (They’re always bent, creased, or dirty.) Items that are supposed to be 1-day shipping typically take >=3, and Amazon’s tracking mostly says “oops! it’ll come trust us”. (Not verbatim, obviously.) Amazon’s return process is b…

I’m in Europe. Earlier this year, I ordered from Amazon Japan, the package arrived quicker than things I had ordered earlier on a European Amazon and it was insanely well packaged.

Amazon Japan even in 2013 was amazing. My host family ordered an out of print trail guide to the hiking trail between Osaka and Tokyo after I had failed to find it in every major book shop in Osaka. If memory serves it was delivered in about 6 hours.

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#48
post #23
post #11

How does Amazon protect itself against unscrupulous buyers ordering $7k cameras and then claiming they received an empty box?

Check the package weight when its shipped.

You can ship dirt that weighs the right amount. It's happened before. [0]

[0] https://www.businessinsider.com/22-year-old-mud-filled-boxes...

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#49
post #35

This is certainly one of those instances where I'd raise hell, but I actually avoid trying to file lost item claims with Amazon for smaller ticket items. I know they have automated systems in place to prevent fraud, and I'm terrified that reporting for smaller ticket items will get my Amazon account banned. I've had a friend have this happen with his Doordash account; the sushi place he orders from a lot was pretty b…

That's perverse. You shouldn't have to self-censor out of fear. The fact that Amazon (Doordash, Google, ...) can get away with just cancelling people's accounts willy nilly and they'd have no recourse is a gaping hole in regulations.

BTW, it's off-topic, but this right here is the among best arguments we can make for strong privacy, and against mass surveillance. If people are willing to swallow monetary damage out of fear to upset an algorithm that may cut back their privileges, imagine what happens to political free speech when you have to fear govt surveillance and black vans.

Re: Amazon refused to refund $7k after shipping an empty box instead of a Sony A1

#50
post #46

I don't see anywhere that says the item was shipped and sold by Amazon.com. If it was, then I can see how Amazon.com bears responsibility, but if not then it seems more like an issue with a third-party seller.

If you buy on the Amazon.com website it’s on Amazon to deliver your order and provide a good shipping experience.

That's not true for every item. Items can be shipped and sold by a third party even if bought on Amazon.com. It's up to the buyer to check this when purchasing. The easiest way to tell is to check if the item is 'Prime' or not, but even then it's better to check who is selling and shipping.

Edit: I am describing the process as it is now. I am not saying that it should be this way.

Post reply on HN