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Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

kurtisknodel.com

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Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#91

Post by IMSAI8080 »

andreapmd wrote: post #63

I noticed this as well recently while I was shopping for an SSD drive. A majority of listings are obvious frauds with no reviews. What I also found out is that there is no way to report a listing for obvious fraud, probably to avoid deliberately flagging competitors’ products, but which could easily done by taking into account an individual customer’s credibility score/reputation/history.

I also tried to report some of these obviously fake 1TB drives about 6 months ago and found it incredibly difficult. I found the fact it was so difficult to report them more frustrating that the fact there were fake listings. I tried going through the hassle of contacting Amazon customer services. There's not option to report bad listings and the Amazon agent doesn't seem to even know what to do about it. Then eventually they say they'll pass it on to the relevant department and weeks later the exact same fake listing is still there.

Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#92

Post by mkhpalm »

cube00 wrote: post #17
propagandist wrote: post #14

The quality of listings on Amazon has nose-dived. It used to be a reputable corner of the web. Today it's filled with scams and low-effort white label crap.

People been getting boxes of rocks instead of DSLRs for a while now.

I got a couple LA area law office coasters in my Sonos box.

Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#93

Post by logifail »

hervature wrote: post #57
logifail wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While it's a mildly useful site, all diskprices' links are affiliate links, and I've not found an opt-out. I don't think we should share that stuff here on HN, it's a cancer on the web.

You don't think someone providing a free service should receive compensation? I would gladly give them their cut for a useful service. This isn't some shady website writing bogus blogposts or best of listicles.

> You don't think someone providing a free service should receive compensation?

It's an LLC not a charity.

How about they follow the (GDPR and affiliate marketing and opt-in) rules like everyone else has to?

Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#94

Post by jaclaz »

fasthands9 wrote: post #47
josephcsible wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Amazon accepts the return with no questions and/or charges But remember that Amazon keeps what's basically a social credit score on you that drops every time you return something, and then they permanently ban you (including from non-retail things like AWS and Prime Video) if it ever gets too low.

For my DIY hobby I buy a ton of stuff off Amazon - usually small parts under $15 dollars. I just checked and this year I've made 602 total purchases and, after checking the return e-mails they send, I've made 287 returns this year. I just click "bought by mistake each time". If there is a social credit score based on number of returned items I still haven't hit it.

Excuse me, but do you believe this is "normal"?

I mean, if you returned 287/602=48% of the items you ordered, either there is something wrong in what you order or - more likely - your supplier (Amazon) is not reliable.

On the other side, if 48% of items (particularly if low value ones) are returned, the costs of shipping/returning/handling must be enormous.

Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#95

Post by aliqot »

dkjaudyeqooe wrote: post #64
josephcsible wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Amazon accepts the return with no questions and/or charges But remember that Amazon keeps what's basically a social credit score on you that drops every time you return something, and then they permanently ban you (including from non-retail things like AWS and Prime Video) if it ever gets too low.

Amazon tracks your returns, but if you're within their model, which is not particularly tight, you don't have anything to worry about. It's mostly targeted toward people who are egregious, and more importantly, lose Amazon money. If you return a few too many DSLRs, Apple laptops or other high end gear you'll quickly find yourself on the rocks, or decide you're going to start a drop-shipping business from your Prime a…

>> If you're not doing anything wrong you have nothing to worry about

> How do I know if I'm doing anything wrong?

>> ... that's proprietary

Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#96

Post by fasthands9 »

jaclaz wrote: post #94
fasthands9 wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For my DIY hobby I buy a ton of stuff off Amazon - usually small parts under $15 dollars. I just checked and this year I've made 602 total purchases and, after checking the return e-mails they send, I've made 287 returns this year. I just click "bought by mistake each time". If there is a social credit score based on number of returned items I still haven't hit it.

Excuse me, but do you believe this is "normal"? I mean, if you returned 287/602=48% of the items you ordered, either there is something wrong in what you order or - more likely - your supplier (Amazon) is not reliable. On the other side, if 48% of items (particularly if low value ones) are returned, the costs of shipping/returning/handling must be enormous.

I do not believe this is normal consumer behavior. The previous commenter claimed Amazon had a social score system that penalized people for concerns and you should be worried about making returns on things like USB drives.

My point is that if someone like me can return almost half their items and Amazon doesn't care at all - then it's extremely unlikely the people are being banned from Amazon services for returning a USB drive.

Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#97

Post by runnr_az »

LeoPanthera wrote: post #67
logifail wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While it's a mildly useful site, all diskprices' links are affiliate links, and I've not found an opt-out. I don't think we should share that stuff here on HN, it's a cancer on the web.

Affiliate links cost me nothing and if it keeps the site in business I am more than happy for them to take a few cents from Amazon.

Agreed. Super clever little niche they found.

Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#98

Post by fasthands9 »

alsodumb wrote: post #49
fasthands9 wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For my DIY hobby I buy a ton of stuff off Amazon - usually small parts under $15 dollars. I just checked and this year I've made 602 total purchases and, after checking the return e-mails they send, I've made 287 returns this year. I just click "bought by mistake each time". If there is a social credit score based on number of returned items I still haven't hit it.

The credit doesn't just go by the number of returns - it also considers the total value of the returns and the value of purchase to value of returns ratio.

The commenter above was suggesting that returning a USB drive could hurt your social credit and I am saying that is overblown.

In my personal experience a large volume of returns won't even get you banned. A USB drive is also low value so assuming you are correct then again the fear of returning a USB drive should be zero.

Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#99

Post by magic_hamster »

dkjaudyeqooe wrote: post #64
josephcsible wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Amazon accepts the return with no questions and/or charges But remember that Amazon keeps what's basically a social credit score on you that drops every time you return something, and then they permanently ban you (including from non-retail things like AWS and Prime Video) if it ever gets too low.

Amazon tracks your returns, but if you're within their model, which is not particularly tight, you don't have anything to worry about. It's mostly targeted toward people who are egregious, and more importantly, lose Amazon money. If you return a few too many DSLRs, Apple laptops or other high end gear you'll quickly find yourself on the rocks, or decide you're going to start a drop-shipping business from your Prime a…

I mean, she could just download pirated books at this point. It doesn't matter if she got it through the store or not if she's going to exploit the system to read it without paying. The author won't see any money either way, so she can drop the pretense.

Re: Top USB Drives on Amazon are a Scam

#100

Post by llanowarelves »

wombat-man wrote: post #10
Arch485 wrote: post #2

Are there any good alternatives to Amazon that don't prominently feature fake products?

For electronics I've been reasonably happy with Best Buy. Plus you can do store pickup if you need it ASAP. Most stuff ships free in my experience.

Seconded.

I sometimes buy Samsung storage from Samsung directly (they have an online store), and same for Western Digital, but when I'm not doing that I like Best Buy (for general consumer electronics).

For more specialist stuff (pro audio, etc) there's other stores.

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