Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

cnbc.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

251–260 of 272 posts

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#251

Post by alok-g »

kevincox wrote: post #128
ekianjo wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The whole Amazon.com experience has been getting worse and worse as the years go by. Maybe, but they are still miles better than most other online shops, so they still get to grow. Just for the return policy, they are kind of worth it.

Have you tried searching for anything? They include any vaguely related product and support no negative search terms. Want a glass container, they are going to include dozens of products that don't contain any glass. Want a screw top bottle? They include product listings that don't contain the work screw or any synonyms. It is basically impossible to find specific objects. If you want a pack of clothes pins you are p…

I have had some successes using Bing Chat to find right product from the Amazon catalog. It is a lot better than Amazon's own search. E.g., Which transparent storage boxes sold by Amazon.in are more than 5 inches in height. Bing Chat tells. :-)

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#252

Post by registeredcorn »

adoxyz wrote: post #182
registeredcorn wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you mind listing a few alternatives you use? I generally try to avoid Amazon when I can, but have had problems finding a general good site. In case anyone is wondering what I use, here's a short list: Computer/electronics, I visit Newegg. (I haven't been thrilled with them moving into other areas like Auto parts, etc. but they seem alright for the time being.) Hardware or similar, I go with Tractor Supply Co, H…

Honestly so many Amazon items are literally Aliexpress drop shipped items. For most results when you get a random brand name like XYZKA, DKSJD, etc. if you search for that product on Ali, you'll find it at 1/5th the cost and it's literally the same exact item.

Interesting! Thanks for the info. :)

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#253

Post by ezfe »

laweijfmvo wrote: post #61
ezfe wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's deceptive about it is you click the first link to cancel your benefits, then each subsequent page is basically a quiz: "which button will boot you out of the cancel flow and which button will proceed to the next page" I agree it's not actually that hard to cancel, but the flow is so needlessly complex from a consumer perspective. It should go straight to a page with three buttons and associated explanations: 1…

As someone who regularly gets the 1-week trial of Prime (and cancels), the cancellation process has gotten a lot less deceptive recently. E.g. they used to invert the colors of the buttons to make the "Cancel Membership" look like the negative option, etc. These days it's still unnecessarily long, but requires less double-takes to figure out.

Oh for sure - I agree that the process is not something a reasonable person can't do - I use the 1 week trial of prime every time I order (and then cancel it immediately).

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#254

Post by registeredcorn »

ekianjo wrote: post #248
registeredcorn wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you mind listing a few alternatives you use? I generally try to avoid Amazon when I can, but have had problems finding a general good site. In case anyone is wondering what I use, here's a short list: Computer/electronics, I visit Newegg. (I haven't been thrilled with them moving into other areas like Auto parts, etc. but they seem alright for the time being.) Hardware or similar, I go with Tractor Supply Co, H…

Sounds like you make your life more complicated by having to shop in 10 different places. That's why Amazon is practical, it covers a lot of ground. (while they are not the cheapest for many items anymore).

I suppose you could see it that way. I'd offer a counter, if you will hear me out, though.

Generally, I don't see it as any "extra" effort to type in a different website name. I shop with the intention of already knowing what it is I want, it's simply a matter of finding it. I've already set up accounts on each of those sites, and use a password manager. I need to login to each site no matter where I end up because I have my history and cache cleared whenever my browser closes. It's the same process, whether it be Amazon or someone else. Now, compound that with my general distaste with Amazon, and it means I'm essentially completing the same process I would have been completing with Amazon, but without the associated distaste and annoyance.

I think of it this way: If I want quick and cheap food, I go to McDonalds, but generally dislike the place. It serves it's purpose. If I have a hunger for something specific, like Chinese, Italian, etc. I go to those places. The amount of effort expended is the same. The drive time might vary slightly, but each of those niche restaurants is going to be able to cater to that desire much more specifically, and presumably with a higher care of attention and customer service.

That is:

I'm placing an order, regardless.

I'm getting in the car, regardless.

I'm paying, regardless.

All of those actions are required to happen. No matter where I go, effort must be expended, so why use that effort on something lack luster and morally questionable? Wouldn't it be more logical to spend that effort directed at something catered specific to that desire, rather than go to McDonalds and hope that their version of spaghetti and meatballs will be "good enough"?

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#255

Post by registeredcorn »

JohnFen wrote: post #142
registeredcorn wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you mind listing a few alternatives you use? I generally try to avoid Amazon when I can, but have had problems finding a general good site. In case anyone is wondering what I use, here's a short list: Computer/electronics, I visit Newegg. (I haven't been thrilled with them moving into other areas like Auto parts, etc. but they seem alright for the time being.) Hardware or similar, I go with Tractor Supply Co, H…

It would be a long list. I buy from local stores rather than online whenever I can. If I can't, then I buy directly from the manufacturer of whatever it is I'm interested in buying. Except with electronic parts. For those, I typically go with Digikey. For electronic devices and computers, I go to a local recycler. They have what I need about 80% of the time. I've never had a situation where Amazon was the only option…

Thanks for the response! I generally try to shop locally myself, so I know what you mean.

I haven't heard of Digikey before. I'll have to give them a looksee.

For the recycler, have you had any issues or concerns with reused hard drives? I'm aware of how to securely wipe them and whatnot, but I feel like my nerves would still be on end to some degree, no matter how many times I reformatted or securely erased the data on it. Similarly, is it safe to assume that they have some kind of thorough physical cleanliness policy regarding hardware? I've listened to stories of computer repair techs who receive desktops that have literal cockroaches crawling out of them.

When I think of a recycling plant my immediate gut reaction is "dirty", but I feel like that reaction is unfair, if not unfounded. I've never been to that kind of place and am not really sure what to expect.

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#256

Post by hospitalJail »

z3c0 wrote: post #207
hospitalJail wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried to confirm this with 3D printing filaments. Amazon is somehow cheaper than everywhere I looked.

I find that Amazon's prices are their trap, and it gives the illusion of having more. I buy lots of cheap components for creating music, and I get far better quality for my dollar from Sweetwater than I ever have on Amazon, even if Amazon's prices were lower.

I think this is fooling ourselves. The cheap 3d Printer filament is fine.

Its weird because a mega corporation would consider the quality and if it meets the qualities, they would buy the cheapest price(with few other considerations, maybe china-US relations might deter).

In this case, the objective right answer is to buy the cheapest when it comes to 3D printer filament, as long as it meets the quality. It does.

I wonder if its some emotional decision to buy a more expensive product that performs equally.

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#257

Post by registeredcorn »

rawgabbit wrote: post #231
registeredcorn wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you mind listing a few alternatives you use? I generally try to avoid Amazon when I can, but have had problems finding a general good site. In case anyone is wondering what I use, here's a short list: Computer/electronics, I visit Newegg. (I haven't been thrilled with them moving into other areas like Auto parts, etc. but they seem alright for the time being.) Hardware or similar, I go with Tractor Supply Co, H…

I use the same sites you use. In addition I use https://pcpartpicker.com/ . It has price alerts and price comparisons.

Thanks for the recommendation. I've used them in the past at some point. I forgot about those guys! :)

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#258

Post by JohnFen »

scrum-treats wrote: post #228
JohnFen wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Speaking up is a career limiting move in the short term. What do you mean by "career limiting"? Just at the company in question, perhaps, but speaking up like that should be considered a good thing. If it's not, why would you want to continue working there?

Other employers call to learn how your previous employment was at Amazon, and Amazon talks mad trash about you and makes up whatever they want is basically the deal. Like a cult, and you are ostracized from that cult.

> Amazon talks mad trash about you and makes up whatever they want is basically the deal

I doubt Amazon does this. It would expose them to too much legal risk. Almost no large employers (in the US) will say much more than "This person worked here from date X to date Y and they (are/are not) eligible for rehire."

Not being eligible for rehire is a black mark with many potential employers, of course. But then, having Amazon in your work history is also a black mark with some employers.

Nobody is desirable to all potential employers.

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#259

Post by JohnFen »

ekianjo wrote: post #245
JohnFen wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree. I stopped using Amazon a couple of years ago and haven't missed it even a little bit. They're not substantially better than most others.

> They're not substantially better than most others. I mentioned return policy. You said nothing about that.

I have needed Amazon's return policy twice, and both times, Amazon stiffed me. In fact, that was the last straw that got me to stop using them.

In my personal experience, Amazon has the worst return policy of anywhere I've shopped.

Re: FTC sues Amazon over ‘deceptive’ Prime sign-up and cancellation process

#260

Post by JohnFen »

registeredcorn wrote: post #255
JohnFen wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would be a long list. I buy from local stores rather than online whenever I can. If I can't, then I buy directly from the manufacturer of whatever it is I'm interested in buying. Except with electronic parts. For those, I typically go with Digikey. For electronic devices and computers, I go to a local recycler. They have what I need about 80% of the time. I've never had a situation where Amazon was the only option…

Thanks for the response! I generally try to shop locally myself, so I know what you mean. I haven't heard of Digikey before. I'll have to give them a looksee. For the recycler, have you had any issues or concerns with reused hard drives? I'm aware of how to securely wipe them and whatnot, but I feel like my nerves would still be on end to some degree, no matter how many times I reformatted or securely erased the data…

> For the recycler, have you had any issues or concerns with reused hard drives?

Do you mean buying used ones? I've never had an issue with them at all, no.

I never donate my old hard drives. I keep them forever, as a kind of last-ditch backup. I have a collection of them that goes back to late '80s.

> Similarly, is it safe to assume that they have some kind of thorough physical cleanliness policy regarding hardware?

At this place, everything they sell is as clean as if it were new, inside and out.

Post reply on HN