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Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

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Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#261

Post by schrodinger »

pjc50 wrote: post #102
gambiting wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm always shocked when I read these comments on HN. I swear it must be just the American Amazon that's so shit, because I literally never had any problems nor know anyone with these problems here in UK. Just this year I'm on 108 orders and counting, every single one of them was fine, working, definitely not used, definitely not counterfeit and delivered within 1 day as promised with Prime. Last year I've had 140 ord…

The UK has working consumer protection and a small claims court. America mostly doesn't.

That may be true but I’ve never had a hint of a problem returning something with Amazon. Yes they do have an annoying counterfeit problem, but at the same time, the second you complain, you get an instant complete refund and maybe even an additional credit as apology.

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#263

Post by kelnos »

gambiting wrote: post #84
nextos wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've also stopped buying at Amazon after 15 years. Even consumables and small items are problematic. Just in the last year, I encountered many issues including: * Showerhead that came without box, and clearly used. It still had a lot of water inside! * Underwear from a brand that sells items inside a sealed bag and discards returns came used, without bag (yuck!) * A module of Samsung RAM had visible wear signs and di…

I'm always shocked when I read these comments on HN. I swear it must be just the American Amazon that's so shit, because I literally never had any problems nor know anyone with these problems here in UK. Just this year I'm on 108 orders and counting, every single one of them was fine, working, definitely not used, definitely not counterfeit and delivered within 1 day as promised with Prime. Last year I've had 140 ord…

American here and I've had exactly one bad shipment (counterfeit earphones in 2015) in my ~20 years of buying from them.

I don't doubt that the problems described by others are real, but I think there's a lot of variance in the number and kind of problems people actually see.

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#265

Post by inopinatus »

Let's take a moment to look at how disingenuous this article is:

* Out of twelve returned trackers, one of them went to landfill. The article focuses on that item and does not itemise the fate of the others.

* Adding a tracking device to a returned new product is tantamount to damage. If such a device is detected during returns processing, anyone with half a brain should immediately presume a malicious actor and have the item very carefully and securely assessed for disposal.

* Did not verify that the tracking device remained within the bag.

* "30-40 percent of online purchases are returned" what absolute hoopsla. I've worked in online commerce and this is off by an order of magnitude. A very few segments (e.g. shoes) may approach such return rates.

This crap is why journalism is in such disrepute.

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#266

Post by Bayart »

gogopuppygogo wrote: post #180
sokoloff wrote: post #3

> 30 to 40 per cent of all online purchases are sent back That seems almost an order of magnitude higher than I’d expect. Setting aside kids shoes (which probably do get 50% returned), I can’t imagine sending back even 5% of my online purchases, let alone 30-40%. I think I’ve sent back exactly 1 Amazon order in the last year, out of nearly 100.

I never would have thought this till I started a relationship with a woman who buys several sizes of everything she shops for to ensure she gets the right fit. Women’s attire doesn’t have standard sizing so every brand is different. It’s a giant guessing game. Basically, the industry needs some standards to help with all this waste.

>Women’s attire doesn’t have standard sizing so every brand is different

Neither do men's attire. Even sizes that are meant to be standard (like the British/Italian/EU systems for shirt, jacket and pants sizing) aren't.

I don't buy anything from sellers that don't explicitly give the dimensions in centimetres anymore (which has become standard practice).

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#267

Post by jolux »

9HZZRfNlpR wrote: post #257
jolux wrote: post #244

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're right, I don't have a peer reviewed study. I suggest asking some other women what they think of clothing sizes if you're this disinclined to believe me about it.

Right, and I suggest you to talk with few men before doing sexist remarks about clothing sizes and talking anecdotes as ultimate truth.

What part of "I have experienced both sides of this issue" don't you understand? My best friend is a man and I lived as a man for 20 years. I think I'm at least somewhat qualified to compare the experience of buying clothes as a man vs buying clothes as a woman.

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#268

Post by eigenvector »

inopinatus wrote: post #265

Let's take a moment to look at how disingenuous this article is: * Out of twelve returned trackers, one of them went to landfill. The article focuses on that item and does not itemise the fate of the others. * Adding a tracking device to a returned new product is tantamount to damage. If such a device is detected during returns processing, anyone with half a brain should immediately presume a malicious actor and have…

I completely agree that their methodology is not robust.

But Amazon also refused to state what fraction of items go to landfill, despite making subjective claims that it's "on occasion" and the "vast majority" are liquidated or resold. If that was true, Amazon would have the data to back it up and would only benefit them to say so.

If we want to know the actual number of items that go to landfill, we don't need to send GPS trackers everywhere, we can just mandate Amazon (and all other companies) to report on that. It's not like they don't have the data.

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#269

Post by arsome »

inopinatus wrote: post #265

Let's take a moment to look at how disingenuous this article is: * Out of twelve returned trackers, one of them went to landfill. The article focuses on that item and does not itemise the fate of the others. * Adding a tracking device to a returned new product is tantamount to damage. If such a device is detected during returns processing, anyone with half a brain should immediately presume a malicious actor and have…

Canadian tax dollars at work... They got sued a few years back for some ridiculous food allegations in a similar vein too.

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#270

Post by [deleted] »

x87678r wrote: post #23
sokoloff wrote: post #3

> 30 to 40 per cent of all online purchases are sent back That seems almost an order of magnitude higher than I’d expect. Setting aside kids shoes (which probably do get 50% returned), I can’t imagine sending back even 5% of my online purchases, let alone 30-40%. I think I’ve sent back exactly 1 Amazon order in the last year, out of nearly 100.

I have friends who send back nearly everything. Not sure about shoe size? Order 3 sizes, keep the one you like and send back the other two (or return all 3 if you dont like it). Want a shirt? Order 5 and keep the ones you like, if any.

[deleted]
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