topic Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim in Community Chat

Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With "Free Shipping" Claim

MomOf4 — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:06:27 GMT

Amazon claims that a $79 annual membership for AmazonPrime provides free two-day shipping on "millions" of items, but for some products, the company is accused of encouraging sellers to inflate shipping prices, according to two recent lawsuits.

“The bottom line is the free shipping that Amazon offered to its Prime members wasn’t free,” said Kim Stephens, attorney for one of the plaintiffs, adding that he was “shocked” by Amazon’s alleged pricing practices.

"For example, if the price of an item is advertised for $10 with $3.99 shipping and the [vendor] wishes to match or top their price, the [vendor] would charge $13.99 or higher," Burke alleges in the suit.

These sellers raise their prices to match or top their competitor’s total price, as items are sorted by price on Amazon's site, Burke alleges in the lawsuit.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/amazon-customers-accuse-commerce-giant-cheating-prime-members/story?id=22882043

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

MomOf4 — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:11:37 GMT

I think Amazon is one of the best companies to deal with but, if this is true, I won't be getting Prime.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

chickenbutt — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:17:34 GMT

This is kind of twisting the reality. Besides, on the right side of every item is the offerings from other vendors and you choose which one you want to purchase.

I always look, and I always look around. I know what is a good price and what isn't. Much more often than not, the Prime prices offered are the best price available.

Just because some of the vendors wised up and lowered their base price, then added on their shipping doesn't mean that Amazon is ripping people off. I am only ripped off if I choose to be, but that has not happened in more than ten years of shopping at Amazon.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

Buck-i-Nana — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:25:51 GMT

When did buying a Prime Membership alleviate the consumer from doing comparison shopping? Some people just live to file lawsuits!

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

esmerelda — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:27:48 GMT

Some people like to complain, get their name in the paper, get on TV...something.

There's no law that says anyone has to be a Prime member. There's no law that says people have to order anything from amazon.

I'm happy with amazon and with what is or passes for free shipping. When that is no longer true, I'll stop buying there.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

Marp2 — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:33:25 GMT

It seems to me that nearly every place that offers free shipping has a higher base price. Q itself is a perfect example. Yes, food products have shipping included in the price but the item price is definitely higher to compensate for the "free" shipping.

The difference with Prime is that it is two day and the vendors that add on are usually higher for "standard" shipping. Also, with Prime if you want it overnight the upcharge for shipping is negligible. Try that with a lower priced vendor that adds shipping.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

CouponQueen — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:35:40 GMT

It is up to the customer to do their homework and make sure they are getting the most bang for their buck.

I shop around, check prices etc.

I like this one lotion that is only out in the summer months where I live. It is $6.99 a bottle in Walmart. From Fall to Spring - I order it on Amazon AND it was cheaper on Amazon, on Prime by about a buck or two total for three of them. Prices do vary so you need to watch them

Now that is delivered to my front door - saving me the time and gas of having to get it.

I think Amazon is going to retain those customers that used their service a lot and those that didn't will not renew.

People love to blame others - really it is your money be aware and a smart consumer.

I have had some CS issues a couple times and they were fantastic always resolving them in my and my bank accounts (lol) favor.

Also, in Prime Items it will tell you.."may be cheaper purchased by another vendor.." But in reality that Vender will have high S&H..

I have purchased tons of Prime items and they were the best price when you factored in shipping of other vendors.

Nobody is being forced to be a Prime Member.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

Preds — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:39:20 GMT

I love Amazon and usually get everything in 2 or 3 days anyway. That's one reason I never went with Prime.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

CouponQueen — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:39:43 GMT

I have ordered "media" DVD's and such used and they are often sold for a penny and then S&H is $3.99 PLUS it takes over a week to get to my door.

I can then buy said item from a Fulfilled By Prime for say $4.99 and it is delivered in 2-days..So yeah I will pay the bit more for quicker delivery.

I am a smart shopper and I never got the feeling they were ripping me off, not being honest etc. I do my own research and comparison shopping.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

Mj12 — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:41:15 GMT

ITA with those who said some just like to complain and/or litigate.

Personally I love Amazon, love Prime (even with the recent price increase), the Kindle features, the instant streaming videos, the customer service, all of it.

But no one is forced to buy from them. Comparison shopping is still important.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

esmerelda — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:50:30 GMT

About this from the article:

These sellers raise their prices to match or top their competitor’s total price, as items are sorted by price on Amazon's site, Burke alleges in the lawsuit.

They might come up that way, but the potential buyer can sort the items any number of ways...price, most popular, reviews.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

chrystaltree — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:07:06 GMT

Oh, please. Everyone knows or should that that "free shipping" means the cost of shipping has been factored into the total price. You can't possible believe that any retailer is going to absorb the shipping costs.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

mgm2 — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:12:39 GMT

I am a prime member and I'm on the fence on whether or not to keep it after it expires.

Many times Amazon will give you either other vendors or companies that will sell an item cheaper. That's how I became a happy customer of wayfair.com.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

NoelSeven — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:13:33 GMT

On 3/13/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
When did buying a Prime Membership alleviate the consumer from doing comparison shopping? Some people just live to file lawsuits!

ITA. I'm starting to wonder who is behind all these recent attacks on Amazon and Costco. It sure looks like sour grapes.

Everyone knows you pay a fee to be a Prime member, $79 and going up $10 apparently. Look up what you want to order on other sites or go to the store and compare.

We order tons of things from Amazon and I'm happy with it. Not only the free shipping, but it saves me time and energy driving to a mall or bookstore.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

NoelSeven — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:14:37 GMT

On 3/13/2014 chrystaltree said:
Oh, please. Everyone knows or should that that "free shipping" means the cost of shipping has been factored into the total price. You can't possible believe that any retailer is going to absorb the shipping costs.

No, it does not. Especially for books.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

NoelSeven — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:15:43 GMT

On 3/13/2014 MJ 12 said:
ITA with those who said some just like to complain and/or litigate.

Personally I love Amazon, love Prime (even with the recent price increase), the Kindle features, the instant streaming videos, the customer service, all of it.

But no one is forced to buy from them. Comparison shopping is still important.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

Buck-i-Nana — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:17:49 GMT

Amazon Prime is not one vendor, it's many participating vendors. Among those participating and those not participating the base price varies, sometimes significantly. I make my choice based on the total price it costs me to get it to my home. If the Prime Vendor price with free shipping is less than a non-Prime Vendors basic price plus their standard (not even 2-day) shipping, then I buy from the Prime Vendor. It's not rocket science.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

Blahblahvampemer — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 21:45:40 GMT

To those defending Amazon, I would recommend doing some research into the many types of algorithms they use. Some are seriously hinky. Two people checking from two different zip codes can get two different prices for the very same item for example.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

NoelSeven — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 21:55:32 GMT

On 3/13/2014 blahblahvampemerblah said:
To those defending Amazon, I would recommend doing some research into the many types of algorithms they use. Some are seriously hinky. Two people checking from two different zip codes can get two different prices for the very same item for example.

Amazon gives specials in different areas at different times of the day. They've been open about that.

A year ago Christmas, I got my daughter a thousand dollar Cannon. We checked several times over a couple of days and pounced when there was about $300 off and tons of free camera accessories thrown in.

It was a good choice, her BF tried it a few days later, got the $300 off but not the freebies.

It's said the prices go down the most very late at night.

Re: Amazon Prime Accused of Cheating Customers With ""Free Shipping"" Claim

Marp2 — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 21:55:53 GMT

On 3/13/2014 blahblahvampemerblah said:
To those defending Amazon, I would recommend doing some research into the many types of algorithms they use. Some are seriously hinky. Two people checking from two different zip codes can get two different prices for the very same item for example.

I frequently find that in local stores too. Store A in city A will have one price for an item but Store B in the same city but different zip code will have another price and Store C in a neighboring city can have a price different from stores A and B.

The was an expose a while back about Internet companies even charging by the way their site is accessed. Apple product users were charged more than PC users.