Maybe I should have taken a course in logistics. Thanks for your explanation.
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Amazon is Penalizing (delay shipping) when you get free shipping:Amazon Shipping Scam
- Thread starter Frisco
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Maybe I should have taken a course in logistics. Thanks for your explanation.
When you agree to use the least method you agree to being the low man on the totem pole. It doesn't matter if it's w/regards to shipping, buying tix for the nose bleed section vs box seats or buying an economy ticket instead of business or first class. In exchange for heavily discounted service, in this case free service, you are agreeing to move to the back of the line. I don't see what the issue is. If you want/need faster shipping pay for it.
That's how Amazon sees it as well (at least according to the huge FAQ they have regarding their shipping policies). You tell them when you want it and they'll figure out how to get it to you.
Lethal
I've ordered at least a hundred things from Amazon, 95% of those purchases have been with free shipping. The other times were either overnight or two-day shipping, depending on what my needs were at the time. For the free shipping... the time I received my items varied. Sometimes I received them overnight... sometimes I received them in 3 days. Sometimes it took a week. There are a lot of factors that go into the shipping process... but one thing I am positive of... is that Amazon isn't in any way punishing you for choosing free shipping. That's a silly presumption. They've also had really good customer service for the most part whenever I had an issue. On several occasions, instead of having to RMA a DOA or incorrect item, they sent me a replacement free of charge, even if the item was rather expensive. They've also removed the cost of shipping one time when I complained how high it was. They'll work with you if you just contact them. If you're simply complaining over the delay of your shipping which you aren't even paying for... then well... that's silly. Amazon doesn't have a vendetta against you.
Also, this.
Also, this.
Yep. Before I went to my student Prime account the free shipping times had a huge range on them but they almost always came with in the max number of days Amazon said it would. The only time it went out side that range was on back ordered stuff.
Now I will admit since getting a student prime account I and my mom have abused the snot out of it for its 2 day shipping.
I may finally get a Prime account as it justifies my unhealthy and obsessive use of Amazon.
Thanks for clearing that up for me too. The OP asked a good question. Sometimes the free shipping takes a long time.
Personally, I've always though Aazon's shipping policy was fair.
I guess I don't understand: if you chose to opt for free shipping, why do you expect Amazon to ship it with the same speed as if you had?
Indeed. The way I see it, they HAVE to process the Next Day shipping items first, then the 2 day items, then the ground and when all of that is done for the day, they can start on the free shipping items. Not a issue in my book. I always choose free shipping when available...never had a problem with when it shipped.
I get the impression that he believes that they actually delay shipping, as a form of punishment.
Of course none of us know the inner workings of Amazon, but the concept could be in their business model, by design.
As a marketplace seller on Amazon I can totally see this. Amazon collects EXTRA money from you if the buyer chooses quicker (more expensive) shipping options. Example I sell an item for 10 dollars with 3.99 standard shipping or 6.49 expedited. Amazon collects from the seller $1.50 if buyer chooses $3.99 and collects $2.50 if buyer chooses $6.49. These are examples not actual numbers. But it is how it works. This is kind of a shady business practice.
Also when you pre-order a movie or video game you have to pay .99 for them to deliver on release day. Being a former employee of Best Buy I know for a fact that games and movie inventory are received up to a week in advance and sit in the warehouse until the "street date" So essentially that 99 cents you pay amazon is for them to actually ship it a day or 2 before. They do nothing different otherwise. The last game I ordered they actually held my Pre-order's shipment until 2 days after release day to ship. So I straight up cancelled it and got it from Gamefly.
My most recent order from Amazon was using free shipping. Ordered on May 2 and it "shipped" on May 6th (Sunday) which has no postal service. They waited to essentially what one would call the last minute to ship it. Some could say it's late too... they give the seller 3 business days to ship an item. Waiting until Monday would have broken their own "rule".
Same here, Free two day shipping and often I get it the next day. No complaints here. (super-saver shipping) is another story, and I guess you get what you pay for.
I do believe that free shipping for non-Prime members is handled after all other orders so it may take some time to actually get out the door. For Prime members, there service is second to none. I have bought items for as low as $5 and received them the next day with their 2-day Prime shipping. Maybe Amazon is not for everyone but for many of us, they are the best service on the Internet.
I do believe that free shipping for non-Prime members is handled after all other orders so it may take some time to actually get out the door. For Prime members, there service is second to none. I have bought items for as low as $5 and received them the next day with their 2-day Prime shipping. Maybe Amazon is not for everyone but for many of us, they are the best service on the Internet.
Agreed. My Prime membership has saved me time and money. Worth the price for the service!
Please, please tell me you've contacted CS and are not still sitting around like some sullen, angst-filled preteen bitterly counting the days until your item ships.
I have not contacted them. At this point I don't care and has turned into an experiment.
How does this compare with the shipping date you were quoted just prior to placing your order?
An experiment for what? You selected shipping of 3-5 businesses days. Assuming the item was purchased earlier enough for it to be processed on Thursday then you should receive the item tomorrow, Wed or Thurs. If the item didn't get processed until Friday then your delivery window is Wed, Thurs, Fri. As has already been said, the geographic location of the item to you is not paramount. What's paramount is the shipping time frame you selected. You told Amazon to make your shipment a low priority so I'm still confused as to why you feel slighted for being treated like a low priority.
Just because you ordered things before and received them on the shorter end of the time frame, or even ahead of schedule, doesn't that it's always going to be like that.
Or maybe there's just a glitch in Amazon's system that they aren't aware of, and won't be aware of, unless you call inquiring about your order.
Lethal
news flash: free stuff doesn't get the same service level as paid stuff.
free shipping is no doubt done in bulk, on low priority, slower freight services. if you want priority shipping, pay for it.
free shipping is no doubt done in bulk, on low priority, slower freight services. if you want priority shipping, pay for it.
The item could also be in a warehouse near the buyer so, hypothetically, his item is even lower down on the priority list because it could ship via ground Wed and get delivered Thurs. I mean, if two items are slated for 3-5 day ground shipping and item X needs to travel 3000 miles where as item Y only needs to travel 100 miles then item X certainly is a higher priority to get processed and out the door first.
Lethal
As I said in my post, yes--free shipping means they process those orders after Prime and paid shipping. As someone else mentioned, you get what you pay for.
I've been an Amazon Prime member (US) for several years so of course get 2 day free shipping. I use it quite a bit and I've been very pleased with the service. So far 2 day shipping has been 2 day shipping. Once in a while it comes in 1 day. I haven't noticed a shipping delay either when they ship with the US Post office or they ship with UPS.
If the item is in stock it will ship out in less than 24 hours and then the 2 day window starts. Buy something Monday morning, you get it Wednesday. Buy something Monday night, it ships on Tuesday and you get it Thursday. So it does matter what time of day you buy something.
As a bonus I get to watch the Amazon Prime Videos for free using my Roku.
If the item is in stock it will ship out in less than 24 hours and then the 2 day window starts. Buy something Monday morning, you get it Wednesday. Buy something Monday night, it ships on Tuesday and you get it Thursday. So it does matter what time of day you buy something.
As a bonus I get to watch the Amazon Prime Videos for free using my Roku.
I've noticed in the past couple of years (apart from Dvds - which due to tax laws here in the Uk are weirdly all sent from the Channel islands*) Amazon are getting much slower on the free delivery. (They also use the bargain basement City Link and Yodel as couriers (who are not great and I've had lot's of problems with) for their fast delivery options.)
To be honest I'm tending to shop around a bit more these days, particularly if I want something quickly. Their service is great but the delivery situation is nowhere nearly as good as it used to be.
But, I'm really not surprised - I'd have thought that something has to give at some point. (Aren't they heading for a loss at the mo'?). I'm still not sure how they make their money eg. - cheapest product price + free fast delivery + no quibble returns = big ongoing profits?
My brother (who works in online retail) says he spends his life arguing with people who want both the cheapest price and a good quality overnight delivery for free!
You pay your money and take your choice...
* This is going to change soon.
To be honest I'm tending to shop around a bit more these days, particularly if I want something quickly. Their service is great but the delivery situation is nowhere nearly as good as it used to be.
But, I'm really not surprised - I'd have thought that something has to give at some point. (Aren't they heading for a loss at the mo'?). I'm still not sure how they make their money eg. - cheapest product price + free fast delivery + no quibble returns = big ongoing profits?
My brother (who works in online retail) says he spends his life arguing with people who want both the cheapest price and a good quality overnight delivery for free!
You pay your money and take your choice...
* This is going to change soon.
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