Now I need to find the (small) no-prime link every time when checking out - between many prime links.
Amazon tells me 10 days delivery if I don't use prime. Then after ordering it becomes 8 days, then 5 days, then 3 days.
(Main reason to cancel, I mostly got/get used items for full price)
Used items: Electronics, DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, lenses (especially bad, has someone dropped them?), latest (this week) was a Gardena water splitter. I mostly by somewhere else if possible today (Bauhaus for garden stuff, Mediamarkt for electronics, cameras from my local store).
It doesn't help that too many manufacturers don't seal their packaging.
It's very weird that you've had so many used items delivered, but it's definitely not a common thing in Germany.
I didn't even bother to see if it was functional.
They did the same thing with 2 2tb nvme drives. Bubble envelope. Sent right back.
And yet, they will sell me $12 wet wipes that are double boxed.
I've met many people in Germany who also got used stuff from Amazon and therefor left. I also know several people who buy 3 cameras/TVs/phones, use them for two weeks and then send 2 of them back and keep one.
And whenever I've bought lenses on Amazon I didn't find marketplace deals, so these cameras and lenses need to end up somewhere. Amazon is trashing returns but for sure not $3k cameras.
I go direct or Ebay most of the times now.
Main feature that Amazon has - pages and pages of knock-off Chinese brands - is more elegant on Ebay.
Another complication are the 3rd party sellers.
I’ve gotten used watches, air filters, lights etc. personal health gear, books, and more. Again it’s not the rule but it certainly happens and you have to pay close attention.
Another dark pattern is that you cannot select sold and shipped by Amazon only anymore, which to my personal experience, leads to higher chances of counterfeits.
Had a wedding registry on Amazon once, got some high end knives that immediately started rusting. Realized a lot of the stuff we got was 3 rd party sellers, figured some of it might be counterfeit and I wouldn’t be able to tell until it was too late. Returned hundreds of pounds of cookware, cast iron, etc all at amazons expense.
This!
I've noticed over the last couple of years that sometimes when following the no Prime link, the option for standard delivery isn't available for the item I'm buying. Only 'next day' at around £4 or so. So I just cancel the purchase and wait a few days. Magically the normal £2.80 per book or even free delivery becomes available again.
Most online purchase services have means of tracking which customers begin the checkout process, but backout or cancel after X amount of time, and leave the item in their cart. I seem to recall Squarespace having this listed as a feature for one of their pricier subscription options for their online retail service.
Has happened half a dozen times over the last couple of years.
I always check abebooks as well as the actual purchase price for a second hand book can be lower there. Which is funny as they are owned by Amazon.