Amazon dealings

[onetrack]

I don't know if anyone else has much dealings with Amazon, but I don't deal with them much, and now I think I know why. I cancelled my account with them a few years ago due to their scammy behaviour, signing me up to Amazon Prime without asking.

So then I started an account with them again in 2023, after I sighted an item that was good value (a Chinese Greenworks 24V Li-ion electric drill - which I bought, and which has been good). 

 

Then, earlier in Dec 2025, I wanted a couple of sets of Whitco window friction slides. The Big Green Shed wanted $34 for them, but the seller was offering them on Amazon for $14 - so I bought 2 sets. Paid for them, and received them in late December, and I'm quite happy with them - genuine product, exactly as described.

 

Then today, I get an email from Amazon saying the sale has been cancelled by the seller, and I wasn't charged for it! WTF?? I've got the slides and the money is recorded as being paid? I don't know what's going on here, maybe the seller suddenly realised that price was 5 years old, and they never changed it to keep up with the current price? - so now they're trying to can the deal?? I can't make head nor tail of this. The order record has disappeared from my Amazon account.

[red750]

I used Amazon for my three kids Christmas presents, all ordered separately. I was given 3 months free Amazon Prime, cancel at any time. With Prime, I got free delivery. I got an order confirmation email within 10 minutes of ordering, advising that delivery would be in two days. On the second morning after each order, I got an email saying my order was out for delivery. The dog barked when the parcels were dropped on the front porch, and shortly after, an email advising delivery had been completed. Very efficient and professional service. The only complaint I had was that they stuck the delivery label directly onto the box of my younger son's present, a car battery trickle charger, which detracted from it's appearance as a present. It was what he asked for, and didn't affect the present, just didn't look crash hot. 

[octave]

I use Amazon quite a lot, and I have had no problems.  There is an Amazon warehouse nearby, and sometimes items are delivered extremely quickly. The thing with these sales methods are that Amazon represents many small businesses. I usually make sure I read reviews before I buy something. I am a member of Amazon Prime TV, so postage is free.  Many of these sites are pretty sneaky in tricking you into signing up for membership. This happened to me with Kogan recently. There was a charge of around $120 for a premier membership. I was pretty pissed off, however, since I use PayPal they are very good at getting your money back. On this occasion, I was able to send a message directly to Kogan. I said that I did not recall signing up for this and that it should not be so easy to mistakenly do this. I also said that I often shop with Kogan, and how they handle my complaint would determine whether I ever buy from them again. I received a full refund within 24 hours.

[octave]

I did recently purchased a couple of items from Temu. I have always had,I have had a negative vibe towards Temu; however, they had what I needed at a great price, so I gave it a try, being that the risk was low. It turned out well. I bought a 12-volt meter and some Anderson plugs. The items arrived quickly and are definitely genuine, and at a third of the local cost.  Note this is not a recommendation; you need to do your own homework.

 

I do recognise my hypocrisy, - "down with Bezos and other evil billionaires and rights for workers, etc., but it is so cheap and efficient." 

[red750]

The problem with some of these sites is that you have to spend a minimum amount. Say you see something you want for $25. You may have to find something you don't want or need to bring your purchase up to the minimum (say $40).

[octave]

31 minutes ago, red750 said:

The problem with some of these sites is that you have to spend a minimum amount. Say you see something you want for $25. You may have to find something you don't want or need to bring your purchase up to the minimum (say $40).

 I am not sure which sites you mean; however, I have bought ludicrously small purchases from China. I do find it intriguing how it can be profitable for them. I bought a volt meter for $8.72 with free postage. Hell, I spend more than that on a cup of coffee at my favourite cafe.