Amazon Marketplace

In general, I've found Amazon to be just fine. However, I recently ordered from one of their partners UnbeatableSale and not had very good service.

The details are like many other stories: slow delivery, broken product, slow or no response to email, and no resolution. It often takes days to get a response via email ... often I get no response at all.

I'd also like to point out that this was sent as a gift and UnbeatableSale is requesting that recipient pay for return shipping. Their RMA does not cover shipping costs.

All in all ... something doesn't feel right about them. They have a good track record with other buyers ... but that's when things are working. Take care in doing business with them when things are not.

As a potential future merchant.  I signed on for Amazon's free trial for their merchant services.  Finding that it was a bad match for my particular needs, I cancelled within the free window.  I received a polite email stating that I would not be charged and thanks for trying, etc.

On my next statement, I was charged.  Fine, these things happen.  I wrote to Amazon, and to my credit card, the charge was removed.  This was August.

In September, I was charged twice, and again in October. 

I've written them again, but am scared to death, I'll have four charges in November.

Wish me luck!

I find online prices to be lower than local retailers. It's interesting to see the large price differences, even online, for the exact same product. Shipping is prompt but can sometimes add considerably to the cost of an item.  I always check out free shipping options first.

Amazon lists items as "In Stock" (in green bold) they do not have to sell.

Amazon offers delivery "Estimates" they can not achieve.

Their Customer Service replies to complaints with form emails telling you how they can't control anything.

Think they are too big to fail even with lousy service.

DON'T SHOP Amazon!!

Amamzon Marketplace (jewlery section) acts as a monolpoy and only allows a few companies to sell there. They have a LLC that aproves the jewelry Marketplace sellers and if you dont have 2,000+ products they deny you. Now if you want to sell in other sections they let anyone sell.

regular amazon is great amazon marketplace has issues. I agree with other just buy directly from the companies and avoid the marketplace.

They listed a price of $79.95. When I clicked on the link, and added it to my cart, the price suddenly went up to 99.95.

Bait and switch.

One of the great aspects of the Amazon marketplace is the variety of merchandise available; you can find albums, books, movies; all kinds of things you've never heard of. However, this can be a pitfall -- as you navigate the site you may lose track of what it was you originally were looking for. I've got about fifty items in my shopping cart that I "want," but don't have the money for or I'm not sure about. It's very tempting.

That said, I've been very satisfied with about 95% of my Amazon orders, with speedy deliveries, very accurate orders, and good customer service.

The negative reviews are detailed and sincere, while most of the positive reviews are downright generic and hollow, with subject lines like "simply the best place to shop ever!" - might as well have been written by Amazon marketing reps. And maybe they were. I haven't shopped on Amazon Marketplace and I never will, it stinks.

I've been shopping at Amazon for a long time. This is the only site that I could trust since they rate the sellers. I have never had problems with them. Once the order did not arrive so I called and they reshipped another package to me. Within 2 days I received it. The quality of the shipped products is in excellent new condition. I'm happy with their service.

I've sold a Canon S200 digital camera on Amazon marketplace. However, I received a claim, saying that the item is not as described on the main product page. It is actually exactly the same camera. Come on, a Canon S200 is a Canon S200, I used that camera for almost 4 years and I know it. Amazon.com, without doing any investigation, honored this claim. Charging so much listing fees, where is the service?

I always trust Amazon! They stand by their products and merchants.

I've  had small problems in the past but their customer service people were always willing to help.

I buy almost everything at AMAZON!

I placed an order for a book I needed for class. The statement at the bottom said "Usually ships in 10-12 days". I thought they were leaving themselves a wide window but it would probably arrive on time for class. That was Jan 12. Today is Jan 30 and I find out that they did not have it in stock and had to special order it. When I spoke to customer service I asked why the web site didn't tell me the book was not in stock and had to be special ordered. Their response, well it said 10-12 days for shipping. So, I was supposed to know that, right? If they can say that an item is in stock why can't they clearly say that it is not in stock and will have to be ordered? Put simply, marketing deception. I will avoid doing business with Amazon in the future and look to a company that has more integrity in dealing with customers.

Vendors beware! If you want to associate your business with Amazon - think twice! The interface which registers customers on Amazon is horrible. A week after you dont receive what you ordered it forgets you ever existed. It happened to me twice: once with a laptop battery and once with the car part order. Shopping on Amazon has been my worst experience and I shall NEVER buy anything from them.

I've lost money at two separate marketplace stores, caimon and wicked wolf press. Caimon backordered the item until my time ran out, then ignored my many emails requesting status.  Wicked Wolf Press put me on hold to "look into it" and I haven't heard back yet.  Additionally, you pay up front, instead of when the product ships, but it takes longer for processing and shipping, yet you are still paying for 3 to 5 day shipping.


UPDATE: Since I put this opinion in place, Wicked Wolf Press made good on my order, so I've only lost money on Caimon now.

Amazon is ingenious at manipulating orders, canceling orders, etc., to handle their own poor planning, and their customer service is non-existent. Don't rely on pre-ordering through them, and don't rely on them to deliver in time for any special event. And if you have a problem, expect a lot of automated emails and no possibility of personalized help.