The Amazon pre-order scam

[Guest]

Amazon offer a pre-order service and they guarantee that, should the price of a pre-ordered item increase before its release, they will charge the original price.Great. What about when the price decreases???
Some of you might have followed my other thread about Julian Lloyd Webber's new CD "A Tale of Two Cellos", out today. Brilliant CD, great interpreters, bargain price. Pre-ordered from Amazon on July 3rd at £5.59, despatched yesterday, charged £5.59. Available from Amazon today at £4.58 delivered. Why????
Contacted Amazon and got this response:

"Hello Michela,

My name is Sarah, and we spoke on the phone.

Under the circumstances, I'll make a one-time exception for you and issue a refund for the price difference in the amount of GBP 1.01

Refunds usually go through within 2 to 3 days and you’ll see this amount credited on your next statement. This doesn’t include your bank’s processing time.


Please understand that I'm issuing this refund as an exception and that this is against our standard policy.

I hope this helps. We look forward to seeing you again soon".

Not an apology, they are doing an exception!
Has anybody had a similar experience with Amazon pre-order service?

[Beef Oven!]

Amazon offer a pre-order service and they guarantee that, should the price of a pre-ordered item increase before its release, they will charge the original price.Great. What about when the price decreases???
Some of you might have followed my other thread about Julian Lloyd Webber's new CD "A Tale of Two Cellos", out today. Brilliant CD, great interpreters, bargain price. Pre-ordered from Amazon on July 3rd at £5.59, despatched yesterday, charged £5.59. Available from Amazon today at £4.58 delivered. Why????
Contacted Amazon and got this response:

"Hello Michela,

My name is Sarah, and we spoke on the phone.

Under the circumstances, I'll make a one-time exception for you and issue a refund for the price difference in the amount of GBP 1.01

Refunds usually go through within 2 to 3 days and you’ll see this amount credited on your next statement. This doesn’t include your bank’s processing time.


Please understand that I'm issuing this refund as an exception and that this is against our standard policy.

I hope this helps. We look forward to seeing you again soon".

Not an apology, they are doing an exception!
Has anybody had a similar experience with Amazon pre-order service?

I'd sue.

[teamsaint]

he actually would.


I'd grumble.

Tax dodging ******s

EDit: Is the parable of the Prodigal Son not relevant here?

[Petrushka]

That's the gamble, I'm afraid. I hardly ever 'pre-order' (horrible phrase!) anything as the price nearly always drops once released. I have items on constant watch on my wish list and with Amazon's yo-yo pricing policy I have seen items change price by £££ in seconds.

Some you win, some you lose.

[Bryn]

I'd sue.

Calling hafod. Calling hafod.

[Beef Oven!]

he actually would.


I'd grumble.

Tax dodging ******s

They pay all taxes due. The government and the EU stipulate the tax calculations and Amazon stump-up. Now pack it in!!!

[Beef Oven!]

Calling hafod. Calling hafod.

I'm involved in several spats of my own, please leave me out of your one

[MrGongGong]

You can actually order a CD that I made with a now defunct group from Amazon
trouble is , we don't have a distribution deal anymore and all the copies remaining are in my loft
but they still list it , and a mate tried ordering and they did the whole "it's taking a bit of time to locate" routine

[teamsaint]

They pay all taxes due. The government and the EU stipulate the tax calculations and Amazon stump-up. Now pack it in!!!

You a mod now, Beefy?

how about some advice for Coco, other than litigation:?

[Beef Oven!]

'pre-order' (horrible phrase!)

[teamsaint]

I really hope this thread stays on topic.

[MrGongGong]

I'm involved in several spats of my own, please leave me out of your one

Are they the snazzy footwear that the well dressed kippers are wearing this season perchance ?

[teamsaint]

You can actually order a CD that I made with a now defunct group from Amazon
trouble is , we don't have a distribution deal anymore and all the copies remaining are in my loft
but they still list it , and a mate tried ordering and they did the whole "it's taking a bit of time to locate" routine

were you in Brum band Mighty Mighty, by any chance?

[Petrushka]

Calling hafod. Calling hafod.

Yes indeed. Following hafod's alert I've just purchased a highly recommended set of Wagner's Ring for £11.99 post free (see Bargains thread). It is on other websites at £50 or more. Amazon have probably cocked up (not for the first time) and we are the winners. If experience is anything to go by they will honour it.

Some you win, some you lose.

[Beef Oven!]

You a mod now, Beefy?

how about some advice for Coco, other than litigation:?

Several people have pmed me to suggest that I have the requisite qualities and should join the moderators team. So far I've resisted, but you never know.