Doug B Miv

Amazon - Intentionally hold in-stock orders for days as penalty to non-prime members

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As a Non-Prime customer, I placed an order for 'in stock' items on a Monday and as of Friday late afternoon it still had not even shipped out yet. It appears Amazon holds orders for a week or so before shipping out.

Seems like a penalty to non-prime customers and crosses the line of ethical business behavior.

It's too bad to see this, as I have been a long time customer with many orders and also make decisions at work where to order supplies from. I'll be taking a break from Amazon for awhile after seeing that they intentionally hold orders - not cool & I'm not signing up for Prime!

View full review
Loss:
$500
Cons:
  • Delayed shipping
Reason of review:
Order processing issue

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

4 comments
Machele Imf

Hard to say whether Amazon holds orders a week or so before shipping, altho a policy like that doesn't make any sense business-wise. None at all.

However, if Amazon were to treat Prime members and general customers differently like giving preference to Prime members, that would be an acceptable and fair policy. Prime members are paying for two day shipping while the common people are not.

Thus, always give preference to your loyal, paying customers. All in all, seems fair to me.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Machele Imf

To your first argument: Yes - It does make allot of sense. As it would cause frustration to customers.

Then customer would 'learn' how to prevent frustration by signing up for Prime. Your Second argument: Not at all expecting same delivery service as Prime member. Simply expecting slower, ground, shipping service with maybe 1 or 2 day delay in order processing.

(Not 5+ day order processing delay AND slower ground shipping.) I did consider myself a loyal paying customer. My credit card statement would agree.

Guest

Sorry I disagree. The last two orders that I placed with Amazon had items in stock and they were both delivered in two days.

I am not a Prime member and declined the trial membership both times, selected free shipping for 5-8 business days but both orders seemed to be coming from a state very close to where I reside so that could be why I received them very quickly.

Not sure what the problem was with your order but I have never had a problem. Why don't you call the customer service department and ask them?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1549296

Glad to see they don't do this with every order. I did try the trial membership, but canceled.

Who knows, maybe that is part of some algorithm. I did call, and the customer service person couldn't explain.

They simply said they would pass on my complaint to the order processing department. I didn't expect to hear back and I, of course didn't.

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