Amazon, Price matching via returns - when worthwhile?

[smorgasbord]

So, as we almost all know, Amazon doesn't do price matching. When the price of a recently ordered thing has dropped considerably and it's within the 30 day window (longer around XMas), I order the same thing at the reduced price, then return the new, unopened one in the old, higher-priced slot. That way Amazon gets an unopened return they can legitimately sell as new and I get the lower price. Since we shop at Whole Foods sometimes this is easy.

A saw blade I just ordered a week ago and hasn't arrived since it's coming from the UK, has dropped $5 in price. In the past, I've had a $10 price difference as my threshold for doing the re-order-return hassle to save the money. This one bothers me because the price has dropped and I haven't even received the item!

Anyway, just wondering what others thoughts on this are. BTW, I did once have a chat with an Amazon rep via their online chat service, and they confirmed no price matching even within their site, and that my return/reorder was the way to go if I wanted to save that money.

 

[usernumber1]

you can cancel before delivery no? order the new one

i feel bad for the drivers

 

[smorgasbord]

Once it's shipped, you can't cancel.

 

[Coen]

Anyway, just wondering what others thoughts on this are.

All these people "abusing" free returns are just driving up costs, amount of delivery vans and garbage piles.

 

[onocoffee]

I get it when there's a large percentage change. But is that five dollar "savings" worth the hassle?

 

[smorgasbord]

But is that five dollar "savings" worth the hassle?

Exactly my question. At what point is the dollar savings worth it?

 

[smorgasbord]

All these people "abusing" free returns are just driving up costs, amount of delivery vans and garbage piles.

Yeah, that's what I told the Customer Support rep via the chat. It'd be better for Amazon AND me if they just price matched their own pricing within 30 days when contacted, rather than make me return and reorder.

He/she told me to just return and reorder.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I must admit it burns me when I've bought stuff that then goes on special before it's even been shipped, on those occasions I've rung up and they've adjusted the cost, or if they said they can't do anything I've cancelled and re-ordered on the spot. Two can play at that game. If it's been shipped though it's tough luck for us.

We do have an auto-parts chain here though that if you're a (free) member of, they automatically credit to your account anything that you've bought that the price dropped during the two weeks afterwards. Nice customer support there!

 

[Packard]

Just opened near my house, a “Fly Deals” liquidation store. From what I’m told, these are all Amazon returns, and Fly Deals” is an Amazon-owned store.

People who have gone in the store tell me that all the items have some damage or are missing packaging or some components.

All items apparently are priced from $2.00 to $12.00 depending upon what day of the week you are shopping.

People who abuse the return policy feed this store.

 

[smorgasbord]

So, Amazon made this easy for me - they claim the order is "undeliverable" and are refunding my money. They don't say why, and I get lots of packages delivered here.

I'm just gonna reorder at the new lower price and see what happens.

 

[Packard]

Amazon sometimes sends me a notice that my package has been delayed. A couple days later they send me a notice that says if I don’t receive the package by [date specified] that I can cancel the order.

I, instead, waited and they wrote that the package was presumed to be lost and I should cancel the order.

The last time that happened, I re-ordered from a different third party vendor through Amazon.

Lately, Amazon has been missing promised arrival dates more frequently. I suspect they are making cost/benefit decisions in regards to delivery promises.

 

[Packard]

Apparently, FlyDeals gets fresh inventory on Fridays, and the price pyramids down to move the older merchandise judging from the price schedule posted on the front facade.