Amazon 'deliveries' - a caution

[Boac]

As a 'Prime' subscriber I am quite happy with the service. However, I recently (16/9) ordered a 16Gb USB stick from a 'partner' company (non-'Prime'). It turns out, after my enquiry, that the item has been dispatched (20/9) from Gib by 'international air mail' and will be expected on 11/10.................

I guess these hot air balloons are very dependent on the winds?

[OFSO]

The "illegal" Brazilian immigrant living next door in London, council flat, single mother of two brain-damaged children, doesn't work, has hundreds of deliveries from Amazon each month or possibly week. Most likely explanation is laundering drug money.

[Ex-Ascot]

Amazon will not deliver to Botswana. We are not on their list of banned or restricted countries but you put in our address and they refuse.

[ian16th]

Amazon will not deliver to Botswana. We are not on their list of banned or restricted countries but you put in our address and they refuse.

Probably because any deliveries would travel via South Africa.

[TheGreenGoblin]

I have found Amazon Prime to be very good to date with only two delivery failures over the years, one a non-delivery by an external company and the wrong item from another external company. In both cases I was refunded immediately by Amazon with a minimum of fuss.

[Hydromet]

Ordered an Amazon pick up to go to the local pharmacist - the pick up point. 3rd party supplier sent it to the wrong pharmacist - same postcode, but inconvenient to get to.

[TheGreenGoblin]

I guess these hot air balloons are very dependent on the winds?

The new Amazon blimp (or is it a dirigible?) service.

Amazon new blimp service.JPG (30.07 KiB) Viewed 927 times

[Boac]

Well, I assumed it was a HAB with Bezos in charge.

If your pic is correct I might see the order earlier.

[Pontius Navigator]

I ordered a cordless hedge trimmer. Having ordered it the delivery time was 3_weeks hence and next week or the week after. I almost cancelled immediately and took the hit for a more experience one.

My order was placed on Sunday and delivered Tuesday. This is not the first time Amazon delivery estimates have been way off.

[Boac]

Yes - just lately (about 2 weeks) the Amazon Prime delivery estimates have, unusually, been accelerating forward. Still a very good system and to be able to select a delivery day a great benefit.

[fin]

As someone who grew up patronizing almost exclusively small "Mom & Pop" stores [the only big one at the time was Sears-Roebuck], the effect that Amazon has had on small retailers tends to make me sad and guilty about using such a monster, especially given publicity about working conditions in their supply chain.

That said, where I currently spend a good deal of time, the nearest retail outlet with any respectable inventory is close to a fifty mile [80KM] round trip, and is itself another notorious destroyer of the middle class shop keeper. The little town along the way is sadly lined with small but closed businesses.

So, although I don't particularly like it, the ability to have virtually anything on earth dropped on our front porch within days of wanting it has become a reality, and, like the internet, one shudders to imagine what our lives would be like in its absence.

[Pontius Navigator]

fin, Amazon, and eBay, can bring your mom and pop into the national arena.

We needed a set of stairs. The going was short so our need was quite specific. Using the internet I found the name for a set of stairs that were perfect. Amazon threw up a supplier at less than £200 from a small company 200 miles away. They were significantly lower than the competition:they got my custom. Then our S&R equivalent spotted this and competed at that price point.

[Ex-Ascot]

Amazon will not deliver to Botswana. We are not on their list of banned or restricted countries but you put in our address and they refuse.

Probably because any deliveries would travel via South Africa.

So, why do they deliver to S.A.? Also why does our bank transfer dosh to S.A. but not Botswana.

[TheGreenGoblin]

So, although I don't particularly like it, the ability to have virtually anything on earth dropped on our front porch within days of wanting it has become a reality, and, like the internet, one shudders to imagine what our lives would be like in its absence.

Your post sums up the moral conundra of the modern shopper perfectly. I guess that whatever decent or downright good intentions we may have, utility and convenience will overcome good people's qualms and that's where Amazon has this taped.

The road to hell and all that..? Hopefully we can help ensure that Amazon tries to take the high road!

[Pontius Navigator]

TGG, there is also the certainty that you can find a particularly coloured floggle toggle against the vague chance of finding it in the DIY shops in your local town, even supposing you are near to a local town.

[Tall Bird]

My latest Amazon parcel was 'handed to resident.' Really? I came home to find it lying on the front doorstep and not in the usual safe place. Just as well it wasn't raining.

I try to buy from local places/have a human interface transaction rather than on t'internet but it's getting more difficult not just in terms of price but choice. When I do use Amazon it's annoying to see an item said to be in stock but after you've clicked to order the delivery is then three to four weeks.

[OFSO]

Never buy from Amazon if possible: always use local shops. A lot of pleasure hunting things down in person. London is a treasure chest with the lid permanently wedged open. However my locality in Spain better for plumbing and electrical fitments for my non-stop DIY.

[ian16th]

Amazon will not deliver to Botswana. We are not on their list of banned or restricted countries but you put in our address and they refuse.

Probably because any deliveries would travel via South Africa.

So, why do they deliver to S.A.? Also why does our bank transfer dosh to S.A. but not Botswana.

Different parts of the Amazon 'empire' deliver to SA, some don't.

[Pontius Navigator]

London is a treasure chest . . .

my locality in Spain better for plumbing and electrical fitments for my non-stop DIY.

A good DIY shop is a rare treasure. Said it before. rushed in, said EMERGENCY, he left his customer, got my bit and I was out in less than a minute. Job done, returned in slow time to pay. Amazon same hour delivery would not come close.

[Boac]

Amazon same hour delivery would not come close.

- how do you get that?????