The Amazon Con

Keith W

Keith W

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I was looking at some upcoming lightning deals on Amazon when something caught my eye

It was already at a good price but I thought I would wait until it was in the lightning sale today before I bought it

So roll on today, I look up the item in the lightning deals only to find the "deal" price is more than the non deal price they had it listed for yesterday!!

This is not the first time I have noticed this price disparity and I am firmly of the view that these so called Amazon lightning deals are nothing but a con.
 
Sharky said:
as noted above CamelCamelCamel is invaluable best way of using it is to simply install their browser plugin and that way you have the pricing history instantly without leaving the Amazon site at the click of a button.
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Did not realise you could do that ................... (y)
 
The Amazon daily lightning deals are pants but I did bag a stunning deal on a 1Tb SSD on black Friday - still haven't seen it cheaper so its worth checking.
 
Sharky said:
as noted above CamelCamelCamel is invaluable best way of using it is to simply install their browser plugin and that way you have the pricing history instantly without leaving the Amazon site at the click of a button.
Click to expand...

Awesome, cheers! I use the site regularly but have somehow completely overlooked the browser add-on.
 
Amazon's pricing is largely driven through algorithms which is why they fluctuate so madly. I'm sure that I read that the lightning deals inc Black Friday are managed manually but then if the algorithm amends the price in the meantime it becomes useless.

I also never assume that Amazon is the cheapest - often it is but not always.
 
As well as comparing Amazon UK price histories, always compare across the DE, FR, etc. websites as well. There are a few comparison websites that can help with this. As an example, looking for a Sigma power adapter in the last couple of days it's £40 from Amazon UK or from several other High Street/online dealers in the UK, but only £20 including postage from the Amazon DE website. In part this is the strength of the Pound against the Euro, in part it's different attitudes to slow-moving specialist stock items - I suspect the German dealer is clearing his shelves of dead stock.
 
I find keeping tabs on items I'm interested in via the wishlist is often very helpful for judging when to buy (in conjunction with Camel) - I wonder whether part of the pricing algorithm includes the number of wishlist entries? I do also Google items as well to make sure they're not cheaper elsewhere (it's not often that they are!). Having Prime is often a big plus in terms of deciding to buy from Amazon. I find I'm ordering things from them at least once a week now.
 
Alastair said:
As well as comparing Amazon UK price histories, always compare across the DE, FR, etc. websites as well. There are a few comparison websites that can help with this. As an example, looking for a Sigma power adapter in the last couple of days it's £40 from Amazon UK or from several other High Street/online dealers in the UK, but only £20 including postage from the Amazon DE website. In part this is the strength of the Pound against the Euro, in part it's different attitudes to slow-moving specialist stock items - I suspect the German dealer is clearing his shelves of dead stock.
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Interesting. Hadn't considered that!
 
Buck said:
I also never assume that Amazon is the cheapest - often it is but not always.
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I go first to a comparison site such as idealo.co.uk. It finds the best price, with or without postage. Amazon, as you say is sometimes the cheapest. But often not. There are plenty of places with better prices and good service too. Blindly buying from Amazon is for the rich.
 
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I knew about camelcamel and often used it for non-urgent purchases. I knew about about buying from ebay in europe but hadn't thought about amazon equivalent. Do you still get covered by UK rules if you buy from an EU Amazon store?
 
In Germany I think it's 7 day no quibble money back and 2 year mandatory warranty.
 
omens said:
I knew about camelcamel and often used it for non-urgent purchases. I knew about about buying from ebay in europe but hadn't thought about amazon equivalent. Do you still get covered by UK rules if you buy from an EU Amazon store?
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There's very little difference between UK and EU consumer protection legislation. From the start of next month* I believe they align even closer, only a slight difference in definition giving a marginally better right to return in the UK.

In case you're unfamiliar, you log in to the EU sites using the same email address and password you use for your UK account.



*it will be interesting to see how quickly the advice given in forums updates, given that the DSR is still regularly referenced :D
 
Or "Free Nelson Mandela (with every packet of cornflakes)".
 
I bought my previous mobile from Amazon Germany at a very good price point

The phone however was dispatched from their Dunfermline warehouse in Scotland
 
neil_g said:
I've got some amazon vouchers, does anyone know if I can redeem them on the .de site? Do I just put the codes in at checkout?
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Not sure Neil, have never tried it myself.

It should just reject them if it doesn't anyway so I would say there is no harm in trying
 
neil_g said:
I've got some amazon vouchers, does anyone know if I can redeem them on the .de site? Do I just put the codes in at checkout?
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I don't think you can - but it's worth a try, nothing to lose.
 
neil_g said:
I've got some amazon vouchers, does anyone know if I can redeem them on the .de site? Do I just put the codes in at checkout?
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I don't think you can. I got vouchers and could only use them in the UK. But you can see when you come to buy stuff, in the wrong territory, you can't access the vouchers. If I remember correctly.
 
Ended up ordering from GB site, prices weren't any better on DE etc.

Had an issue with the order, had the "order in the next 4 hours and select 1 day delivery to get it tomorrow" message so paid the £8.

Got the email confirmation and the estimated delivery was the following day.

Live chat to amazon customer services, "sorry about that the cut off time wasn't updated for some reason". Asked for the £8 to be refunded, " no problem at all" and still getting the next day (but one) delivery.

So booo and yay.
 
I've had problems with Amazon delivering to a locker. They give me no options other than next day delivery - at a price - then set delivery for 5 to 7 days later.

Takes a lot of arguing with them to get order cancelled and fees refunded. Has happened three times now so it must be the system but they always blame the courier.
 
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