What is wrong with Amazon?!

[JohnN]

I contacted them yesterday advising that there are obvious scams on a couple of their items (listed below), I even gave them links and explained why they were blatant, now granted they did reply but only to ask me to elaborate - what more need be said - look at these - they're scams, its obvious!

My email

Can you keep an eye on http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-li...d=&coliid=&condition=new&me=&qid=&seller=&sr=

Almost every day theres a new obvious scam item in either new or used saying contact us on xxx @ gmail . com

Damn annoying when looking for a real set of prices and makes Amazon a much riskier place to buy - it was much better when it was just Amazon and not an eBay like service.

Amazon's reply (well a cut down to remove all the standard reply bits)

I've read your message, but we'll need more information to forward the details to the investigation team who will look into this issue.

Please elaborate your query and reply to this mail so that we can take further action.

My reply to their reply (and my last help to them)

I don't know what more to say — look at this item: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00005QF6O/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all

Now, look at the top items in both new and used.

I'm amazed that after me reporting it yesterday they are still up there, it is obvious to me that were these to be purchased the seller would take the money and run — does Amazon simply not care that people are getting conned?

So as you don;t feel like it, I'll take a look at another lens, the Canon 70-200 2.8 II — another very expensive very popular lens — http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0033567D8/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all

Oh look, MrKuve is selling one of these too — shock and horror, so is workwearshop , what a coincidence!

They too are selling a Canon 5DIII, again at a "bargain" price.

Please at least try to police this, these people are probably making thousands a day off your reputation.

Canon 100-400
Canon 70-200 IS II
Anything from Active Workware (probably hijacked)

 

[kiteninja]

What ever you buy through Amazon like paypal is protected if you receive no goods after paying your money you can get it back with a dispute.

You've also not elaborated on your point or explained why the prices are so low or why you think it is a scam, just linking again is not putting your point forward.

 

[JohnN]

What more was to say, look at the link, look at the price\seller - what would you have said to expand on it, its obvious and now gone, so I guess when they did look they thought so too.

Edit: Also if you'd have seen the description it said contact us at xx email to get this price, so how would they have been protected and don;t just say its their fault for being stupid.

 

[JohnN]

Just found this too - from 16/01/12!!! So not exactly unknown to them and aparently reported on at least the 15th of June 2012 - Link

 

[fracster]

Shop elsewhere if you find it that horrendous.

Pretty simple really.

 

[Tigger.ufo]

What ever you buy through Amazon like paypal is protected if you receive no goods after paying your money you can get it back with a dispute.

You've also not elaborated on your point or explained why the prices are so low or why you think it is a scam, just linking again is not putting your point forward.

With this you will not be buying through Amazon though.

The prices are low to lure people into emailing directly.

If you were foolish enough to email about it I have no doubt that you would be invited to do a bank transfer for an extra discount thus removing any possibility of getting your money back when the item fails to turn up.

A very common scam with hijacked ebay accounts too!


Heather

 

[mini0ne]

if you click to buy it will say not available ive tried a few times in the past assuming its a scam so at worst amazon will refund me

I did once buy a brand new sealed mac mini for a stupid price and actually received it as described so always worth a punt

what most of these scammers hope is you deal via email and bank transfer the funds to them

if you follow amazon link and pay you will at least get your money back

 

[specialman]

So you've sent Amazon the heads-up and in the space of several hours the dodgy listing no longer appears. I don't get where the issue is...

 

[JohnN]

lol, damn near thread-o-mancy

When I wrote they were ignoring it and whats more they keep popping back up - thats why I was pointing it out to them.

 

[JohnN]

In fact ones there now - link - now I can just ignore it and walk on by or I can try to make it so some poor sod doesn't get scammed

 

[JohnN]

Then you dig a little deeper and see the storefront - just check the prices, what a bargain... yeah right..

Edit: Reported (again) - not sure how many more times I'll bother though as its a thankless task and they'll be back in two days, along with mrkuve@gmail.com & teov42@gmail.com

 

[ukaskew]

I don't understand, it currently does not say 'email to get this price', there is a direct Amazon 'add to cart' button at that price. You would presumably be fully protected by Amazon if clicking that button and going through the checkout and never subsequently getting the goods.

When would they email you asking for a bank transfer? Once you've completed the checkout that money has left your account anyway, surely?

In fairness to Amazon, a cheap price does not automatically mean a scam, fair enough if you end up getting an email from the seller asking for a bank transfer, forward that to Amazon and they have a solid reason to shut that account. As it stands the seller currently with the cheap 70-200 price has solid 100+ feedback, so they presumably have had no evidence to shut the account as yet.

 

[JohnN]

Okay, hers how it works...

First the email conversation:

Hi,

That's a great price, mind me asking why I have to contact via email rather than just buying via Amazon?

Ta.

11 Aug (2 days ago)

to xxx


Hello,
the Canon EOS 5D Mark III 24 - 105 Kit Digital SLR (DSLR) Camera is in new condition ( it just had to be listed as 'Used - Like New' as the box has been opened), comes with all manufacturer supplied accessories, UK model,1 year full warranty. It has not been used. The price is £1,502.00 including delivery.Return policy is full money back in 30 days. If you want to buy send me your full name and delivery address to have your order placed with Amazon.
Regards,

11 Aug (2 days ago)

to xxx


Hi,
*FAKE ADDRESS*
What happens next?

xxx
10:58 (1 hour ago)

to xx
Your order will be processed by Amazon

 

[JohnN]

You then get an email back from Amazon (totally fake)

I've xxxx the details just in case

Thanks for your order, xxx !
Amazon.co.uk requires the payment for this order to be submitted via Bank Transfer. The Bank Transfer will be sent to one of Amazon.co.uk representatives (see details below). As soon as payment will be confirmed and verified, this order will automatically appear under the buyer Amazon.co.uk account. Please follow our instructions in order to complete the transaction safely. The buyer payment will be on hold until buyer confirms that the purchased merchandise has been received. As soon Amazon Payments receives the buyer confirmation, the buyer payment will be released and the seller will receive his payment.
Ordering Information:

Invoice Address:
*FAKE ADDRESS*

Delivery Address:
*FAKE ADDRESS*

Shipp from Address:
XXXXX

Order Grand Total: £1,502.00
Order Summary
Shipping Details : workwearshop LTD
Order #:

202-7315169-6912941
Item: Canon EOS 5D Mark III 24 - 105 Kit Digital SLR (DSLR) Camera
Shipping Method: Standard Shipping
Subtotal of Items:
£1,502.00
Shipping & Handling: £0.00
------

Estimated Tax To Be Collected:* £0.00
------
Order Total: £1,502.00

How to make payment ?

Please make the payment by Bank Transfer to our Agent Account!
Payment Address:
Name: xxxx
Account Number: xxxx
IBAN: xxxx
Swift/Bic Code: xxxx
Address: xxxx

* Reply to this ad with the following details from the payment:
- Name and address of the sender
- Amount and product name
- The scanned document from the bank.

Please note: If you need further assistance please reply to this message.
Thanks again for shopping with us.
Amazon.co.uk
Earth's Biggest Selection

 

[digital]

I had a little play with buying one of the lenses and when I got to checkout I got a message to say that they couldn't deliver to my address (Yorkshire!). I asked Amazon what was the problem and they told me there were issues with his account. Oddly enough, the lens disappeared from the listing shortly afterwards...

 

[JohnN]

haha, sounds right.

Oh and if you miss their fake email you get a reminder from the seller..

Hi again,
I was informed by Amazon that they send you all the payment and delivery informations. Search your inbox carefully and also check your bulk/spam/junk folder because it might have arrived there.
Please let me know asap.

Thank you!