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Not explicitly Prime-related, but the author ponders why someone would shop at Amazon rather than Walmart (as an example). We don't have Walmart in my part of

Not explicitly Prime-related, but the author ponders why someone would shop at Amazon rather than Walmart (as an example). We don't have Walmart in my part of the world, but what I can say is that Amazon is the preference not just for the fast delivery, but for the security. If I get delivered a crap product that's not as described, I know Amazon won't argue with me. I dread taking anything back to any other retailer I've dealt with. There's only so many times you can be told some variant of "oh we can't help you because you broke the seal that you needed to break to open the box". I'll vote with my wallet, and if it means hegemony, then Amazon's competitors should have started giving a rats behind years ago.

bagacrap 9y ago
I don't know where you are but that sounds like a cultural difference. Most American retailers have very good return policies. I was at Lowe's (big box hardware store) recently and witnessed someone return an open bag of beef jerky because they didn't like the flavor. The only places with bad return policies are small mom and pops.
- stordoff 9y ago
  Most places in the UK do as well (it's mandatory online), but Amazon tend to deal with returns outside that initial period much better. I recently had a pair of headphones break after 17 months use - still in warranty but I wanted to avoid the manufacturer if possible due to the 2 week turnaround time and the fact that Amazon listed them as "Used - Like New" (Warehouse Deals). In similar situations, other retailers have either been extremely awkward about the exchange or insisted that the manufacturer do the repair. With this one, one email to Amazon and less than twelve hours later I had a returns label and a refund on the way. It's still worth shopping around - occasionally Amazon can be far more expensive than the alternatives - but if the price is close, _knowing_ that Amazon will sort an issue even if it doesn't show up for a year plus without even questioning is useful to know.
  - headmelted 9y ago
    I'm in the UK. My experiences have been vastly different than your own - the CRA helps, certainly - but I've found retailers don't really abide the law as much as like to be forced kicking and screaming into adhering to it. Even retailers who boast having their reputation for support at the core of their business. I've had hellish experiences getting John Lewis to deal with failed electronics, even a DOA laptop. You have the right to take a retailer to court of course, but most know you won't bother with the hassle and give up. Again, only my experience. One I've never had with Amazon.
- spaceisballer 9y ago
  I’m not a big fan of Walmart but it’s either 10 minutes to Walmart or almost an hour to other retailers. That being said Walmart let’s you return almost anything. They don’t want an upset customer. I can value that especially with all the times I shred a receipt but then realize I didn’t need something or something happened to it.
- _nalply 9y ago
  Good return policies are expensive for everybody. That's why I stay away from Zalando after having seen neighbours returning half a dozen boxes.
  - lamby 9y ago
    Why stay away? Because the setup implies poor value physical product?
konschubert 9y ago
Amazon might not argue, but if it happens too often they might ban you without warning. And when they do that, it's basically a life sentence. And they also ban your spouse just to be sure. I've become cautious of returning stuff to Amazon after they sent me a friendly email asking about the "unusually high number of returns" I've had.

bagacrap 9y ago

I don't know where you are but that sounds like a cultural difference. Most American retailers have very good return policies. I was at Lowe's (big box hardware store) recently and witnessed someone return an open bag of beef jerky because they didn't like the flavor. The only places with bad return policies are small mom and pops.

stordoff 9y ago
Most places in the UK do as well (it's mandatory online), but Amazon tend to deal with returns outside that initial period much better. I recently had a pair of headphones break after 17 months use - still in warranty but I wanted to avoid the manufacturer if possible due to the 2 week turnaround time and the fact that Amazon listed them as "Used - Like New" (Warehouse Deals). In similar situations, other retailers have either been extremely awkward about the exchange or insisted that the manufacturer do the repair. With this one, one email to Amazon and less than twelve hours later I had a returns label and a refund on the way. It's still worth shopping around - occasionally Amazon can be far more expensive than the alternatives - but if the price is close, _knowing_ that Amazon will sort an issue even if it doesn't show up for a year plus without even questioning is useful to know.
- headmelted 9y ago
  I'm in the UK. My experiences have been vastly different than your own - the CRA helps, certainly - but I've found retailers don't really abide the law as much as like to be forced kicking and screaming into adhering to it. Even retailers who boast having their reputation for support at the core of their business. I've had hellish experiences getting John Lewis to deal with failed electronics, even a DOA laptop. You have the right to take a retailer to court of course, but most know you won't bother with the hassle and give up. Again, only my experience. One I've never had with Amazon.
spaceisballer 9y ago
I’m not a big fan of Walmart but it’s either 10 minutes to Walmart or almost an hour to other retailers. That being said Walmart let’s you return almost anything. They don’t want an upset customer. I can value that especially with all the times I shred a receipt but then realize I didn’t need something or something happened to it.
_nalply 9y ago
Good return policies are expensive for everybody. That's why I stay away from Zalando after having seen neighbours returning half a dozen boxes.
- lamby 9y ago
  Why stay away? Because the setup implies poor value physical product?

konschubert 9y ago

Amazon might not argue, but if it happens too often they might ban you without warning. And when they do that, it's basically a life sentence. And they also ban your spouse just to be sure. I've become cautious of returning stuff to Amazon after they sent me a friendly email asking about the "unusually high number of returns" I've had.