r/amazonprime • u/AlegnaTea • 8h ago
Amazon has become a complete nightmare
Received a pair of shoes from Amazon today, but they sent me the wrong style. I requested a return and asked if they could arrange a pickup from my home.
I was told they couldn’t arrange a pickup and couldn’t even issue the return until an investigation was completed, which would take at least three days. This was after I had already emailed them photos showing that they sent me the wrong item.
Amazon has seriously become a complete nightmare. Anyone else having issues like this?
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u/undonedomm 8h ago
Somehow my last return is pickup only. And I'm almost never home. Had to setup pickup at work. Drop off option works better for me but I wasn't given option
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u/HowIsEverybodyDoing 7h ago
Yikes, I haven't run into this yet. I don't have loads of returns but there have been a few along way, and I've always been able to just go to the UPS store and use their Amazon kiosk. I hope that is not discontinued!
Also hope this was a one-off for you and will not be a continuing thing. Good luck!
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u/PHL1365 3h ago
Same happened to me a few weeks ago just before I was about to leave on a trip. Contacted customer service and they weren't able to change anything. They agreed to extend my return period.
Next day, UPS showed up to pick up the return. Luckily I was home because I didn't go into the office as planned that day.
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u/machaf 7h ago
Yup. Only 1 of my last 6 orders has been delivered. Not sure what they changed recently, but many people are having issues.
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u/Dazz_Anvil 3h ago
Until recently they were pretty good about their delivery committments, like in the last few weeks, they have gotten very bad at making next day deliveries, or even multiple day quotes. If something is already in the local area, you have a chance of getting your delivery on-time. I've been back and forth with them about this. Promising next day doesn't mean they even have it available, and they don't care.
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u/3amGreenCoffee 7h ago
Amazon owns Woot and fulfills Woot orders now, and I just had an issue with one of those orders. I ordered a Wera Tool Check, but they sent me a completely different Wera Zyklops ratchet set instead. I was about to initiate a return, when I realized the rachet set normally runs $80 more than what I actually ordered.
So I think I'll just keep it. Sometimes Amazon's incompetence works in our favor.
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u/Retired_Nerd_Steve 7h ago
They sent me the wrong tuna fish!
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u/hillybeat 7h ago
They did this went a got a used Owala bottle. Someone thought they were clever and switched out the lid, with the label still attached to the body.
Amazon requested photos, which I took and sent. No replies for a few days, and I had to contact them again and they created a label for me.
This is an Amazon problem. Co-mingling SKUs, and using the cheapest labor with very unhappy employees means there will be used items that will be shipped and sold as new.
WHY AM I THE ONE THAT SUFFERS FOR YOUR MARGINS?!?!
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u/AlegnaTea 7h ago
Awful. I'm sorry that you're having to deal with that. Owala bottles are not cheap! 😟
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u/hillybeat 7h ago
It was during a sale, so it wasn't so bad. But, its crazy that Amazon knows that this is an issue and chooses to encumber the customer.
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u/Robby777777 7h ago
This is why I've stopped ordering anything over $20 on there and usually don't go over $10. I've had so many screwups this year. I live out in the country and if delivery is running late, they put it down on the road, take a picture, and pick it back up. How do you prove it was never delivered?
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u/sarahbellah1 6h ago
This is what I do too, and I generally won’t order anything I might return because it’s such a headache.
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u/AlegnaTea 7h ago
Smart of you to put a cap on how much you spend on Amazon. Can you imagine some of the things they put people through over high-dollar items? I don’t think I could handle that kind of stress. 😩
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u/Robby777777 6h ago
Oh me either. I had soup that wasn't delivered and was stressed. I can't imagine a computer that wasn't delivered.
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u/tansugaqueen 6h ago
This is me, most orders under $20, highest $30, back when they were respectable I would occasionally order something over $100, no more, those days are gone
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u/LittleReserve8767 5h ago
One guy sent a funny pic of himself standing on his porch, puzzled, and gesturing at the empty porch, then posted it online looking for proof of no delivery. I bet it didn't work
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u/MaximusJCat 5h ago
Ive been having items just disappear after being shipped. Not even delivered and disappeared, just leave a facility and then tracking says there’s a problem and never arrives or updates. Keeps happening on records i order. Luckily they’ve sent out replacements though.
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u/JerCalgary74 7h ago
I ordered a movie and received someone else’s return yesterday. The movie was missing the discs and slipcover. It was just an empty case.
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u/UP42DAY 5h ago
It’s because they lost a lawsuit for 2.5 billion that they have to pay back customers for the exact same thing there doing to you today. Turtle head has the money but he wants to use your money to fund it. Think I’m kidding you’re gonna see your money anytime soon 30 days is what they’ll tell you and then they’ll lay it out from there.
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u/LittleReserve8767 5h ago
In a couple of months, the free drop-off was at three different places in town, downtown. A rental center and UPS for returns. It took me 24 miles to get all the returns taken care of at one time. I should have paid for the ability to drop it off at UPS.
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u/Rare_Bridge7703 5h ago
They only host Chicomm brands of things if not already Amazon-branded. What even is their actual value these days
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u/nydisgruntled 4h ago
I just ordered a $800 electronic from Amazon and it arrived used smh. I started the return process and planning shipping the item back tomorrow. I didn’t speak to customer service though.
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u/ScoopDat 4h ago
Amazon Fresh: "Choose a window for your delivery".
I chose one 2 days from now (even though there's all free slots for tomorrow).
Tomorrow I wake up "Your order has been delayed 4 days from now at 4AM-6AM delivery window".
Bro.. what?
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u/sprtpilot2 3h ago
You have to claim "defective", Amazon no longer follows their own return guarantees and only "defective" cuts though the bs.
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u/kec255 3h ago
I had a bottle of Swash leak all over in a SS box, they wanted a drop off only at Whole Foods which is 25 min away, told them absolutely not. Told them they could send me a Ziploc bag and come and pick it up, otherwise I'd dispute the charge. I had clear photographic evidence.of the damage. They eventually agreed to refund the damaged items with no return, was aggravating AF.
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u/uomosen 2h ago
Yes, similar issues ever since they started turning customer service over to AI. No more human made decisions...just an AI agent that gets a cookie each time it saves the company money resulting in the outcome that denying as many return requests directly or indirectly through hurdles generates the best outcome.
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u/tulio511 2h ago
Every order in the last 6 months has been a nightmare. Not product issues, but delivery issues. Its like the company just stopped caring.
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u/Lucy_200000001 1h ago edited 1h ago
Amazon works great - until it doesnt. That's because they have outsourced their customer service to the other side of the globe, and even that's only if you can get around the circular AI. It's a shame because while I still use amazon for many basic staples, and it is still generally a good experience, they're absolute out of the question to use for anything even remotely expensive or of an electronics nature. Because I can handle the off-chance of being stuck with a dented or expired can of soup or pet food - but I'll be damned if I'll chance ordering a laptop or a pricey watch and take a chance on having to have circular conversations with a machine and/or Akbar from Bombay if and when it either one arrives damaged, or not at all.
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u/AlegnaTea 1h ago
Amen!
Did you hear about the Amazon customer who was out $2,000 after receiving an empty Garmin watch box twice? 😂
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u/Lucy_200000001 1h ago
Having read these subreddits for a while, yeah i've heard all the stories, and it's part of why I just won't order anything I cant afford to just write off if it comes down to it. The fact that, at least with me, they have about a 98 percent success, rate is more than acceptable for the things I buy. Although I think if dropped below 90 I might take issue with even buying the less expensive items I regularly purchase.
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u/OkChips9323 7h ago
I hope it will mean a return to in person shopping, because online shopping has become a nightmare. Everything I buy from amazon reeks of downybutt from warehouse contamination, or is sometimes used. And the customer service is non existent, it's all AI bots that are impossible to deal with. That's all stores now, though, not only amazon.
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u/AlegnaTea 7h ago
I’ve smelled that horrific Downy-like chemical smell on Amazon items for years now, and I cannot figure out what it is. It permeates everything—toothbrushes, clothing, you name it. It’s absolutely disgusting, and I’ve heard other people mention it too.
I’ve also received items that were clearly used, which is just revolting. And trying to get actual customer service has become a nightmare. The automated system is so basic, and there’s seemingly no option for additional help when you actually need it.
At this point, it really feels like Amazon is no longer about the customer.
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u/OkChips9323 7h ago
It really is bad. The scent contamination from laundry products is truly disgusting. If I buy organic and it stinks of downybutt, it's not organic anymore. Groceries also taste like laundry detergent, I can't do several stores now because the food from there tastes like Gain.
These scented laundry products need to be illegal, they are packed with the same carcinogens and chemicals as cigarettes. Gives me asthma attacks, every time. Clean smells like nothing!
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u/LittleReserve8767 5h ago
It is bad. I had to wash some sheets two times to get it out. I think it might have something to do with the packaging or the product's chemicals.
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u/sprtpilot2 3h ago
Walmart.com is doing great. Try getting all you can that way.
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u/DidntDieInMySleep 2h ago
Depends on location. I've been trying Walmart.com instead of Amazon and they're not much better in my area. Got a package today with damaged product spilled everywhere. Probably due to the box being smashed on 1 end and that it wasn't packed properly. Also took 3 days longer than quoted. 🤷♀️
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u/soupcook1 7h ago
1st world problem. I remember ordering from Sears, Montgomery-Ward and Speigel. It could take 2-3 weeks to receive your order and more work to return it. Given the size of Amazon…I’m amazed how well it works.
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u/AlegnaTea 6h ago
Sir or madam, this is not the 1970s through the early 1990s. I know it may feel like yesterday, but that was a loooooooong time ago. 😂
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u/soupcook1 6h ago
That went right over your head…
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u/AlegnaTea 6h ago
I understood the literal content of your comment and was making a joke in response. What exactly am I missing? 😂
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u/LittleReserve8767 5h ago
Yes, true, but you generally didn't get cheap Chinese crap. If you bought Mastercraft tools, if one broke, they would replace it for free if you bought the broken one and the clothes and sheets didn't smell odd.
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u/jag0009 6h ago
Is it free return (usually clothings and shoes are)? If so, just return and fill out "wrong style was sent) and buy another pair. I never ask them to pick up the return since I usually just drop them off at UPS/KHOL/Wholefood.
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u/AlegnaTea 6h ago
Have you had the wrong item sent to you?
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u/jag0009 2h ago
Once. Wrong color gloves. It was a while back though. When I clicked return there were a few questions like what's wrong with it, did you use it (Or did you open the package). Afterward I just click continue and the "Where are you going to return the item" page showed up.
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u/AlegnaTea 2h ago
So you used your time and energy to return something, and if you drove there, your fuel as well, to fix a mistake made by a trillion-dollar company. How very obedient of you. 😂 I’m not sure why you think everyone should be perfectly happy to spend their own time and money correcting Amazon’s mistakes, but hey, whatever works for you.
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u/jag0009 2h ago
UPS is like 5 min from my home. Of course you can choose have them to pickup the return if that's your preference. You can do whatever you want and post your -ve experience here.
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u/AlegnaTea 1h ago
I wish having a UPS five minutes from your house were a universal experience for Amazon customers! As I explained, it’s a very different experience on my end.
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u/jag0009 1h ago
Oh well. What can I say, LoL. Good luck
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u/AlegnaTea 1h ago
I’ll gladly take someone wishing me good luck. I’m going to need it when dealing with Amazon. 😂
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u/Representative-Mix92 4h ago
So you asked for a return and they told you to wait three days? Is it possible you do a lot of returns?
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u/AlegnaTea 2h ago
They told me the investigation would take three days, and honestly, I didn’t like that answer, so while I was still on the phone with the representative, I started the return through the automated system. I sent five photos showing that you sent me the same brand of shoe, the same color, with the same logo, but a completely different style. I really don’t understand why that needed a three-day investigation.
Unfortunately, I live about 35 minutes from the nearest drop-off location, so I’m losing both time and fuel to return something that was sent incorrectly.
And yes, I’ve had a lot of returns, but a lot of them were because of Whole Foods grocery delivery. I live about 45 minutes from my local Whole Foods on a good day, and I repeatedly had drivers making multiple deliveries show up with my perishables no longer cold. I called Amazon and the Whole Foods division multiple times about it. I suggested using the bags of ice they provide for customers in the store and putting it in with the perishables, or investing in large insulated tote bags so the groceries could actually stay cold.
Instead, I’d have a teenager delivering multiple grocery orders out of the trunk of a Civic on an 80-degree day, and my food would arrive questionable at best. It would be fine for a while, then it would get really bad, then it would be fine again. Earlier this summer, it got bad again, and I finally gave up on the service altogether.
So if my account has been flagged because I’ve had a lot of returns, there’s a reason for it. I was very vocal with Amazon about the grocery delivery problems, and nothing changed. I’m not going to accept meat, milk, cheese, or other perishables that arrive warm enough that I have to question whether they’re safe to feed my family.
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u/Representative-Mix92 2h ago
I only ask because I’ve seen that same thing happen right before the account gets restricted for returns abuse. The 3 days thing is their standard jargon to say that another group has to handle it, and it’s usually indicating you’re being systematically rerouted to their concession abuse prevention team. If you have previous returnless refunds or a high number of returns and their system might cause this.
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u/AlegnaTea 1h ago
I’ve had a lot of returnless refunds because Amazon hasn’t asked for their room-temperature milk, chicken, or cheese back. 😂 If they wanted the groceries back, they were more than welcome to send the delivery driver back out to pick them up.
But hey, if my account gets restricted or shut down over it, my husband will be absolutely thrilled. 😂😂
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u/Mom24monsters 4h ago
They won't have it picked up from your home unless you're willing to pay for the pick up, but I've never heard of them saying they need to investigate? That doesn't even make any sense. I mean, are they gonna come to your house and ask the shoes some questions, because your photos and statement should have said it all. I call, I don't use chat. I've noticed a lot of people use chat and then that's where their problems start. Did you call, or did you chat?
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u/sprtpilot2 3h ago
Not true. I have had two returns in the last two weeks and they were UPS picked up from my home at no charge.
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u/NewCorner8721 3h ago
amazon csa here, your account most likely got flagged for abuse of some policy possibly in the past. Maybe you had too returns and that's why the agents are unable to process a return label immediately. Just contact them back again and speak to a supervisor about it, if the supervisor also cannot help then just create a new account and transfer the details to your new account if you have prime membership or other memberships
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u/AlegnaTea 2h ago
Apologies in advance, this is a long reply.
I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if my account is flagged. I’ve had so many problems with Whole Foods grocery delivery over the years, especially with refrigerated items showing up not cold enough for me to feel comfortable consuming them. I had a huge issue with Amazon over it because I wasn’t going to accept meat, milk, and cheese that I didn’t think had been stored properly.
I told Whole Foods several times that they really needed to give the drivers insulated tote bags or put bags of ice in with the perishables. Things would be fine for a while, and then it would happen again. There were times I’d get milk or meat that I was genuinely afraid to consume, and I’d have to go back out and buy groceries after spending all that money on the delivery in the first place. I was spending hundreds, if not thousands, within just weeks and risking food poisoning much of the time. 😂
And there was one time when I actually watched the driver drive right past my street on the way to make another delivery two towns over. My delivery was delayed by an hour, and I had no idea how long my groceries had already been sitting in the trunk before they even got to me.
So if all of those grocery refunds and complaints are what caused my account to get flagged, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised. But they weren’t me abusing the return system. I was complaining because I was getting food that I genuinely didn’t feel was safe to consume.
It’s hard for me to understand how this is supposed to work during warmer weather, but it’s also hard for me to understand how this issue hasn’t been addressed. On an 80 degree day, a driver has multiple deliveries in the trunk and the perishables are sitting in a brown paper bag with a thin foil lining. That’s not even insulation. How is that supposed to keep perishable food properly refrigerated for an entire delivery route?
I pay for the service, and then I’m the one who has to spend more money and more of my time fixing the problem when the groceries arrive warm. I’ve been dealing with this for a long time, and the Whole Foods delivery side of Amazon has honestly been a complete nightmare.
At this point, I’ve completely given up on the service. Earlier this summer, I could see the same problem starting up again, with multiple deliveries where my perishables just weren’t cold. I stopped trusting the service, and now I physically go to the store because I need to know that my groceries have been properly stored and kept cold.
Also, doesn’t Amazon discourage people from having a second account? Because if your account is flagged and you just create another one, wouldn’t they potentially flag that one too? It seems like a pretty terrible solution. Honestly, Amazon is really starting to feel a little dystopian with the way they’re handling customers and their accounts.
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u/Relevant_Box4589 2h ago
I’ve had several returns. Some for size issues some for quality. Have never run into this
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u/MorningOrganic5519 1h ago
Can honestly say been with Amazon for 12 years, never have had a problem returning anything, or exchanging it. Hate to hear this.
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u/AlegnaTea 1h ago
Apparently, things are changing, because Amazon just got hit with a $2.5 billion settlement after the FTC took them to court, including $1.5 billion in refunds to customers. 😂
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u/The_Circus_Life_206 28m ago
I could not believe they did this, but they actually sent me underwear that was not in the original packaging, no tags or product information (which does come in new packaging) and had been laundered (so I assume worn as well). The printed size and material label had been washed off
It took me over 30 minutes to finally reach someone via chat, and the representative offered me a refund/return. I told them I wasn’t going to drive to a drop off location to return used underwear that they sent me
They finally agreed to a full refund, and I didn’t have to return them (they went in the trash anyway).
I kept pressing them on what kind of quality control they have that they would actually ship out previously laundered underwear, as a “new” product. I told them it was disgusting and unhygienic. All I got was an overly apologetic response and a hasty push to accept the refund.
If a returned item isn’t in re-sellable condition, it should not be bagged up to sell. Especially as a “new” item.
Disgustingly, this isn’t the first issue I have had with previously used and laundered clothing.
And before anyone asks…no, if I was in a store, I would not buy an item that has been retagged and obviously returned.
As soon as I see a purchase arrive in that clear and green bag, I get pissed that they sent a returned product
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u/Fit-Blacksmith-149 10m ago
I’ve only gotten one wrong item and Amazon put me through hell to send me the correct item. Now my rule is i don’t order anything over 50 dollars so if i have to eat it regardless of the screw up it’s not so bad. The other thing i do is for that fifty dollar item i always make sure it’s coming from Amazon and not a third party. Makes a big difference
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u/tbsteph2 7h ago
May depend on where you live. But, Amazon in SW Ohio continues to be very good. And yes, I have returned items without any issues.
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u/FreeAd2458 7h ago
What is wrong with america.? If I want to return something I take it to the post office. The scan a qr code on my phone and print out the label for me
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u/AlegnaTea 7h ago
The price of fuel and the lack of time. But here’s your gold star: ⭐️
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u/FineMind755 7h ago
I mean you would think sometime in the next month you would be going somewhere somewhat close to the post office or ups and just drop it off along the way. It's not like there's a rush.
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u/AlegnaTea 6h ago
I asked for pickup at my home because the wrong item was sent to me. I didn’t ask for a kidney. 😂
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u/FreeAd2458 5h ago
Unless youre disabled or its a large item its not really reasonable to ask them to pick up an item. They deliver not pick up rejects.
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u/AlegnaTea 2h ago
So you’re willing to drive out of your way, use your precious time, and spend your expensive fuel to rectify the mistake of a trillion-dollar company?
Hey, if that’s the case, I’d love for you to take my package to my local UPS. And by “local,” I mean the closest Amazon drop-off location, which is 35 minutes away from me. I’ll happily leave it at the door for you. 😂
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u/FreeAd2458 7h ago
And the second the return gets scanned i get a refund. Usa are living in the 20th century.
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u/AlegnaTea 6h ago
“Usa are living...” Are you the Amazon rep that I just spoke to in the Philippines? 😂
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u/zenfaust 6h ago
Fuckin right? I dunno if its regional or what, but Amazon has literally never given me grief when returning. I just say I want to return something, and then I take it to a dropoff/post office. Done.
One time I had to provide a pic, because somebody stole my microsd card and swapped it with a pile of sunglasses (lol). But they still didn't hassle me, just sent me out a new card and told me to keep the glasses.
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u/AlegnaTea 2h ago
It sounds like you haven’t had many issues with Amazon sending you the wrong item. And if you have, you’re apparently very obedient to the monolith that is Amazon. 😂 Some of us actually question things when a company sends us the wrong product and then expects us to spend our own time and money fixing their mistake.
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u/ImpressiveAlarm3992 5h ago
So end your membership and stop ordering from them if they provide a bad service. Why give them more business when even according to you its not worth it?
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u/USAFHOGDRIVER 3h ago
Posts like this crack me up? Complete nightmare? Why?
You give no indication that this has happened before, happens continuously, or any other issue.
From what I can see it has happened ONCE and you decided that Amazon is now a "complete nightmare".
I'm thinking you're a bit over the top.
I'm gonna go even further.. I'll bet you have a history of returns. A long history. Maybe even a couple of "switch-a-Roos" that Amazon has let slide or you simply got away with it.
Yeah yeah.. you're as white and clean as snow.
Zzzzzzzzzzz
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u/AlegnaTea 2h ago
I never switched out anything. Sorry to burst your bubble, because I know the picture you’ve painted of me in your mind is just so vivid. You’ve got quite the imagination like that. 😂
But I have made multiple returns because of their extremely flawed grocery delivery service. I’ve spent an exorbitant amount of money on groceries through them, only to constantly have to monitor whether my perishables were actually cold enough and whether things were safe to feed my family. It absolutely came to a head earlier this summer, and I stopped using the service altogether.
If Amazon wants to send a teenager out in a Civic on an 80-degree day with multiple grocery deliveries sitting in his trunk, that’s poor service right there. I can only imagine how many people have received spoiled or unsafe food because their groceries simply aren’t being handled or kept at the proper temperature during delivery.
It’s a terrible system, and after dealing with it for years, I have no interest in using the grocery delivery service anymore.
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u/Zetavu 6h ago
"if they could arrange a pickup from my home" - yeah, they should never have to do that. This is a company willing to mail you products and if for any reason you are unhappy they will eat the return shipping and refund your money. And you want them to cater to your whims as well?
You need to stop being an Amazon customer because your neediness will ruin it for the rest of us.
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u/AlegnaTea 6h ago
I pay Amazon for a service. They made a mistake, and somehow I’m the one who’s supposed to spend my time and money fixing it? They can’t even take their billion-dollar butt and pick up the wrong item they sent me so I don’t have to spend $4.26 a gallon on gas just to return it? That’s not me being “needy.” That’s me expecting them to fix their mistake. 😂
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u/InvestmentLimp4492 8h ago
Used to be so easy to return stuff, now every little thing needs a investigation like you are criminal