A couple in Colorado was left shocked after Amazon delivered an empty box instead of the Sony a1 worth $7,000 that they ordered — and then refused to give them a refund.
As reported by PetaPixel and The Denver Channel (skip to 1:03), Bill and Kelly Chiles ordered the Sony a1 back in mid-March and waited patiently for it to arrive. Upon delivery, they opened their package and were confused to find two boxes for the Sony a1, both of which were empty.
Upon contacting Amazon, the company insisted that the product had been delivered and refused to offer a refund. This was despite the fact that when boxed the Sony a1 weighs 3.22 lb (1.46 kg), and the Chiles’ package was listed by UPS as weighing only 2 lb (900 g).
The Chiles filed a credit card dispute and made a crime report, and after The Denver Channel made its own inquiries and the Chiles tried emailing Amazon owner Jeff Bezos directly, Amazon relented and said that the $7,000 will be refunded once the credit card dispute had been resolved.
Given the risks associated with buying online, some customers are resorting to filming the process of unboxing expensive gear in order to create proof in the event that an order has not been correctly fulfilled.
This was obviously done before it left the warehouse. The shipping weight was for the empty box. Amazon is being particularly clueless here, that's an dead giveaway that it's internal or return fraud.
Amaozn continues to allow 3rd party sellers, and then allows 3rd party sellers to claim PRIME when thats kiterally impossible nc they have to ship to amazon first. And if you oay every month, you are GUARANTEED 2 day shipoing period with prime. Yet amazon continues to do nothing about it. Im waitinf for them to have a federal class civil lawsuit. Jeff bezos has been stealing other sellers ideas, and then shutting their accounts down. I watched it with my own 2 eyes on tv in court, along with zuckerberg there along with him, back and forth. They never answered a question and constantly denied complaints of people literally across the entire world.
It's not impossible... This literally happens thousands of times per day. Here's how it works: The 3rd party seller signs up for Amazon Fulfillment, which stocks the seller's products in Amazon's DCs. The seller orders products from the manufacturer, and has them delivered directly to the Amazon DC. The seller agrees to take a small cut in profit to cover some of the Prime shipping. It's clean, efficient, and helps the seller because they don't get bogged down with in-house inventory and shipping headaches.
You should probably turn off your TV, pick up your camera, and go outside.
What you're describing is FBA, what's known as Fulfilment By Amazon. To save time, just re-refer to Mark Guinn post, he's 100% correct. Surprised you don't know about this. You know all the ads on YouTube with people saying they are makings tens of thousands of $$$ a month - this is FBA (it's far from as easy as they say, but can be done) and everybody's trying, for the money but also bc of covid and lost jobs, everyone and their uncle needs a side hustle
Hi KL J,
Are you able to demonstrate that you are a real person? Thanks.
https://mashable.com/article/amazon-ambassadors-workers-union-fake-twitt...
Buy from Walmart and pick it up in the store. Problem solved and Walmart will immediately replace it if needed.
Years back, I ordered a camcorder frim Amazon. I opened it, and found that the accessories were in the box, but not the camera. And sure enough, this was someone selling trough Amazon, a camera store in Brooklyn -- Brooklyn shops notorious for being scammers and criminals. I contacted Amazon, who told me I should try resolvimg it with the retailer. They asked me to send the whole thing back.
Which I did, but I had the foresight to mark the camera box. They sent a new shipment. I set up another video camera, some good lights, and filmed myself opening the shipping box. Inside, of course, was the same box, still missing a camcorder. What were these people even thinking? I wrote Amazon back, telling them what happened, and about my unboxing video. They issued the refund -- B&H sent a box with camcorder intact a few days later.
Yeah, you can't beat B&H!
THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TOO - for $7,900. I filed reports with the police, Federal Trade Commission, and California District Attorney.
Even then Amazon refused. Good thinking that the family opened all with videos, as well as when I shipped back I sent full videos of the weight and everything while was at UPS.
Even then Amazon refused to refund. Their customer support cannot handle high priced products and they kept saying it’s the fulfillment center responsibility. But the fulfillment center said they cannot make decisions.
I contacted Amazon about 500 times, including their General Councel and even emailed Jeff Bezos (found email online). Where his personal assistance declined my request for refund, even though I showed them evidence that he weight of the package was too low to include the original good I was supposed to receive (an expensive laptop). I even sent the videos all along that clearly show the weight mismatch and other proofs.
Only when I started a legal claim against them plus a credit card investigation dispute, plus contacted various seniors there that I knew personally from a network to which we belong, I received my refund. But it took 4 months of a nightmare.
Shame on Amazon!!!! I closed my account with them after that and vowed to never buy there. It has been 2 years and this actually saved me tens of thousands of dollars as I realized I don’t really need them. It tempts to buy more when you have an account with them. Disgusting company.
Hi Dan,
I'm dealing with the same issue except it's with a return. They're claiming they received an empty box and refuse to issue a refund. I'm also in California. Would you mind sharing your contacts? The refund is $600 but the thing is I paid $400 of that with a gift card so I'm not sure how it will pan out. Any advice is appreciated.
THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TOO - for $7,900. I filed reports with the police, Federal Trade Commission, and California District Attorney.
Even then Amazon refused. Good thinking that the family opened all with videos, as well as when I shipped back I sent full videos of the weight and everything while was at UPS.
Even then Amazon refused to refund. Their customer support cannot handle high priced products and they kept saying it’s the fulfillment center responsibility. But the fulfillment center said they cannot make decisions.
I contacted Amazon about 500 times, including their General Councel and even emailed Jeff Bezos (found email online). Where his personal assistance declined my request for refund, even though I showed them evidence that he weight of the package was too low to include the original good I was supposed to receive (an expensive laptop). I even sent the videos all along that clearly show the weight mismatch and other proofs.
Only when I started a legal claim against them plus a credit card investigation dispute, plus contacted various seniors there that I knew personally from a network to which we belong, I received my refund. But it took 4 months of a nightmare.
Shame on Amazon!!!! I closed my account with them after that and vowed to never buy there. It has been 2 years and this actually saved me tens of thousands of dollars as I realized I don’t really need them. It tempts to buy more when you have an account with them. Disgusting company.
The rich, like this, disgusts me.
Yep don't buy from Amazon. Retail stores would be best. Some companies like Nike have the best prices when you buy directly. Costco has the best warranty when you buy electronics. Up to 4 years in most cases
Both those A1 boxes have serial numbers. They can be considered stolen property. They should be flagged in camera / police databases, and perhaps one day they will surface.
Stop LG's ( one of many)from these Price Gouging practices....
Check this out .... Cx77" Oled LG 3049$(US)
...whereas here in Canada 🇨🇦 5300$ (Ca) not to mention plus15% sales tax. What the F**k .
Ladies & Gentleman all this 👏excess taxing compliments of these "Nazi Seperatists" who've recently passed another bill (bill 96) for the sake of keep "french" the exclusive official language of this province (Québec)...while belonging to the canadian confederation where the rest of this fine country is considered "bilingual" ! Blame Lg ..blame price collusion practices..blame all those Apple / Samsung / Microsoft etc. !
Let us all stand up to these Corrupt C.E.O.'s who have the gull to take in 10's of millions of $ in salaries so the average "joe" may pay thru the nose for the privilege of owning several of their products.
P:S: No one left with a conscience?
Johnny Slick
Unfortunately, this problem is much bigger than Amazon. I’ve personally had an experience where the merchant had to decide who was right; the buyer or the seller. Most often, they rule in favor of the buyer. Because I learned the hard way to never sell online. According to this article, Amazon tried to flex its muscles and rule in favor of themselves, the seller. Hopefully justice was served in refunding the buyer, on this case. It’s all too easy to say you did not receive what you intended to receive.
Something similar happened to me more than a year ago in Montreal, Canada. Amazon Canada delivered a package to my home that contained a Sony box with wooden planks, instead of Sony RX100 VII (for CDN$ 1,598). All my attempts for almost a year to get a refund were in vain, that was a nightmare, since then I am not buying from Amazon anything more expensive than $150.
I buy from Adorama or BH. I do buy stuff from Amazon too, but not my expensive stuff.
Hey Michelle, if you see this, assuming you get items shipped form B&H - have you ever shopped B&H in person? (Not sure where you're located). I live in NYC and have been to the giant B&H on 9th & 34th and the experience was atrocious. Actually had nothing to do with products or prices. A couple people mention B&H here positively, but you were the only female so asking you. Their treatment of female customers is reprehensible and they're known for it. They've had lawsuits (I think minor settled out of court things) but an experience in B&H as a female customer is other worldly. They are a great option for cameras, electronics, etc, I cannot deny that, but on principle, HELL NO!!!
Hi KL J,
Can you demonstrate that you are a real person? Are you an Amazon FC employee? Thanks.
https://mashable.com/article/amazon-ambassadors-workers-union-fake-twitt...
No, live on the West Coast and haven't had any problems with online sexism. However, I did have a credit card problem that seems to have stemmed from a number theft by a BH employee. I much prefer Adorama.
Amazon doesnt guarentee like Ebay. I too have gotten missing things with no recourse. Thats why Jeff and his ex are the richest. I get a whole in the box and missing product every other month. NY to Atlanta USPS thieves. And Postal inspectors dum as rocks.
How do we know this isnt staged and these people are lying just trying to get their money back?
Google did basically the same thi g to me but secretly in the middle of the nigjt they took 199.99 off my card for some subscription that i did not authorize google STOLE FROM ME
Funny so many people think everyone should think like they do. I'm a SBO in a rural community and I will always buy local despite the price as long as the service is decent. However, you cant buy most high end items here...or specialized items for that matter. I dont like linning Bezos pockets but often he can get me what I want quickly and with a reasonable price so I use it. A similar situation happened to me with a pair of 2080ti's. One was as expected the other had an actual rock and spary can in it to simulate weight and shrink wrapped though poorly to boot. It took a couple of weeks for their fraud team to investigate, but they also shipped me a new item while I waited. Not all Amazon reps are the same, so if you dont get the response you expect try calling back. They track everything too so if you're a regular customer I think things will go easier for you that a once in a while customer or a customer who has an extremely high return rate. Amazon isn't always the cheapest but for the products they carry with the prime logo they are safer than most online retailers to shop with for a great many people that dont live close to metropolises. Service is actually the reason I use Amazon, this situation sounds like someone over reacted a bit and probably would have had the same experience or left a bad review if they didnt get their way right away online or in person. We are all just a little bit to spoiled when it comes to immediate gratification. FYI I reiterate my opinon is for Prime only, third party sellers on any site are risky and I have found eBay to be the best route for specialized items after careful review of the seller. There are other big name sellers like B&H that have great service too, but for one stop convenience, there is a reason Amazon is so popular.
WD-40 is flammable. Hoping that was reported to the carrier so they could take down the shipper.
@carlos In the US, Amazon is the BEST option for absolutely, positively ANYTHING. Prices are better than almost every other option in so many cases. If Amazon doesn't beat another price, it's virtually the same then. I recently was looking for a new kitchen faucet and found amazing prices on Amazon, but went to Home Depot to see some in person first. Home Depot prices were not only higher, they were, on average, 37% higher (in two cases HD was 62% higher) I am a bargain shopper, (ingrained from my mother.) I check, double check and sometimes triple check multiple options. Amazon has beat the furniture prices of Wayfair (by far) and even Ikea. The following items are just a short list of only recent stuff I got from Amazon after comparisons with other stores: wallpaper, faucet, bookcase, desk, laptop, DVD, framed print, curtains, duvet cover, sheets, mattress cover, (and there are at least 6 more but you get the picture) And last, if there is something you really like that's totally random and you've never seen anywhere, just put it in Amazon's search and chances are they've got it or something super similar (I love Edward Gorey and aside from calendars and books, never saw any Edward Gorey stuff. Now, I've got an Edward Gorey shower curtain!) Amazon is the most spectacular shopping option that has ever existed for me for a disproportionately high number of items. Sucks if it's different in Canada, but maybe you should try again for different items you might need? Maybe your experience will differ from your last
ok, thanks, Jeff.
Hi KL J,
Are you an Amazon FC employee? Can you demonstrate that you are a real person? Thanks.
https://mashable.com/article/amazon-ambassadors-workers-union-fake-twitt...
Ami me estafaron, con un filtro y me cerraron la cuenta intentaron quedarse con casi 800, e en cheques regalo, por 90 que valia el filtro que jamás recibi, me dejaron tirada, tenia el premium pagado hasta agosto, no me devolvieron el dinero me lo cerraron, y no pudo usar ni alexa ni nada y tampoco me admiten como clienta, no han contestado a ocu, y pasan de atención al consumidor pude recuperar el cheque regalo pero gastando a ellos de una rara manera me reabrian la cuenta por horas, y he perdido todas las garantias, de producto, una gran estafa, y jamas han cumplido los plazos premium porque vivo en una isla para materiar fogrograifo tiedas especializadas, tendrian que haber cerrado amazón, han destruido muchas tiendas y algunas de fotografia, los precios son más economicos al menos donde yo compro habitualmente, y el trato es especial, a parte que te dejan probar los productos en abazon lo pruebas los devuelves pero cuando llegas un limite tambien te cierran la cuenta le paso a un compañero mio y a multibles personas y ahora más estafadores, ahora no puedo usar Alexa, y todos los dispositivos de amazon ir con ojo mejor comprar google
¿eh?
Maybe the criminal will be caught. If Amazon reports the missing camera serial number to Sony then when the thief registers the camera they will be found out. Most likely the crook is not smart enough to not register the camera for the warranty.
I have a similar issue where Amazon is claiming I returned an empty box and refuse to give me a refund. I provided proof of weight and UPS is able to confirm (they have video footage) of me dropping it off in the original package and that it was weighed correctly and they still don't help. Any advice