Amazon (Non-US) - Retailer Thread [Multiple]

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Feel free to discuss any service, shipping and other matters related to the international (non-US) Amazon sites here. Share feedback, discuss packaging, etc.

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ORIGINALY reported by Buffalo MX

Hey guys! Wanted to share this with my fellow US & Canada members.

I suppose some of our European members can benefit from this as well.

I think this is very news worthy for all us steelbook collectors, so it deserves it's own thread for now.

I just got an order in from amazon.de and I was very surprised at the SIZE
of the box that appeared, just for 6 steelbooks. Well, it appears that for any
NEW release, that they haven't packaged up yet or a catalog release that might be on backorder (like my order of Judge Dredd was), they have a new box.

We all remember that the package had been improved recently to bubble wrap inside a foldover box. :movie:

Well, now there is a new box, frustration free packaging, SPECIFICALLY labeled for steelbooks / metal packaging.

Pics below of the box, before opening and then after I opened it.

Spoiler

 

[movieknight]

I have received a few of both the Warner wave and Fox Steelbook wave from Amazon.uk with tears in the plastic which is really maddening if I don't plan on opening them. Apart from that I have not had problems with dents or other damage with the Amazon.uk Steelbook orders/packaging. I am not sure that this happened in transit however. I notice that the plastic wrap is really thin.

 

[FanOfGaming]

Amazon UK shipped my Fox wave via UPS, causing me to get hit with a $40 customs fee

 

[The Rainmaker]

I have received a few of both the Warner wave and Fox Steelbook wave from Amazon.uk with tears in the plastic which is really maddening if I don't plan on opening them. Apart from that I have not had problems with dents or other damage with the Amazon.uk Steelbook orders/packaging. I am not sure that this happened in transit however. I notice that the plastic wrap is really thin.

Sorry to hear that mate. This must have happened in transit. I have a lot of experience ordering from Amazon and torn shrink wraps due to their poor packaging standards. I wonder who's the wise guy who designed this packaging. One has to be really dumb to even think of such packaging, let alone actually using it :eek:

 

[movieknight]

Amazon UK shipped my Fox wave via UPS, causing me to get hit with a $40 customs fee

Wow!

I have never received anything from them via UPS. I hope this is not a new trend.

 

[Hatross]

Received my second and third faulty Steelbook from Amazon in a week today. The Hobbit was chipped up the side and Scanners had a lovely dent in the left hand corner. Last week it was a nasty dent in the top of my copy of Firefly.

Their packaging seems to be fine on the whole, as I've had similar packages come from Amazon Germany with not a single flaw, but UK seems to be a never-ending run of returns. Getting real bored trekking to the Collect Plus point to send them back...

 

[The Rainmaker]

I think it's time Amazon had a separate shipping department for steelbooks where only the perfect steelbooks would be selected and packed using lots of bubble wrap/foam and packaged in a sturdy box and not the so called "Frustration Causing Packaging"

I think we'll have to start a movement against this injustice.

 

[megabee]

Amazon had something like you described some time before this frustration-mentioning packaging appeared.
Apparently they are in the game for the money, so it must be cheaper for them to use this frustration package and deal with returns.

 

[The Rainmaker]

Amazon had something like you described some time before this frustration-mentioning packaging appeared.
Apparently they are in the game for the money, so it must be cheaper for them to use this frustration package and deal with returns.

Yes they used those conventional methods till the beginning of last year. Maybe you are right as far as the cheaper part is concerned. But it's only the international buyers who suffer the most as the domestic buyers i.e. within EU or North America usually get their items delivered pretty intact most of the times maybe because of the carrier being the same or something related to distance or handling.

 

[snooloui]

Has anyone else had problems with Amazon.de recently? I ordered Warrior from them when it came back into stock. It arrived but with a small ding and a couple of paint. Issues I followed the return process but then realised that it was going to cost near 6 Euros to return it and Amazon would only refund 1.49 Euros. I've emailed them twice and haven't received a reply either time. What's going on?

 

[Carlos]

Has anyone else had problems with Amazon.de recently? I ordered Warrior from them when it came back into stock. It arrived but with a small ding and a couple of paint. Issues I followed the return process but then realised that it was going to cost near 6 Euros to return it and Amazon would only refund 1.49 Euros. I've emailed them twice and haven't received a reply either time. What's going on?

Why are they only refunding €1.49 ?

 

[The Rainmaker]

Has anyone else had problems with Amazon.de recently? I ordered Warrior from them when it came back into stock. It arrived but with a small ding and a couple of paint. Issues I followed the return process but then realised that it was going to cost near 6 Euros to return it and Amazon would only refund 1.49 Euros. I've emailed them twice and haven't received a reply either time. What's going on?

Speaking of late reply or no reply at all, I noticed a similar thing with Amazon.fr as well (I had contacted them twice already but they only replied when I wrote to them the third time, that too after 3 days).

As for the refund of EUR1.49, that shouldn't be a problem. If you write to them the third time mentioning your refund amount, you'll get it, that is if they reply of course .

Good Luck!

 

[Heche1981]

I assume this is the correct thread to post in, as I couldn't find a dedicated thread for Amazon.co.uk (although I found one for Amazon.co.jp)

Several things bother me about Amazon.co.uk - First of all, it annoys me that when searching for "SteelBook" on their site, their search results turn up a list of non-SteelBook releases. Clearly they're using the "SteelBook" keyword in multiple listings to improve sales. This has got to STOP, and the only results that should show up when searching for SteelBooks is SteelBooks!

Secondly, their listing titles for SteelBooks are not uniformal. They need to come up with a standard method of listing SteelBooks, and also specify whether a release is UK or import. They already do this for some releases, but others they state [Region free], which could mean a UK release or a German import etc.

Their eMail notification system often doesn't work, and when it does it tends to send eMails several days late, by which time certain CE's have sold out. I've had this happen to me three or four times, much to my frustration!

I also think they have a nerve to charge extra to receive pre-ordered items on release day. I can understand charging for expedited delivery on normal items to get them sooner, but when I pre-order a SteelBook months in advance the least I expect is for them to ship it early enough to reach me on release day! All other retailers manage it, so why can't Amazon.co.uk? Is it too much to ask for them to ship a day earlier?


Their packaging for SteelBooks is generally acceptable, and I like that they give you an option to ship multiple items together in one box if ordering several items released on the same day. This has been most helpful when ordering multiple SteelBooks together, and they even take the time to package each one up in their individual packaging. Can't really fault them on packaging (although it hasn't always been this way). It does seem odd that they like to screw up brown paper instead of using air pockets though

Their returns policy is also acceptable, and they are one of the mroe generous retailers when it comes to sorting out problems, unlike the palava that Zavvi put you through

 

[Slinchafi]

I searched the thread a bit, but couldn't find an exact answer to my question.

Today I received a dented steel from amazon.ca, and am just wondering what's the best way to go about resolving this. I don't really like the idea of sending back for a replacement because it's currently out of stock so the wait could be really long, plust the whole "pay now for shipping and we'll refund you" deal isn't really to my liking.

Do they ever do partial refunds and let you keep the steel? Is it better to go through the "return" option on the order page or just contact customer service directly?

 

[The Rainmaker]

I searched the thread a bit, but couldn't find an exact answer to my question.

Today I received a dented steel from amazon.ca, and am just wondering what's the best way to go about resolving this. I don't really like the idea of sending back for a replacement because it's currently out of stock so the wait could be really long, plust the whole "pay now for shipping and we'll refund you" deal isn't really to my liking.

Do they ever do partial refunds and let you keep the steel? Is it better to go through the "return" option on the order page or just contact customer service directly?

Yes, of course they do partial refunds. You just need to contact the customer service directly, tell them how your steel arrived dented due to bad packaging or whatever the reason, and that you wish to keep the steel, but you need a refund as a compensation for the damage done to your purchase.

That's what you need to tell them for a refund. And if you ask for a replacement and it's out of stock, they don't make you wait, they'll either ask you to return this and get a full refund or ask you keep it and give a full refund (Depending upon which Amazon site you're dealing with). And they are usually smart when doing partial refunds by offering a very meager percentage of your purchase amount. So, you may need to bargain by saying that the damage is worth more and that you need at least "this much" percentage to be compensated for the damage. They'll either agree if its reasonable or if you ask for too much, they'll give out the maximum they can. So, it's always better to ask for too much.

Well for me, I try to avoid them as much as possible. At least one steel in every order has to arrive damaged when ordering from Amazon due to their so called "Frustration Causing Packaging" or their insensitive packaging dumbheads.

There's a dedicated thread for that here which I started after Amazon gave me a lot of frustration:
https://www.hidefninja.com/community/threads/31810/

 

[Slinchafi]

Thanks, I actually contacted them via their customer service live chat and they gave me a full refund and said I can keep the steel.

I know there's a high percentage of damaged steelies from them, but just going by the sheer size of their product range it's not as bad as it could have been. And so far I've had nothing but superb experience with their customer service.

 

[The Rainmaker]

Thanks, I actually contacted them via their customer service live chat and they gave me a full refund and said I can keep the steel.

I know there's a high percentage of damaged steelies from them, but just going by the sheer size of their product range it's not as bad as it could have been. And so far I've had nothing but superb experience with their customer service.

Ah that's good mate!

But if their stock/warehouse managers & employees get the concept of handling products in a more "Human" way (Though I don't see it happening), things would be much better. Just because they have a huge product range doesn't mean that they'll throw the boxes here and there the way they do .

Moreover I'm of the belief that it's better if the companies send a perfect product in the first place (I'm OCD as far as steels go) than to get a damaged one every time and then dealing with their customer service which is good of course, but doesn't always help and is also a wastage of time e.g. when the steelbook is out of stock.

But hey I'm glad I could help and that you got a resolution to your liking. Cheers!

 

[Body Hauler]

Just wanted to share my recent experiences with Amazon UK. I placed 2 orders for 9 SB's about 2 1/2 months back/ First order of 4 had an approximate arrival date of April the 8th, the 2nd April the 22nd. Around the 20th I hadn't seen the first shipment yet so I got in contact and they said "oops, looks like it's lost we'll re-order that it will be there May 12th". April the 30th I send an inquiry about the 2nd order, "Oops looks like that is lost also. We'll send a re-order for your shipment also on May 12th."

May 13th my 2nd shipment shows up. Hooray. A week later my first re-order still hasn't arrived. I figure I'll wait a little longer and if I don't see anything I'll just get a refund. Go out to lunch come back to a massive box with my first re-order, finally.

I don't think I'll be placing anymore orders for a while with them. But on the bright side these are the first orders I've gotten from them with the new shipping containers so no damaged SB's.

 

[The Rainmaker]

Spoiler

Just wanted to share my recent experiences with Amazon UK. I placed 2 orders for 9 SB's about 2 1/2 months back/ First order of 4 had an approximate arrival date of April the 8th, the 2nd April the 22nd. Around the 20th I hadn't seen the first shipment yet so I got in contact and they said

"oops, looks like it's lost we'll re-order that it will be there May 12th". April the 30th I send an inquiry about the 2nd order, "Oops looks like that is lost also. We'll send a re-order for your shipment also on May 12th."

Spoiler

May 13th my 2nd shipment shows up. Hooray. A week later my first re-order still hasn't arrived. I figure I'll wait a little longer and if I don't see anything I'll just get a refund. Go out to lunch come back to a massive box with my first re-order, finally.

I don't think I'll be placing anymore orders for a while with them. But on the bright side these are the first orders I've gotten from them with the new shipping containers so no damaged SB's.

 

[Heche1981]

Once again, Amazon.co.uk have failed to send me an eMail notification - This time it's for the Oblivion SteelBook. There is something seriously messed up with their notificaion system, and they need to sort it out ASAP! What's the point in me signing up to receive an email notification whenever a title becomes available to pre-order, and them not bother to notify me? It's happened far too often for my liking!

Another thing I noticed is that they seem to be slow at getting these releases listed and live to pre-order, when other retailers (such as Zavvi) have had it up for several days. The same goes for the Evil Dead, The Place Beyond The Pines, all the Batman SteelBooks, and I'm sure many others!


When they do finally ship items, they usually do so the day before release, unless you've paid for expedited delivery to get it on release day! It's a surprise they're the world's largest and most popular online retailer with shocking service like this!

 

[Maccadinho25]

Just wanted to share my recent experiences with Amazon UK. I placed 2 orders for 9 SB's about 2 1/2 months back/ First order of 4 had an approximate arrival date of April the 8th, the 2nd April the 22nd. Around the 20th I hadn't seen the first shipment yet so I got in contact and they said "oops, looks like it's lost we'll re-order that it will be there May 12th". April the 30th I send an inquiry about the 2nd order, "Oops looks like that is lost also. We'll send a re-order for your shipment also on May 12th."

May 13th my 2nd shipment shows up. Hooray. A week later my first re-order still hasn't arrived. I figure I'll wait a little longer and if I don't see anything I'll just get a refund. Go out to lunch come back to a massive box with my first re-order, finally.

I don't think I'll be placing anymore orders for a while with them. But on the bright side these are the first orders I've gotten from them with the new shipping containers so no damaged SB's.

So things went missing after dispatch which is more than likely Royal Mails error, they rectified this for you yet you wont use them again for a while? :/

Once again, Amazon.co.uk have failed to send me an eMail notification - This time it's for the Oblivion SteelBook. There is something seriously messed up with their notificaion system, and they need to sort it out ASAP! What's the point in me signing up to receive an email notification whenever a title becomes available to pre-order, and them not bother to notify me? It's happened far too often for my liking!

Another thing I noticed is that they seem to be slow at getting these releases listed and live to pre-order, when other retailers (such as Zavvi) have had it up for several days. The same goes for the Evil Dead, The Place Beyond The Pines, all the Batman SteelBooks, and I'm sure many others!


When they do finally ship items, they usually do so the day before release, unless you've paid for expedited delivery to get it on release day! It's a surprise they're the world's largest and most popular online retailer with shocking service like this!

While their notification system isnt great, Zavvi dont have a proper one at all and when people visit here most days you really wont miss much. To state that its "shocking" service because they take a bit longer to list items and because they dont post early is a bit of an over reaction. Zavvi listed Evil Dead and Place Beyond The Pines early but where are they now? All listings have been pulled so maybe Amazon had a reason? And does it really matter if it takes a few days more to list an item? Zavvi put early listings up at extortionate prices and Amazon often beat them on price anyway so yes you wait a whole day or two longer for an item but at least if something goes wrong you have excellent customer services to deal with, probably a reason why theyre one of the biggest companies in the world...