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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Amazon France for 2. Sélectionnez un problème select the Contact Us in English option from the dropdown list.
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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

 

[stephen3001]

Just had a better than expected outcome from Amazon.de.

Only noticed today that my copy of Despicable Me from Amazon.de had a very faint paint scratch on the cover.

I’m OCD and like my steels to be as perfect as possible. So I decided to ask for a replacement. A response came through within the hour. Because I had bought from a 3rd party seller they can't offer a replacement. As an alternative, they said I could keep the steelbook and they will process a full refund.

So for an imperfection that can only really be seen by OCD collectors like myself, with the sight beyond sight of the Eye of Thundera, I got a free steelbook. Very pleased.

 

[Marina Blue]

I recently received three steels from Amazon.de. My order was 80+ Euros. They were stuck in a thin single ply cardboard wrap, tightly wrapped, absolutely no packing, and mashed.

I contacted them online, they told me they'd send out the three replacements and I had to send the three back at my expense and to use the cheapest shipping method and they might pay me back. They rightfully wanted me to send them back in the original shipping material, so they could see it.

I waited to receive the replacements.

Amazon.de shipped the replacements the same identical manner.

Two of the three were mashed.

I shipped the five back each set in their original packaging. Taped together and put in a USPS International Express Packet with the customs forms, attached.

The only way I could get tracking and a signature was to send them USPS International Express, it cost me $61.85. The only other way was I could send them regular International mail, $42+, no tracking, no signature.

I can't believe these idiots!

 

[b773]

All my orders from Amazon UK have arrived unblemished so far, including the only steelbook I've ordered so far. I've two steels on the way and hope they arrive in good condition. I'll post pics when they arrive. So far my experience with Amazon CA, US and UK have all been great. I've also a pre-order with Amazon DE (1st one ever). We'll see how that arrives!

 

[The Rainmaker]

I recently received three steels from Amazon.de. My order was 80+ Euros. They were stuck in a thin single ply cardboard wrap, tightly wrapped, absolutely no packing, and mashed.

I contacted them online, they told me they'd send out the three replacements and I had to send the three back at my expense and to use the cheapest shipping method and they might pay me back. They rightfully wanted me to send them back in the original shipping material, so they could see it.

I waited to receive the replacements.

Amazon.de shipped the replacements the same identical manner.

Two of the three were mashed.

I shipped the five back each set in their original packaging. Taped together and put in a USPS International Express Packet with the customs forms, attached.

The only way I could get tracking and a signature was to send them USPS International Express, it cost me $61.85. The only other way was I could send them regular International mail, $42+, no tracking, no signature.

I can't believe these idiots!

I've been having a similar experience with all Amazon sites especially with their new ways of packaging. Due to this, I had also started a thread where members could vote for the better packaging by Amazon.

Even if you read my previous comments, you'll know how buying from Amazon is not worth it and why it's better to buy from other sites because you end up paying more with Amazon. Because no matter what happens, you will have to return at least one steelbook in every order because at least one WILL be damaged

SCREW YOU SHITAZON :shoot:

 

[Kuzco]

Personnaly I always had great packagings with all european Amazons including DE, FR, UK, IT and ES. Systematicaly horrible experiences with both amazons CA & US, the worst imo...
By the way I didn't test amazon JP cos I prefer HMV JP

 

[The Rainmaker]

I believe you live in Europe. That is why all European Amazon deliveries are fine just like my domestic online stores deliver mint steelbooks even with no padding at all. But when it comes to international delivery, just like you had yours from Amazon CA & US, things change and a lot of factors (distance, carriers, etc.) come into play. Their packaging does more harm than good in that case

 

[b773]

Received my two steels from Amazon UK today and they were packed in individual frustration-free packaging inside a larger box. Both in mint condition. And they arrived within a week of shipping (destination Canada)! So far I've had an excellent experience with Amazon UK. Let me know if you want pics.

 

[wildstang0302]

I am now officially done with amazon.uk 5/5 of the steelbooks ive ordered from them have been damaged They continue to send me steelbooks in paper thin bags! Atleast they have great customer service tho i guess.
Ill pay a lil bit more from "another retailer" and get a foam/box shipped steel.

 

[Real Steel]

Does anyone have this issue? I just tried placing an order on Amazon.fr for 11 items. The shipping charge €22,81 is correct. But now from nowhere appears this "Livraison" charge of €205,30! I tried on both mobile and PC sites and got the same thing.

Holy cow. I'm never gonna be able to order anything with this charge.

 

[The Rainmaker]

Does anyone have this issue? I just tried placing an order on Amazon.fr for 11 items. The shipping charge €22,81 is correct. But now from nowhere appears this "Livraison" charge of €205,30! I tried on both mobile and PC sites and got the same thing.

Spoiler

Holy cow. I'm never gonna be able to order anything with this charge.

This should not happen unless one of your 11 items is a washing machine

Maybe you can write to the customer support and let them know about this issue

 

[Real Steel]

Yes, I wrote them. But typical of Amazon.fr, they will take a few days to investigate before I know the answer, ie if they can find the answer.

Strange is I just placed an order last week and there wasn't this issue. Nothing in my order weighs more than a blu-ray Steelbook.

---------- Post added at 04:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:40 PM ----------

Apparently "Livraison" is the shipping charge and that should be €22,81 based on the published shipping rates. But it appears now as an "import tax" ("Acompte Frais d'Import"). And the shipping charge becomes €205,30. In the first place, there should not be any import tax at all. Something is very screwed up at Amazon.fr.

 

[The Rainmaker]

Yes, I wrote them. But typical of Amazon.fr, they will take a few days to investigate before I know the answer, ie if they can find the answer.

Strange is I just placed an order last week and there wasn't this issue. Nothing in my order weighs more than a blu-ray Steelbook.

Maybe till last week they were using the usual postal services that they've been using till now.

Apparently "Livraison" is the shipping charge and that should be €22,81 based on the published shipping rates. But it appears now as an "import tax" ("Acompte Frais d'Import"). And the shipping charge becomes €205,30. In the first place, there should not be any import tax at all. Something is very screwed up at Amazon.fr.

I faced a similar issue with Amazon US since the time they have started using Aramex couriers. My guess is soon all the Amazon sites will start using such private couriers. What they do is calculate import fees deposit on the basis of the country without realizing that every country has some exceptions as well. Like in my country import upto $200 is free if the box is marked as gift which I always do.

But in spite of that these people at Amz US charge me that amount and when asked, they say I will have to wait for 60 days before they can refund the amount that too if it wasn't charged.

Ok now this is the limit: Earlier as per the customs rules here, no duty was levied on my boxes, but now via Aramex, there's always some duty levied even on the gift boxes, thanks to Amazon's new policies . So, I don't get my money back

The earlier packaging, policies and stuff was no good either but now what these people are doing is even worse. Maybe this marks the downfall of Amazon - Man I'm gonna be so happy to witness it

 

[Real Steel]

^ but I've checked the shipping rates on Amazon.fr and there have been no changes. They are still the same rates all this time.

 

[The Rainmaker]

The rates remain the same rather for some items are even cheaper because they have a contract of bulk orders with such private companies. It's the import fees deposit that robs you and is frustrating.

That is why instead of paying a high price on Amazon, I pay the same amount on eBay or other alternative sites and get much better packaging, flawless steelbooks packaged in bubble wrap and a box .

The added benefit - Better health because my steels are not packaged in those Amazon Frustration-Inducing Boxes

 

[Real Steel]

The thing is up to last week, my order of blu-ray steelbooks and movies would show something similar to this:

Articles : 128,58 €
Livraison : 22,81 €

There was never import duty for my past 6 or more orders from Amazon.fr. And nothing in my country has changed. But now it is showing this when I check out:

Articles : 128,58 €
Livraison : 205,30 €
Acompte Frais d'Import 22,81 €

It makes no sense the delivery fee for 11 blu-ray movies to jump to 205,30 €. I think there is a programming screw-up and I'm waiting for Amazon to let me know what the problem is.

Just wonder if anyone here had the same problem.

 

[The Rainmaker]

Hey mate, I think I figured the problem. I tried to simulate your order by putting 11 steels in my cart and proceeded to checkout. Now here's a catch. There are 3 shipping options and 2 order delivery options available. They often tend to confuse the customer.

To have the cheapest possible order cost, you have to select the 1st option under both the heads. I did so and guess what there's no import fees deposit and a cheap shipping. The import deposit only shows for the 2nd and 3rd option, maybe because they are sent via some private courier service. Here's the screenshot comparing the order costs with different option selected.

You see how the first one is so cheap and only has a cheap shipping cost of EUR28.50 while the second one has an expensive shipping plus import fees as well:

 

[Real Steel]

Buddy, thanks so much for your help, but for my delivery I have only these 2 options and I have already chosen the top 2:

Choisissez le mode de livraison :
Amazon Global Prioritaire (7-14 jours ouvrés)
AmazonGlobal Eclair (2-4 jours ouvrés)

Choisissez les conditions de livraison :
Envoyer les articles en un minimum de colis
Envoyer chaque article dès qu'il est disponible. (avec frais supplémentaires)

Apparently, there is a new program that calculates the import duty for international shipping and pass this amount to the courier. But this is a screw-up. There is no import duty I have to pay and the shipping fees to the courier is pure robbery!

---------- Post added at 04:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:25 PM ----------

Hey buddy. Surprise! I found out what the problem was after playing around with the items in my cart.

Apparently everything is normal until I add this item to my cart:

http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B001HSO500/?tag=hidefnin0a-21

At time of order, this item was available and it was sold and shipped by Amazon, not any third party. But adding this item caused the shipping fee to jump to over 230 € plus an import tax.

After removing this item, I could put in an order of 16 blu-rays with the shipping fee at a normal 36 € and no import duty. It's weird. I don't know why the above single blu-ray item made so much difference.

 

[The Rainmaker]

That's really weird . But I'm glad you got a solution

After reading your message, even I tried simulating my order by adding this Blu-ray to my cart and guess what, it does change the whole selection. The cheapest shipping option is no longer available and there's an import fees charge in addition to an already expensive shipping amount

I think this particular item has some technical issue with the programming of the website.

Cheers

 

[Real Steel]

Couldn't imagine one little 12 EUR item can cause such havoc!

Thanks for helping out, buddy. Cheers too!

 

[Naughtius Maximus]

"We wanted to let you know that Amazon.co.uk has introduced a £10 minimum spend to qualify for Free Super Saver Delivery in a number of product categories, effective 23 July 2013."