VERY disappointing, but FINALLY fixed
by travelmess - Written: Sep 23 '06 (Updated Oct 06 '06)
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| Full Review |
Please read the entire review to understand what happened. It's in 3 parts: my original posting, an update 4 days later, and a couple of days after that.
ORIGINAL POSTING (reader's digest version): I was disappointed recently. A new camera was announced in February saying it would be available in the US in September. Pricing came in July, though the manufacturer didn't post it on its own website until September 1st.
But Amazon posted "waiting list" in July, with msrp pricing. I put my name down August 3rd. At the time Amazon expected delivery early September with shipping September 19th. Sounded fine.
September 1 Amazon said the item was "on hand and would ship soon". On the 19th they said their "vendor" wasn't shipping and they were looking for another vendor but still hoping to ship on time. On the 20th, they said it might not ship til October with a possible early November delivery!!!
I emailed them. Amazon apologized, said the item was in short supply and their vendor, an east coast camera store with their OWN on-line sales, let them down. They offered me a $5 coupon on my next Amazon purchase for my trouble.
I canceled the order with some anger. I also discovered their "vendor" was offering the camera for immediate shipping for about $230 LESS than Amazon.
My lessons? Amazon doesn't always say who their vendor is, may take a sizeable markup, and the the 3rd party vendors may service their own clients first to keep more of the profit for themselves, which means that Amazon may not be selecting the best vendors. So beware.
FIRST UPDATE: 4 days later: Amazon has the item marked DOWN 18% ($275 UNDER MSRP) and DISCLOSES the name of the on-line store that is selling the item to them. Maybe they learned we're entitled to know who they use.
A FEW DAYS LATER. I took a chance. I REORDERED through Amazon. It was confirmed same day, shipped that night (2 am) and in my hands the following afternoon. WOW. I guess when you choose a good 3rd party vendor, things go well.
FINAL LESSON: If you see something on Amazon, ask WHO their vendor is -- it may be their own competition.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? New camera on a waiting list
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