Amazon Australia a Huge Disappointment?

LKiwiboy86 on 01/01/2018 - 14:26

It has now been almost a month since Amazon Australia was launched, a rather critical month given the bustling Christmas shopping period.

In my personal opinion, whether it be expensive prices, lack of a speedy delivery or even an underwhelming launch - Amazon Australia has been a disappointment. A simple search of popular Apple products or home TV's will display a bland selection on offer.

Does anyone else feel this way? What changes do we want to see Amazon Aus implement going into the future? Or are people satisfied with the way it is currently operating?

Poll Options

  • 73
    I am relatively disappointed by Amazon Aus thus far
  • 9
    I am satisfied with Amazon Aus
  • 141
    I am disappointed for now, but I think things will change for the better going forward
  • 16
    I am glad Amazon Aus was a disappointment, it will be better for our own retailers and the country
General Discussion

Related Stores

Amazon AU
Amazon AU
Marketplace

Comments

  • Axelstrife on 01/01/2018 - 14:32
    +6

    I’m more disappointed I still cannot order things like amazon echo or amazon fire stick fire tablet shit that’s amazon branded.

    • dimitryp on 02/01/2018 - 11:12

      They said they'd be launching the Echo here in Oz (requires software updates, its not just about shipping the unit) in early 2018, so i'd expect they'd start selling it then.
      I actually run 4 of them at my house but have to pretend my address is in the US. Has 80% or so compatibility but a bunch of country-specific features for AU dont work as yet.

  • FireRunner on 01/01/2018 - 14:46
    +9

    Theres was too much hype.
    I wasn't expecting anything so I'm not disappointed.

  • PJC on 01/01/2018 - 14:46
    +6

    So far, it has been such a non-event eBay stopped their promotional codes; PUNCH was supposed to run until 9th January.

    • entropysbane on 01/01/2018 - 15:25
      +3

      Exactly, eBay has worked out Amazon AU isn't a threat, and on that little real world test alone it is disappointment.

    • Apple96 on 01/01/2018 - 18:15
      +1

      I thought so, wondering why it got pulled. :(

  • BlazinPast on 01/01/2018 - 14:49
    +2

    How come there's no option for disappointed with Amazon and don't think it will get better? That's the way I feel about it.

    • tinyorca on 02/01/2018 - 15:48

      I'd go with the first option then - you can't actually see the future.

      • BlazinPast on 02/01/2018 - 16:53

        It's a contrast to the third option. You can't tell the future in that one too

  • Clear on 01/01/2018 - 14:59

    Once their FBA is completely up and running you should expect some real deals. For now most sellers have to ship products themselves.

    • Third_Gear on 01/01/2018 - 22:12

      Don't count on it. Online sellers like me have been doing our own thing for years and third party logistics is nothing new to us e-commerce peeps. Dealing with Amazon is a pain too… Amazon AU will do OK but they are five years too late.

      • Clear on 01/01/2018 - 22:22

        I suppose I'll find out that difficultly when our products reach Australia.

  • benderz on 01/01/2018 - 15:07
    +4

    It's 2018 and they are a global company. No excuses, the launch was the disappointment of the year.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/01/2018 - 15:10
    +1

    They're supposed to be employing 300 staff ,but it doesn't look that way

  • Xiaomi on 01/01/2018 - 15:19
    +17

    This thread does not do take into account important element to determine if Amazon AU is a disappointment or not. The party is just getting started.

    Things to consider:

    • They've just launched, they are currently using this time for PR and to build mental mind-maps that Amazon AU is now an option.

    • Retailers are still adjusting to the Amazon system which is somewhat complex for large retailers. Hence, it is yet to go full-scale.

    • New sellers can 'Register' their interests but cannot sell. Once those doors are open, is when the real competition starts.

    • Amazon are still sorting out their automatic fulfilment systems to cater for the above point (sellers).

    • Amazon are still sorting out their delivery logistics, both Amazon and Australia Post are using this 'low key' time to finish some much needed infrastructure before the Fulfilment Centre and the everyday small business sellers opt-in

    Currently Amazon is as much of a disappointment as Bitcoin was in 2009. Anyone who invested in Bitcoin in 2009, wouldn't be saying the same right now. Would they?

    • Kiwiboy86 on 01/01/2018 - 15:27

      Thank you for explaining the reasoning behind their lack of momentum. Hopefully as mentioned, it follows the bitcoin trend and takes off!

    • TheBilly on 01/01/2018 - 15:28
      +2

      They've just launched, they are currently using this time for PR and to build mental mind-maps that Amazon AU is now an option.

      By being crap. Good logic right there !

    • TheBilly on 01/01/2018 - 15:30
      +1

      Bitcoin was in 2009

      Bitcoin took off because of simple supply and demand. Its level of dissappointment is the same as it's always been. Unfortunately amazon is not doing anything that isnt already done by others. Its like when Costco launched, so shit. Amazon is going to maintain its crappyness.

      • Xiaomi on 01/01/2018 - 15:39
        +1

        Bitcoin took off because of features such as the lack of Government intervention, and anonymity that created the demand for supply.

        Similar features that have made Amazon popular such as Amazon Prime, and competitive pricing. Costco is a tough comparison considering they are not competing with similar brands, in the same warehouse, at the same time such as 10 sellers selling the same Logitech Keyboard on eBay or Gumtree.

        • TheBilly on 01/01/2018 - 15:42
          -1

          Not really no. By design Bitcoin always had "features" from day 1 if they were the reasons why it took off, then why did it not just take off from day 1 when it was released? - it really took off in 2017 purely due to limited supply and increased investment demand.

        • Xiaomi on 01/01/2018 - 15:56

          @TheBilly: Initially, Bitcoin was one of the first Crpytos. Secondly, the features are what made it attractive as Amazon Prime makes Amazon attractive over another supplier.

          Regardless, your comparing oranges to apples. How can you compare a business that just entered the market that is still scaling, still in the roll-out phase and yet it's shit in your opinion. I can guarentee you once they have finished the FBA, and allowed individual sellers to actively sell, pushing down prices you will be buying from Amazon. There is no doubt about it.

        • TheBilly on 01/01/2018 - 16:51

          @XioamiGuy:

          Im not comparing apples to oranges, you are. Read your original post again, I simply added to and highlighted your flawed view.

        • Xiaomi on 01/01/2018 - 17:27

          @TheBilly: Amazon's using the logic of being crap. Solid point there, you're a genius.

        • TheBilly on 01/01/2018 - 19:00
          +1

          @XioamiGuy:

          No they're not, they are just crap. They tried, but they are still crap. Im not the one justifying their poor effort by saying, "oh they are purposely doing this for PR and research and market position blah blah blah".

    • saweeet on 01/01/2018 - 22:16

      This guy is on point.

    • Almighty Dollar on 02/01/2018 - 08:12

      I'm surprised that I haven't read this before, but one way for a retailer to throttle demand whilst they are still bedding down their processes is to keep prices high. The bad experiences that you guys report indicate that there are problems, lending weight to this theory.

      Give them a bit of time and I think they will be a lot more competitive.

    • ColonialBoy on 02/01/2018 - 10:55

      I'll wait 6 months & see how they are going.

      One of the disappointments is buying pants. In Amazon US, I can choose waist & leg length on some items. It important for me, otherwise I would have to get the clothing altered. No such option in Australia.

      I think we were expecting the full range of merchandise & low prices. This seems impossible in Australia. I've been to Walmart & some things there are ridiculously cheap.

  • nephilim on 01/01/2018 - 15:40
    +3

    I think the issue was dud management, they barely sell any popular products, did they hire some of the duds who drove David Jones or Target into the ground?
    Always is a issue when a company starts a bunch overseas, only as good as the people.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/01/2018 - 08:59

      I have to agree, it is incompetent management who can't even get their basics right.

  • airly on 01/01/2018 - 15:45

    Give it another year or two, pretty sure it will bring us more bargain in a long run.

  • tassieeagle on 01/01/2018 - 16:29

    I've received 2 bargains so far from there so I'm happy. I would say so far their everyday prices have been lacklustre but what lightning deals I've seen have been great. Hopefully we will see more lightning deals more often in the future.

  • tassieeagle on 01/01/2018 - 16:36
    -1

    I must say their shipping speed has been great to me in tassie, much faster than ebay.

  • burningrage on 01/01/2018 - 17:48
    +1

    I bought a NES mini classic where none was available elsewhere. According to EBGames, they were unavailable nationwide.

    But Amazon had stock and I bought them on 26 Dec, needing the stock to arrive before new year. It did, on the 28th.

    I think this is impressive. What is even more impressive was that they used Star Track for the courier. If I were to buy from elsewhere, Star Track would deliver really crappy (like delayed delivery or missing the target).

    So I don't know how AMazon did it with Star Track but I've got to say, their delivery is impressive.

    For that reason and the fact they still sell the product available when nowhere else available, I am pretty satisfied with Amazon. Yes, I didn't get a discount but AMEX had a 10% discount deal so I won in the end… still.

  • onetwothreefour on 01/01/2018 - 18:11
    +2

    Where's the option for not even checking it out yet?

    • Sage on 01/01/2018 - 18:38

      Well their site is indirectly affiliated with Ozbargain. You'd know if it was a great success because there'd be several front page deals from the launch.

  • BargainCowboy on 01/01/2018 - 19:15

    Where's the option "I am disappointed for now, and I don't think things will change for the better going forward"

  • dennisc on 02/01/2018 - 08:50
    +1

    Amazon US is often cheaper than eBay, even with delivery fees. Pay with 28 Degree Mastercard to avoid currency conversion penalty and be confident in delivery time.

  • Sigiriya on 02/01/2018 - 09:39
    -1

    Bought the PS4 on lighting deal and paid extra it to be delivered on last Friday. No package yet and made a complaint to Amazon and what they did was just refunded the extra $5.99 I paid for express delivery. I was expecting at least some sort of compensation other than just a refund of what I paid. I don't think the problem is with Auspost as it took long to dispatch from fulfilment as per tracking. Very disappointing service.

  • dp1 on 02/01/2018 - 10:42
    +1

    Anecdotes aren't data, but..
    5 years ago I was in Paris, it was around a week before Christmas. My child was almost 2 and within a few hours of arrival we realised we had made a huge mistake not bringing a pram with us.
    In the hotel I that night I went on to amazon UK and bought a £50 stroller and arranged for it to be delivered to my sister in law in Scotland where we were going to next (rural town on the west coast, not major metropolitan area).
    The next morning we flew to the UK and amazon's delivery arrived at the same time as we did.
    Delivery was free because it was over £25, and the speed was in spite of Christmas.
    Do you think Amazon AU doesn't have the capacity to be just as awesome in a couple of years time?

  • jm48 on 02/01/2018 - 13:20

    They probably want to get admin and IT software running smoothly and get all the bugs out,
    with a low key launch and no specials.
    Sign of a mature company.
    It would have been a PR disaster to have a big flashy launch, then have a software crash from too many buyers.

  • Ryxxi on 02/01/2018 - 19:52

    Got a ps4 pro anmd BOTW for killer price..so no complains.

  • spy on 05/01/2018 - 00:24
    +2

    Nappies and wipes cancelled. Not charmed at all.

    • Humblefolk on 05/01/2018 - 12:27
      +2

      Same, felt like first genuine bargain and then snapped, bargain cancelled.
      $20 gift code does not make up for the bad taste left in customers mouths.

      • spy on 05/01/2018 - 16:46
        +1

        I really expected them to honour it even if it was an error, as a good will gesture to earn custom and loyalty. But obviously not…

  • cloudy on 08/01/2018 - 18:15

    I'm disappointed by their website, so my nappy wipes were cancelled along with everyone else's, fine. But the other part of my order, was nappy balm, says it will be delivered on time, expected to be deliver 8th jan, today, with green status and all, but it's already 6.15 pm and it also says not yet shipped.

    So I wonder when it will change to being delayed? Given its not even shipped yet, it should have changed status and informed me maybe a day ago, since it was never ever gonna be delivered on time once it past COB yesterday. Such simple steps in website user interface for something so obvious, yet these guys are supposed to be killers in retail.

  • inherentchoice on 12/01/2018 - 10:24

    Is there a wish list feature? I can't figure out how to add items to a wish/wanted/favourites list.

    • iwik on 12/01/2018 - 20:48
      +1

      There doesn't seem to be a wishlist.
      Best I could find is once you add an item to cart and you can "save for later".

      • inherentchoice on 12/01/2018 - 22:21

        Wow. I wonder why there's no wish list when pretty much EVERY shopping site has a wish list feature.

  • twww on 14/01/2018 - 05:44
    +1

    Another unhappy customer whose nappy order was cancelled. Dick move, Amazon! Won't be in a hurry to shop in your AU store.

    Wipe my baby's arse with your virtual $20 voucher!

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