Amazon.com.au – $40 price drop after ordering

Lnith265 on 26/11/2018 - 12:09
Last edited 26/11/2018 - 23:03

I ordered an expensive $170 (free shipping) set of Hard Cover books from amazon.com.au over 2 weeks ago. It was an international product sent I assume from USA

Yesterday when tracking the delivery I saw the price had dropped to $120 (plus $10 shipping) so a net $40 difference.

Has any one tried to claim back the price difference from amazon.com.au? I cant find any specific price guarantee policy but I guess I could return it and still be at least $20 in front after paying for return postage. Would they just rationalise it and refund me the price difference or will I have to go through the full return process?

Not sure if I can risk sending it back for a refund as it’s a Christmas present and based on the current delivery times I wont get a new one in time - unless of course they send my return straight back to me!

Has anyone else been in this situation? Any observations or advice?

UPDATE:
Nope - it was from a 3rd party seller so Amazon customer service were really helpful but could only offer to make a full cancelation and refund so i could order again at lower price. Given the refund and new order would take a few weeks to arrive I just left it.

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Comments

sheamas88 on 26/11/2018 - 12:18

+19

What did Amazon say when you asked them?
- Ughhh on 26/11/2018 - 12:33
  
  +18
  
  They said to ask randoms on the internet first, randoms who don't have a say in the final decision.
  - nith265 on 27/11/2018 - 12:36
    
    +1
    
    Why even bother responding guys?
    
    There are heaps of subtle differences between online retailers, their return and price match policies, and how responsive they are. Ozbargain is a great platform for sharing experiences with these retailers and for helping others who might not have dealt with them before. You don’t have anything for me - that’s cool - save your energy for a post where you can help
    
    This was my first purchase from Amazon in 5 years, first from Amazon AU. Sure I could have gone in blind but I tried asking the community first which gave me a little more info and context that helped me understand Amazon’s response a lot better.
    
    As @scrimshaw helpfully highlighted below a big issue I wasn’t initially aware of is the book came from a 3rd party. It’s almost as if Amazon aren’t involved at all after purchase – customer service was really helpful but all they would offer to do was to put me in contact with the 3rd party seller.
    - Ughhh on 27/11/2018 - 14:33
      
      +1
      
      There are heaps of subtle differences between online retailers, their return and price match policies, and how responsive they are
      
      Exactly, because of this, just because it worked for one, doesn't mean it'll work for you and vice versa (unless there's a written policy). What do you have to lose by just asking the company first? You'll have to ask eventually anyway, so why not do that first, cut out all this guessing from unreliable randoms? It's not like Amazon is going to stone you for asking.
      
      that helped me understand Amazon’s response a lot better.
      
      You hadn't even contacted them yet, so what response?
      
      This thread isn't really that helpful either, its not like you were put through hoops. All you had to do was contact Amazon CS. The next person will still have to ask Amazon (or whatever business) first.
      - nith265 on 27/11/2018 - 23:25
        
        @Ughhh: Can't agree I'm sorry:
        
        …just because it worked for one, doesn't mean it'll work for you…
        
        Well the responses matched what Amazon said to me with the additional bonus of me understanding before contacting them that I sort of don't have a deal with Amazon it seems
        
        You hadn't even contacted them yet, so what response?
        
        You evidently haven’t bothered reading my other comments or the update to the post
        
        This thread isn't really that helpful either,…
        
        It helped me, I started it, so by that measure it's massively helpful. I've done a few returns and disputes on eBay and Aliexpress - there are a few rookie mistakes that can easily be made. Never done it on Amazon so I thought I'd ask here first - simple. Sorry if my question fell below your quality standards
        
        Ughhh on 28/11/2018 - 00:11
        
        @nith265:
        
        You evidently haven’t bothered reading my other comments or the update to the post
        
        Look at the time you started the thread, then look at the time on the comments you replied to ie. Me and sheamas88, then look at the time you updated and made comments.
        
        Can't time travel into the future dude
        
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/420281#comment-6644870
        
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/420281#comment-6644978
        
        Perhaps there is a market for services like this
        
        nith265 on 28/11/2018 - 08:05
        
        @Ughhh:
        
        Look at the time you started the thread, then look at the time on the comments you replied to…
        
        ???.. I responded to helpful comments first, contacted Amazon, added update to post, then later commented questioning your valueless contribution.
        
        I love how you’re investing more effort defending your smart arse comment than it would have taken to actually offer some info on something you seem to have some experience with
        
        Anyhow I’m sure I’m keeping you from making sarcastic comments elsewhere so don’t want to keep you
        
        Ughhh on 28/11/2018 - 10:40
        
        @nith265: I'm sorry you have trouble understanding.
        
        Hope you've gained the confidence to make first contact with business' through this experience. Cause I have experience in this.
        
        Otherwise, I'll beat this guys services and offer it for only $5!!! :D
        
        nith265 on 28/11/2018 - 11:01
        
        +1
        
        @Ughhh: I suppose I have to admit I’m wrong, lazy, cant understand and lack confidence…
        
        Apologies, it’s not like I made a post asking about getting a Partial Refund on eBay when Coupon is Used
        
        What did eBay support tell you when you asked them or did they instruct you to:
        
        …ask randoms on the internet first, randoms who don't have a say in the final decision.
        
        Ughhh on 28/11/2018 - 11:23
        
        @nith265: Haha wow you're really invested in this. I remember that, I did contact ebay first, but the CS had trouble understanding the question. Got an extra $2.50 back because of their confusion in the first contact.
        
        nith265 on 28/11/2018 - 11:45
        
        @Ughhh: Looks like you, just like me got some useful info from the "unreliable randoms" on OzB
        
        Unfortunately you also neglected to update your post with the outcome. To make it "helpful" and to prevent others going through the "hoops" you had to endure maybe consider it.
        
        You also got lucky not having any pointless comments questioning the validity of your highly complex and massively important query over $2.50. I had the nerve to try and see if i could get back about $40
        
        Ughhh on 28/11/2018 - 12:09
        
        @nith265: There were no hoops on eBay's side…
        It was just to confirm my understanding VS eBay's CS.
        
        I contacted ebay first. You just went straight to forums.
        
        I had the nerve to try and see if i could get back about $40
        
        I never said or implied anything like that. Please don't put words in my mouth or confuse me with other users.
        
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/420281#comment-6644870
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/420281#comment-6644883
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/420281#comment-6644941
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/420281#comment-6645253
        
        nith265 on 28/11/2018 - 12:41
        
        @Ughhh:
        
        It was just to confirm my understanding VS eBay's CS.
        
        To refer back to your initial comment here why even bother? They’re just “randoms who don't have a say in the final decision.” Then again maybe you were hoping for some insight from someone who’s done it before and could explain and save you a bit of time…(sound familiar)
        
        I had no experience dealing with Amazon or their CS previously so I asked here first and learnt the (now obvious) info about the 3rd party sellers that saved me time and confusion during the chat session.
        
        I can even appreciate your point of view but it seems from one of your earlier comments you were responding with the assumption I understood about Amazon 3rd party sellers - I didnt and @scrimshaw and @jimbobaus seemed to understand where I was coming from and put me on the right track
        
        Ughhh on 28/11/2018 - 13:11
        
        @nith265: Your situation is basically a change of mind, not a systematic/technical error, nothing system related, no price guarantee policy that can be argued with and no rights violated. Nothing complicated related to any policy or laws. It all depends if the seller wants to be nice or not, hence why we're just randoms who dont have a say.
        
        It doesn't matter whether its 3rd party or not, you have the right to ask, and they have the right to say yes or no. Difference is one may have a high chance. You enquiry to the seller isn't unreasonable/illegal/offensive, if you just wrote what you wrote in the thread to the seller, you would've save so much time. If they said no, then maybe you need advice to find a loophole or something, but that hadn't even occurred yet.
        
        nith265 on 28/11/2018 - 13:30
        
        @Ughhh: All of this is from your perspective where the workings of Amazon apparently are clear to you - I had literally no experience and a vague understanding of 3rd party sellers.
        
        As I suggested initially, I had hoped that Amazon might have had a defacto price guarantee that I could trigger if I asked CS the right questions or show them I was serious about the refurn/refund. OzB in littered with simliar tips & tricks that can help sway refunds/price matches/price guarantees on other sites - pretty much all I was asking.
        
        you would've save so much time
        
        From my perspective I did save time since and entered the chat session not feeling informed and not as if I was missing something.
        
        The only time I've wasted is hassling you!
        
        Ughhh on 28/11/2018 - 14:07
        
        @nith265:
        
        All of this is from your perspective where the workings of Amazon apparently are clear to you
        
        No, I've bought less than 5 transactions with Amazon my whole life, never had to contact Amazon CS. My perspective is with any business, online or bricks store. Whether I got over-changed at Maccas, price drop from a ebay seller, pricematching etc, I ask the business first and give them a chance to respond. The trick is to be polite and not sound entitled, especially when it's something not legally required by the seller.
        
        So all you needed to know going into to chat with CS was that if its sold by Amazon, they might refund, if 3rd Party, they might not, tough luck..?
        
        UPDATE:
        Nope - it was from a 3rd party seller so Amazon customer service were really helpful but could only offer to make a full cancelation and refund so i could order again at lower price. Given the refund and new order would take a few weeks to arrive I just left it.
        
        You got the refund because you asked Amazon, not because of this thread that gave an advice about cancelling.
        
        nith265 on 28/11/2018 - 15:13
        
        @Ughhh:
        
        No, I've bought less than 5 transactions with Amazon my whole life, never had to contact Amazon CS
        
        If that's the case then back to my original query - why even bother responding to the thread? Literally please read my questions in the post (they're the ones with a ? at the end).
        
        Others responded with info - you with sarcasm.
        
        Also, thanks for letting us know how you do things in your last comment - it was insightful. There were some excellent, shrewd - some would say cunning approaches there.
        
        Picking up on your lead, next time I see any query on OzB I’ll jump right in ask them “what did customer service say?” even if I’ve got no other info or experience with the company involved. It will give the OP an option they would never has thought of and let me feel all smug about putting them in their place for having the nerve to ask
        
        Ughhh on 28/11/2018 - 17:51
        
        @nith265: Because
        
        Free speech
        
        The forums allows humour
        
        You don't need to have a phd in shopping to know to contact the business when you have an issue. Even Accc/fair trade won't help you unless you have attempted contact.
        
        You don't own this thread like it's your home.
        
        If you want to control what people say in your threads? Go make your own website.
        
        Picking up on your lead, next time I see any query on OzB I’ll jump right in ask them “what did customer service say?” even if I’ve got no other info or experience with the company involved.
        
        You're treating the case like if you need extensive experience, study and appropriate qualification to solve your issue lol. Common sense not so common these days huh.
        
        You're obviously triggered. Go sleep.
        
        nith265 on 29/11/2018 - 10:26
        
        @Ughhh:
        
        If you want to control what people say in your threads?…
        
        I’m not trying to control this thread - I’m enjoying calling you out for your initial smart arse, pointless comment. Now you’re doubling down trying to prove how much amazing insight you were actually offering.
        
        ask randoms on the internet first, randoms who don't have a say in the final decision.
        
        There is barely a single comment on this entire site that you couldn’t respond to with that. Asking randoms on the internet is pretty much what OzB forums are about. Over the years the same randoms have probably saved me thousands.
        
        The context of this entire site is trying to save a few bucks and finding loopholes to exploit and maximise savings. I explained clearly where I was at and was trying to arm myself with info before speaking to CS and looking to get money back.
        
        Your entire premise seems to be that Amazon were going to jump at the opportunity to give me a price difference refund. I knew going in they weren’t so I asked for advice. Sure the result was the same regardless of asking here but now I have confidence I haven’t missed a “loophole” through inexperience
        
        Common sense not so common these days
        
        Yep agree - I was well aware I could have just contacted Amazon first. You and @sheamas88 lacked the common sense to see that I was looking for more info first.
        
        You're obviously triggered.
        
        Sure – its fun! To think I was not going to bother responding to this comment thread at all. Instead I got a live one
        
        Ughhh on 29/11/2018 - 10:34
        
        @nith265:
        
        Your entire premise seems to be that Amazon were going to jump at the opportunity to give me a price difference refund.
        
        Nope, You seem to have trouble with comprehension.
        
        You and @sheamas88 lacked the common sense to see that I was looking for more info first
        
        You've seem to have missed the 18+ people who +voted our comment. So i guess that's 20+ people who lack the special common sense you were looking for ? You'd make a great comedian!
        
        Ozbargain is full of pointless comments, some of which make my day, well deserved 200+ +votes. Youre obviously new here then and haven't met JV.
        
        nith265 on 29/11/2018 - 11:10
        
        @Ughhh:
        
        ..missed the 18+ people who +voted our comment
        
        The earliest comments in any the thread will typically get the most upvotes. From reddit but same phenomenon happens here.
        Doesnt mean your insightful comment is wrong - the people have voted so you must be right - it's just any easy get.
        
        Why didn't commenters who actually bothered to read the post, understood where I was coming from and took the time to answer my question get negged?
scrimshaw on 26/11/2018 - 12:18

+7

If it's an Item sold by Amazon and fulfilled by them their customer service is pretty good, you can contact them and they might reimburse the difference. Emphasis on might.

If it's a 3rd party seller I'd imagine it'd be 'tough luck' situation.
- owli on 26/11/2018 - 12:31
  
  +2
  
  Also, if paid with CC check with them to see if they will cover the difference.
  - nith265 on 26/11/2018 - 22:34
    
    thanks - yeah looked into that but CBA doesnt count for online purchases
- nith265 on 26/11/2018 - 22:33
  
  Thanks for response - and yep you're right about 3rd party seller and customer service.
  
  I'd never dealt with them before and customer service over chat was great.
  
  I tried calling their bluff by asking for the process for getting refund, and asking if they could please give 3rd party seller the option of say $25 refund instead of full cancelation and refund but made no difference. All they could offer was to try and cancel or to ask seller for the return address.
Godric on 26/11/2018 - 12:19

+1

Ask them?
boomramada on 26/11/2018 - 12:27

+6

I can ask them for you? but that will cost you $40.
jimbobaus on 26/11/2018 - 12:32

Amazon have been refunding difference for Fallout 76 as the RRP has dropped
As scrimshaw said above, they MIGHT refund the diff ONLY if it is sold by amazon, if its a third party its probably tough luck
- nith265 on 26/11/2018 - 22:37
  
  tough luck it was!
  
  I could still return, order again, and wait for original refund while it gets shipped back (assume to USA) but cant be stuffed
buckster on 26/11/2018 - 13:17

+1

Speak to them in chat, if you even offer a "faux complaint" they usually give you a $20 voucher or something even if they won't match the price for you.

This is all generally dependent on the item being sold by Amazon themselves and not third party.
Seraphin7 on 26/11/2018 - 14:41

I ordered an expensive $170 (free shipping) set of Hard Cover books from amazon.com.au over 2 weeks ago. It was an international product sent I assume from USA

Yesterday when tracking the delivery I saw the price had INCREASED to $200 (plus $10 shipping) so a net $40 difference.

Should I contact Amazon and pay the extra amount?
- [Deactivated] on 26/11/2018 - 15:33
  
  +4
  
  Yes
- render on 26/11/2018 - 17:37
  
  This happened to me - the Amazon.com.au price INCREASED in my Order History (even though I had email proof that the price was lower at the time of purchase).
  It was after purchase but before my credit card was charged - so not sure which price my card would have gone through.
  
  Chat resolved it immediately but seems dodgy
- nith265 on 26/11/2018 - 22:39
  
  great analogy - you nailed it!
garetz on 26/11/2018 - 15:57

What is the book if i may ask.
ChillBro on 28/11/2018 - 00:13

+1

An item I bought a few days ago dropped by a dollar so I went on chat and they gave me two dollars back.
- nith265 on 28/11/2018 - 09:13
  
  That's sort of what I was hoping would happen!.
  
  But no, turns out that although amazon.com.au seamlessly handles the transaction, it's the 3rd party seller only that I've got a deal with. Chat were great but could offer me nothing in terms of refund.
  
  I didn’t fully appreciate the distinction between products on amazon.com.au being sold by either Amazon or 3rd party sellers. I’d sort of assumed that Amazon took ownership of the whole purchase but its more like I’m dealing with eBay and a private seller - though I note eBay do offer a price guarantee
  
  The lower price that I see now is supplied by Amazon US - I wonder if their reposnse would have been any different if I'd bought from Amazon US as a seller or would Amazon AU still say that Amazon US is a 3rd party?
cantoangel on 06/12/2018 - 14:10

+1

I ordered the Arts and Arcana DnD book last week when it was 88 bucks. I noticed 2 days ago that it had dropped.
I emailed Amazon customer service to ask if they had a price drop policy.

They don't - their reasoning is that they are on the lookout for the best deals constantly. If it hadn't already shipped, they would have refunded and re-ordered. Since in this instance it was shipped, they gave me a once off credit of 9 dollars.
- nith265 on 06/12/2018 - 14:22
  
  Yeah the first thing they said once I explained my situation was "…we don’t do price matching, we always have the best prices…" even though that wasnt really what I was asking about.
  
  Was the actual supplier of your book Amazon or was it another company on Amazon using them for all the fulfilment?
  
  From the start I knew I could send back, get a refund and reorder, it's just that shipping would have been over $20 and since it was a Christmas gift I didnt want to risk it. I was hoping that by just asking the question and making out like I was seriously going to return it they might at least give a credit of a lesser ammount (they didnt)
  - cantoangel on 06/12/2018 - 17:37
    
    Yeah the supplier is Amazon US - plus I'm a Prime member, which means I don't need to worry about shipping for this particular item as it was more than $49.
    - nith265 on 06/12/2018 - 17:56
      
      +1
      
      I think it being sold by Amazon must make a difference.
      
      Mine was sold by BuyGlobal - Amazon support were great when I contacted them but it was sort of like you bought from someone else, what do you want us to do about it
      - cantoangel on 07/12/2018 - 12:37
        
        +1
        
        @nith265: Yep I think so - the credit they gave me was only to be used for products sold by Amazon.
        
        nith265 on 07/12/2018 - 12:57
        
        @cantoangel: Thanks - I wish I could mark your comment as The Answer
        
        So unofficially Amazon may offer to refund a price drop difference with an Amazon credit, if the product was also purchased from Amazon and not from a 3rd party seller on Amazon market place.

Amazon.com.au – $40 price drop after ordering

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