Hi,
I'm interested in buying a smart lock from Amazon AU; as this is going to be my first smart lock, I'm afraid it won't fit in perfectly on my current door.
Does anyone have any experience with Amazon return process, especially when the product not sold by Amazon itself but by a local AU retailer?
I'm not a prime member too.
Item page: here
Thanks
Thanks, so you reckon ebay is better? I'll be paying with paypal irrespective of buying through ebay or amazon just in case.
Their store page does not specify anything about return (here) too..just the standard stock Amazon one
My rule of thumb:
My rule of the other thumb:
Nice rule.
You said eBay better for buyer protection so why Amazon first?
and why eBay > Local store; and not the other way?
@capslock janitor: eBay has better buyer protection for third party sellers but I prefer to buy direct from Amazon where possible, even if slightly more. It's better peace of mind, easy returns and hassle-free.
eBay vs Local Store depends on the item & convenience/time requirement I suppose. Some will indeed be other way.
@Hybroid: "direct from Amazon" being Fulfilled/Shipped by Amazon right?
eBay vs Local Store depends on the item & convenience/time requirement I suppose. Some will indeed be other way.
right, I was favouring brick stores because for buying same day, or travel back there for any problems/saving on shipping..
maybe I need to up my game then if Amazon delivers pretty quick anyway, and even paid shipping labels for you to drop back off… easy returns as every says..
Amazon are selling the same item directly but it's a pre order if you're willing to wait a bit. FYI, you can't pay with paypal on Amazon.
Your chances of being able to return the lock to a random Amazon marketplace/ebay seller because it doesn't fit your door perfectly are probably close to zero.
I'm looking at $$$ items from 3rd Parties and want to decide who's better.
Hence factors such as Warranty ease and Free returns are a lifesaver!!
What are your thoughts on who has the edge, Amazon or eBay?
(Also what's your experience with other Global AZ stores i.e. US / UK - is it still first spot in your Rule of thumb?)
Amazon will always be first priority to order from (provided sold/fulfilled by Amazon, not third party). I do order items from Amazon UK and US and not a problem at all. The delivery times are far quicker than stated.
Recently ordered some games from the US Prime Sale that aren't released here and said delivery date 8-10 July but they've all arrived already. It's also much much easier to return or get refunded if something goes wrong or arrives damaged etc. So for warranty & peace of mind, stick to Amazon.
For low value third party seller stuff, like cables and covers and such, I don't use Amazon's marketplace. Generally eBay is much better for those niche things especially with Paypal Buyer Protection.
What items are you considering? Happy to provide my opinion.
Yep I was mainly wondering about the Third party aspect. (Now internationally too, if you find time for that.)
I've returned domestic fbA lemons to AmazonAU so can vouch.
(Got me thinking about International eBay items as well.
And in turn, 3RD PARTY on Amazon international(?)
I have zero experience with international returns. Do you have anecdotes to share for those two?)
I agree regarding the low value 3P stuff; just making a plan for the higher value things.
What items are you considering? Happy to provide my opinion.
Currently Samsung S9+ ('discontinued' phones) and a PC monitor, so in the hundreds each.
@capslock janitor: I'm ok taking the risk on international third party purchases if they're rare and really unavailable elsewhere or don't have an alternative e.g. some rare collectible or something.
I would not order electronics as such though. Too many things to go wrong from voltage to no warranty to damage to never arriving.
International returns in that case will be pretty much on you to pay the postage. For a monitor it's probably more than it's worth.
ok taking the risk on international third party purchases if they're rare and really unavailable elsewhere or don't have an alternative e.g. some rare collectible or something.
It's basically close to my last resorts when I can't find locally.
Too many things to go wrong from voltage to no warranty to damage to never arriving.
Don't Amazon / eBay still have 'buyer protection' for INTL stuff?
I've also heard something like they reimburse you the intl postage though.
I want to see where these 3 fall in my 'expanded' tier list. Idea?
-Amazon Global FBA (US/UK etc.)
-eBay International
-Amazon 3rd Party abroad
By what you've said I should switch 2 and 3.
Amazon 3rd Party
B&M retailer local… JB HiFi etc.
@capslock janitor: My preference order (though depends on the item):-
Official product site usually okay but depends on item and being reputable company. Buying a GoPro direct off their official website is fine. Random startups no.
Reseller websites is a no for me. Especially if it's a bog standard Shopify site anyone can knock up in half an hour.
Never ever for me:-
There's absolutely nothing I'm desperate enough for to order from grey websites or random sellers and wait months hoping it'll A) turn up and B) be what was expected/ordered. No matter how cheap.
@Hybroid: Nice to know.
BBuying a GoPro direct off their official website is fine. Random startups no.
Reseller websites is a no for me.
I should clarify that I meant "Authorized Reseller" and to similar extent — reputable etailers that are online-based/interstate.
Never ever for me:-
Amazon 3rd Party
Very shocked you've said this!
Wouldn't you equate it to eBay sales and trust Amazon to step in/resolve at all?
Wouldn't you equate it to eBay sales and trust Amazon to step in/resolve at all?
No, Amazon will largely tell you to sort it out between you and seller. Only after a lengthy period and lots of complaints will they sometimes get involved. Nowhere near the excellent level of customer service as their own items.
This is where eBay money-back guarentee/Paypal buyer protection trumps Amazon for me.
Many "smart" locks have physical security problems so unless this is for an interior or other door where it really doesn't matter, do your research before purchasing anything. The general advice is to try not to buy from third parties on Amazon. I've only had to do one return for a 3rd party as the item didn't match the description and they eventually gave me a refund and told me to keep the item but there was a fair bit of back and forth taking a couple of weeks whereas an Amazon return is "here's the barcode to show at the drop off point".
The Nuki had a cute Hack where if you had a letter box slot they could poke a device thru it and press the Nuki reset button and reset it to the default settings…
Thanks for this, saw the video just now…lol the hack reminded me of when my mum used to lock the phone (non-rotary model) with some plastic cover and combination lock and I twisted a metal to be able to reach the numbers
Thanks, planning to use this for the backdoor, as the garage is located at the back of the house.
I also have CCTV camera facing the backyard at the same time.
It's entirely dependent on the third party seller, nothing to do with Amazon (even though they say they will step in later on if you cannot resolve with seller). Not recommended really. eBay has better buyer protection for third party sellers.