Posted on 07/19/2021 6:51:51 PM PDT by EinNYC
I received an email tonight from Amazon (I'm a Prime member) informing me that
"We wanted to let you know that we recently updated our Conditions of Use.
One of our updates involves how disputes are resolved between you and Amazon. Previously, our Conditions of Use set out an arbitration process for those disputes. Our updated Conditions of Use provides for dispute resolution by the courts.
Please visit https://www.amazon.com/conditionsofuse to read our updated terms in full.
As always, your use of any Amazon service constitutes your agreement to our Conditions of Use.
Thank you,
Amazon"
I looked up their terms and conditions to the part about disputes:
DISPUTES Any dispute or claim relating in any way to your use of any Amazon Service will be adjudicated in the state or Federal courts in King County, Washington, and you consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in these courts. We each waive any right to a jury trial.
I felt that this information had been transmitted in a very harsh and off-putting way, with no explanation as to the change in policy.
“As I’ve been told, the restocking cost isn’t worth Amazon’s effort, so anything returned goes right in a dumpster”
Amazon doesn’t trash returns. They sort the goods to pallets and sell at and eAuction. Cases of drinks on one pallet, food on another, etc.
A local guy started a salvage store and buys the majority of his inventory from a few Amazon distribution centers within a 2 hour drive. Food, drinks, spices, snacks, dog food, pet stuff, soaps, etc. Most every dry goods that are available in grocery stores he sells at about 1/3 to 1/2 of retail.
As long as they keep up the fantastic service and prices, I’ll be their customer.
After reading deranged Wash Post editorials after he bought it, contact with Amazon feels like too much contact with crazy people.
Bezos is riding Blue Origin into space tomorrow. Launch scheduled for 9:00 am.
Blue Origin to launch its 1st astronaut flight with Jeff Bezos and crew of 3 today
https://www.space.com/blue-origin-jeff-bezos-first-human-flight-launch-day
Gives you the when/where/how....for those interested.
Don’t use them.
One has to wonder how bad they messed up and what lawsuits they are expecting. King County may as well be the Soviet Politburo in Moscow.
“...dispute resolution by the courts.”
Amazon just doesn’t want to deal with disputes and doesn’t want any customer to think about it.
I shop Amazon sometimes but buy somewhere else always.
If you live in, say, TX and attempt to take your case to court...
OR, want a jury trial...
They’ve probably had some disputes that caused them to have to go to court in a remote jurisdiction that cost them a LOT of money. This is their way of avoiding that cost. Remember that many, if not most, lawsuits are BS. And - when’s the last time you had to go to court to resolve a dispute?
It’s disturbing that so many begrudge Bezos and his success. I’ve been with Amazon since the beginning and have watched it grow to what it is now. Most people don’t seem to realize that there are hundreds of ‘small’ businesses that actually sell their goods on Amazon or that Amazon allows contributions to hundreds of organizations through their Amazon Smile app, including pro-life, pro-gun, pro-military, pro-police/first responders organizations.
I’ve been with Amazon since before the beginning. I shipped product to Seattle before there even was a third party seller market place.
Overall, Amazon has done great damage to American small business. They’ve lead the Chicom assault on American small business that has destroyed thousands of businesses and millions of jobs. Their know it and have a sophisticated PR spin campaign to deny what I have seen with my own eyes.
Do you know what their stated policy was before the change? How other big online company handle this?
Amazon does business in all 50(7) states. I live in Alabama. If I determine that Amazon has done something so egregious that it warrants a law suit, Amazon has no say in where I file that suit. They also have no say in how the court in which I file such a suit conducts its business, jury or otherwise.
Cancel the service and stop paying them their annual fee.
It is still your choice {I think}.
Arbitration was how they almost always settled disputes with customers. My guess is that they had hundreds, maybe thousands of claims, and depending on the terms, many companies pay for the cost of the arbitrator if the customer requests.
I know in the past that many were down on credit card companies, etc going to arbitration. I thought it was a good move, as for most disputes it was the merchant that often shoulders most of the cost of the process, and you can still be represented in the hearing by an attorney if you so choose.
Now Amazon has essentially walled off sections of the country where customers are not going to file a claim in Federal or State located in King County, WA.
Thanks. And yes, that is a huge change.
Re: 51 - Good point. For most people, a dispute consists of disputing a charge with their credit card company.
Of late E-Bay though not as slick as amazon has had most of the same product offers for less money. Always check!
I believe you’re thinking of Wal Mart which I have seen with my own eyes
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