# Amazon's customer-screwing policies **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 25, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705 "2018-06-25T14:37:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/1 "2018-06-25T14:37:16Z")
Although I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon, I rarely need it fast, so Amazon Prime is not useful to me and I never deliberately subscribed to it. But I noticed a $13 charge on my credit card statement a few times for “Prime Membership,” and called them on it (after cancelling online). According to a clerk, who spoke good enough English that I don’t think I misunderstood, _I am automatically signed up for a Prime Membership, with a continuing monthly charge, anytime I select 2 day shipping for an item._ Apparently the 2 day shipping option was the cheapest on the list, so I unwittingly selected it, either not knowing what I was signing up for, or didn’t see the fine print. Oddly, the cost of the membership varies according to the item you first buy, as one charge was for $11. The explanation was, “Oh, that had a different tax amount,” which makes no sense, but I let it go, more concerned with the overall refund (which was made). This is a fraudulent way of doing business, akin to a bait & switch ploy. Anyone else get caught in this, or do I have the procedure wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/2 "2018-06-25T14:47:42Z")
That happened to me once too, it’s easy to do the way it is set up. Was out a bit of time to straighten it all out, but was one of the few times I was able to get through to a live person, and they were understanding enough to refund me back the prime charges too. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/3 "2018-06-25T15:41:11Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > According to a clerk, who spoke good enough English that I don’t think I misunderstood, _I am automatically signed up for a Prime Membership, with a continuing monthly charge, anytime I select 2 day shipping for an item._ > > Apparently the 2 day shipping option was the cheapest on the list, so I unwittingly selected it, either not knowing what I was signing up for, or didn’t see the fine print. I’d be interested in seeing a screen shot, that shows the wording on the shipping option choices. (I’m already a Prime member, so it’s not going to be the same for me.) ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/4 "2018-06-25T16:01:53Z")
> [@razncain](#): > > That happened to me once too, it’s easy to do the way it is set up. Was out a bit of time to straighten it all out, but was one of the few times I was able to get through to a live person, and they were understanding enough to refund me back the prime charges too. I’ve never had any problem getting through to a live person when I have an Amazon issue. They have all been well-informed and empowered to offer help such as refunds and account credits. And they have all been fluent in American English. Usually I request that they call me and the callback always comes within a few seconds. Sometime I just don’t feel like talking so I use the text-based chat. But this is one of the things that has always differentiated Amazon from the other large companies I do business with. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/5 "2018-06-25T16:10:23Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’d be interested in seeing a screen shot, that shows the wording on the shipping option choices. > > (I’m already a Prime member, so it’s not going to be the same for me.) I am too, but if you’re not logged in, prime product pages show “get free two day shipping with Prime” or something similar. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/6 "2018-06-25T16:25:39Z")
I agree that you have to be very careful when you are selecting the shipping options so that you aren’t inadvertently joining Prime. This happened to me once, and I discovered it at the payment screen, so I backed up two screens to the point before I started to check out, and did it again correctly. I also agree that this tactic stinks. This sort of thing seems to be SOP for many online retailers, even if it’s only to get you to sign up for their emails. Note to online retailers: I pay attention to these things, and I spend my money as much as possible on sites that treat me with respect and don’t try to trick me. ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/7 "2018-06-25T16:37:53Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I’ve never had any problem getting through to a live person when I have an Amazon issue. They have all been well-informed and empowered to offer help such as refunds and account credits. And they have all been fluent in American English. Usually I request that they call me and the callback always comes within a few seconds. Sometime I just don’t feel like talking so I use the text-based chat. But this is one of the things that has always differentiated Amazon from the other large companies I do business with. My main problem and time buster was just finding a number where I could talk to a live person. At one time, Amazon didn’t even have their number listed, it’s still like trying to find a needle in a haystack on their site. Scam artists are fully away of this, so when others opt to try to find their number through search engines, they can be miss-led to bogus sites. Current wait time was 48 minutes when I just checked on this [site.](https://gethuman.com/phone-number/Amazon) It says average time is generally 19 minutes, which isn’t bad at all if one can get out that quick. Amazon’s legit number: 1-888-280-4331. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/8 "2018-06-25T16:52:18Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’d be interested in seeing a screen shot, that shows the wording on the shipping option choices. There’s no way I can go back to what I purchased and recreate the screen, but I will be sure to check next time. > [@razncain](#): > > My main problem and time buster was just finding a number where I could talk to a live person. At one time, Amazon didn’t even have their number listed, it’s still like trying to find a needle in a haystack on their site. Scam artists are fully away of this, so when others opt to try to find their number through search engines, they can be miss-led to bogus sites. > … > > Amazon’s legit number: 1-888-280-4331. Yes, that’s the number, but I got it from my credit card company; it wasn’t printed on the bill like some others are. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/9 "2018-06-25T17:02:43Z")
That’s how they get ya! > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I agree that you have to be very careful when you are selecting the shipping options so that you aren’t inadvertently joining Prime. This happened to me once, and I discovered it at the payment screen, so I backed up two screens to the point before I started to check out, and did it again correctly. Same here. But I couldn’t get them to accept PayPal (I’ve got a big balance to use up) so ended up getting the same thing cheaper on ebay. Never have any luck with Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/10 "2018-06-25T17:17:59Z")
I’m curious about it as well, we’ve had other threads and I’ve seen other complaints about exactly this subject. > [@raventhief](#): > > I am too, but if you’re not logged in, prime product pages show “get free two day shipping with Prime” or something similar. That seems a little skeevy, if you don’t have prime or even moreso if you don’t use Amazon, you might not know what that means. Is there really nothing else that says you’re going to be billed for this? ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/11 "2018-06-25T17:23:12Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’m curious about it as well, we’ve had other threads and I’ve seen other complaints about exactly this subject. > > That seems a little skeevy, if you don’t have prime or even moreso if you don’t use Amazon, you might not know what that means. Is there really nothing else that says you’re going to be billed for this? I have prime, so I can’t say what the shipping page says. Someone above says they realized what was being agreed to, and so backed out. So it seems there is something that is more explicit. Maybe not explicit enough, I can’t say. I see it as the price posted in a grocery store- 5.99 with bonus card. If you don’t have a bonus card, or don’t know what one is, you may want to look to see what the price is without a bonus card. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/12 "2018-06-25T17:24:14Z")
> [@razncain](#): > > My main problem and time buster was just finding a number where I could talk to a live person. At one time, Amazon didn’t even have their number listed, it’s still like trying to find a needle in a haystack on their site. Scam artists are fully away of this, so when others opt to try to find their number through search engines, they can be miss-led to bogus sites. > > Current wait time was 48 minutes when I just checked on this [site.](https://gethuman.com/phone-number/Amazon) It says average time is generally 19 minutes, which isn’t bad at all if one can get out that quick. > > Amazon’s legit number: 1-888-280-4331. Click to call has been almost instantaneous when I’ve needed to speak to a live person. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/13 "2018-06-25T17:29:52Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > I have prime, so I can’t say what the shipping page says. Someone above says they realized what was being agreed to, and so backed out. So it seems there is something that is more explicit. Maybe not explicit enough, I can’t say. I’ve had prime just about forever so can’t see it either. I wouldn’t compare it to a grocery store since most of their tags say the price, but then under it say a higher price if you don’t use a card. ISTM that this would be more like looking at your receipt a few days later and seeing that you were charged $12.99 for using the regular checkout lane instead of the self serve one. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/14 "2018-06-25T17:32:28Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’ve had prime just about forever so can’t see it either. > I wouldn’t compare it to a grocery store since most of their tags say the price, but then under it say a higher price if you don’t use a card. ISTM that this would be more like looking at your receipt a few days later and seeing that you were charged $12.99 for using the regular checkout lane instead of the self serve one. I guess it depends on what the shipping page says. If it says"sign up up a trial of prime to get free two day shipping" then I don’t see the outage. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/15 "2018-06-25T19:08:16Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > This is a fraudulent way of doing business, akin to a bait & switch ploy. Anyone else get caught in this, or do I have the procedure wrong? You’re in good company! Our friend **aceplace57** [also fell for it](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=838436). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/16 "2018-06-25T19:16:19Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > That’s how they get ya! > > Same here. But I couldn’t get them to accept PayPal (I’ve got a big balance to use up) so ended up getting the same thing cheaper on ebay. Never have any luck with Amazon. Can’t you cash out your PayPal balance? ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/17 "2018-06-25T19:40:39Z")
As someone without Prime, I just logged on and looked at what was there. 1. When looking at the item, above the “add to cart” button, there’s a checkmark that says " Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with FREE Two-Day Shipping." I leave that unchecked and hit “add to cart.” 2. I (sometimes) get a big pop-up that says “do you want to try Amazon Prime and get free two day shipping?” 3. Once in cart, the delivery options are: “FREE two-day shipping with a free trial of Amazon Prime” “4-5 business days $5.99” “2 business days $11.29” etc. I suppose OP can complain about the whole “free trial that automatically renews at cost” thing that all companies do, but as far as accidentally signing up, I think OP needs to get their vision checked. (At least, this is on desktop - might look different on mobile?) ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/18 "2018-06-25T20:00:35Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > As someone without Prime, I just logged on and looked at what was there. > > 1. When looking at the item, above the “add to cart” button, there’s a checkmark that says " Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with FREE Two-Day Shipping." I leave that unchecked and hit “add to cart.” > > 2. I (sometimes) get a big pop-up that says “do you want to try Amazon Prime and get free two day shipping?” > > 3. Once in cart, the delivery options are: “FREE two-day shipping with a free trial of Amazon Prime” “4-5 business days $5.99” “2 business days $11.29” etc. > > I suppose OP can complain about the whole “free trial that automatically renews at cost” thing that all companies do, but as far as accidentally signing up, I think OP needs to get their vision checked. (At least, this is on desktop - might look different on mobile?) Thank you for throwing yourself on the Science Grenade. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/19 "2018-06-26T03:47:16Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > I have prime, so I can’t say what the shipping page says. Someone above says they realized what was being agreed to, and so backed out. So it seems there is something that is more explicit. Maybe not explicit enough, I can’t say. That was me and one other person. I don’t remember now what it was on the payment page that made me realize that I was signing up for a Prime trial, but there was something. The thing is, I am so used to skipping that “FREE 2-day shipping with Prime” option that it’s almost automatic. This one time I’m not paying so close attention, and they almost got me. I feel like a gazelle who just didn’t run quite fast enough one day to escape the cheetah. Or something. Why does shopping have to be that kind of experience? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705/20 "2018-06-26T04:14:26Z")
If you find that you’ve unwittingly signed up for Prime, make sure you take advantage of that 2-day shipping guarantee. Anytime something shows up late make sure to complain and ask for a one month extension. I mean, that’s the whole point of a guarantee, isn’t it? If they can’t deliver on their promise, they need to do something other than just apologize. Sure it might be the fault of the courier, but that’s their problem, not yours [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-customer-screwing-policies/816705.md?page=2)