Author Topic: Amazon scammers' new trick: shipping things to random widows in your town  (Read 3355 times)

rcjordan

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(random widow is not at your street address)
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The widow signed for the parcel, and thus Amazon saw that the shipper had sent something out with a valid tracking number, and that the USPS tracking system reported that the item had been signed for, and refused to process a claim for fraud, closing the trouble-ticket

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The scam only works because Amazon's anti-fraud system only validates the shipping city and the tracking ID, but doesn't consider the actual address or the weight of the shipped parcel (the parcel weighed 8 ounces, while the lens weighs 3.2 lbs). Somehow the scammer figured this out.

http://boingboing.net/2017/08/12/red-team-wins.html

Drastic

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Somewhat related I was looking for something for my new phone, case or wireless charger I forget.

It had full five stars which I thought was odd, like 50 reviews. Clicked on verified purchase reviews? 2 of them, and they were bad.

Lots of scammy issues cropping up that seem to just be getting worse. I expect Amazon to crack down and tighten up to protect themselves, but its such an enormous marketplace, can they?

rcjordan

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I've been scammed twice (both this year) on small, inexpensive tools<$20 coming via China mail. They use the delivery time-lag to book the sale, then pull the plug on the company in a couple of weeks.  Amazon didn't do anything except to say the vendor was no longer active. I'm watching a possible 3rd one now.  I've already backed off buying from some potential vendors and may drop china mail altogether if this keeps up.

Drastic

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They've also screwed up enough prime orders and deliveries this year that it's no longer a given for orders to be here in 2 days. We are going back to other retailers a bit because of it.

rcjordan

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>screwed Prime

That was likely the switch to the Postal Service over UPS. Louise is really ticked about that 1-day increase on some items. Me, I'm disappointed, but a little more philosophical ...hell, I live in the boonies and it's still getting here pretty damn fast.

Trav's hometown just got same-day delivery, btw.

Drastic

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I don't think that's it, though it a lot of it is their (USPS) fault. Several packages have come 1-2 days later than Amazon's "there by" date.

Some stuff hasn't shipped for over a day and then been late. Some items will show to come in 2 days, then after you place the order its expected in 3. The product page still lists 2 day prime and 8 hours left to order.

These issues combined with not-so-great pricing on most items is causing us to lose interest.

Drastic

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Re: Amazon scammers' new trick: shipping things to random widows in your town
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2017, 01:28:24 AM »
Another example. I ordered something this morning (Wednesady), a prime item (should arrive Friday). In the checkout, it says it will get here Sat. Whatever, Monday morning is fine.

I just opened my order email...the item now shows it will arrive Monday, as if that is my normal receive date from the beginning.

Never in the checkout process did they state or make me aware it wouldn't come in 2 days. No updates to order or shipping, just like Monday was supposed to be the service I'm getting.

This item wasn't greatly priced, like most stuff on Amazon is now. I could have gotten it cheaper and faster from ebay. I've been finding much better deals on monitors, projectors, TVs, etc from B&H Photo, newegg and frys. Amazon is starting to suck imo.

ukgimp

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Re: Amazon scammers' new trick: shipping things to random widows in your town
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2017, 06:33:23 AM »
It's ripe for some competition from another marketplace

Rooftop

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Re: Amazon scammers' new trick: shipping things to random widows in your town
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2017, 08:08:01 AM »
It's ripe for some competition from another marketplace

Changes to shipping times post checkout is happening on amazon.co.uk as well. Bloody annoying. I time stuff to arrive at the office when i am around, or at home when Mrs Rooftop isn't working. Them changing the dates means no-one is there.

Pain in the arse... but still better than any other retailer here for most things