Amazon are morons
 

So get this level of stupid:
Amazon set up an OTP (second factor authentication sending a code to my phone). Cool. Clearly someone breached my account last night and I received 15x OTPs around midnight, which locked the sending of new OTP codes so no dice..

This AM I call amazon support and after 2 transfers and all sort of security question and a stool sample, they say "we're gonna send you an OTP to change your password" - oops wait, they cannot because *they* blocked it ;-)

So they want me to wait till midnight tomorrow and call them again... I'm like are you serious ? a) sleeping b) if they do it again and block it again this is a catch 22 !!!

Sorry we can't help you... So in the meantime I was able to remove all credit cards from that account (somehow I can do that without an OTP with cached creds!!) and lock the credit cards online at the bank..

Anyway all this to say they cannot control their own security - Do get an 2nd factor authentication even if their OTP system is somewhat stupid (I'd be looking at bills otherwise) - or maybe OTP is a separate company in that case well played... Argh !

They aren't all morons....

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/beau...-147652155.jpg

My wife ordered a bag of "worm dirt" or really worm poop to start her seeds for the garden. So is is basically a small bag of dirt. It came packed in a box, with bubble pack packing around it.

I ordered some Baldwin oil filters for my cars, they were in a Tyveck bag, and dented up like they were drug behind the truck. I filed a damage report, and they asked me to send them back, and they would ship out replacements. They came in a Tyceck bag, and dented and even more beat up. I filed a refund request, and they refunded my money, and said to throw the fillers away. and I did.

It makes no sense. If they just packed them ion a box with some packing it would be fine, but that is reserved for something that can't be damaged, like a bag of dirt.

Good point but if the dirt spilled everyone would freak out.

FYI, Amazon packaging and shipping is mostly done by third party sellers on Amazon. Amazon only packages what items are in their own warehouse. Most items on Amazon come from a third party. It's up to that seller to package it correctly.

Not for me. I make it a point to buy from Amazon in-stock items. I've had bad luck with 3rd party sellers. Just like everywhere else.

I was having problems with my Amazon Fire Tablet and decided yesterday to try calling them about it.
It's over a year old and they were happy to help. I was on the phone with a guy for almost an hour and it was finally determined the built in browser app was corrupt. He guided me thru installing a replacement online and stayed with it until it was working properly.

All for an out of warranty tablet that cost less than $100

I've had nothing but good service from Amazon and their truck is in my drive almost every day.

I almost exclusively only purchase "Prime" items. The reason is that I know if there's a problem, I can get the problem taken care of relatively easily. I only order non-Prime stuff super rarely if there's no other option, and I am willing to make a gamble (research the seller, return policy, feedback, etc...).

If you don't like Amazon, then don't use it.
Problem solved

Do prime members get special customer service?

Stock up is up $5 a share today.

One of their corporate guiding principles is "Customer Obsession"...

Far as I know...no. I've been an Amazon Prime member for...I don't even know how long--a long time. Shipping savings alone pay for the membership for us. I kinda hate that Amazon (and Walmart, and Target, etc) are killing mom/pop shops but I really can't complain about any service I've ever had with Amazon. Their business model is near perfect.

I haven't followed their stock at all.
I'm not looking to buy any more stock....just sell.:)

The markets are surging today.

I think the "free" shipping is built in to the price. It is obviously cheaper than conventional shipping from private sellers and has be to a little better than typical eBay rates. I get my value out of the music, Alexa and TV. If it wasn't for those I might drop Prime, so I don't consider free shipping as my reason to keep Prime.

Plus I finagled a student rate.

Glad some of you have good customer experience..
Mine was pathetic...
- my account is unusable due to OTP locked by hackers attempting 15 logins
"yes, let us send you an OTP to change your password, oh wait we cannot"
- yeah that's why I'm calling you.
"oh well you need to wait 24 hrs then"
-what if they do it again? I can never get unlocked?
"let's hope they do not...or get up at 12:15 am and beat them to it"

Brilliant support. I seriously considered not renewing prime (coming up) for $130+, but ... they have some decent shows I do watch. Bezos is probably licking his eyeball in satisfaction.

Is Prime membership necessary for Alexa?
I have both, but was considering dropping Prime because of the commercials. I wouldn't want that to affect Alexa because I have the Alexa stereo and sub in one room of my house. Also I'd hate to lose the Alexa Show.

If what you order is "Prime" then the returns have always been easy and hassle free. It's not so much that Prime folks get preferential treatment. It's that if an item was Prime (mostly "fulfilled by Amazon", although I think some are drop shipped) then the returns are easily done online and are pain free. I've even managed to "chat" with a real person a few times and have even spoken to cust svc a few times, but that's rarely needed.

Good question and IDK.