[Maverick Avi]

Originally Posted by MDED

Why one earth one would buy a costly TV of Sony online?

Why not? If you have the option of saving time and hassle to visit multiple stores and then haggle with sales rep why wouldn't you. The stores also ship from their warehouse and there have been numerous instances where the delivered products have defects where you will again be required to followup and get things sorted out.

I have bought 4 ACs, 2 washing machines, 1 refrigerator, 1 led TV among other appliances from Flipkart and have been 100 percent satisfied with the products and their promptness in resolving any issues regarding replacement or refunds. And mind you am talking about Flipkart and not Amazon which seems to be more popular and trusted. There are a few checks though that I always do. For eg. I only purchase items sold by Omnitechretail and Retailnet on Flipkart. Their prices have always been lower than what I get from all offline stores(Croma and Vijay sales have never been able to match). Secondly I am not fixated on a particular brand or model. Chances are high that you'll find a great deal on some reliable brand if you keep your options open.These days there is little to differentiate in terms of quality from top brands and nothing is build to last.

If we are upgrading to better technology in our appliances and gadgets so why not upgrade the buying experience as well. The convenience of having 100 of products listed at your fingertips far surpasses the shop to shop hopping in summer heat with limited models.

The only downside for online shopping is you do not get to feel your product and if that's the main priority then yes there is no substitute for the stores.

[ant_vas]

If items are of poor quality or don't meet description returns are bound to be there. Amazon has a funny policy though. If a product is non-returnable and you initiate a return with a valid reason by calling their CC, they will refund the amount and not take back the item.

Not true anymore! Recently I purchased a 2 TB SDD Hard drive with USB type C cable, During the payment some issue happened and payment didn't go thru. I retried again and successfully placed the order. When the order was delivered I realized that it was not the same model I had initially opted for! It was same brand, same capacity but with USB Type A cable which was a old model

I only figured this once the product was delivered to me! The order was non-returnable so I tried calling the CC and reason them as my laptop doesnt have a USB type A port. But Amazon CC was adamant that I received what I ordered for. even tried to speak to senior executive and he was very rude and disconnected the call on my face

Never had such experience with Amazon before, but guess they have come to their limit with the number of returns I suppose.

[ashvek3141]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Anyone else suddenly receiving such threatening emails from Amazon? While I admit we do have returns, we are very early customers of Amazon and our GMV is impressively high.

They can go take a hike if they actually 'block' our account.

Yes, I too received this notification a week back. Seems like Amazon too is going the FK / Myntra way now.

I was very happy being a prime member for more than half a decade now and was only shopping from Amazon. No FK or any other platform.

threats like these just makes you think otherwise.

[sagarpadaki]

Amazon asking to keep the defective items when the listing is marked as non-returnable is only for low value items, typically less than a thousand rupees. Expensive items do go through a lot of scrutiny, and they initiate a return from their end.

[sri2012]

Originally Posted by whitewing

There is an option "Chat with us" / "Talk to customer support" when you select the item in the "your orders" page, that's always worked for me. I was able to place a call just yesterday.

I understand and have used this option earlier.
However, this option is not enabled for the particular order in question.
It is just making a loop within the options without being able to connect with the customer care.

[jomyboy]

Originally Posted by sri2012

I understand and have used this option earlier.
However, this option is not enabled for the particular order in question.
It is just making a loop within the options without being able to connect with the customer care.

This has happened quite a few times with me as well. I pick an earlier order as an issue and when the CSR comes online, I tell them about the current order issue. Always worked for me.

[LordSharan]

Let me recount the horror that I faced on Flipkart. That should give some perspective.

While joining MBA in 2015, I was in need of a laptop and I purchased Lenovo Yoga model from Flipkart, and it's cost was around 35K. This laptop had a touch screen, and unfortunately, it broke during my time at college - single and clean crack across the screen. I took it to the Lenovo service center in Tata, and they said - since it's touch screen, and the parts in short supply -we can't repair it. Given it's in warranty period, We are happy to refund you the cost of the laptop.

The ordeal starts here. I got a credit note from them and this was supposed to be submitted to Flipkart to get the refund. Although the laptop was working, I didn't want to risk using it futher, in case it broke down.

I call Flipkart team, and explain them the scenario asking for refund. They say that the product has to be returned in it's original packing. Real bummer - who keeps the carton of the laptop that it came in? I argue with them, escalate, take to social media and what not. No progress. I gave up and used the laptop for rest of academic year.

I went back home at the end of the year and tell my mom about this - she says that she has the original carton in which the laptop was shipped (god bless her!). I re-initiate this discussion post about 6-7 months from when the original request was raised to Flipkart. I ship the laptop back to them and I get the refund in 3 days or so!

I logged out of my Flipkart account then and there, have only logged back in to redeem gift cards that I get sometimes. All purchases from Amazon and have never been disappointed, except once, when I was shipped "not a monitor" while my purchase for a 32" monitor.

[SnakemanJohny]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Anyone else suddenly receiving such threatening emails from Amazon? While I admit we do have returns, we are very early customers of Amazon and our GMV is impressively high.

They can go take a hike if they actually 'block' our account.

YES. I got the same love letter about six months ago. And informed them that faulty items, faltu items (cheap PRC junk), wrong items etc. will always be returned, or they can stop their e-commerce stuff. And I have toned down my purchases since then, but cannot really stop for the W-I-D-E range of products available on Amazon, even more since E-BAY India is no more.

I have been a customer since 2014. Recently Amazon has been taking revenge by cutting down on packaging, and always sending one cracked lid if two or more plastic jars are in an order. And retaliated by sending two blank envelopes in May itself, with the ordered items absent ! This was new, in more than 10 years ! But refund was not difficult -- had to call up Customer Service, endure their apologies, and wait for a couple of hours.

Their service is breaking down, and fast approaching shoddy Indian standards, IMO.

[vsrivatsa]

A4 PAPER.IN: https://a4paper.in/

***DO NOT RECOMMEND - AVOID***

Tried getting printing paper and some file binders from the online site A4 PAPER.IN and had a very bad experience to say the least. They shipped on time but received the product in bad condition.

The edges of the 500 sheet paper bundle on 2 sides were soiled and bent with folds. Essentially unusable for anything worthwhile. Will have to either dispose or use it as some rough sheets for my son to practice.

Support: I promptly raised a ticket and shared my issue - no response so far. I reported the same with a short video on their WhatsApp support. Someone acknowledged saying hello and no messages after that.

So that's about it - reporting here so others who come across this site do not have to go through this ordeal and there is some information on them available as reference.

[s4ch]

Originally Posted by vsrivatsa

A4 PAPER.IN: https://a4paper.in/

***DO NOT RECOMMEND - AVOID***

Tried getting printing paper and some file binders from the online site A4 PAPER.IN and had a very bad experience to say the least. They shipped on time but received the product in bad condition.

A question: Why even bother with such unknown players in the first place? Why not order such consumables from Blinkit/Swiggy Instamart/Zepto etc and avoid the hassle in the first place?

[Thad E Ginathom]

There are still some things where a trip to a local shop is better than online shopping.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

There are still some things where a trip to a local shop is better than online shopping.

True in some cases. But consider this: I was getting Nuk mam - Fish Sauce from abroad a long time ago. Now it is readily available from Amazon. Same thing with Oyster Sauce. I love cooking with exotic sauces which no regular shops offline supplied.

Consider the cost of buying a LED light for my car. I had to take a trip to General Patters Road (GP Road for the Chennai people). A LED bulb costs about Rs.30 and to buy that I had to allocate some 3 hours and about 2 liters of diesel. It is just a mouse click away and I buy that for almost the same cost plus a little margin - Rs.50/-

I would still check with Amazon before I buy anything.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Sure: I have the same problem with soy sauce, which is relatively unexotic. Have been buying it from Amazon, but the last one I got was a fake. I can buy it from one of the ecr shops within three minutes drive. But printer paper... I can buy on foot and bring it home within 3 minutes. Ordinary stuff: buy itaround the corner.

[vsrivatsa]

Originally Posted by s4ch

A question: Why even bother with such unknown players in the first place? Why not order such consumables from Blinkit/Swiggy Instamart/Zepto etc and avoid the hassle in the first place?

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Sure: I have the same problem with soy sauce, which is relatively unexotic. Have been buying it from Amazon, but the last one I got was a fake. I can buy it from one of the ecr shops within three minutes drive. But printer paper... I can buy on foot and bring it home within 3 minutes. Ordinary stuff: buy itaround the corner.

Needed the JK Cedar Paper and it was not available in the nearest store and not on Zepto as well. Had ordered in the past from Amazon and it had worked out well (should have stuck to Amazon) - so thought I would take the risk

[d.w.w.]

Amazon joins the platform/marketplace fee party. They have started charging 5rs/order irrespective of the seller.