I had to uninstall Kindle for PC, reinstall older version, then re-download all my e-books. Why? Because my kindle reader is an older model, using the awz extention, not the newer kfx extension. I am all for keeping people from stealing/pirating content, but seriously.
So, once again I have to convince the older version of Kindle files to play nice with my slightly dated Kindle.
I got an email from Amazon. Because of Australian gov't wanting to get in on Amazon money, have changed the GST laws, and now Amazon had to change how it handles overseas customers.
I will be forced to shop on the Amazon AU site, even though the prices will more than likely (even factoring in the exchange rates) close to double the price of what the Amazon US site charges. (I have so many examples of this being true. A book, local to me $100. Ordered from Amazon, even with shipping and exchange rate, $45 for one). I can understand Australia wanting their 10% but not at the expense of close to doubling the price of the items listed.
Then there is the 'promise' of having access to ALL of Amazon US products on the Amazon AU site. Odd, because when I search for things on the Amazon AU site, I typically strike out. But find it quite easily on the Amazon US site.
The only way I see around this is to shop using a VPN. Transfer money to trusted people in the US and have them get me US gift cards. I already moved my credit card to Australia so I wouldn't be late paying a bill, and I can't reverse it unless I go BACK to the US and into the bank to do so.
On an aside, if the Australian Tax Offices and Aussie Gov't need revenues, how about stopping politicians from taking luxury vacays on the tax payers? Stop giving huge corporations huge tax breaks, instead of scraping a petty S.50 from a book sale.
If you sell something, and it's crap, or not quite as you have described, I will say so.
Two different sellers, two different e-markets.
Amazon seller sold a used CD. I had no problem with it being used, as the seller said it was in "very good" condition. It arrived, and the surface was obviously scuffed and scratched. I was able to rip the contents to my music directory, and with audio tools, remove the clicks and hisses. I gave her a 3 star rating. She kept sending me messages, claiming I had buyers remorse, and there was nothing wrong with the CD. The kicker is this: it got tapped by AQIS for having a foreign substance on it, and I took photos of the notice, the bright yellow and black AQIS tape, and the report. Sent them to her. She changed her tune, and said I was expecting too much.
eBay seller. I bought a silicone case for my S7. It arrived, and it was so loose and flaccid, my phone would fall out of it. I emailed the seller, included photos showing how it didn't fit on the phone. He offered me, I kid you not, 50 cents refund. "That is one helluva scam. You sell something for $5, and even with photographic proof showing it's faulty, this is your offer?" I reported him to eBay, and my money was refunded by eBay. I then gave him a neutral feedback rating, stating "Didn't fit phone, phone would fall out. Money refunded". Seller sent me a message, I am presuming is whining about the neutral rating, but tough shit. He was damned lucky he didn't get a negative rating.
I get an email from them, so they know I'm on Australia. The fact that my account says I am in Australia, and my email address ends in AU, and my default shipping address is Australia seems to be something they're missing.
Back to the email. I get email notice that I can get a new Kindle Paperwhite for $30 off. Ok, since my kindle is getting old, and I have noticed it needs charging more often, it's either get a new battery for it, or a new one, I think "Sure, sounds good to me."
So, I go to Amazon, order one, and case to keep the screen safe. Add it to shopping cart, go to check out.. and get hit with "DOES NOT SHIP TO AUSTRALIA".
Really? REALLY?
So, having it sent to drop address and to sent to me.
Earlier this year, I bought a CD (used) on Amazon, as it was listed in "VERY GOOD" condition.
1: It was flagged by AQIS, opened, inspected, foreign substance on outside of the CD case tested.
2: The CD playing surface was covered in dings and scratches.
3: Piss poorly packed, so the CD case was cracked.
So, for buyer feedback, I gave seller 3 star rating, and only said that the CD wasn't in 'very good' condition, maybe fair and that returning it for a refund would have cost more than the purchase/shipping price. But seller did post it quickly.
First, the seller sends me a rant, claiming I was suffering from 'buyers remorse'. Well, no. I then told her about items #1 and #3, and that I could have reported her for sending dangerous goods. And yes, I sent her photos of the parcel with the yellow and black AQIS tape on it, and the notice inside the parcel from AQIS.
So far, she has sent me two, count them, two, messages asking me to remove my 'negative rating'. I gave her a fair rating.
She keeps this up, I might go and change it to a ONE star rating because of her nagging me! I am NOT going to change it. I am not going to lie. The CD is was poor condition. I was able to archive the songs to my HD but I had to run them through some high end audio edition to remove clicks and hisses.
I use Brita Faucet filters, the older version and the filters are getting harder and harder to come by. I managed to find some on eBay but the postage for just two of them was more than the filters were ($41 for the filters, $44 to ship them).
So, headed over to Amazon. This is where the bizarreness comes in. The more expensive seller ships to Australia. $60 for 2 filters + $27 shipping.
I spotted less expensive ones, 2 for $21... but that seller doesn't ship to Australia. So, I order two twin packs, for $42, + $8 shipping to be sent to my drop address. Another $25 to forward them to me from there.
Twice the number for less than the cost of two. Makes me wonder when Amazon will stop shooting themselves in the foot.
I usually have nothing but praise for you, but not this time. I got an sponsored ad on my Kindle E-Reader. I was very interested, logged onto Amazon, look at the item, the options making note that it said "This item ships to Kardinya, Australia". So, ok, I tried to order it. Imagine my surprise when "There was an error with your order, cannot ship to designated address." Huh? So, back back back, try again, only to have the same error. Contact Amazon help. I'm told "Oh, but you're given a link to go to to get the item!"
Really? This is the item that says it ships to Kardinya, but doesn't.
Here's the same item that does ship to Kardinya.
$60 bait and switch difference due to location? My momma didn't raise any fools.... might have married a few, but didn't raise any. My 'personal shopper' has agreed to $25 over forwarding postage costs, should I so choose to get said item. And to Amazon.. next time you try to screw me, kiss me first.
I emailed both Amazon Kindle and Amazon, asking why was a certain e-book 4 times the cost, and why was I being forced to use Amazon Australia? I would much rather pay US dollars for my e-books, even with the conversion prices than being forced to the Amazon Australia. These are the duck/dodge/weave but don't answer replies from them (my messages are italic, Amazon's bold):
Other info:Being forced to use Amazon Australia
Comments:I'm angry. I spotted an ebook by Andy Borowitz, 18 page short story, for 99 cents. I went to go buy it, and when I logged in, the price almost quadrupled to $3.63 because I was forced to select Amazon Australia? Oh HELL no. I know what the exchange rate is, and this is way beyond appropriate pricing.
how to do I stop being automatically shunted to Amazon Australia for my ebook purchases? I would rather find "not available to your geographical location", and pay in US dollars than to be blatantly ripped off.
Message From Customer Service
Hello, I'm really sorry to hear that you are being charged higher than the conversion rate for the book by Andy Borowitz. I wanted to help investigate this problem, and in-order to do so, I will need to know the title of the book by Andy Borowitz. If you can provide the ASIN number of the book, please click on the link below: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us We hope you can contact us soon so we can help solve this problem quickly. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Best regards, S***** U. K.
Message From Customer Service (Amazon Kindle) Hello, I've read your email and I'm sorry for the inconvenience. This is something we don't want our customers to experience. I've checked and found that you have updated your address to Australia, That's the reason your being charged for Australian price. Further to compensate for the inconvenience, I've issued a promotional credit of $10 to your amazon account. Also I would request you to update your country setting.
From your computer:
1. Visit Manage Your Kindle (www.amazon.com/manageyourkindle).
2. From the left navigation, click Country Settings.
3. Under Current Country, click Change to select an existing address or enter a new address.
I am once again sorry for the inconvenience that this may have caused to you. The company is actively working to improve service levels and your feedback has proved to be invaluable. You are our regular customer and we would like to continue our relationship with you. I request you to forgive us as we promise you a better service next time.
If you still have any trouble, I request you to please reach us over chat or phone so that I can transfer you to our live customer support executives who can discuss the problem in detail and perform the real time live troubleshooting to resolve the issue to your satisfaction. I hope you understand our limitation in this case as we'll not be able to do live troubleshoot in email.
If it is not convenient to reach us over phone then please contact via chat for live support. I realize that at this point of time asking you to contact us again would be disappointing, however, we would really like to assist you better.
Your patience and understanding is highly appreciated in this matter. You can reach us by chat or phone directly and toll free from many countries by clicking the Contact Us option in the right-hand column of our Kindle Support pages at: http://www.amazon.com/kindlesupport When you visit our website and select Contact Us, click on the "Phone" tab, enter your number, and we’ll call you right back.
If your country isn't listed or you’re unable to take advantage of the Contact Us feature, you can call us directly at 1-866-321-8851 or 1-206-266-0927 if you're calling from outside the U.S. In addition to our large selection, one of the benefits we try very hard to offer our customers is convenience. I'm very sorry for the inconvenience you experienced in this case. Thanks for using Kindle.
We look forward to seeing you again soon. Best regards, A****** N
The above reply is a crock, and I told them so, as I have been buying ebooks on Amazon, not Amazon Australia for years. I have been paying US dollars for them and with the conversion rates, have maybe paid 25 cents over the US price. I don't want a $10 coupon, I want to know what is so different about the digital bits and bytes that it merits four times the price?
