Amazon's Free Shipping

[Pikachu]

Placed an order on June 6, 2006 and find today (06/10/2006) it still hasn't shipped. Delivery estimate: June 14, 2006 - June 15, 2006. It's hard enough to find crap that even qualifies for free shipping, and now I see they're trying mightily to discourage taking advantage of it anyway. It must take a fair amount of effort to keep track of what to hold back from shipping, to make this ingenious policy work!

 

[blurredvision]

It clearly states that the estimated shipping date is usually a few days out from ordering it. I've always been aware of this, and if I want it quickly, I'll make sure they are paid for shipping so they have to ship it ASAP.

 

[Pikachu]

But seriously, wouldn't you have to go out of your way to actually keep the grunts from shipping the orders that come through? Do their supervisors look over their shoulders and say, "No, no, not that part. Put that back on the shelf, we can't ship that out for a few more days."

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: Pikachu
But seriously, wouldn't you have to go out of your way to actually keep the grunts from shipping the orders that come through? Do their supervisors look over their shoulders and say, "No, no, not that part. Put that back on the shelf, we can't ship that out for a few more days."

No, their distribution centers are pretty much automated. On top of that they don't hold inventory, they don't get it till it's ready to be shipped.

 

[BigJ]

With their Super Saver Shipping, I've always gotten my stuff within 3 days.

 

[RichardE]

When you order the book, it will say an estimates shipping date on it. So if you order 4 books, 3 of which has a estimates date of 1-2 days but the 4th says 1-2 weeks you will wait those 1-2 weeks.

Why?

The super saver shipping policy only works on bulk mailings. So they will wait until all 4 of your books are in to ship it. They might have 3 of the 4 already, but they need to wait till the 4th one.

 

[madeupfacts]

It's funny how a order a few $5 towels and each of them arrive individually in this 3'x2'x1/2' box. The airbags they used for padding combined with the box probably cost more than what i paid for the towels.

 

[daveymark]

Amazon Prime FTW

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: daveymark
Free Amazon Prime FTW

Fixed

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: daveymark
Free Amazon Prime FTW

Fixed

yeah, the 3 month trial rocked.. but I couldn't justify paying a subscription for it.. don't use it enough.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: RichardE
When you order the book, it will say an estimates shipping date on it. So if you order 4 books, 3 of which has a estimates date of 1-2 days but the 4th says 1-2 weeks you will wait those 1-2 weeks.

Why?

The super saver shipping policy only works on bulk mailings. So they will wait until all 4 of your books are in to ship it. They might have 3 of the 4 already, but they need to wait till the 4th one.

although they claim that, in actual practice i've always gotten seperate shipments as items became available, at no extra cost to me (which means they're doing even better than they claim). as far as super saver, yes, they won't begin to ship for at least a couple days after you place your order, and i do believe that's to discourage you using it. they can advertise free shipping, but if you're on any sort of time crunch, you should definetely figure on paying for shipping. their shipping costs are fairly reasonable, though.

 

[Dedpuhl]

If you need items quickly, then just pay the damned shipping fees.

 

[thescreensavers]

Originally posted by: Dedpuhl
If you need items quickly, then just pay the damned shipping fees.

QFT

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Pikachu
But seriously, wouldn't you have to go out of your way to actually keep the grunts from shipping the orders that come through? Do their supervisors look over their shoulders and say, "No, no, not that part. Put that back on the shelf, we can't ship that out for a few more days."

lol, no it doesnt work like that, our fufillment centers ship nearly a million packages a day, we have software telling the warehouse workers what things to pack next in what order depeneding on the priority of the shipment. amazon prime customers and people who pay for shipping are typically put to the head of the line and super saver shipping will get done at the earliest possible time. they wont wait to grief you but if their are customers who paid for shipping to get their package ASAP ahead of you they rightfully go first.

 

[Pikachu]

Where did I say I was in a hurry? Oh that's right, I didn't!

I simply wondered how they went through the process of NOT shipping stuff before a certain point in time. Seems like it would be a nuisance, just to discourage people from using the free shipping.

Thanks Ameesh, that makes sense.

 

[Reckoner]

Amazon has the best customer service I've ever seen, so they can do whatever they want

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: BigJ
With their Super Saver Shipping, I've always gotten my stuff within 3 days.

iave had it take just over a week, but its FREE so i dont bitch about it

as it is, i was recently allowed to get the Prime trial for 3 months for free.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: madeupfacts
It's funny how a order a few $5 towels and each of them arrive individually in this 3'x2'x1/2' box. The airbags they used for padding combined with the box probably cost more than what i paid for the towels.

Yeah but you'd complain if one of those towels arrived broken, wouldn't you?

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: madeupfacts
It's funny how a order a few $5 towels and each of them arrive individually in this 3'x2'x1/2' box. The airbags they used for padding combined with the box probably cost more than what i paid for the towels.

Because air has become SO EXPENSIVE nowadays. Can't Bush do ANYTHING right?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: dnuggett

Originally posted by: Pikachu
But seriously, wouldn't you have to go out of your way to actually keep the grunts from shipping the orders that come through? Do their supervisors look over their shoulders and say, "No, no, not that part. Put that back on the shelf, we can't ship that out for a few more days."

No, their distribution centers are pretty much automated. On top of that they don't hold inventory, they don't get it till it's ready to be shipped.

Where did you get this info? Granted, it may be different, but 3 years ago when I worked at the Amazon distribution centers in Lexington and Campbellsville, KY, it wasn't like this. We stocked many, many books and many, many non-con (non-conveyable, i.e. TV's, stereos, countless other items).

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: dnuggett

Originally posted by: Pikachu
But seriously, wouldn't you have to go out of your way to actually keep the grunts from shipping the orders that come through? Do their supervisors look over their shoulders and say, "No, no, not that part. Put that back on the shelf, we can't ship that out for a few more days."

No, their distribution centers are pretty much automated. On top of that they don't hold inventory, they don't get it till it's ready to be shipped.

Where did you get this info? Granted, it may be different, but 3 years ago when I worked at the Amazon distribution centers in Lexington and Campbellsville, KY, it wasn't like this. We stocked many, many books and many, many non-con (non-conveyable, i.e. TV's, stereos, countless other items).

inventory is still held, but noncons are being phased out to other locations

 

[TallBill]

Never had a problem with super saver. Cant beat free afterall.