Amazon, a necessary evil?

The same with microwaves.

I also have quite a lot of Bosch stuff, and never been disappointed. Left our 20 year old ish dishwasher in the house when we sold in the UK. Have another one and hope it lasts as long. Same with fridge/freezer, oven and lawnmower.

I can think of another sh word :poop:

1 Like

This is not Amazon but a warning to all I have found on 2 other France websites.

Do not be tempted to click on anything that looks like this offer for a ‘discount’ on the purchase confirmation page!

It is not by the host website but actually a surreptitiously placed gateway to a shopping discount site. Clicking for your discount signs you up to monthly payments directly from the credit card you used for the ‘discount’.

I fell into this and have suffered 2 months of €25 charges that I’m sure I will never recoup, despite writing to the site and cancelling my unwanted subscription.

Seems I am not the only trusting idiot but hopefully the last SF member to be stung :confounded:

4 Likes

These types of scams are becoming more common in the UK as well, if in doubt contact your bank and stop the card/account and get a replacement. The banks fraud department will probably already have information on the company.

Mmmm, but surely they are facilitating the button’s presence and probably getting a commission?

Yes, I’m sure the host site gains. It’s the underhanded way it’s presented that irks :rage:

1 Like

The main company sells advertising space on their site or the web hosting company does. Very recently I had to point this out to a food retailer in the UK as they were not aware of the sort of scam services being advertised on their website.
The sign up to the food suppliers loyalty scheme was actually being hijacked by a bigger more prominent ad which was a scam company but looked liked the retailers loyalty enrolment as it asked several questions which were actually being used by the spoof site.
I pointed this out to the retailer, alerted my bank and they stopped the card and blocked any activity. Its all pretty complex now.

2 Likes

Beware in UK Asda fake followup emails trying 1. to get personal data then 2. have you pay a small ‘delivery charge’ to receive something extra, which may move to 3. making it a subscription (repeating payment) if anyone is taken in this far.

Asda logoing, the whole thing, following an order/collection.

Not sure if it’s an Asda data leak, or a tack-on to some external survey or payment processing module they’re using.

1 Like

Yes, I’ve seen this several times on various websites. You do have to be very alert and read the whole thing before clicking anything. It does tell you straight up that there will be a monthly charge, but I expect they’re relying on the fact that some people will see the ‘refund’ statement and just click without reading the next bit. It’s not strictly speaking a scam, it’s social engineering for profit.

1 Like

:rofl:

He obviously missed the new LIDL distribution centre a few miles further south on the M1.

Apparently the largest in Europe.

Speaking of click and repent, Which Guide has rounded up a report of UK internet scams:

Clearly, never click an email or sms. And, don’t be greedy. If it’s a bargain you don’t need and didn’t ask for - It’s a scam :angry:

1 Like

Not necessarily about a necessary evil, but post this here. Don’t want to start a new thread.

I decided I needed a new adjustable ergonomic computer chair because of neck, shoulder and upper/lower back pain, and found one on Amazon FR. It cost 239.99 euros including free delivery. I went as far as about to order, then stopped to review the matter. The next day I opened up the same Amazon FR, same chair item still in the Amazon FR cart, but the price had changed. I went ahead and placed the order and was surprised to see VAT & delivery cost deductions – referred to as a discount voucher – reducing the cost to 199.99 euros.

Why would that be? Not been benefited like that before. I’m wondering if they are going to send a similar chair of the same make and costing less at exactly 199.99 euros hoping I wouldn’t want to bother returning such a large item. Getting suspicious!

I see that today the cost of the chair has increased to 249.99 euros.

Confusing.

It might be worth looking to see if there is any kind of local supplier of such chairs where you can check them out. A couple of years ago I replaced my computer chair, and I bought mine from a company called Healthy Home & Office in Guildford, whose owner is a member of the business networking group that I go to.

He was a fount of knowledge on the subject and I was able to try several different chairs at various price points before deciding.

In the past I have bought such things online, but with something that affects your health and wellbeing I think it’s worth having expert advice, if you are within range of such a retailer.

Thanks, I’ve looked and haven’t found anything I like locally. Too old to go shopping around in Bordeaux where I’d probably find something that’s more suitable. But judging from Amazon reviews and the Youtube demonstrations as to this chair’s adjustability and comfort it looks pretty good. However, if I find the Amazon chair is uncomfortable I’ll return it.

1 Like

Be aware that they’ll collect awkward or heavy items you return instead of having lug them to a collection point. I bought a grill that was DOA which, as usual, they offered to replace at once but I took a little big of discussion to get the collection option approved.

The same day that I informed Amazon of the faulty grill I emailed the manufacturer’s customer support too and advised them of the issue. They took nearly three weeks to get back to me. Useless.

1 Like

Hope the chair works for you, @Bonzocat. I picked up one locally shortly after arriving in France as I started working from home… it’s been a game changer. Along with the standing desk that I picked up a couple of years later. Like you, I was getting neck and back pain. That’s a thing of the past now. I regularly work pretty long hours, but don’t suffer any longer.

I’m eyeing up getting a “standing mat” next… to try and help get my step count up whilst I’m working. Since our dog was diagnosed with hip dysplasia I’ve noticed that my daily step count has decreased dramatically.

1 Like

Amazon will note your interest, going as far as placing the item in your basket, then holding back. This is encouraging you to buy.

1 Like

Thanks, this is the Hbada chair I’m getting – it has adjustable head/neck support, adjustable lumbar support and adjustable arms and seat height. Suitable for people from five one to six three. It reclines with a foot-rest.

Hope it turns out to be as good as it sounds.

2 Likes