Surprises

Surprises

by Mike Masnick




Amazon Tries To Build Loyalty Through Shipping Club

from the interesting-ideas... dept

Amazon certainly isn't afraid to try out new ideas to build long term sales. Jeff Bezos has famously stuck by its "free shipping for over $25" plan, despite criticism from Wall Street. Analysts are afraid it cuts into margins too much. Bezos responds that it increases sales. However, free shipping apparently isn't enough, so Bezos is testing out a new idea that is designed to make buyers more loyal to Amazon. Called Amazon Prime, customers can pay a $79 annual fee and getting shipping perks. While they obviously could still just get the regular free shipping -- that often takes a while. The new program gives free two-day shipping, and much cheaper overnight shipping. Of course, it hasn't taken long for some people to start calculating how many items you'd need to order in a year for this to make sense. Of course, it's even more complicated, because it's really how many items you'd need to order that you really want there very quickly against how many you'd order that you'll be just fine if they show up in a week. While it's an interesting idea, it seems that $80 is a pretty high price to pay -- and only those who order an awful lot and need it quickly are going to be interested. Still, how long will it take for others (or maybe Amazon itself) to modify this sort of loyalty program to make customers feel compelled to shop only in one place? Update: Ah yes, the company also announced this just hours before missing earnings. Think Bezos is trying to send a message to Wall Street?

535 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
 

Reader Comments

(Flattened / Threaded)

    Aug 3rd, 2006 @ 7:30am
  • money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

    by MICHELLE ROBINSON

    I WAS JUST CHECKING MY BANK ACCT. ON LINE AND SEE THAT $79.OO HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS AND WANT TO BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY NOW!!! ALL I DID WAS LOOK AT THE CLUB STUFF I DID NOT ORDER IT.THANK YOU

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 7th, 2007 @ 7:57pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Agnieszka Kaminska

      Scandal!!!!!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 8:15am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Betaflame

      You might want to try complaining to Amazon.com instead.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 12:15pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by READ

      If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 25th, 2007 @ 11:13am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Shekila Barnes

      I ALSO CHECKED MY BANK ACCOUNT AND 79.00 DOLLARS HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS TRANSACTION I CALLED THEM AT 1-866-557-2820 AND RAISED SO MUCH HELL THEY CREDIT MY ACCOUNT BACK RIGHT THEN.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Aug 2nd, 2007 @ 11:13am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Bob

      I just checked my bank account and found this $79 charge as well.

      My wife has used Amazon quiet often in the past, and now that WILL come to an end.

      I'm suprised a business like Amazon has allowed a shady practice like this to exist in their service. I would think that return business would be worth more to them than a one time (and final) payment of 79 bucks!

      Another one bites the dust!!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Sep 25th, 2007 @ 1:10pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Patrick

      How do you contact Amazon to get out of this and get your money back?
      thank you

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 6th, 2007 @ 10:16am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Ryan

      YEAH! I just looked too and was like "WTF!?"
      So I'm going to bitch to Amazon.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 22nd, 2007 @ 9:27am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Anonymous Coward

      same thing happend to me but i called and they took the charge off

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Nov 18th, 2007 @ 4:11pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Anonymous Coward

      I just noticed the same thing. I was billed for $79.00 for nothing.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Nov 28th, 2007 @ 8:17pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by lance stuber

      Aparently they are still doing it.
      I also was charged $79.00 totally unauthorized. My wife called and they say it will take 3 days to give us the credit. Funny how that takes longer to get the credit than to get charged in the first place.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Dec 14th, 2007 @ 10:49am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by K

      This is just a blog! You have to call Amazon to get your money back. I just did so with no problem.
      Phone number to use is (800) 201 7575 number, then 7.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jan 27th, 2008 @ 1:32pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by luis

      ive got chraged 79.00$ for the same exact thing but i canceled it as fast as i coiuld

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jan 31st, 2008 @ 7:09am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Rabih Makki

      I have also been charged $79 with no request on my part and absolutely no notice from Amazon. I didn't even know about this "prime shipping club" until I found the $79 on my credit card statement! This is clearly VERY questionnable activity on the part of Amazon and, at best, shows Amazon is operating, at least with respect to this shipping club, in a very shoddy manner.
      Is there anyway to get my money back

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Feb 6th, 2008 @ 2:20pm
      • Re: Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my

        by Cesar Cerda

        Dear Mr.Makki,

        You are probably one the thousands victims of his Amazon crocks!!1
        Now I remenber that I ordered someting a year ago, it was charged to my credit card but I NEVER RECEIVED the items.
        Is there any phone number to contact these guys.

        Thank You

        Cesar Cerda

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      Feb 11th, 2008 @ 12:15pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by Lisa

      Same thing happened to me! I go online and thier website says I am not even subscribed to prime, yet I have been charged. And even worse, I cannot find any 1-800 number to call Amazon and correct this easily and quickly. Unacceptable.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Mar 4th, 2008 @ 1:17pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by lillian williams

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Mar 26th, 2008 @ 4:19pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k

      by jaydip

      Hey same is the case with me....

      Don`t trust amazon. I have decided not to purchase any thing from amazon.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Apr 22nd, 2008 @ 12:29am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

      by hicham naji

      i was just checking my bank acct and i see that $79 has been taken out for amazon prime shipping club i did not athorize this and i want to be credited with the money now all i did was look at the stuff i did not order it thank you

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 8th, 2008 @ 1:27pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

      by Carmen Palmer

      I was checking my bank acct. on line and see that $79.00 has been taken out for Amazon Prime Shipping Club, I did not authorize this, and want to be credited with the money now, All I did was look at the club stuff, I did not order it, Carmen. 05/08/08

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 26th, 2008 @ 12:12pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

      by Mike Burkett

      Sounds like it's time for a class action suit.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jul 4th, 2008 @ 10:30am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

      by Heidi

      I found that same $79 charge to day & it over drafted my account! How do I get it credited & how do I contact them? I would love your help! Thanks, Heidi

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jul 14th, 2008 @ 4:47am
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

      by Cecil McCloud

      On or about 13 July 08 79.00 dollars has been debited out my account without my permission. Please refun my money back immediately. My number ia 334-477-9765. I would like to have your name and number as well.

      Cecil Mccloud

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Aug 6th, 2008 @ 2:40pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

      by Mary Ann Basurto

      Ditto! I did not authorize this fee from my online bank acc
      for Amazon Prime Shipping Club fee. It has been taken out of my account unlawfully. My on-line account shows a debit
      in the amount of $79.00 dated 8/4/2008.
      CREDIT MY ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      MARY ANN BASURTO

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 26th, 2008 @ 1:12pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

      by Ava

      Hello, I had same problem as you too. I just realized today that Amazon charged me extra $79 in my account. I wonder how did you solve this problem. Would you please share with me? $79 is big amount for a college student thought.

      Thank you very much.
      Ava

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Aug 22nd, 2009 @ 9:15pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

      by Kathy VanDeventer

      I also received a charge of $79.00-- an unauthorized charge- for Amazon Prime Shipping Club on my credit card. I have contacted Amazon by email and not yet gotten a reply. Has anyone else managed to get their money refunded?

      This is a sneaky underhanded way to do business!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Sep 3rd, 2009 @ 1:06pm
    • Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k.

      by Anonymous Coward

      It says in the terms and conditions when you sign up that once the thirty day trial is expired it's set to automatically renew and upgrade you(charge) for the year assuming that is a service you want to keep. Next time read.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Aug 8th, 2006 @ 5:51pm
  • we also see an unauthorized charge of $79

    by Joy Gooden

    We got stung also. We did not purposely authorize this charge. Maybe Amazon has some sneaky button that you accept this service charge when you think you're just looking at your shipping or other orders.

    We also checked our our Amazon account activity and did not see this charge. Also, we always get an email saying that we've ordered something that shows the cost and shipping charges. We didn't get any email indicating this charge. This makes me very upset. It seems Amazon is trying to pull a fast one and sneak buy a charge. They must not want you to see it. We just happened to see it by looking at our online bank statement. This may cause us to use Amazon a whole lot less.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 12:16pm
    • Re: we also see an unauthorized charge of $79

      by READ

      If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Nov 6th, 2007 @ 11:59am
    • Re: we also see an unauthorized charge of $79

      by Pat N.

      I cannot believe Amazon just automatically charges a person $79 for ordering a paper back book that costs $8.00! This is a pain in the *** because I have to cancel my credit card and have them reissue!!!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Feb 24th, 2008 @ 6:53pm
    • Re: we also see an unauthorized charge of $79

      by jennifer burke

      i just got off the phone with amazon and they immidiatly said they would refund my money and the overdraft fees I got because of it 1-866-216-1072 this is the number NO HASSLES at all

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Feb 27th, 2008 @ 10:07am
    • Re: we also see an unauthorized charge of $79

      by B. E. Christensen

      I also have this charge on my credit card. Were you able to get a refund? I do not see any place to e-mail a reguest for canceling. I did not receive any information as to how this so called prime club works.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Aug 16th, 2009 @ 6:55pm
    • Re: we also see an unauthorized charge of $79

      by PATRICIA MONTALBANO

      SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO ME. I JUST FOUND IT TODAY ON MY ONLINE BANKING. ITS PENDING SO I AM CALLING WACHOVIA & AMAZON.
      I DID NOT AUTHORIZE MINE EITHER & NO EMAIL & IT DOES NOT SHOW UNDER MY AMAZON ACCOUNT!!!!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Aug 11th, 2006 @ 7:25am
  • by Nanne Olds

    I have also been charged $79 with no request on my part and absolutely no notice from Amazon. I didn't even know about this "prime shipping club" until I found the $79 on my credit card statement! This is clearly VERY questionnable activity on the part of Amazon and, at best, shows Amazon is operating, at least with respect to this shipping club, in a very shoddy manner.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 28th, 2006 @ 7:27am
    • Re: prime shipping club

      by c manning

      Amazon just lost a good customer. this is a scam.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 22nd, 2007 @ 3:08pm
    • got charged

      by Anna

      I want a phone number so i can get my $79.00 back !!! I did not say anything about it was okay to charge my account. this is B-S.. I want my money back !!ASAP

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 4:42pm
      • Re: got charged

        by Yadda-Yadda

        I want my MTV too, but I don't whine about it.

        Seriously, did you try looking at AMAZON.COM? Not TECHDIRT.COM...

        Whattawaste.

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      Oct 22nd, 2007 @ 3:08pm
    • got charged

      by Anna

      I want a phone number so i can get my $79.00 back !!! I did not say anything about it was okay to charge my account. this is B-S.. I want my money back !!ASAP

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 22nd, 2007 @ 3:08pm
    • got charged

      by Anna

      I want a phone number so i can get my $79.00 back !!! I did not say anything about it was okay to charge my account. this is B-S.. I want my money back !!ASAP

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Mar 20th, 2008 @ 7:21pm
    • Re:

      by joseph

      i just saw this 79$ fee on my account as well. what is amazon trying to get away with. i did not authorize this. this is not the way busineses should be ran or operated

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Aug 15th, 2008 @ 9:49am
    • Re: AMZ*PRIME CLUB CHARGE

      by Joan Osborne

      I, TOO, JUST DISCOVERED A $79.00 CHARGE ON MY CREDIT CARD STATEMENT WITH ONLY AN 866-557-2820 NV NUMBER FOR THE AMZ*PRIME CLUB. I JUST LOGGED ON TO DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS FOR, AND NOW FIND IT HAS BEEN PLACED ON MY ACCOUNT WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION OR PRIOR NOTIFICATION. VERY DISTURBING.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Aug 18th, 2006 @ 2:58am
  • Amazon prime shipping charge $79 without knowing!

    by david rose

    Me too !! I ordered on line but it was not made clear that their was a charge for being part of the club! This is sneakily saying delivery is free by joining a club but not clearly in BOLD PRINT stating that there is a charge for the service! A company like Amazon should not be trying to cheat there customers like this!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 12:18pm
    • Re: Amazon prime shipping charge $79 without knowi

      by READ

      If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Mar 26th, 2008 @ 5:42am
      • Re: Re: Amazon prime shipping charge $79 without k

        by did read

        Did read the free shipping info, but chose not to sign up and paid my shipping and was still charged the $79. So Amazon was going to charge you no matter what.

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      Mar 11th, 2009 @ 1:27am
    • Re: Amazon prime shipping charge $79 without knowing!

      by lolwa

      you take from my card visa 79 dollar why ?

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Aug 20th, 2006 @ 11:00am
  • by WHT

    Thanks people for helping me figure out what this questionable credit card charge was for. I remember seeing it but can't remember actually deciding to sign up.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 20th, 2006 @ 10:06pm
  • by PISSED OFF

    I just found the $79.00 charge on my bank statement. Has anyone been able to get their money back from Amazon?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Dec 26th, 2006 @ 4:08pm
    • Re: credit card for $79.00

      by valerie henwood

      I want this charge removed from my credit card now:
      I am not interested in your prime club and if this charge is not removed, i will go to the credit card company and deny any authorization of the charge.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jul 2nd, 2007 @ 11:36am
    • Re: AMAZON Scam

      by Kelly

      Hi, I hope you all figured out to just call Amazon.coms customer service. I just got off the phone, the service person apologized and said the full amount would be refunded by 2-3 business days. I'll be sure to post again if it worked, I don't see why it wouldn't have.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Sep 27th, 2007 @ 8:24am
    • Re:

      by Paul Dill

      Yes, they refunded my money today. I called and they claimed, "oops, you were put in accidentally, sorry."

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jun 22nd, 2008 @ 12:45pm
    • Re:

      by Anonymous Coward

      Yes, I called amazon and they canceled the "subscription" that i did not sign up for and I got my money back.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Aug 26th, 2006 @ 3:14am
  • why did they do this to us?

    by negative bank acount

    I got up this morning, checked my bank acount and found a negative balance!!! I have no idea what this amazon loyalty club even is!!! Has anyone been able to get there money credited back to there acout if so please let me know!!! If there is a nuber to call PLEASE I beg someone to let me know!!!!!
    Thanks!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Dec 5th, 2007 @ 12:32pm
    • Re: why did they do this to us?

      by Jim Allen

      The telephone number is 1-866-557-2820.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 4:07am
    • Re: why did they do this to us?

      by Judy

      I am with you 100%. I will never buy anything from Amazon in the future. Don't want to buy from a merchant I cannot trust. I never received any notifcation of this charge and find it very dishonest of them to "automatically" think I
      they could make this charge on my account. I called the Credit Card company the charge was made on and they are reversing the charge.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Feb 24th, 2008 @ 7:07pm
    • Re: why did they do this to us?

      by jennifer burke

      Same thing happened to me. Took me a while to find the phone number, but i find it and with no hassle my money was automaticly refunded and they are willing to pay my overdraft fees that I incured because of this.1-866-216-1072

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Apr 29th, 2008 @ 3:05pm
    • Re: why did they do this to us?

      by Martin Schmok

      I found a telephone number
      it is 866-557-2820

      I have not ordered anything but was inquiring and now my American Express has $81.97 Canadian ($79.00 US) taken from my account. I call this theft, and would like it returned. I thought there were safeguards when dealing with any inquiries on the internet. If this is how Amazon operate, I will never even consider dealing with them.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 15th, 2008 @ 3:07pm
    • Re: why did they do this to us?

      by Elizabeth

      The number is 866-557-2820. I got charged to. I found a negative $45 on my account. A business this large should not be trying to screw its customers.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Aug 28th, 2006 @ 7:19am
  • Amazon.com

    by Staci Mims

    Has anyone found a telepone number to call Amazon.com??

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 29th, 2006 @ 9:22pm
  • prime time to cancel

    by patrick

    same thing happened to my fiance an me. if you go to the help page on the left there is a link under "shipping and delivery" labeled "amazon prime." once you go to that link one of the options is cancelling your account. we just did it and it said that it could take 24-48 hours to cancel if "there are no qualifiying purchases." so as we try very hard to remember what the hell buttons we pushed over the last few weeks, we are hoping that this will actually cancel the membership. if that is not good enough you can click on the link for "phone contact" and then amazon calls you. its weird, and it already feels like a terminal hold situation but we will let you know what happens.

    p

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 29th, 2006 @ 9:49pm
  • mission accomplished

    by patrick

    i was on the phone with customer support and she was obviously refrencing some email during our conversation. so i said "well, if you are getting emails about this from corporate there must be some system in place to refund the money." i know, i am tough as hell. ha ha ha. she said that it was one of those three months free and then charge you deals and because we cancelled (read above post) without "using" the membership the refund has been initiated. i have to say she was very nice and i think that any force applied to someone answering the phone will yield you the results you want. i would get in on this early before they have a big meeting on how they are going to stop being easy and start trying to sell you on the idea. good luck!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 30th, 2006 @ 9:06am
  • What the HELL!

    by Trinkit

    I just found the same damn thing on my account.

    I'll do some research into a class action law suit! This is fraud.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 5th, 2006 @ 8:05pm
  • Amazon rip off

    by Rhonda

    I just found the same charge on my card. Unlike some of the earlier folks, I never received any info about the "club". Also, I haven't made an amazon purchase in months and months....If they're going to do this, I may never make another order!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 17th, 2006 @ 9:25pm
  • Fraud at it's sneakiness

    by kenyon

    I just happened to look at my partners charge account to therefernce of$$ 79.00 charge. He passed away this July.The charge was made on Aug 24 2006. What kind of crap is this ??????Who autthorized the charge??

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 19th, 2006 @ 9:55pm
  • thankfully I used a credit card

    by craig

    Hey do you guys know you can call your bank and tell them the charge was noty authroised? They'll then do what's called a charge back and make Amazon prove that you authorised it. If they can't, Amazon has to refund the money.

    I'm doing disputing a charge on my Visa card, we'll see how it goes....

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 20th, 2006 @ 10:44am
  • Thank you Patrick/Get a REFUND

    by Cindy

    WOW, thanks Patrick. I followed your instructions to the letter and you are absolutely right, it was painless and I am getting a refund. I, like everyone else was shocked at the $79.00 charge but the young lady that I spoke with was really nice as well. Again thanks for your help. All others seeking to get their money back...see Patrick's post, maybe it can help you as it as helped me. Thanks
    Cindy

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 20th, 2006 @ 4:21pm
  • $79.00 RIPOFF

    by Hermann

    Add my name to the list. I called Amazon and they are currently doing an upgrade and requested that I call them back after 2 hours. I think this should fall under "class action status". I wish that I had looked for this website before I closed my credit card account.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 2:37pm
  • Quick cancel

    by John Ceballos

    I phoned Amazon and was refunded within 5 minutes.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 18th, 2006 @ 12:08pm
  • Phone Number

    by Jerry

    I saw the $79 charge as well and went to the web site after reading other entries. I then found the phone link which I put in my phone number and then a representive called me w/in 60 seconds.

    The phone number is under the help section of the prime link.

    It is kind of a wierd phone procedure, but did work.

    good luck

    I then receive the following e-mail.

    Subscriptions Cancelled Notification

    Hello from Amazon.com.

    We're writing to confirm that your Amazon Prime subscription has been cancelled at your request. Your membership benefits have now ended.

    As an Amazon Prime subscriber, you have enjoyed free Two-Day Shipping and upgraded Overnight Shipping for only $3.99 on millions of eligible items. If you wish to subscribe in the future, please visit our online subscription pages:

    http://www.amazon.com/prime

    Thank you for trying Amazon Prime and shopping at Amazon.com.

    Best regards,

    Amazon.com Customer Service
    http://www.amazon.com

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 3rd, 2006 @ 6:39pm
  • Amazon charged my card for Prime Shipping subscrip

    by debi

    I spent one hour today trying to find out what I might have bought from Amazon for $79.00 after receiving my Amazon card invoice. I usually do not spend that much at Amazon so I thought perhaps I used the card for another online purchase for my company...even though I couldn't remember any. Finally, after not finding any charge for that amount ~ I called my card company and ask what the bill was for. The representative told me that he knew what it was for ~ because another lady had called earlier with the same charge. It was a charge for Amazon's Prime Shipping subscription. I told him that I didn't order it and that I know for sure because I would never order anything like that. He said that I could dispute the charge. I told him that I would contact Amazon. But after looking online for a phone number to call Amazon and not finding one ( imagine that!) So, I called back my card company to dispute the charge. Once I had the dispute rep on the phone and explained what happened he said that he could dispute the charge. I ask if my card would be credited immediately so that I would not get any late fees or charges for being late on the payment as it was due on November 5th. He told me that he would call an Amazon representative while I was on the phone ( I guess they get that special phone number) and the next thing I know a very nice female representative from "Amazon" who in a very round about way told me that somehow I must have signed up for the Prime Shipping subscription. I told her that I doupt that happened unless Amazon tagged it on to an order somehow via very, very small print. I told her that it looks like I was just charged for something that I did not order, need or want. So she told me that she would credit my card and cancel my subscription. Then I decided to do a search online and see if anyone else had this happen especially after remembering what the first rep told me that another customer had the the same unathorized charge earlier in the same day. I run two businesses and this is wrong and it seems from all the comments here that these are intentional unauthorized charges.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 15th, 2006 @ 8:18pm
  • amazing how they low they will go

    by David

    I just saw the same charge on my card.. I am amazed and now I am really NOT goign to shop in Amazon anymore obviously they are getting desperate to stoop to such a low dirty tactic to generate more revenue.. Bye bye amazon after being a customer for nearly 5 years!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 12:23pm
    • Re: amazing how they low they will go

      by READ

      If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • May 29th, 2007 @ 5:32pm
      • Re: Re: amazing how they low they will go

        by Guinevere Hurley

        If people would just hit the send BUTTON once and just once, a gazillion postings of the same comment could be avoided.

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Nov 30th, 2006 @ 6:34pm
  • Doesn't look like much loyalty is being engendered

    by Willo

    Count me among the victims of the Amazon Prime Shipping fraud. I haven't paid the $79 that my card was charged, and won't. But I anticpate a hassle.
    I suggest that folks never allow their credit card to be retained by the system for "one click" ordering. Of course if you give your credit card number at all you may be targeted for this scam. Always check your bills!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 12:24pm
    • Re: Doesn't look like much loyalty is being engend

      by READ

      If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Dec 2nd, 2006 @ 4:47am
  • Amazon prime club theft

    by Mimi

    I ordered a few things as gifts. When I checked my account, I found I also had been charged this amount and I did not authorize it. Did this occur when I clicked the ORDER button? I'm contacting Amazon and my bank on Monday to get this resolved. If I can't, you can add my name to any class action suit.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 22nd, 2006 @ 7:10am
  • Amazon Prime Membership

    by Dale

    I had on my calendar that I needed to cancel this by December 28th...x days after I signed up....to avoid being charged. Evidently their records said the 19th and by the 21st it was on my card billing transaction list. I went online to "manage my account" and "manage my Amazon prime" where they have a button to "cancel membership". I wasn't betting that this action alone would get me a refund of the charge. So it took a while to find a customer service phone number...in fact I never did, but if you look under "customer returns" they have a java script button where you click on it and then enter your own phone number and when you want to be called, like "right now" and your phone immediately rings and they tell you to wait for the next representative. I explained my situation and she was pleasant, said their records were different than mine but did say she would process a credit of the charge. OK, so I'm paranoid, so I also clicked on the "dispute the charge" on my credit card that this was charged to just in case the credit doesn't show up quickly.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2007 @ 7:47am
  • Cancellation/refund without a problem

    by Henning

    I have always considered Amazon a guiding light when it came to Internet shopping. The way Amazon has handled the so-called "Prime Club" has been a serious ethical slip of the foot. However, they cancelled my membership and has promised to refund the money (which, of course, I believe they will). Incidentally -- in spite of what customer service writes -- I have used the prime service for shipments, I just wasn't aware that I was being charged.

    This was the answer I got:

    "Thanks for writing to us at Amazon.com.

    I've looked into your account and verified that you have signed up for a free-trial membership to Amazon Prime, and your credit card was not charged $79 when you signed up.

    At the end of the free trial period, we will automatically convert your trial membership to a full 12-month membership at a cost of $79 (that is 12 months in addition to the period of free membership you received).

    I have verified that your Amazon Prime membership renewed
    automatically on January 01, 2007 and your renewal payment method was charged $79 for continued membership.

    As you did not intend to renew your membership, I have cancelled your Amazon Prime membership. Our records indicate that you have not used your Amazon Prime membership benefits, so I have requested a refund of $79 for the membership fee.

    The refund should be processed within the next 2-3 business days and will appear as a credit on your next credit card billing statement.

    Please know that we value your business, and we hope to see you again soon at Amazon.com."

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 17th, 2007 @ 11:21am
  • Bad marketing practices will harm customer retenti

    by anonymous

    First, this site cannot refund your money. You must log into your amazon account and cancel the prime service before you place an order and use the service, or speak to someone in a call center and cancel your service. 1 (866) 577 5820.

    Second, the practice of using opt-in marketing with terms and charges hidden as well as they possibly can sickens me. There is nothing free about Amazon Prime. $79.00 Free. Lying on one page, and putting a link to another page where the truth is told is still a lie. I design e-commerce sites for a living and every time a marketing person wants to put something like this on one of the websites I'm working on, I point out the negitive impact that it will have on users that are not aware of it. What has happened is a corruption of what is known as opt-in or "permission marketing." Permission marketing is marketing centered around obtaining customer consent to receive information from a company. The problem is that to obtain consent, the person giving consent needs to see and comprehend fully what they are consenting to. When the details that would make that consent less likely to occur are hidden or misrepresented, this is where a problem occurs. Amazon has designed a system in such a way that you don't know that you are buying prime service unless you are very very careful and read multiple pages of material. In addition, they make every attempt to discourage you from cancelling the service and also make it as difficult as they can to cancel the service once it is used for the first time.

    Third, I encourage you to remove all of your billing details from sites, like Amazon, that store you credit card information. If you remove your credit cards, they cannot sign you up automatically since you did not give them permission to save your credit card details. That would actually be fraud.

    Fourth, I encourage everyone to dispute the charge on their credit card so that Amazon.com's charge back ratio is pushed to a percentage where their merchant account fees become higher. This is the only message that will get through to their executives that this type of marketing scheme is nefarious at best and just plain ethically wrong.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Apr 20th, 2008 @ 8:18am
    • Re: Bad marketing practices will harm customer retenti

      by sl

      Thanks ANONYMOUS, Thank you for taking the time to explain how and why this is done. Your rant was expressed professionally.
      I also am a victim of this scam and will proceed as soon as I wake up completley... sl

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Apr 24th, 2007 @ 4:32pm
  • Amazon still tricking people into Prime Club Membe

    by Jackie

    I have to say that whenever I make online purchases the bulk of them come from Amazon. I usually opt for the Free Shipping over $25 and don't mind waiting for my order. However I was "window" shopping the other day with Amazon and noticed a link at the top of my screen asking if I wanted to try the Amazon Prime Club Membership, which would included free 2-day shipping. I clicked on the link at didn't really notice anything stating that I would be paying $79 once my 30 day trial was up. It has been a month and I just noticed the charge on my account. Needless to say I called my bank and was informed that this was a Direct Marketing Subscription which basically means I didn't enter my Credit Card informatmion, it was automagically entered for me. Thanks for the heads up Amazon!!

    I did get a number to call (1-866-557-2820) and the guy on the other end was more than cooperative with assisting me on getting my FULL refund. I have learned a lesson and will be more cautious when clicking away. Happy Shopping!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 28th, 2007 @ 4:34pm
  • Same here... tell me again what button did I press

    by Dan

    I hardly ever look over my credit card bill... but I did today since it was higher than expected... and I found the AMZ*Prime Club 866-557-2820 NV Charge of $79.00 as well...

    That was a surprise if I had ever seen one from a major corporation... I don't see how in the world did I ever sign up for this _ _ _ _.... and I'm not exactly technologically incompetent neither.

    At least they gave me my money back. I don't know if I can do business with them anymore though...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Nov 22nd, 2007 @ 8:17am
    • Re: Same here... tell me again what button did I p

      by elena

      Hello, I had the same problem, NEVER asked of 79$ for AMZ prime club.
      Pls tell me how I can get this money back. I am from Italy and I am really disappointed of this.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 1st, 2007 @ 12:59pm
  • AMZ crooks

    by Boyd Rahier

    Today is May 1st, 2007, and they are still trying to rip people off. I just received my Visa statement, and there was an unauthorized charge for $79. I do not know how they got hold of my charge card number. Then, if you want to take on a real chorse, try to find these f-----s in order to send them an e-mail complaint. It's like they do not exist. Boyd Rahier

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 1st, 2007 @ 2:11pm
  • Got the refund

    by bookless

    Just called Amazon at the numberI found on this site, and it took all of 30 seconds to get my refund. Press 7 at the prompt, and the operator will submit the refunds with no questions asked.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 2nd, 2007 @ 12:47am
  • Same 79$ charge, Amazon have cancelled the number

    I am also one of the Amazon victims of the 79 $ charge. All I did is that I searched for that charge on the Internet till I found this site. I called the number mentioned in the replies above, but I found that the number has been cancelled by owner and no longer valid. I searched on the Internet to find any number of Amazon support till I found that number 1-800-201-7575 . I used it and after a 10 minute call the operator notified me that my order has been cancelled. I am really surprised they made that charge and wanted to have me in their shipping club although I would not be able at any time to make use of it as I am living in Egypt and never had in my life an address in the US. This prime club is only valid within the US

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 2nd, 2007 @ 12:00pm
  • fraud!!!!

    by Donna Gorman

    I just got my $79 deducted from my check card today. I cant get on the phone quick enough to let them know that they are heading the way of AOL by tricking customers into sales they do not know about.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 2nd, 2007 @ 2:38pm
  • It IS fraud and we should all STOP using AMAZON.CO

    by jennifer

    This also happened to me and the $79 was debited directly from my bank account on 4-25-07. I called customer service immediately and the employee tried to convince me that I had placed an order at a time when there was a 'little' box on the page that indicated I was also signing up for thus thing. NOT. I hadn't used Amazon.com since last christmas. At the same time, she acknowledged she was refunding my money. When I told her she should be concerned about participating in a fraud and that there were very likely old people with nominal fixed incomes who are being robbed in this manner, she said I was being abusive (I was not abusive at all - very matter of fact actually). Anyway, she disconnected me. I phone again tonight and it has been verified that I will get my money back. The latter is hardly the issue for me though - the issue is doing business in a way that is patently criminal and which uses technology to trick the unwitting who do not check their bank records or who, when they review them, assume it must have been a valid charge. Amazon does not even list its brand name with the banks when it takes these charges! I would encourage anyone reading this to take it very seriously and to contact their state consumer protection agency with details in addition to seeking their money back as this would (if anything will) potentially promote an end to the fraud. You could also contact television or radio producers if they might be interested. Finally, I contacted a law firm in Chicago that focuses on class action lawsuits. You can search for Edelman & Combs. I completed their on-line email 'contact' us with my info but I live out of the U.S. at present. It would be better to have U.S. residents as class action representatives. Anyway, enough said. I will no longer use Amazon.com and I hope you all will do the same, at a minimum!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 6th, 2007 @ 8:37pm
    • Re: It IS fraud and we should all STOP using AMAZO

      by albert

      Here is another victim of Amazon.com. I found in my credit card a charge of 79$. It's a shame!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 3rd, 2007 @ 9:23am
  • I spoke with customer service!

    by Felisha

    I just spoke with customer service, and they gave me no problems and told me that my money would be back in my account within 2 days.
    We'll see if it's true, but I found them very helpful. She didn't ask any questions, I just told her I discovered the charge and didn't agree with it and wanted to be taken off the "prime club" and have the money returned.
    I used the 866-577-2820 number. (I just had to be a little patient until speaking with someone).
    Good luck!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 3rd, 2007 @ 3:50pm
  • by anyway

    anyway, amazon is nice enough. Just call 866-577-2820, and Press 7 at the prompt, the operator will submit the refunds with no questions asked.
    Good, everyone.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 3rd, 2007 @ 7:51pm
  • same here 79.00 charge to credit card

    by tonya hogue

    hi im glad i look this up my hubby credit card was charge today like everyone else 79.00 i think amazon need to shut down they doing stuff like that not good! tomorow we will call that 8866-577-2820 number thanks felisha! tonya

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 4th, 2007 @ 12:58am
  • AMZ Club

    by Ragab Tosson

    Dear Sir

    How Amazon get this 79 USD from my account and did not confirm this payment with me by mails as usual , it is not avery good way from Amazon , Recpecting the clients should inform them about this payment before the access , Please send that back to my account.

    Rgds
    Ragab

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 4th, 2007 @ 6:29am
    • Re: AMZ Club

      by tonya hogue

      there has to be somthing we can do i was reading on here there alot of people geting billed 79.00 on credit cards for no reason thats not right a lawyer would love this i counted 25 are less people on here with this problem not good!! tonya

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 4:48pm
    • Re: AMZ Club

      by Joe Customer

      Ragab,

      Please post your bank account number, credit card number, social security number (if you have one) phone number, home and business address, passport number, PIN number, and any other number that may help us here.

      Until you do that, and even after you do that, this website cannot refund to you as it is NOT AMAZON.COM.

      Thank you, looking forward to your bank account.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 4th, 2007 @ 7:29pm
  • A $79-cheat

    by Joey Lam

    I didn't join but was charged. Don't even know what it is before I check on Yahoo! This is tentamount to fraud.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 5th, 2007 @ 9:13am
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by Cindy Powell

    Ditto to all of the other complaints about AMZ Prime Club. It hit not one of our credit cards, but two--on different dates. I plan to contest both. What gives? This has been a reliable company until now.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 6th, 2007 @ 6:17am
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by Mrs Valle

    Until now we trusted Amazon, but we were never advised of this $79.00 charged, just came in so we wonder what club we joined that we did not know about!!!!
    The 866 577 2820 number is no longer available... any suggestions?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 5th, 2007 @ 10:38am
    • Re: AMZ Prime Club

      by Manuel de Santiago Hernandez

      I found in my credit card a charge of $79. I was never advised of this $79.00 charged. I need an explanation -in spanish- of Amazon, because I have sold books in that lenguage.

      Manuel de Santiago

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 6th, 2007 @ 10:05pm
  • I am so angry

    by susan kipping

    I have spent all week trying to figure out what the $79.00 charge on my bank account was. I am sooooooo angry that Amazon did this without even warning me. This is theft. I have called the numbers that are listed above, but they do not work. I will keep trying. Thank you all for posting your comments. This was very helpful. I will never use free shipping again, because it isn't free.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 6th, 2007 @ 10:24pm
  • I called and got my money back

    by susan kipping

    I did get through on 866-577-5820 and the woman that answered the phone is giving me my money back. I told her I did not authorize anyone at Amazon to sign me up for anything and it was never brought to my attention. I feel sorry for the people that will not be looking closely to their bank statements and will lose this money. Thank you again, everyone, for posting your comments.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 6th, 2007 @ 11:10pm
  • Amazon Prime is crooked. I feel cheated and angry!

    by Dee Villarrubia

    Amazon Prime is crooked. I feel cheated and angry!!!! Amazon just lost a good customer. this is a scam.I spent one hour today trying to find out what I might have bought from Amazon for $79.00 after receiving my Amazon card invoice. I usually do not spend that much at Amazon so I thought perhaps I used the card for another online purchase for my company...even though I couldn't remember any. Finally, after not finding any charge for that amount ~ I called my card company and ask what the bill was for. The representative told me that he knew what it was for ~ because another lady had called earlier with the same charge. It was a charge for Amazon's Prime Shipping subscription. I told him that I didn't order it and that I know for sure because I would never order anything like that. He said that I could dispute the charge. I told him that I would contact Amazon. But after looking online for a phone number to call Amazon and not finding one ( imagine that!) So, I called back my card company to dispute the charge. Once I had the dispute rep on the phone and explained what happened he said that he could dispute the charge. I ask if my card would be credited immediately so that I would not get any late fees or charges for being late on the payment as it was due on November 5th. He told me that he would call an Amazon representative while I was on the phone ( I guess they get that special phone number) and the next thing I know a very nice female representative from "Amazon" who in a very round about way told me that somehow I must have signed up for the Prime Shipping subscription. I told her that I doupt that happened unless Amazon tagged it on to an order somehow via very, very small print. I told her that it looks like I was just charged for something that I did not order, need or want. So she told me that she would credit my card and cancel my subscription. Then I decided to do a search online and see if anyone else had this happen especially after remembering what the first rep told me that another customer had the the same unathorized charge earlier in the same day. I run two businesses and this is wrong and it seems from all the comments here that these are intentional unauthorized charges. I just saw the same charge on my card.. I am amazed and now I am really NOT going to shop in Amazon anymore obviously they are getting desperate to stoop to such a low dirty tactic to generate more revenue.. Bye bye amazon after being a customer for nearly 5 years! I ordered a few things as gifts. When I checked my account, I found I also had been charged this amount and I did not authorize it. Did this occur when I clicked the ORDER button? I'm contacting Amazon and my bank on Monday to get this resolved. If I can't, you can add my name to any class action suit. Second, the practice of using opt-in marketing with terms and charges hidden as well as they possibly can sickens me. There is nothing free about Amazon Prime. $79.00 Free. Lying on one page, and putting a link to another page where the truth is told is still a lie. I design e-commerce sites for a living and every time a marketing person wants to put something like this on one of the websites I'm working on, I point out the negitive impact that it will have on users that are not aware of it. What has happened is a corruption of what is known as opt-in or "permission marketing." Permission marketing is marketing centered around obtaining customer consent to receive information from a company. The problem is that to obtain consent, the person giving consent needs to see and comprehend fully what they are consenting to. When the details that would make that consent less likely to occur are hidden or misrepresented, this is where a problem occurs. Amazon has designed a system in such a way that you don't know that you are buying prime service unless you are very very careful and read multiple pages of material. I was "window" shopping the other day with Amazon and noticed a link at the top of my screen asking if I wanted to try the Amazon Prime Club Membership, which would included free 2-day shipping. I clicked on the link at didn't really notice anything stating that I would be paying $79 once my 30 day trial was up. It has been a month and I just noticed the charge on my account. Needless to say I called my bank and was informed that this was a Direct Marketing Subscription which basically means I didn't enter my Credit Card informatmion, it was automatically entered for me. It IS fraud and we should all STOP using AMAZON. The employee tried to convince me that I had placed an order at a time when there was a 'little' box on the page that indicated I was also signing up for thus thing. NOT. He acknowledged he was refunding my money. I told him she should be concerned about participating in a fraud and that there were very likely old people with nominal fixed incomes who are being robbed in this manner! DEE VILLARRUBIA 210-400-9750 cell http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20050202/1324236.shtml

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 7th, 2007 @ 6:56am
  • by Mrs Valle

    Please find attached a URL where you may have all numbers and information to access AMAZON, we just called to fix the prime club mistake but we were told to call back in two hours since they are upgrading their system.

    http://clicheideas.com/amazon.htm

    we used the toll free for US and Canada: 800 201 7575 and then pressed 7.

    You must have with you your account information:
    name,
    email address,
    last digit of credit card and expiring date,
    and billing address.

    Good luck!, We will try again later.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 19th, 2008 @ 8:08am
    • Re: CALL 800 201 7575 ext 7

      by Cj

      They ARE snakes. I used this 800 # listed above NOT the 866 # & they did credit my account back immediately!!! But I'm still not right about the situation, they're sneaky. And I DON'T like it

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 7th, 2007 @ 7:30am
  • Bad [

    by Anonymous Coward

    I am angry for Amzon's AMZPrime Club.Why  I must pay
    79 dollars annual?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 7th, 2007 @ 7:31am
  • May 7th, 2007 @ 1:02pm
  • Amazon Prime Club $79.00 dollar charge

    by Mrs Valle

    We have finally fixed the mistake (check comments 43 and 48) They are very efficient and understandable. It took only 10 minutes to get the cancellation and the refund.
    We advise you to call and find out personally for your case.
    Use the (800) 201 7575 number, then 7.
    Thanks for letting us share our experience with you.
    Bye.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 7th, 2007 @ 7:42pm
  • Money taken out of my credit card without my knowl

    by Daniel

    I WAS JUST CHECKING MY CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT AND I SAW THAT $79.OO HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS AND WANT TO BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY NOW!!!THANK YOU

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 8th, 2007 @ 2:02am
  • Amazon Prime Club

    by D. Addison

    Awful practice by Amazon.com. I just happened to check my credit card statement and as others found saw that it was higher than usual. This was odd because I've been paying off. Anyway, I found the $79 charge with AMZ* next to it. I called that 1800 201 7575 number. The guy was asking when was the last time I ordered from Amazon... (last October!!). I told him that doesn't matter, end result is that I wanted the charge reversed immediately. He did and said the credit will appear on my next credit card statement. Does anyone know if there is a way to check if this is done before next months statement? I am considering emailing the media outlets about this. Even though we know we should, many credit card customers don't look at their bills, especially if they are utilizing one of those automatic payment systems.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 8th, 2007 @ 12:09pm
  • What`s that?

    by Anonymous Coward

    I was also a victim!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 9th, 2007 @ 1:42am
  • i didnot authorize for this payment

    by ch v s n murthy

    I WAS JUST CHECKING MY CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT AND I SAW THAT $79.OO HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS AND WANT TO BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY NOW!!!THANK YOU
    MURTHY

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 10:20am
    • Re: i didnot authorize for this payment

      by WOW can you even read?

      Another idiot that thinks TechDirt hasn anything to do with Amazon. When you learn to read(both the TOS for Amazon prime and the above post NOT from Amazon) then you might get your money back Mr. ch v s n murthy

      Idiots make my day! Dumb ass

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 11:07am
    • Re: i didnot authorize for this payment

      by Glenn Barres

      Man some people are just retarded. THIS IS NOT AMAZON, this is Techdirt. friggin read the screen people

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 9th, 2007 @ 2:00am
  • i didnot authorize for this payment

    by ch v s n murthy

    I WAS JUST CHECKING MY CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT AND I SAW THAT $79.OO HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS AND WANT TO BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY NOW!!!THANK YOU
    MURTHY

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 9th, 2007 @ 5:35pm
  • Amazon Fraud

    by Jonnie VanderZanden

    I too just checked my credit card. How do we get them to credit my card back?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 7:35am
  • People sanity

    by Uddhava das

    Maybe all people here complaining should write to Amazon instead of techdirt...
    That makes more sense..

    But i wonder if they will read this since they also did not read the fine print on amazon.com...
    go figure

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 8:04am
  • by Amazon Official

    Off course you can complain here, YOUR JUST HAVE TO USE ALL CAPS, OTHERWISE IT WON'T WORK!

    And off course give out the credit card number that have been charged for the 79 $.

    You should see transactions on your credit card statement shortly.

    (Geeeeeeez).

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 8:07am
  • Dumb people

    by Javi0084

    Do you people have no reading skills? THIS IS NOT AMAZON.COM!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 9:40am
    • Re: Dumb people

      by Anonymous Coward

      [quote]Do you people have no reading skills?[/quote]

      This is probably why the have charges for $79 on their credit card.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 11:51am
    • Re: Dumb people

      by Rip-off

      Well, it happened to me on 4/29/07 and I called Amazon today (5/10/07) and spoke with one of their representatives who was very nice and issued my $79 refund. So if it's not Amazon then who the heck is it?

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 10th, 2007 @ 10:02am
  • by eric becker

    I am happy to pay the $79. Now most of my product ordered by amazon arive within 1 or 2 days. Great service.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 11:29am
  • by HaaaaHaaaa

    Most of you people are dumber than rocks. How did you even figure out how to get on the Internet in the first place? Someone should take your Internet access away.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 12:08pm
  • i r teh stupid

    by rocks

    friggin morons... i did the trial and CANCELLED after a month... my brain wasn't even challenged during the whole process...

    please cancel all your credit cards, turn off your pc, stay off the www, and use only cash (assuming you can read the little numbers on the bills)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 12:08pm
  • wait, I have to pay for stuff that costs money??!?

    by Incredibly entertaining

    I love the people who are surprised that getting unlimited two day shipping actually costs money. If it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true. Simple concept, but incredibly difficult to grasp apparently...

    p.s. I love how people are playing around and still saying this is amazon.com, haha. brilliant comedy... it's a joke right?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 12:24pm
  • ya'll iz dum

    by smarter than you

    how you managed to confuse techdirt's article about amazon with the actual amazon site will no doubt boggle me and confound me into nights of sleeplessness and horror as i realize you are the complete idiots that elected george w into the white house because he's truly a king among dolts

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 2:30pm
  • I can get Amazon to refund you...

    by Ima Scammer

    Simply give me your full name, social security number, bank account number with name of bank and credit card number with the code on the back.

    I'll take care of it. Trust me.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 2:54pm
  • FUCKING READ ME

    by The Fine Print

    Seriously, I'm there for a reason.

    When you order or sign something, you're agreeing that you've read everything.

    So do it, read it all.

    Otherwise, it's your own fault.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 10th, 2007 @ 3:03pm
  • Unauthorized Charge

    by Bazemore

    I did not order this Amazon Prime feature, I just took a look at it but did not sign up for it. I am a regular Amazon user and this makes me second think about continuing business with them for this $79.00 charge. Thank God I look at my bank statement often for I would not have been aware of this charge. We all should be credited for this and give us a year free charge for shipping. I am shocked at Amazon, I have used them for years.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 10th, 2007 @ 8:37pm
    • Re: Unauthorized Charge

      by Amazon

      We appologize for the mistake. To correct the problem please go to our website and leave TECHDIRT alone. Our mistake and slyness does not give you the right to SPAM Techdirt.

      Thankyou,
      The Amazon Team

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 10th, 2007 @ 7:06pm
  • free

    by Anonymous Coward

    You have just won one FREE INTERNET!

    sign with blood here _______________.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 11th, 2007 @ 2:33am
  • Amazon prime shipping charge $79 without permissio

    by ELIRAN

    i am another victim of Amazon I found in my credit card a charge of 79$. i am not Buying anything from Amazon again

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 11th, 2007 @ 5:44am
  • Tooken my 75$ without permission

    by Weeraboon

    Hi every victim,

    I got a statement that show AMZ charged me already 79$.
    Why and How??

    How can we do?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • May 25th, 2007 @ 10:55am
    • Re: Tooken my 75$ without permission

      by Shekila Barnes

      They also took 79.00 dollars from my account . I called them a 1-866-557-2820 and raised so much hell they put my money back into my account

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 11th, 2007 @ 8:08am
  • They still think this is Amazon?

    by Javi0084

    Either people are refusing to read or the are being sarcastic. I wouldn't be surprised if they also fell for the Nigerian scams!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 11th, 2007 @ 10:06pm
  • what happened?

    by Sukyoung Hong

    I did not order this Amazon Prime feature, I just took a look at it but did not sign up for it. I am a regular Amazon user and this makes me second think about continuing business with them for this $79.00 charge.
    You have to solve this problem quickly.
    I want to recive my money.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 11th, 2007 @ 10:59pm
  • haw to get your money bak

    by eliran

    http://www.amazon.com/help/
    Write an email to Amazon.com Customer Service
    I got an answer within 1 day.

    This is the replay:

    "I am sorry for any misunderstanding regarding the charge of $79.00
    from your account. This amount was charged for Amazon Prime
    Membership.

    I've looked into your account and verified that you have signed up
    for a free-trial membership to Amazon Prime, and your credit card
    was not charged $79 when you signed up for this membership

    Please note that at the end of the free trial period, we will
    automatically upgrade your trial membership to a full 12-month
    membership at a cost of $79 (that is 12 months in addition to the
    period of free membership you received).

    However, your Amazon Prime membership has been cancelled.

    Our records indicate that you have not used your Amazon Prime
    membership benefits, so I have requested a refund of $79 for the
    membership fee. The refund should be processed within the next 2-3
    business days and will appear as a credit on your next credit card
    billing statement.

    Please know that we value your business, and we hope to see you
    again soon at Amazon.com."

    Thanks to Amazon Customer Service you can get a full refund

    Eliran

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 11th, 2007 @ 11:54pm
  • Haw to get your money back

    Go to Amazon Help section and write an email to Customer Service.

    I got an answer within 1 day, this is the replay:

    "Greetings from Amazon.com.
    I am sorry for any misunderstanding regarding the charge of $79.00
    from your account. This amount was charged for Amazon Prime
    Membership.

    I've looked into your account and verified that you have signed up
    for a free-trial membership to Amazon Prime, and your credit card
    was not charged $79 when you signed up for this membership.

    Please note that at the end of the free trial period, we will
    automatically upgrade your trial membership to a full 12-month
    membership at a cost of $79 (that is 12 months in addition to the
    period of free membership you received).

    However, your Amazon Prime membership has been cancelled.

    Our records indicate that you have not used your Amazon Prime
    membership benefits, so I have requested a refund of $79 for the
    membership fee. The refund should be processed within the next 2-3
    business days and will appear as a credit on your next credit card
    billing statement.

    Please know that we value your business, and we hope to see you
    again soon at Amazon.com."


    Thanks to Amazon Customer Service you can get your money back.
    I have not signed up for a free-trial membership at Amazon Prime by knowledge, but to avoid this situation in the future I think they have to stop charge automatically.

    ELIRAN

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 12th, 2007 @ 4:15pm
  • Give my $79 back

    by Xiaomeng Lu

    Why they charged me $79 without ant notice? By the way, it's kind of cheating because it has the word" free". I didn't join that amazon prime club. So please give my money back. I want to cancel the membership also, thanks.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jun 26th, 2007 @ 9:51am
    • Re: Give my $79 back

      by Julio Rodriguez

      Why charged me $79.00 without any notice? It king of cheating because it has the word FREE. I didn't join that the Amazon Prime Club. I want my mone back, thanks.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    May 14th, 2007 @ 3:02pm
  • this happened twice

    by Pete

    I have no clear memory of this Amazon Prime business, but apparently it's been going on awhile. After seeing the $79 charge on today's bill I checked my past statements, and sure enough, a year ago, I was billed another $79 that I hadn't noticed. Very odd that a reputable company like Amazon would operate this way, giving no warnings, no receipts, nothing. They kept me on hold for quite awhile, but then told me they'd refund the entire $158. I think they know they've been naughty.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 17th, 2007 @ 8:39am
  • Prime Shipping Club

    by Irene

    I too wac charged $79.00 and was completely mystified as to what the charge was for....until I Googled "Prime Shipping Club" and found out that the charge was from Amazon. Then I remembered that I did sign up with Amazon a year ago for free shipping on purchases...and that this service was called "Prime". I buy so many books from Amazon that I'm sure that last years membership more than paid for itself. I don't know if the same will be true this year. If it doesn't work for me this year....I'll just cancel when they send me the e-mail next year. Yes, they did send me notice of renewal about two weeks ago.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 18th, 2007 @ 12:43pm
  • BOGUS Prime Shipping

    by Judy Woo

    I just fired off an email to their customer service and they had better credit my card or they have seen the last of my purchases. They really have some nerve doing this to people. Enclosed is a copy of my email to them:

    "You have charged my Capital One credit card for $79.00 and I DO NOT WANT your Amazon Prime. When ordering something a few weeks ago, I did LOOK at your offer (how could I miss it when you make it impossible to place an order without your unwanted propaganda popping up everywhere) but I did NOT sign up for your yearly membership. You made it sound like it was a FREE-TRIAL OFFER TO SEE IF I WOULD LIKE IT. Well, I don't like it one bit. I am a regular customer of Amazon.com (books, DVDs, housewares, etc.) but this makes me wonder if I will continue ordering merchandize from you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would please credit my credit card for the $79.00 you have stolen from my account. You really have a lot of nerve taking this type of transaction on yourself and from what I'm reading online, there are a LOT of people ticked off about this."

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 19th, 2007 @ 9:02pm
  • Customer service refunded my account

    by Donna

    I, too, was shocked and confused to see the $79 charge for AMZ Prime-- a service which I'm sure I never assented to. I called the 800 number and had the charge credited without a problem. Amazon is also reimbursing me for the overdraft fee that I received because of the unauthorized charge.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 21st, 2007 @ 7:28pm
  • AMZ*Prime Club

    by Anonymous Coward

    I have been shocked by this deduction of US$79.00 from my credit card account
    I will try to refund it from amazon asap

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 22nd, 2007 @ 9:05am
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by Gabriele Titone

    This is unbelievable.
    Amazon also took my money without authorization.
    I demand a refund immediatley.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 24th, 2007 @ 6:16pm
  • Surprise charge

    by Barbara J. Collins

    I just checked my bank account and also found the $79.00 taken out of my account 2 days ago. Didn't know who it was and put AMZPrime in my search and it came up with Amazon. went to their site mad and found how to reach them and clicked on their call me right now and sat with the phone in my hand!! The call was immediate, the lady was nice , took my information and cancelled the $79.00 which she said was being put back in my account with interest> She also said that I was being sent an e-mail with the cancelation. Too bad I didn't get the e-mail with the charges. Have been a member of Amazon for a long time. They say this is to build up a loyal member base. Well they just lost my loyalty! Won't be ordering any thing more from them.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 27th, 2007 @ 10:06pm
  • Amazon dot charges for Prime Club

    by Sunil Govinnage

    Hello,

    I had a similar charge about which I reported using Amazon.com Customer Service website under other services!

    I got a reply confirming that they wold refund $79.00 within 2-3 business days to my credit card.

    I'll wait and see and report back about the outcome.

    Sunil Govinnage
    AUSTRALIA

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 29th, 2007 @ 11:15pm
  • Unauthorized Charge by Amazon on May 27th, 2007

    by Anet Minassian

    This is unbelievable.I have been shocked by this deduction of US$79.00 from my credit card account.
    Amazon also took my money without authorization.
    I demand a refund immediatley.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 8th, 2007 @ 4:58pm
  • OMG

    by brian

    I GOT CHARDGED $79 for something i didnt authorize...what the hell...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 18th, 2007 @ 10:03am
  • by Steve

    I called the 800 number listed in the credit card charge. I casually mentioned all the unhappy people I found on google and the possibility of a class action suit. They canceled the account and supposedly the refund will shop up in a few days.

    The most frustrating part was repeating my email address over and over for alomst 10 minutes until the operator finally got it right.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 18th, 2007 @ 3:03pm
  • $79 Wrongful Charge!!!

    by Michelle

    I was charged for "Shipping Club". I never approved this membership. I'm extremly upset. I contacted customer service they seemed familiar with this. They will credit my account in 3 days.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 19th, 2007 @ 11:59am
  • YOU PEOPLE ARE RETARDED

    by Brian

    If you morons would read the terms and conditions of the Amazon Prime Club, you would see that you get one month free and it reverts to autobilling you for an annual fee. Did you people HONESTLY think that you would get free 2-day and $3.99 overnight shipping for nothing. You people make me ashamed to be an american. Quit bitching.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 19th, 2007 @ 12:59pm
  • I demand!!!

    by suv4x4

    I demand TechDirt stops the war in Iraq immediately, and send the troops back home!!!!

    My cable fees are insane! I demand TechDirt makes them cheaper. And throw in some HD channels for free.

    Last but not least, McBurgers need to be bigger, and less ice in the coke! Immediately!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 19th, 2007 @ 1:28pm
  • Ladies and Gentlemen

    We at TECHDIRT understand your frustration, however, we ask that you stop SPAMMING our website and tell it to someone who can do something about it (maybe amazon?)

    We are not amazon.com nor are we affiliated with them. We did not charge $79.00 to your credit card, we cannot refund said charge. Please contact amazon and NOT TECHDIRT to resolve any problems you may have

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 24th, 2007 @ 6:22am
  • by vijay

    I am a kind of moron.. The kind who does not read the fine print.
    And I was shocked to see $79 charger to my credit card.. Man!. .I would have gone for a 2 day shipping by paying the amount instead.. I am not sure if I'd get the money back [I wont :(].. Anyway to give it a shot, I just sent the Help centre this email.

    If anyone has faced this problem before and found a solution, please mail me to amirivija at yahoo dot com.

    -----------------------------------------------------------
    Subject: Query regarding the Amazon prime account cancellation and refund of the charged amount.
    Dear Sir/Madam,
    I had ordered for a HP Pavilion DV6345US Entertainment 15.4" Notebook PC on June 20. The shipment has been received and I thank you for the same.
    I am surprised to see that I have been charged an additional 79$ for the Amazon prime membership. I do not need that membership as I would not be utilizing Amazon Prime Membership [as Amazon does not ship to my address of residence]. Would I get a refund of the charged money if I cancel the membership. I am willing to pay the shipping costs that have been incurred. Could you please help me in this regard? [At present my Amazon prime membership ends on June 20, 2008].
    This is my first purchase at Amazon and it would be great if my problem with the charging 79$ to my credit card is mitigated.
    Expecting a good service and a quick reply,

    Thanking you in anticipation,
    Vijay
    -----------------------------------------------------------

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 28th, 2007 @ 12:10pm
  • $79 Rip-Off

    by Burned and Burning

    I sent the following email to customer service at Amazon.com:

    This morning upon routinely checking my bank account I discovered an unauthorized charge for $79 from Amazon.com. I checked online to find if anyone else has experienced the same problem and found the following comments (see below). Is this the underhanded, sneaky way you people conduct business at Amazon? Is this the type of reputation you want in today's business world--to be associated with common internet scammers who seize decent folk's money in a way they don't suspect or understand?

    As a businessman, I can tell you that these types of antics may pay off in the short term but certainly not on the long term. I wonder who at Amazon authorized the implementation such an unethical policy of bilking its loyal, unsuspecting customers out of their hard-earned assets in such an unscrupulous manner. I have ordered many books, etc., from Amazon.com, and this service might even be worth the cost for me, but in view of the manner in which I was unknowingly charged, I am not interested in doing business with a company that with a quick sleight of hand, bilks me out of $79.

    You will probably provide me with some sort of shaky evidence that I authorized the charge in some unknown (to me) manner, but that's what makes your policy even worse. That's what business ethics are all about--insuring all parties in a transaction that the customer knows and understands exactly what they are getting for their money--with no surprises. I'm sure that others like me, who have been burned by this practice, will never order another book from Amazon.com. Judging from the number of people who actually took the time to express their disgust with your policy, won't the vast majority who didn't report your actions simply decide never to do business with you again. I am certainly planning on informing others of your approved company policies and practices.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Jul 1st, 2007 @ 1:52am
    • Re: $79 Rip-Off

      by Danita Cronkhite

      Same here, I Just checked my account and found the charge too. So I decided to see if I could find something on it that's when I found this forum. One of the comments said to call 866-577-2820 and you would get a refund, so I did that too. The number has been disconnected, I guess I will go into the Amazon web site and see if I can find a number and call them again so I can have it credited back to my account.

      I can't believe that Amazon did this I deal with them all the time, not only did they charge me this $79, but they sent me the wrong book too.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Jul 2nd, 2007 @ 10:41am
  • Ripped Off Senior

    by charlotte previati

    I hope there is something we can do about this I have been with amazon for some time now I am on a fixed income and need my money back I won't be buying from them again until this is resolved a very pissed off senior this just happen July 2/07

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 3rd, 2007 @ 6:52am
  • AMZ*Prime Shipping Club

    by LJ

    Gutsy move by AMAZON......I guest they think that customers won't mind if this corporation dips into their money. I know they will say that I authorized it, but I haven't placed an order in over five months. Time to have all my information taken from AMAZON so this cannot happen again. Lets see if they really replace the money in two to three business days. I wonder if any laws have been broken?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 7th, 2007 @ 8:07am
  • Amazon Charge

    by Rob

    I got dinged as well. Powells.com from now on. Family owned, union book store who would never pull this kind of crap.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 10th, 2007 @ 1:36am
  • It IS fraud and we should all STOP using AMAZON.CO

    by Dainis Zeps

    Today I learned that $79 are taken away from my acount by amazon.com. I want my money back. My e-mail is dainize@mii.lu.lv

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 10th, 2007 @ 7:51am
  • BS Amazon just took 79 dollars from me

    by John Davidson

    This is so wrong. I havent even used amazon for the last two months! Then this morning i see this charge.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 14th, 2007 @ 9:24am
  • FRAUD!!!!!!!!!

    by Vblack

    Same thing with us. Saw the charge online a month after my last order and called them. They sure were quick to refund without argument. Must be getting alot of backlash from this. Never saw a button confirming they could charge me $79.00, anywhere in process. I wonder how many people, don't notice, don't call, and Amazon keeps their money. NICE!!! Maybe they were just trying to give good customer service by anticipating our needs. NOT!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 14th, 2007 @ 9:28am
  • CALL AND GET YOUR REFUND!!!!

    by Vblack

    Get your refund, call 866-557-2820. Have your email address that your Amazon account is linked to, your name and mailing address.
    Funny, but I was just thinking that if they immediately refund the money, all they get is people bitching and no civil suit. Maybe they thought the possible net gain was worth the extra customer service reps to handle people who did bother to call in and get a refund.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 17th, 2007 @ 2:33pm
  • Got the refund!!! But what a shock to see that cha

    by Anne

    Thanks to all of you who provided the explanation for this fraud. I was able to cancel.
    Even though this was a marketing ploy like many others, my opinion of Amazon as a reasonably safe marketplace just took a dive. I don't know that I will use Amazon as much as used to. Who's to say these kinds of things won't happen with other online sellers...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 18th, 2007 @ 11:03am
  • Shame that you are doing this kind of transactions

    by ZhouRui

    was so surprised when I saw $79 charge to my credit card account from Amazon Prime Club which I DO NOT AUTHORIZE.

    PLEASE CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP AND REFUND MY CREDIT CARD OF 79 DOLLARS.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 19th, 2007 @ 7:24pm
  • Unauthorised charge by Amazon Prime Club

    by Beryl Stout

    Please refund the $79 taken from my credit card by you without my authority. Cancel my membership also. I have never authorised any loyalty club membership and buy so little from you anyway that I will buy elsewhere from now on.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 20th, 2007 @ 9:10pm
  • Unauthorizedd charges by Amazon

    by B. Cortes

    I happened to be reviewing my checking account and noticed that Amazon.com charged by checking account for 79.00 for Amazon Prime Club without my consent. I would like my account credited immediately as I never authorized any club membership with you.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 20th, 2007 @ 10:35pm
  • Fraud it is

    by Cuffy

    July 20th I was charged 79...this will never end...I disputed the charge at my bank and I will also call that number...I thought Amazon was a good company...I was wrong...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 28th, 2007 @ 7:07am
  • I got the charge refunded

    by T.R.

    I just discovered this $79 charge to my card, and found this site in my attempt to figure out what the code-name on my card statement meant. I too felt duped in paying this. I went to Amazon.com and immediately cancelled the Amazon Prime, and called the number on my statement.

    The number, 866-557-2820, is for Amazon's customer service. I explained that I was not aware of being charged this fee, that I had been under the impression it was a free trial, and wanted that money refunded, thinking it a rather under-handed technique. The rep very simply said the money would be refunded.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 30th, 2007 @ 9:00am
  • charged & called for refund

    by jennfer

    i just talked with a representative of amazon costumer service (1-866-216-1072)and requested a refund. the lady was really nice and in less than a minute she canceled the subscription and told that the money will be refund in 3 days. i am really satisfied with the service she gave me & will continuing using amazon.com

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 30th, 2007 @ 10:07pm
  • Another Worthless Customer

    I also was the victim of Amazon's sneaky $79 trick. I phoned in, asked for my refund and let them I would not be doing business with them any longer. I seems Amazon's executives are bent on selling away their future for a short-term profit. Good-bye Amazon!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 1st, 2007 @ 9:12am
  • tricky Prime Shipping Club auto renewal!

    by P Leigh

    Call 866-557-2820 and go through voice prompt maze. Eventually you will reach a kind but slightly beaten down customer service rep who will promptly refund the $79 "Prime Shipping Club" membership fee.
    Nice try, Amazon, to seek out other revenue streams but subversive ones like this are definitely bad karma...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 2nd, 2007 @ 2:53pm
  • Also ripped off!!

    by Don Watson

    I just found this charge on my AMX bill. Will contest it. Makes me now want to do business with them.
    Don Watson

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 6th, 2007 @ 6:15am
  • Funny

    by Kerri

    Funny how so many people can be so stupid to forget to cancel a free trial. I went through the free trial, enjoyed my free trial, then told it to cancel after the free trial. It canceled like it was supposed to. No hassle, nothing. It even let me keep the free trial till the very last day w/o making me remember to cancel it at the last minute. People should pay more attention then these things wouldn't happen to them.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Aug 6th, 2007 @ 9:09am
    • Re: Funny

      by GoblinJuice

      I don't think these people are stupid, actually. I'm hoping they fall into two categories:

      1) They did sign up for Prime, but forgot about it.

      2) They did sign up for Prime, but didn't realize it... because they weren't paying attention.

      I can excuse #1, what with me having the memory of a drunk dog, but I can't excuse bitching about it here @ TechDirt.

      As for #2, I have no sympathy for people that go thru life without PAYING ATTENTION.

      Ugh. I feel sorry for Amazon. =(

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Aug 6th, 2007 @ 7:15am
  • Does anyone pay attention?

    by Dave Sempek

    I signed up for the free trial and canceled it as fully explained in the agreement. I had no issues at all with Amazon and in fact 1 month after the free trial expired I signed up (I'm currently on my second year). This service is great, has saved me a ton of money, and has caused me to purchase much more from Amazon than I would have otherwise. Just last week I had a 50 lb item shipped overnight for $4. That alone would have cost over $100. Don't blame Amazon if you failed to read the agreement. I found everything to be clearly stated and am very happy with the service.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 11th, 2007 @ 9:26am
  • Amazon Prime

    by Gene Bass

    I commented earlier that I was billed and pissed off. I just spoke with a customer rep and was told that my credit card would be credited. I'll pay more attention in the future to my purchases by internet.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 13th, 2007 @ 12:33pm
  • $79.00 Rip Off

    by Robert

    I too was charged $79.00 for AMZ shipping which I would not order or would not want.

    Thanks to your column I got the phone number 1-800-201-7575.

    I called and within 10 minutes Amazon said my credit card would be credited within 3 business days.

    Enough said.

    Thanks, Bob

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 14th, 2007 @ 12:12pm
  • got my money back

    by Don, NJ

    was not sure what the charge was - thanks for clearing it up. Got a hold of customer service and they refunded the $79. I do remember when they offered it, saying that your CC will be charged if you do not cancel. no questions asked and refund confirmed by email. I do wish they gave me notice that they were going to charge the amount, and did not have to find it by looking at my statement.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 21st, 2007 @ 9:32pm
  • by Peggy

    Going through the process now...and...done. In two minutes. Very prompt; very courteous; he knew what I was going to ask as soon as I mentioned Amazon Prime. I should have remembered about it, aye...that they are so readily willing to cancel the charge makes me more likely to do business with them, not less.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 26th, 2007 @ 9:29am
  • WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

    by richard

    i had the same charge! OUTRAGEOUS!

    just got off the call with them using their "We'll call you". Apparently it's all been canceled.

    thanks for your column!!!
    Richard

    email-1:
    "We're writing to confirm that your Amazon Prime subscription has been cancelled at your request. Your membership benefits have now ended."

    email-2:
    "Our records indicate that you have not used your Amazon Prime membership benefits, so I have requested a refund of $79 for the membership fee. The refund should be processed within the next 2-3 business days and will appear as a credit on your next credit card billing statement."

    email-3:
    "We always strive to provide a high level of service, and we would appreciate your feedback. Please let us know if we resolved your inquiry."

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 1st, 2007 @ 5:52am
  • We also received an unwanted charge!

    by Patricia Senkow

    We also received a charge of $79.00 from Amazon for this service, that we never authorized, and didn't even know about! I am very unhappy with this, and expect a full refund immediately! This is the kind of thing that gets me back in the local bookstore even if it is less convenient.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 5th, 2007 @ 9:50am
  • by Janet Jory

    I do not want this service. How do I cancel it?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 10th, 2007 @ 10:14pm
  • Amazon Prime Victim

    by Gary V

    Amazon almost always sends a receipt for sales. The exception to the rule is when they have picked your pocket.

    I am too much of a cheapskate to give away $79 for a promise of some future marginal benefit. The charge was applied during a month that I made no purchases. This implies that I was lured into some dark alley and had my pocket picked while I was browsing.

    Customer loyalty, my apple!!!

    Disgusting behavior! - Gary

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 11th, 2007 @ 5:27am
  • Want my money back!!!!

    I have enjoyed purchasing from you. But I don't think that will happen again. You took $79.00 from my bank account and I would like it back. I am a huge fan of The X-Files. I would like to continue purchasing the series from you, but now I'm affraid to. I can't afford for you to take that money from me. When I do purchase a series from you it's like treating myself. Please return that money to me!!! Micki Pearson

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 2:24pm
    • Re: Want my money back!!!!

      by Anonymous Coward

      Um, Micki, grow a brain. This isn't the Amazon site. This is a blog. If you're too stupid to know the difference, you ought to stop surfing the web--and living, for that matter. You deserve to lose a whole lot more than your measly $79, you COMPLETE WASTE OF SKIN.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Sep 11th, 2007 @ 11:07am
  • Amazon Took My Money Unwanted Charges!!!!

    by Felecia

    Amazon took my LAST $79 and said that I clicked on a link to sign up for it - I don't think so!!! I want my money back and I am going to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

    I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE MY MONEY WITHOUT MY CONSENT!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 11th, 2007 @ 8:29pm
  • Amazon also took my money!!!

    by Cindy

    I also found my $79 was taken by Amazon Prime Club. I called the number 800-201-7575, the woman also said I signed up for it online and I paid $38 last June and another $38 last July. I didn't notice that!!!!! I didn't authorize anyone to take that money. She said the woney will be refunded within two business days. I am waiting. I hope I will get the money back. If not, I will complain again.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 14th, 2007 @ 12:05pm
  • I want my mony back

    by Rita Gregor

    I want mu mony back plus 34 charge
    i going to file a complaint with the better business bureau and police.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 16th, 2007 @ 8:10am
  • shame on your company

    by Weilou Cao

    You collected $79 from my citi card without my authorization. Shame on your company and your people!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 2:21pm
    • Re: shame on your company

      by Anonymous Coward

      You pathetic idiot. This isn't the Amazon.com site. This is a blog. You deserve to lose more than $79, you COMPLETE IDIOT!!!!!! It's people like you who should be forced to not procreate to prevent your stupidity from spreading.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Sep 16th, 2007 @ 8:16am
  • shame on your company

    by Weilou Cao

    You collected $79 from my citi card without my authorization. Shame on your company and your people!!
    How did you stole my card number?
    Please return my email. Should I call police?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 18th, 2007 @ 8:02pm
  • 86.02 $ was missing from my visa card by AMZ Club

    Hi
    I was just checking my visa account in my bank website on
    line,and discovered there is 86.02 can $ was missing, the money is sent out for AMAZON Prime Shipping Club, I do not know att all your club, I only was checking the advertisements there, I never ordered item, or authorized anyone to take money from my visa card, I am very surprised
    so please I want the money be credited back, before I take the case with bank to investigate this fraud. all I need my money back to close the case,with regards: basim

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 18th, 2007 @ 8:06pm
  • 86.02 $ was missing from my visa card by AMZ Club

    Hi
    I was just checking my visa account in my bank website on
    line,and discovered there is 86.02 can $ was missing, the money is sent out for AMAZON Prime Shipping Club, I do not know att all your club, I only was checking the advertisements there, I never ordered item, or authorized anyone to take money from my visa card, I am very surprised
    so please I want the money be credited back, before I take the case with bank to investigate this fraud. all I need my money back to close the case,with regards: basim

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 19th, 2007 @ 10:09am
  • Ke Poka,

    by Daniel Ramirez

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 19th, 2007 @ 6:05pm
  • nomore amazon

    by NoMore Amazon

    Whoever thought about this type of scamming marketing ought to be fired.
    I spent a good 1 hour trying to recall what I bought for the last 10 days until i found this website and knowing the charges belong to Amazon Prime Club that I am not even know when I signed the approval.

    Amazon, tell you what your program works like computer virus and I am not going to buy anything from amazon ever. Your stupid program can only scam those people who do not look at their statement every month.

    Fire that idiot who put up such lousy marketing program!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 23rd, 2007 @ 1:36pm
  • DELL

    by MOM

    That's not true: Overnight, next-day, or any other shipping
    depends on the KEY WORD "IF WE HAVE IT IN STOCK!!!" I fail for this,paid Dell for overnight/nextday delivery: After yes 2,(two) weeks I called and demanded a refund and NO Product. What was dell's reply? Read the agreement (fine print!) My Reply: " I DID, AND YOU OWE ME: YOU READ THE AGREEMENT; ItSayS: DELL CHOOSES THE SHIPPER DELL IS RESPONSIBLE...BLA BLA BLA" WELL, I received my refund, but garbage like this is not only an annoyance, but VERY TIME CONSUMING TO DEAL WITH. My time might be most/more vaulable than all these ...you get it, All companies are scamming. WHY? WHY? Because we are playing the idiots: FIGHTBACK!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 24th, 2007 @ 11:37am
  • haha

    by blah

    You are all illiterate morons. It is very clear what you are signing up for and what it will cost. Please learn to read.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 24th, 2007 @ 4:10pm
  • Not a scam

    by J_Gets

    I also saw this membership program, and understood very clearly that it was a subscription to which I would be signing up to use by joining Amazon Prime. This was even in the very early days of the program, so I know that it was not misleading even when it started. I had to buy a large number of books and other items that I needed to get quickly. I subscribed, bought all of my things, received them, then canceled the subscription before I was charged. Easy, painless, and very clear terms for those who take the time to read what they are agreeing to do.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 25th, 2007 @ 4:23am
  • Amazon $79 debit

    by Viswanathan Venkataraman

    Yesterday I received SMS to say I have been debited $79. and the description was AMZ*PRIMESHIPPINGCLUB.

    I did not even know what it was and what for. Thanks to internet I googled and got this blog from which I understood thi sdebit is from Amazon. How can they do it without asking and why wouldn't they send a email that they have charged $79/-

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 26th, 2007 @ 5:08pm
  • unauthorized $79.00 charge

    by Blake Wilson

    I was just charged $79.00 by AMZ Prime Club and I have no idea what that even is! Anyone know how to get hold of them and get the money back? This is bullshit

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 27th, 2007 @ 8:22am
  • Amazon Prime

    by Paul Dill

    I wake up this morning to an unhappy wife wondering what this $79 charge to our account is. We call, a lot more upset by the time we get through and finding all of these web pages stating what Amazon Prime is an you have to sign up for it. I assure my wife and the gentleman on the phone that we did not sign up. He looks at our account, and states "oh, you were accidentally signed up." His exact words. Accidentally? So Amazon is apparently hitting a lot of people who have account with them, and hoping that some will stay.

    No notice, no information, no nothing? Just $79 please.

    They have refunded the money after discovering they're "accident", however I'm wondering how many accidents they have made, you may want to check your accounts and if you're here, they probably got you too.

    I used to really like Amazon, but this new "accident" that they're trying to build loyalty with, may have just cost them mine.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 28th, 2007 @ 8:44pm
  • fraudulent charge

    by maxina franzoni

    I have been charged $79.00 by your company in which I did not authorize. I have filled a dispute with my bank.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 28th, 2007 @ 11:30pm
  • Have no idea why they haven't stop this!

    by Sophie Leung

    I just found it today when I got my bill. Luckily I googled this AMZ* prime club thing and enough information popped up. It is astonishing that how long this fraud last -- more than a year now. Obverse cheating! Should suit them.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 29th, 2007 @ 4:43pm
  • $79 Charge for what?

    by James Gallagher

    Amazon has a cute trick. They post the $79 charge the day books were ordered. Yet the book order isn't posted until six days later. This means that they can charge for delivery of books even though they were ordered the same day the $79 is posted. Maybe the time has come to order from Barnes & Noble.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 1st, 2007 @ 9:04am
  • HOW TO CANCEL ON THE AMAZON SITE

    by Aleta Kennedy

    I just found out today I had been charged and when I went to the Amazon site the first time, I couldn't find how or where this Prime Club was located. When I searched for it on the website, it didn't bring up anything but books. After I found this site and learned so many other people had also been ripped off, I went back and found out how to access it. Go to the site, go to "My Account," scroll down to "Subscription Management," and you'll see a link to "Manage Your Amazon Prime Account." I found out they had charged me last year as well as this year, and I didn't have a clue about how I got involved. Words like "decptive" and "fraudulent" come to mind, and from now on, I'll be using other websites...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 1st, 2007 @ 12:42pm
  • I didnt authorise you to take money from my back a

    by Rose Fuller

    I didnt autorise you to take any money from my back account its pending there ,Please notify the bank and send a refund

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 3rd, 2007 @ 3:02am
  • unauthorized $79.00 charge

    by kimiko Horiguchi

    I did not know what it was and found this site. My visa information told that on Sep 11 I purchased something which I didn't know. I will tell the visa company that this purchase did not exist, which is true.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 3rd, 2007 @ 2:23pm
  • Unauthorized Charge

    by Chase

    Like everyone else, an unauthorized charge of $79 has shown up on my billing statement. I ordered a few items from Amazon about a month ago and did not select any special shipping options yet htis charge still showed up. I am trying to contact Amazon through e-mail and phone calls to dispute the charge.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 2:23pm
    • Re: Unauthorized Charge

      by Anonymous Coward

      Amazon has not charged you in an unauthorized manner. You were just too stupid to know that after 30 days of the Amazon Prime service, you needed to cancel. What a complete MORON you are. You deserve to lose your family in addition to your pathetic $79, you complete waste of space.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Oct 4th, 2007 @ 12:06am
  • Its kind a odd but you can even out this prime shi

    by Silk Soymilk

    For all the morons, yankee fans and people who suffer from cyber-gonorrhea here it is:

    This is how you do it -
    a) Go to "Help" (top (almost) right of page) at Amazon.com
    b) Click on "Amazon Prime" on the left Panel
    c) Click on "Can I cancel my membership to Amazon Prime?"
    d) Click on "Manage Your Prime Account"
    d) Figure out the rest of this shit.

    Its simple to cancel this shit - so please dont break your already spam-fucked head on this! relax and have some soymilk ;)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 11th, 2007 @ 7:24pm
    • Re: Its kind a odd but you can even out this prime

      by Fred F.

      Gee, thanks to you the world has been saved... THANK YOU CYBER GENIUS!

      Sheesh, what an A$$hat!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Oct 14th, 2007 @ 3:41pm
      • Re: Re: Its kind a odd but you can even out this p

        Hi Fred, have you found a way out of this payment even if they withdrew it already from your account? Please, please tell me more!
        Thanks a lot, Ingrid

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Oct 4th, 2007 @ 5:12pm
  • i need my money back!!!!

    by won park

    i never authorized the prime club thing!!!!!!!

    give my money back!!

    what kind of company is that!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 4th, 2007 @ 9:50pm
  • Fixed

    by Ryan

    I read the advise hear after i say the same account withdrawl. I called 1-866-557-2820 right away.They person on the other phone explained to me that I had not canceled the service in time evm though I don't recall ever sighing up for it or hearing about, but the explained to me that since I have never used it at then they would replace the full $79 withn two business days. The process took about 2-3 minutes and he was ver polite. Simple problem to solve, just call and be polite.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 10th, 2007 @ 11:46am
  • 79$ of AMZ Prime Club

    by Zhenyu Zhu

    I WAS JUST CHECKING MY BANK ACCT. ON LINE AND SEE THAT $79.OO HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB. ALTHOUGH I HAVE ORDERED THREE BOOKS FROM AMAZON WHICH WERE SENT TO ME VIA PRIME SHIPPING AS A SALE PROMOTION, I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER REGISTERED AS A MEMBER OF PRIME SHIPPING AND HAVE NEVER AUTHORIZED THIS. IF I HAVE HAPPENED TO CLICK ON ANY KEY ON THAT MADE ME A MEMBER AUTOMATICALLY, I WANT TO CANCEL MY MEMBER SHIP AND WANT MY 79$ BACK. I WILL RETURN THE SHIPPING COST OF THE THREE BOOKS TO YOU IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 2:19pm
    • Re: 79$ of AMZ Prime Club

      by You are a complete idiot

      This is a blog, not Amazon.com. Are you seriously that stupid? You deserve to lose more than $79, you COMPLETE IDIOT!!!!!!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Oct 14th, 2007 @ 3:37pm
  • AMZ Prime Club

    Hello,
    I am in the same situation. Just checked my account and here it was! I did not even realize right away, when I copied it in Google I found your forum, thanks a lot. I think I saw a cross for a free month, thought I would not go on anyway, but I forgot all about it! And I am sitting in Austria in the moment, so it is even more wasted as they cannot send that fast to here anyway. Is there a way out? It looks as 184 has found one. I will contact him. I don't want to leave Amazon completely, I just have set up my book store new: http://www.book-pegasus.biz/.

    Hello from Austria and good luck to all of you, Ingrid

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 14th, 2007 @ 4:08pm
  • AMZ Prime Club

    I have now read more of the comments here and see what I can do. I too got the phone number. I am just afraid that I have used the service already at a first order, with which I sign up for the free trial. Anyway, I will call tomorrow and see, what I can do. Thanks to all of you, Ingrid

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Oct 17th, 2007 @ 10:27pm
    • Re: AMZ Prime Club

      by Slim Turnpike

      Same thing happened to me. In my case it was my credit card company that contacted me about a charge yesterday for AMZ*PrimeClub with a location in Nevada. I had no idea what is was (Amazon could have used a more transparent code, couldn't they?), so the card company concluded it was fraud and cancelled my card!

      So not only did Amazon rip me off, they've caused great inconvenience in having to secure a new card, get a new number, re-do automatic billing with that card and so on.

      At this point I still had no idea who "AMZ*Prime Club" was.

      I thought that was the end of it, but today I noticed the same charge appearing on a second credit card of mine. I guess when the first card company rejected the charge, Amazon simply transferred the charge to another card (yes both cards were listed on my account).

      This time I googled for AMZ*PrimeClub and found this thread. Aha I said. So I called Amazon and cancelled the charge on my second card. They did try to give me a runaround first.

      I think this will backfire badly on Amazon. I always trusted them as an online seller before but I know feel that trust has been betrayed, twice in a row. I will be looking elsewhere for the items I used to buy at Amazon.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Apr 13th, 2008 @ 5:12am
      • Re: Re: AMZ Prime Club

        by R. N. Moore

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Apr 13th, 2008 @ 5:14am
      • Re: Re: AMZ Prime Club

        by R. N. Moore

        I received my credit card bill with a charge of $79. I did
        not and would not have authorized this charge.

        I will call my credit card company in the morning and have that charge taken off my account.

        I don't think this is a good idea unless the customer is properly notified.

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Oct 23rd, 2007 @ 9:59am
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by al

    I Called 866-557-2820 and insisted they remove the $79 charge. They at first said I hadn't canceled in the free trial month, but when I insisted I didn't authorize it and demanded they take it off, they did.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 24th, 2007 @ 1:21pm
  • $79 charges recinded

    by Bernard Ricciardi

    I've had the same problem as others. Just call 866-557-2820 and ask them to cancel your club membership. Be calm and nice and in a few minutes it will be politely removed. You will get an Email within hours for your records.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 10:14am
  • by Anonymous Coward

    Are you people seriously that retarded?

    THIS IS NOT AMAZON.COM

    THIS IS TECHDIRT

    NOT THE SAME WEBSITE

    NOT THE SAME COMPANY

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 2:16pm
  • Wow...

    by TheDock22

    I can't believe morons are still posting to this new story. Hey, if you think this is Amazon (which it is not) and feel like posting, why don't you stick your finger in a light socket first and save us all the grief. Or better yet, grow a brain and visit www.amazon.com.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 2:39pm
  • Yeah, this happened to me back in the 1990s with a

    by Glenn Fleishman

    I was running a set of forum as an early Web host for Peachpit Press, and in some forum on Windows, one person posted a comment about having trouble canceling AOL services. Peachpit lost interest in the forums, I forgot about them, and some period later (a year or two?) I checked and found thousands of messages, because people had somehow become convinced that the forum thread on AOL was the place you went to cancel AOL.

    Never underestimate the intelligence of someone who uses Google and believes that it's results are authoritative.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 25th, 2007 @ 2:51pm
  • WRONG WEB SITE

    by WRONG WEB SITE

    Repeat after me........

    The web site YOU ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW... is NOT Amazon.com

    The web site YOU ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW... is NOT Amazon.com

    The web site YOU ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW... is NOT Amazon.com

    The web site YOU ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW... is NOT Amazon.com

    The web site YOU ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW... is NOT Amazon.com

    The web site YOU ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW... is NOT Amazon.com

    I repeat... NOT Amazon. This is TechDirt.com. Completely DIFFERENT web site. NOT related to Amazon.com in anyway.

    You guys demanding your money back on this site, well, your the dumbest kind of person, and thats probably why you got charged in the first place, you DONT know how to freaking read, or are too lazy to read. Go complain about this on Amazon.com, not here.

    If you are too dumb to comprehend what this means, ask someone smarter than you... pretty much anyone that walks by will be much smarter than you, so don't be afraid to ask pretty much anyone, including children. Yes, even children are proabaly smarter than you.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 26th, 2007 @ 11:51am
  • The irony.

    by Brian

    People buying from an online bookseller are pissed because they didn't read the terms of the free trial they signed up for.

    Demanding refunds from Tech Dirt instead of reading the posts that clearly stated that this site isn't associated with Amazon.

    Asking for the steps to get the charges reversed instead of reading the dozens of previous posts that provide those steps in great detail.

    The irony...

    I feel bad for Amazon because they've had to deal with this illiterate group. I feel worse for Barnes and Noble... surely they are having to deal with this group now that Amazon isn't getting their business.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 31st, 2007 @ 8:39am
  • My visa card was debited without my authorization

    by Lisafrom Hong Kong

    The US$79.00 was also debited from my visa card on Oct 23, 2007, without my authorization. How can a world brand company did such a illegal thing? It's like stealling from my account.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 2nd, 2007 @ 12:07pm
  • I called amazon last night.

    by Jonas

    I got the charge also for $79.00. The lady at amazon said I clicked on this button for a prime club. The only thing i remember was clicking on this 2 day shipping button and I guess it gave me this club membership but I decided to buy the dvd at target. I was annoyed so I told the lady to take it off because I didn't authorize the transaction and then I told her to tell amazon to make it noticeable for people to see that they might have to pay and the lady was I guess scared because I was almost yelling because this kind of thing happened to me a couple of times this year on other sites like Ebay and paypal.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 3rd, 2007 @ 8:22am
  • My mother fell for the AMZ prime TRICK.

    by Michael Importico

    My mother fell for this trick too. I had to fix this up for her. I called 1-866-557-2820. I said "Remove this charge from my card or I will be forced to file a Police Report for fraud and contact my credit card company to TAKE the money back!"

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 10th, 2007 @ 12:06am
  • unauthorized charge of $79

    by sweta goenka

    i did a online transction from Amazon site the Amazon site without my information added $79 to my account.i am not responsible for the $79 i think this company should be banned to do such a fraud with the customer

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 12th, 2007 @ 9:21pm
  • Big problem

    by Jaehun Joo

    I received a bill for AMZ*prime club membership fee.
    I had never accept or enroll your membership.
    Why did you charge the fee? Please cancel the bill.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 13th, 2007 @ 11:24pm
  • Unauthorized Charge of $79

    by Melba Stokes

    Please remove this charge immediately! I am appauled that you would even consider this type of business venture. I will not use Amazon again.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 15th, 2007 @ 4:19pm
  • Big bad boo-boo

    by Megan

    Saw the charge and called both the bank and Amazon. Amazon tried to convince me that either I or my husband had signed up online yesterday...funny thing was that neither of us were online and haven't been on Amazon for 2 months. Shady business practice-said they would reverse the charge "within 2 days" (love the fact that the charge made me overwithdrawn and tomorrow is the last business day of the week) and turn it over to their investigation department. Lots of bull...I buy tons of books for my classroom and they have lost a long-time customer. Shady.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 15th, 2007 @ 10:16pm
  • Repped OFF

    by John Armstrong

    My Debit card was charged for this service with me knowing a thing about it. I did not even know about this company.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 17th, 2007 @ 6:44am
  • Amazon Prime cCharge of

    by Nancy

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 17th, 2007 @ 6:46am
  • Amazon Prime charge of $79.00

    by Nancy

    Call Amazon at 866-557-2820. Wade through the mass of options and recordings and when you finally get to a person, they will remove the charge.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 18th, 2007 @ 8:48am
  • $79 debit to my account also

    by Ankit

    TAKE THIS OFF IMMEDIATELy.. I didnt authorise this...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 19th, 2007 @ 10:55pm
  • by Jb

    Kindly revert back.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 21st, 2007 @ 12:20pm
  • by Dan

    Just call, they will remove it.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 22nd, 2007 @ 1:35pm
  • by Anne

    Just call 1-866-557-2820. I told them that I did not sign up for Amazon Prime (they packaged it with my Amazon credit card). They told me that they would cancel the membership and refund my money within 2-3 business days.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Dec 5th, 2007 @ 6:42pm
    • Re: AMZ

      by RACHEL

      WATCH OUT, I WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A REFUND IN 2 - 3 DAYS, ALSO. THIS NEVER HAPPENED. YOU WOULD BE BETTER OFF GOING THRU A DISPUTE WITH THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Nov 25th, 2007 @ 11:45pm
  • Nov 27th, 2007 @ 2:11pm
  • $79.00 charge

    by Jay Perry

    Me too! What do we do now? I too have been a loyal amazon user but no more!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 28th, 2007 @ 10:30am
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by vern

    Just got a call from my 83 year old mother. She also got hit with the phony $79 Prime Club fee by Amazon. Fortunately, she called her VISA company and stopped the payment as she didn't recognize the company. Funny how she got billed, she didn't even know what Amazon is and doesn't even have internet access to order anything. I know shipping rates are sky high, but $79 for shipping nothing to a little old lady who didn't order anything seems a little out of line.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 28th, 2007 @ 5:42pm
  • re:AMZ Prime Club

    by alex Crawford

    what the hell is this Amazon Prime Club?
    I just tried to buy my groceries and found out i have only $2 left in my account. i logged onto my online bank statement and found i had been charged $US79 ($AUS89) for this thing! i have no idea what it is, i never signed up for it and i want my money back. i am a hard-working student and need all the money i can get. this means i can't buy anything until i get paid in 5 days!
    i went to the amazon website and found no obvious way of contacting them to complain about this. does anyone have any suggestions?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Nov 28th, 2007 @ 7:29pm
    • Re: re:AMZ Prime Club

      by Anonymous Coward

      Amazon did the same to me today- the guy I got on the phone (conveniently)had no grasp of the English language and yanked me around for 15 min. before disconnecting me. The second jerk did the same thing. They sent me an email claiming I will be refunded but who knows? I am DONE w/Amazon. Call 1 703 880 6100 and DO NOT GIVE IN TO THESE THIEVES. Yours truly cimow@aol.com

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Nov 30th, 2007 @ 6:29am
  • AMZ*Primeclub

    by Peter J Flannery

    Amazon stung me too. This is the email I sent them, not having a phone number.

    I made orders on October 6th,8th and 10th 2007. I was offered a free trial of prime club which I used. I returned to the UK from the USA on 10/20/07. On 11/06/07 Amazon made an unauthorised withdrawal on my Mastercard of $79. This was not recognized and I informed my bank that a fraudulent transaction had taken place, blocked my card then cancelled it. I see from Techdirt.com/articles that Amazon.com has done this to many other people. I still consider this to be a fraudulent transaction and request that Amazon.com refund the $79 forthwith. A copy of this email will be forwarded to my bank. I am seriously considering having no further dealings with Amazon.com.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 30th, 2007 @ 6:38am
  • AMZ Primeclub

    by Ralf Zimmermann

    I think something is going on here!!!
    I got also billed $79.- for the AMZ Primeclub 866-557-2820, without ever authorising it!
    When I checked my Amazon Accounts (Germany, US, UK) I found nowere a trace of the "MemberSHIT"!

    Let's see the respond from Amazon International!?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 30th, 2007 @ 10:40am
  • $79 charge

    by Marisa

    I called and spoke to a really nice person at amazon customer service but she was very shady and unclear in her explaination of how the charge ended up on my corporate amex and said 3 days to credit the account, especailly when I only used it once and didn't save it as a creidt card of schoice to my account. this is very disconcerting.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 30th, 2007 @ 12:50pm
  • Of all the ways to make a buck...

    by Not Using Amazon Again

    How underhanded is this??? A huge company has to sneak $79 off of people like pickpockets??
    I'll spend my money elsewhere. Bye Bye Amazon!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 2nd, 2007 @ 9:44am
  • AMZ Primeclub? *#*&##&* Amazon- bye bye

    by WW

    No Christmas shopping with amazon ever again. Highway Robbery from a "secure" "trustworthy" web store. I'm wondering if they nicked any of my other accounts. bye bye amazon I'm migrating elsewhere.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 3rd, 2007 @ 2:16pm
  • Screwed Me Too

    by unhappy

    This is really bad business. I work with relationship marketing and this is probably the worst way to make relatinoships with consumers.

    I was told that I signed up for this service last September. Not only did they charge me the $79, they were able to charge it to a card that was unaffiliated with the card that I had at that time. They charged it to a card that I opened three months ago and have been making purchases with.

    I called and had it removed immediately. The woman I talked with knew what I was talking about before I even described it. Just bad business from the decision makers at the top and the marketing people in the middle. I feel bad for the customer service reps at the bottom who are fielding these calls.

    I'm moving elsewhere as well...and telling everyone I know as well.

    Bye bye amazon.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 4th, 2007 @ 6:36pm
  • AMZ prime

    by Joyce Mills

    We always check our Visa bills. My husband read questionable ones to me, if I approve, ok. BUT when he said $79.00 from AMZ Prime, I knew that wasn't ours.
    I did order one thing back in Oct. And that will be the last time.
    I called immediately and talked to a woman, told her I did not authorize that charge. And to refund it immediately. Plus I told her I wanted it in writing. Five minutes after I was off the phone with her I had a confirmation email. :o)
    I get so tired of being taken!! My husband usually does the calling on such matters but he's too nice. :o)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 4th, 2007 @ 9:44pm
  • by i am so pissed off

    amazon did take my 79.00 dollars too!!!! i was so fucked pissed off!!! i just foundout today and called them. they said they will give that money back. hope they do that. if not, i will be even more pissed with shit ass off!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 5th, 2007 @ 6:40pm
  • AMZ rip off

    by Rachel

    I CALLED AMAZON VIA THE NUMBER ON MY CREDIT CARD STATEMENT AND WAS ASSURED I WOULD GET A REFUND ON THE CREDIT CARD. NEXT STATEMENT CAME AND ...NOTHING. CALLED AGAIN, AND AMAZON REP LOOKED AT MY ACCOUNT AND ACTED LIKE I WAS NUTS - NO REFUND WAS REQUESTED, ACCORDING TO HER. DISCONNECTED. CALLED AGAIN..DISCONNECTED AGAIN.
    FINALLY CALLED THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY TO FILE A DISPUTE.

    I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH BLATANT SCAM. I WILL NEVER BUY FROM AMAZON AGAIN AND I TOLD ALL MY RELATIVES & FRIENDS THE SAME.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 8th, 2007 @ 5:47pm
  • Amazon Prime Club

    by Amazon Prime Club Victim

    Makes me not want to shop at Amazon anymore.

    I got my refund, but it was a hassle.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 11th, 2007 @ 6:38am
  • AMZ Prime

    by Mark

    I got the charge of $79 on my credit card too. I'd ordered two CD's in November of this year and wanted 'two-day' delivery (only one made it in the two days anyway) and NEVER indicated I wanted to 'sign up' for some 'free' delivery for a year for $79!

    I called the 1-866-557-2820 number and was assured by 'Ahmed' I'd receive a refund in 2-3 business days.

    Based on what I'm seeing in this blog, I'd better check to be sure that happens!

    What a scam!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 11th, 2007 @ 10:08am
  • Amazon SCAM

    by David

    I was charged the $79 too, never signed up for the club and had not used Amazon in over a year. I called them and they could not find my account in their system, I will have to dispute the charge with my bank!
    I hope this blog is found by a civil attorney and someone files a class action law suit against them.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 11th, 2007 @ 8:27pm
  • AMZ PRime

    by Victor

    This is a bad joke. Taking $89 from my small student allowance. I can't believe this is happening. Thank you guys. I have learnt a lot from reading your complains.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 11th, 2007 @ 11:13pm
  • Years Later, And The Same Thing Is Going On

    by Rains

    I discovered the charge today, and am glad to see I'm not the only one who got scammed, but of course outraged by the whole thing. If you go to the amazon site and do the little deal where they call you, and talk it out with one of them over there, (Make sure to say things like you did not authorize this, you were not notified you would be charged, and that you want your money refunded) you should be able to get them to at least say they would refund you, it worked pretty easily for me. Now, the final task: to see if I actually get the refund.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 12th, 2007 @ 9:25pm
  • scam

    by ALEZI RIVERA

    What's Amazon's phone number??????

    How Amazon get this 79 USD from my account and did not confirm this payment with me by mails as usual , it is not avery good way from Amazon , Recpecting the clients should inform them about this payment before the access , Please send that back to my account.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 13th, 2007 @ 7:43am
  • AMAZON PRIME CLUB

    by Lemon

    I got the same charge on my card and it lists the customer service phone number, so the charge subject was: AMZ*Prime Club 866-557-2820 NV.

    I just called this number and as long as you tell them you accidentally clicked on the link to join this "prime club" and also as long as you haven't already used the free 2-day shipping feature more than once, they will give you a full refund.

    I am always really careful about this kind of stuff, so Amazon has definitely designed a clever scam...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 13th, 2007 @ 11:56am
  • I did not order anything from you guys..

    by Chang Kum

    what are you guys doing?? trying to steal my money??
    It was good for me to go over my account right away...
    what if someone who did not have enough time to go over every single one in their account got in to this kind of things... you guys are gonna take their money huh??

    Wow... I was shocked by AMZ...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 13th, 2007 @ 5:51pm
  • Canceled my entire account...

    by Scott Lillig

    Called customer service and I actually had a charge for Dec. 2006 and Dec. 2007 even though I haven't used Amazon since Oct. 06'.

    The lady on the phone was extremely nice, obviously trained ahead of time of people recording these calls and posting them on the internet. (which I was recording the call ;)

    She refunded both charges and I asked her directly how this happened since I had not used Amazon since Oct.06 and they charged me on Dec.4 06'. All she could tell me that it was on the website and that somehow I subscribed too it even though I had not logged into my account or used their service nearly 3 months before I was charged the first time.

    Then I explained how there were over 247 complaints on this forum for the same thing. And she told me there were plenty of happy people using the service as well. (I'm still wondering if they even know they signed up for it?)

    So, I asked her how to go about deleting all my information and account from AMZ and she said she would send me an email to get this started...

    Looks like I'm shopping at the bookstore down the street again!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Dec 17th, 2007 @ 9:47pm
    • Re: Canceled my entire account...

      by Anonymous Coward

      I should go ahead and do the same. I do most my online shoping on Amazon since I thought it is a well know company and I will be safe with them. I was wrong.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Dec 14th, 2007 @ 10:47am
  • Amazon charge

    by k

    Thanks to the comments I found here, I was able to get to a representative and solve this problem in minutes. I hope that the credit appears back on my card as they indicated.
    Thanks for posting the phone number. It was impossible to find on Amazon's website!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 16th, 2007 @ 8:23am
  • Prime account

    by Luk

    we do not have to agree to amazon's prime account... they send email and if you do not notice the charge, you will be charged 79 and that is it!

    THE AGREEMENT IS SENT TO US and THEY CHARGE US WITHOUT ASKING!!!!

    THEY JUST LOST CUSTOMER........

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 17th, 2007 @ 9:41pm
  • by Anonymous Coward

    just called Amazon to get my $79 back. I was told I must have signed up for this. That was not true.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 21st, 2007 @ 7:08pm
  • i got bit by a Borders order (partnered with Amazo

    by Bonnie

    I got the $79 charge automatically charged to my card about 2 weeks after I purchased a Borders gift card online. I was never asked if I wanted the card, I never had any opt in or opt out checkboxes for it and I was never sent any notice that I was registered for this "club" that I did not sign up for. I spent about an hour on the phone with the Amazon customer service routed through India. They said my card will be refunded in 3 to 5 business days. We'll see! My bank will take care of the charge for me if they don't. Sad thing is - now Borders and Amazon have lost my business. Beware of both Borders and Amazon purchases.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 26th, 2007 @ 6:44am
  • Canceled my Prime Club without problem

    by Miguel Arce

    After a first angry moment, I found this web place and, following your instructions, I contacted amazon via e-mail. A very nice attendant responded me next day, with the cancellation confirmation and assuring me they will refund $ 79 on my credit card. I think this is an abuse position of Amazon, but they resolved the problem quickly and politely. My sugestion for new people with this problem: go to http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=prm_su_lmd and enter your amazon.com account user name and password, click in "Can I cancel my membership to Amazon Prime?" and you are in way to solve the problem.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 30th, 2007 @ 12:22pm
  • I used to love amazon.com

    by Sarah

    I see I'm not the only one who got a $79 charge! It took me a while to figure what the hell the charge was but after I called Amazon they promised to take it off. We shall see if they do but I am very one unhappy customer. I had been using them for years.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 31st, 2007 @ 11:30am
  • I've am a victim also....

    by T Hotop

    I too just discovered an unauthorized $79 charged to my account. Thanks to all of you for providing your commentary, this will help me get the charge removed quickly (I hope). I've been a longtime Amazon customer and this is the first time I've ever experienced anything like this from them. Let's hope it isn't a trend!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 3rd, 2008 @ 1:54am
  • Outrageous

    by Peter

    I just opened my VISA bill, like so many others, to find this phantom charge. After looking for several minutes, I finally found the number to call. (Long are the days when Jeff Bezos got emails!)

    I live in Europe and it is especially fraudulent for me because the free shipping is only within the US. I will be looking for a new vendor for future purchases, and encourage everyone else to do the same. Let's make history, and CNBC, by showing how this kind of fraudulent, borderline criminal activity can actually punish the bottom line of the corporation who use these insidious practices.

    Let's get these guys.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 6th, 2008 @ 6:21pm
  • Call here

    by Sbud

    Call 1866 557 2820 and get it taken off.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 7th, 2008 @ 11:35pm
  • Nicked by Amazon

    by Charles Krafft

    I opened my bank statement today to find the Amazon Prime Club $79 charge attached to a series book purchases. I didn't sign up for Prime Club membership. When I called 1-866-557-2820 to contest this charge the customer service rep said I had signed up. I DEFINITELY did not sign up! She cancelled the membership and said the $79 will be refunded within 2-3 business days. I told her to expect a call from me again if it isn't. This was
    underhanded. I'm glad I caught it! There's something very fishy going on here.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 8th, 2008 @ 3:22pm
  • $$79 Fee for Amazon Prime Club Charge

    by Debra Loriau

    Yep, I got stung too this is charge. But I just called the phone number that was listed next to the "AMZ*Prime Club" which is 866.557.2820.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 9th, 2008 @ 11:30am
  • by Anonymous Coward

    Thanks for all your comments. After discovering the $79 charge on the account, I googled 'AMZ primeclub' and found all this information. I called up Amazon number (it was mentioned as part of the transaction description on my credit card statement) and the lady I spoke with agreed to give a refund. She also apologized when I told her that I never subscribed to the club.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 13th, 2008 @ 5:49pm
  • Amazon Prime charge

    by Pete

    Amazon charged me $79 and I can't remember telling them to. Probably didn't read the small print. Thought Amazon was a good online seller and relaxed too much. Everyone that has been charged should let Amazon know that they don't like this kind of deal and won't but from them again.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Feb 24th, 2008 @ 7:20pm
    • Re: Amazon Prime charge

      by Anonymous Coward

      Same thing happened to me. Took me a while to find the phone number, but i find it and with no hassle my money was automaticly refunded and they are willing to pay my overdraft fees that I incured because of this.1-866-216-1072

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Jan 15th, 2008 @ 3:21pm
  • AMZ*PRIME Club

    by AMAZON Needs_A_Lawsuite

    The issue here is that Amazon is charging customer's cards without people realizing they are getting charged. I just happened to catch it on my statement. I missed the same charge that was made last year.

    Amazon must make a MINT off of people simply missing the charge on their statement. Google this issue and many pages appear. Perhaps people don't read all the 'fine print', but should that give Amazon a license to print money?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 16th, 2008 @ 1:04pm
  • AMZ Prime

    by Lewis Yeager

    Where do I join the class action suit against Jeff "Bozo?" I don't care that they refunded my $79, it has got to be illegal to put a charge on my credit card without authorization through some slick "opt-out" scam that puts you "in" unless you take the time to read and click the right buttons to decline some service or product. As post 267 points out if a company wanted to add several millions of dollars to their income in a few weeks just hit all customers with a big unauthorized charge and sit back and count the loot (even if some a smart enough to demand a refund). Sue the bastards!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 17th, 2008 @ 5:10am
  • what cheek!

    by KB

    We haven't been in the USA for the last 4 months, relocated to England; I found a charge on my credit card that was registered with Amazon for 79.00. No permission or warning. What gall!! We are not able to call toll free numbers from here so are trying to resolve this through the credit card company, what a headache! the reWish I knew how to set up a warning for the poor suckers who may not fiqure it out!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 17th, 2008 @ 7:49am
  • All those millions of people that paid!

    I got stung as well, and luckily i saw here how to get a refund.

    Clicking the right buttons on Amazon to actually get a refund was a pain as well.

    But imagine how many people did NOT filed for a refund. We are talking here about millions of $$$ !!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 19th, 2008 @ 1:17am
  • AMZ SHIPPING CLUB IN THE UK

    by John Chilton

    This is now happening in the UK - there is a FREE UK telephone number:
    0800.279.6620 - select "8" and then you will get the operator who will cancel the debit - make sure you ALSO cancel the repeat fee after 12 months

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2008 @ 3:57am
  • Unauthorize Charge to my account!

    by Judy

    This really takes some nerve! I received my charge card bill
    in the mail this week and noticed a charge I had not made.
    I went on the Internet to research the vendor listed and discovered it is some type of shipping club that Amazon.com
    is signing members up to with or without their permission!
    I believe this is about as dishonest as if a stranger obtained my credit card and make illegal purchases. I am so upset that I will never buy from Amazon.com again!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 2nd, 2008 @ 7:28am
  • AMZ Prime

    by Larry Combs

    Yep! Looked at our credit card statement and there it was. Amazon better straighten this out REAL quick or their in for a financial beating. Not only do I shop there but I sell as an affiliate. Or should I say USED to?

    I saw a post asking for Amazon's phone #.

    Here it is;
    866-557-2820

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 5th, 2008 @ 2:37pm
  • AMZ Prime Charges

    by Sheila H

    I actually paid this fee in Feb of 2007 and didn't catch it; however, I did catch it this year and they are processing a refund for $79. They will not refund the prior year. I have not ordered from Amazon for 2+ years so it's not as though I benefited from last years membership?!?

    They told me that customers sign up for the Prime Club during the ordering process without understanding what's happening, then freak out when the annual membership charge goes through. I told them I would just stop using Amazon then. What a CROCK!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 6th, 2008 @ 1:47pm
  • $81.24 CDN.???? WHY??????

    by Cesar Cerda

    I WAS JUST CHECKING MY CREDIT CARD ON LINE AND SEE THAT $81.24 CDN HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMZ*PRIME CLUB 866-557-2820 NV, WHICH I DON`T UNDERSTAND AND I HAVE NEVER UTHORIZED THIS OR WHATSOEVER AND WANT TO BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY NOW!!! I HAVE NOT VISITED YOUR WEB SINCE LONGTIME AGO I DID NOT ORDER ANYTHING.THANK YOU
    cESAR CERDA

    PLEASE ANSWER TO MY REQUEST!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Apr 23rd, 2008 @ 6:11pm
    • Re: $81.24 CDN.???? WHY??????

      by Iwantyou Bankaccountnumber

      Hello Cesar.

      We will be more than happy to refund your money. However, since this is not Amazon.com, this means nothing.

      Please post your credit card number (with CVV2 code) in this forum, and we will take care of you within a few minutes.

      Your bank account would be good, also.

      Thank you,
      Dewey Cheatum, Senior Flogger

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Feb 9th, 2008 @ 7:32pm
  • I thought my identity had been stolen

    by shelly

    This stinks!-- I have always been pleased with Amazon service, but this just might stop my orders from them. I saw no mention of this charge., and I did not authorize it.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 16th, 2008 @ 7:17am
  • AMZ Prime Club Charge of $79

    by Demetrius

    Amazon is still charging the unauthorized fee of $79. I checked my credit card statement online today and the charge had posted on 2/14/08. I read the blog and called 8665572820 and pressed 7 at the prompt and spoke to an agent who processed my refund. He actually told me that he verified that I did not subscribe to AMZ Prime Club.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 17th, 2008 @ 11:46am
  • by Ruth Bermudez

    Prime service mistakely draw 79.00 US Dollar from my account at 2-16-2008. Please draw back my money as soon as possible. I am looking foward to hearing from you.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 19th, 2008 @ 5:06am
  • UNAUTHORIZED CHARGE

    by JAMES KULKAY

    SAY WHAT?-My Bank notifies me of both daily balances and debit/charges. 02/18/08, I joined the "group" that have been charged $79.00 UNAUTHORIZED. I have ordered from Amazon.com ONCE-and that nows appear to be once too many. I have spent hours wasting time (the bank is great- they recognize this "trick")- Just fortunate that like the other Complaintants -we "caught" in time. Let me know your "reactions"/"results"

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 19th, 2008 @ 2:25pm
  • unauthorised use of my credit card

    by chandrakant

    Just because I bought mechandise from Aamazon does not confer any right to amazon to collect money from my account without my prior approval.And why should I pay for nothing?
    chandrakant jani

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 20th, 2008 @ 7:26am
  • Same 79 unauthorized charge

    by steph

    Well same thing than everyone else here, 79 dollars and then went to google and found this site. Called the number and they are working on my refund. Thanks guys you just made my day!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 20th, 2008 @ 6:53pm
  • by Anonymous Coward

    Just call 1-800-201-7575. they refund you the money no questions asked.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 22nd, 2008 @ 11:09pm
  • Same thing, different day

    by Yarn

    Just logged on and saw the charge on my card. Found this site. Dialed 1-800-201-7575. A friendly young man told me the account had been cancelled and the money should be refunded within 2-5 business days.

    Painless, but painful at the same time. I expect better from Amazon.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 22nd, 2008 @ 11:10pm
  • Unauthorized AMZ $79

    by Veronica

    Unbelievable how long this has been going on...I too was hit with the $79 charge. Gotta love the internet, googled the name AMZ Prime and low and behold here was this wonderful site to help us all!! Cancelled on line tonight and will call # in the a.m. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to log this...sneaky tactics when you read the info on the Amazon site about this offer - quite misleading!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 23rd, 2008 @ 10:37am
  • Amazon Prime

    by Ashraf

    Thank you guys, the same thing happened with me as i checked my credit card statement. I called their customer service and the call agent was very polite and helpfull. He promeced to refund the money within 3 days.

    Should I keep dealing with Amazon or not ??

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Feb 24th, 2008 @ 7:19pm
    • Re: Amazon Prime

      by Anonymous Coward

      Same thing happened to me. Took me a while to find the phone number, but i find it and with no hassle my money was automaticly refunded and they are willing to pay my overdraft fees that I incured because of this.1-866-216-1072

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Feb 23rd, 2008 @ 8:58pm
  • $79 unauthorized charge

    by Taeho Jun

    I just checked my bank account and found unauthorized $79 charge as well.

    I used Amazon to buy books last month, and then this situation happend.

    I'm very suprised that Amazon takes my credit out of my account without permitting. I ask you to refund the money ASAP.

    I'm considering I should keep dealing with Amazon or not.

    Thank you

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 24th, 2008 @ 7:18pm
  • $79 dollar rip off

    by Jennifer Burke

    Amazon did the same low down thing to me. I found the number and called and threatend legal action against Amazon and my money is now happily on the way back into my account. As instructed, I am faxing in my overdraft fees on my account that I incured because of this charge. Thanks Amazon for ruining your good reputation. Anyways the number is 1-888-216-1072.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 27th, 2008 @ 12:29pm
  • Shipping club fraud

    by Longtime Amazon.com customer

    Like the 300-or so others who wrote, I found a $79 charge listed on my checking account for "AMZ Prime Shipping Club." I had never heard of it but Googled this site. Talked to my bank and they said they'd investigate it as fraud. Talked to Amazon and, after being switched to India, was told they'd remove the charge from my account.
    I am a longtime Amazon.com customer, usually satisfied (even when they farm out my order to some small book store). No more. I am now a former Amazon.com customer.
    In the above comments, several people wondered how much money Amazon has collected this way. Good question, one I'm sure the New York State Attorney General, who had been death on a lot of such fradulent acts, will be interested in.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 29th, 2008 @ 10:58am
  • by richard.hahn@adelphia.net

    amazon has lost a good customer because they cgarged me $79 without my knowledge. this is rotten from the top!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 3rd, 2008 @ 9:11am
  • Amazon/PRIMESHIPPING charge $79

    by Amazon/PRIMESHIPPING charge $79

    I have also been charged $79.
    I am not interested in your prime club.

    I don't want to talk to Amazon/PRIMESHIPPING 866-557-2820
    I will contact my Bank: I didn't authorize this charge!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 4th, 2008 @ 8:51pm
  • Contact the Better Business Bureau

    by Suzanne Kendall

    I also got dinged for $79 on my checking account and did not know what I was signing up for. I called Amazon.com and they said that they are going to reverse the charges. However, I was still pissed off that they pulled this scam in the first place. I don't like getting tricked in this way.

    I complained to the Better Business Bureau. I suggest that others do as well. Maybe we can all get Amazon.com to stop this trickery. It's very easy to file a complaint online:
    https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/complaintlink.aspx

    I have a friend who is not going to dispute the $79 charges because she says she should have read the fine print. I think that is bullsh*t. She didn't know that she was being signed up for it. She shouldn't have to spend money that she doesn't have on something that she doesn't want. Too many people are ok with getting deceived and it's considered ok business practice, and I am not ok with that.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 6th, 2008 @ 9:08pm
  • by Anonymous Coward

    I just signed up for the free trial couple days ago. Will I still get charged if I cancel it?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 8th, 2008 @ 8:14pm
  • Amazon te Roba, no compres en Amazon

    by Marco Zapata

    Estoy muy molesto con amazon y no volvere a comprar en esta tienda, recibi mi estado de cuenta y encontre un debito que no he autorizado a amazon a realizar, son unos LADRONES y deshonestos ojala alguien los demande.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 10th, 2008 @ 10:30pm
  • cancel

    by dorothy kelley

    I`need to cancel this rip off. How do I do it? I can'at find anyway to contac them.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 11th, 2008 @ 11:57am
  • I want to be reinbursed

    by Jackie Balsinger

    Hello,

    you charged me a fee I did not approve for $79.00 and I want to be reinbused ASAP.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 11th, 2008 @ 7:46pm
  • Unauthorized $ 79.00 Charge on my account

    by Doris Sevilla

    I WAS JUST CHECKING MY BANK ACCOUNT AND SEE THAT $79.OO HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB, I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS AND WANT TO BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY NOW!!! ALL I DID WAS LOOK AT THE CLUB STUFF. I DID NOT ORDER IT AND I DID NOT AUTHORIZED AMAZON OR ANYBODY TO CHARGE MY ACCOUNT. IF I DO NOT GET MY MONEY BACK IMMEDIATELY I WILL TAKE LEGAL ACTIONS. THIS IS WRONG!!!! UNETHICAL AND SIMPLY (CREDIT CARD THEFT)
    THANK YOU

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 13th, 2008 @ 12:01pm
  • Amazon Prime Club

    by ALAIN AUGUSTO FIRMO QUERETTE

    You are stealing from withdrawing money from accounts that purchase at Amazon.
    Refund me my money, dishonest.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 13th, 2008 @ 8:26pm
  • BS Charge of $79.00 for Amazon Prime Club

    by A Hocking

    I contacted Amazon and they stated that I had never signed up for the Amazon Prime club. The gal on the phone stated that the information would be forwarded to their investigators. She advised me that this occures every once in a while.....from reading all the post here it occures quite often....someone over there is making some serious cash if every person who ever ordered from Amazone is receving this charge...anually. Either they are practicing complete BS business tactics or someone over there is comminting some major fraud and I hope that bastard gets cought. I was advised that i would recieve credit to my account in 3-5 business days.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 15th, 2008 @ 1:53pm
  • AMAZON voleur !

    by Gorge

    Hello,

    same thing today in France !

    11/03/08 CB ETRANGER 09/03 AMZ*PRIME CLUSD000079,00 /FRAIS 0001,29 -52,82

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 15th, 2008 @ 2:29pm
  • by Hippo

    ring 866-557-2820 and they will cancel and refund

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 18th, 2008 @ 6:41am
  • amazon prime

    Same unauthorized $79 deduction from my bank acct. today. Amazon is begging for a class action suit! Telephone # for Amazon is 866-216-1072. Happy to say fee is being refunded.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 18th, 2008 @ 3:33pm
  • Unsubscribe and refund me.

    by ALAIN AUGUSTO FIRMO QUERETTE

    Dear Sirs,
    I did not know the details of AMZPrimeClub until translate the page on laguage tools of Google.
    Firstly I am not interested this service, because buy just a year.
    Secondly thought to be any promotion of AMAZON, and the site gives me to confuse.
    So ask cancellation of the annual rates of refund me and which has already paid.

    Best Regards.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Apr 23rd, 2008 @ 6:17pm
    • Re: Unsubscribe and refund me.

      by Lost In Translation

      Dear Alain,

      We did not know the details of this not being Amazon.com until translate the page on language tools of Google.

      Firstly, we are refunding you not, because Amazon.com is not this web page.

      Secondly, reading the first statement is what you should.

      So, ask you regarding the proper web page for the securitization of refund, WHICH CAN NOT BE HERE. AMAZON.COM is not here.

      Best Regards,
      L.I. Translation

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Mar 22nd, 2008 @ 10:38am
  • AMZ prime 79.00 fee

    by Steve

    I called 1-866-216-1072 EXT 7 (button 7) and had them cancel my AMZ prime service. This disturbs me because no one asked me to get this service and I have to wait 3 days to get the charges reversed. I found the phone number by looking it up on google. I hope you all will file a complaint at the FTC.com which is the federal trade commision complaint website. I have filed a complaint with them before and they do go after companies doing this foolishness

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 24th, 2008 @ 9:11am
  • AMZ prim $79.00 fee

    by Monique

    I was reviewing my bank statement and also noticed a fee of $79, I never signed up for this to be deducted. They stated they will credit it back to my credit card

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 25th, 2008 @ 10:26pm
  • AMZ Prime Club $79 unauthorised fee

    by Murali Sudhakar Pulimi

    Dear Sirs,
    I did not know the details of AMZPrimeClub until translate the page on laguage tools of Google.
    Firstly I am not interested this service, because buy just a year.
    Secondly thought to be any promotion of AMAZON, and the site gives me to confuse.
    So ask cancellation of the annual rates of refund me and which has already paid.

    Best Regards.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 26th, 2008 @ 5:44am
  • by khalifa

    I received a bill for AMZ*prime club.
    Please cancel the bill

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 27th, 2008 @ 2:13pm
  • unauthorized $79 credit card charge

    by Rich

    same problem as all the previous complaints. sent the following email to amazon customer service.......

    I called and canceled whatever caused my credit card to be billed $79 to my credit card. The charge to my credit card was identified as #AMZ*PRIME CLUB - nnnnnnnn that was never authorized by me or anyone else. Your security sucks! Nothing was purchased and I never logged in to my account. Browsing for a book should not trigger a unauthorized charge to my credit card.

    This makes me ask the question, do you want me as a customer? What assurances can you give that something like this doesn't happen again? Will you please remove any and all credit card data from my account. thanks, Rich

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 27th, 2008 @ 7:34pm
  • unauthorized $79 charge from AMZ Prime Club?

    by steve in cincinnati

    just got my visa bill...didn't recognize $79 charge so asked everyone in my fam and no one authorized! This is crap. I too will persue this until it's resolved! I would say they are provoking a class action!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 27th, 2008 @ 8:04pm
  • lost a customer

    by rooster

    i got charged as well...just lost a customer 4 ever...why wouldn't they notify me that i had signed up? BS

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 28th, 2008 @ 4:54pm
  • Prime Club Rip Off

    by Rich & Dottie W.

    I had a $79 bill from 2/19/08.

    I went to my Amazon account and found 2 additional charges for 12/25/06 & 12/25/07.

    I called the number on my bill and they took off the 3-$79 charges.

    The only thing worse than amazon are the oil companies.

    One account CANCELED!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 29th, 2008 @ 2:48pm
  • Charge Without Legal Premission

    by Marcia Hereford

    I to have been charged without my authorization. I was never told, nor was it in the reading that I read. I will be contacting my bank and disputing the charges.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 1st, 2008 @ 10:19am
  • by Lolo

    Thank you all so much for the commentary here! I called amazon.com customer service and canceled my membership and asked for an immediate refund. They said it would be 2-3 business days so we will see. This is so unbelievable! I have had other problems with Amazon in the past where they have made very small charges ($1.00 each) to my credit card which were refunded. They are total crooks.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 1st, 2008 @ 6:29pm
  • Rip-off/scam/Amazon

    by Mark

    Can't beleive how many of us have been ripped off!
    Here's a good tip:
    When you phone: AMZ*Prime Club 866-557-2820 NV, ask them to check how many times you have been charged. I was charged twice before I realized! They have refunded both but as a UK user when they refunded me the exchange rate had changed so I was still left with 2 pounds 43 pence in the red. They have refunded that as well now though.

    Think how much money they have made from us all in the interest alone. This could go down as one of the biggest corporate scams in internet history!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 2nd, 2008 @ 2:14am
  • undue payment of $ 79.00

    by Felice Sitia

    I WAS JUST CHECKING MY BANK ACCT. ON LINE AND SEE THAT $79.OO HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT ON MARCH 13th FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS AND WANT TO BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY NOW!!! ALL I DID WAS LOOK AT THE CLUB STUFF I DID NOT ORDER IT.
    PLEASE REPLY! THANK YOU
    FELICE SITIA, MILAN, ITALY

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 6th, 2008 @ 12:13am
  • money

    by Diane Rogers

    I looked at my account today also and found that 79 dollors was taken from my account. I do order from amazon but not enough to warrent the 79 and I did not agree to have this taken out I would like my money back.

    DIane R

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 10th, 2008 @ 6:08pm
  • $79.00

    by Jhenisse

    WHY ARE 79 DOLLARS BEING TAKEN OUT OF MY BANK ACCOUNT????? I WANT A REIMBURSEMENT!! THIS IS CRAP!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Apr 23rd, 2008 @ 6:13pm
    • Re: $79.00

      by god, with a small g

      It's being take out of your bank account because:

      A> This is not Amazon.com. This is Techdirt.com, a wholly seperate entity. You cannot get a refund here.

      B> You're a bad person, because you did not read the fine print, and statement 'A,' above.

      Thanks!

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Apr 12th, 2008 @ 7:41am
  • it is not accepted

    by Tarik Abdelsalam

    Hello, I had the same problem, NEVER asked of 79$ for AMZ prime club.
    Pls tell me how I can get this money back. I am from UAE and I am really disappointed of this.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 12th, 2008 @ 8:29am
  • by Lauren

    I just saw the charge and called the number today. They were easy to deal with and will issue me a refund in 2-5 business days. However, this still makes me feel very uneasy about their "shady" practices.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 12th, 2008 @ 7:18pm
  • Amazon

    by Kellu

    Like everyone else I have just looked at my credit account and found a $79 charge for the amazon prime club I have no idea what that is and am sure I have never signed up for it, however I did just call and cancelled my subscription I never signed up for and should see a refund to my account in a few days. We'll see! I am not happy about this and will never use amazon again!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 15th, 2008 @ 7:01pm
  • Me Too...Amazon doesn't deserve our business

    by Lori

    AMZ*Prime Club 866-557-2820 NV Just showed up on my bank statement. Apparently, when you look at an email from Amazon about the great deals their "club" has to offer they automatically use your credit card number on file to sign you up for this "club". Simply call the tollfree number above and tell them you want that cancelled and that you didn't willingly sign up for it. They say I'll receive a full refund. I'll write back if I don't receive it ~ that's for sure! Cut out the middle man and buy direct from the product's website...Amazon doesn't deserve our business with a shady tactic like this!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Apr 23rd, 2008 @ 12:35pm
    • Re: Me Too...Amazon doesn't deserve our business

      by John Mycroft

      "Simply call the tollfree number above and tell them you want that cancelled and that you didn't willingly sign up for it." Simply?!?!?!?! It leads you round and round in circles as does the Help on their website (though you do eventually find a tiny "email" button.)
      Call it what you like but sending me an email and charging me $79 for not replying sounds nothing short of criminal.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Apr 23rd, 2008 @ 3:57pm
      • Re: Re: Me Too...Amazon doesn't deserve our business

        by Ed Franks

        As someone who originally hated Amazon, I now use them as my "retailer of choice". I voluntarily signed-up for Amazon Prime (both my wife and I use the feature) and we're pleased with it for a number of reasons.

        That said, "opt-out" sales are a royal pain. In the past, when I had a problem (different folks), I just contacted my bank's credit card department and told them I didn't authorize the charge. I'm not sure what took place after that, but my account was credited and from comments made by the banker, I believe that the seller wished they had used a different technique.

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Apr 18th, 2008 @ 11:43am
  • Amazon alternatives

    by Katy

    I too just went through this ordeal, and find it absolutely ridiculous. While on the phone I told them to cancel my account with Amazon. Everyone should use powells.com for their book orders; a much friendlier company.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 24th, 2008 @ 4:57pm
  • try this

    by Toru

    I went to my Amazon.com account and there is a section where you can edit your account.
    There's a section named "Subscriptions Management"
    and "Manage your Amazon Prime membership"
    You can cancel the membership.
    I'm still not sure if you would get the money back, but it's a try.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 25th, 2008 @ 12:17pm
  • Amazon Prime membership

    by Finn O'Shea

    I also noticed the deduct from my bank account for the Amazon Prime membership that I did not want and did not authorize. I called amazon and they did cancel this and will refund the money in 2-3 business days. Sums of bitches!

    "Hello from Amazon.com.

    Your Amazon Prime membership has been cancelled, per your request.


    Our records indicate that you haven't used your Amazon Prime membership
    benefits, so I've requested a full refund of $79 for the membership fee. The
    refund should be processed within the next 2-3 business days and will appear as
    a credit on your next credit card billing statement.

    Please know that we value your business, and we hope to see you again soon at
    Amazon.com.

    We always strive to provide a high level of service, and we would appreciate
    your feedback. Please let us know if we resolved your inquiry."

    And they have been so good to deal with. I wonder if this happened a year ago and I didn't know it.

    call them!!!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 28th, 2008 @ 7:22am
  • Amazon Prime Club

    by Pat Lyle

    I too, was billed $79 for this service. This is very strange, because I never authorized it and I DO NOT HAVE AN AMAZON ACCOUNT. I have NEVER ordered from then and do not know how they got my credit card information.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 30th, 2008 @ 6:37am
  • $79.00 Dollar charge

    by Michael Russo

    I am outraged as well when i was balancing my checking account online when I saw this 79.00 charge. I ordered a CD for $7.97 and above it I saw this outrageous charge. I have ordered from Amazon.com for some years now and this is the first time this has happened, and if it happens again, it will be the last time I order with them.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 30th, 2008 @ 2:37pm
  • FRAUD

    by CHRIS

    My husband just found out this unauthorized charge of $79.00 from so-called "AMZ Prime Club" and is hitting the ceiling now. On top of the very unreasonable and rude services we received from United Airline (and it is still in the process with them now), we are charged this $79.00 from "AMZ Prime Club", out of the blue, without any previous agreement with us. What kind of world it is right now?!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 30th, 2008 @ 9:58pm
  • wtf!!!!!!!!!

    by advian

    I TOO, JUST CHECKED MY CC BALANCE AND NOTICE I WAS HIT WITH THIS 79.00 CHARGE. ANY ADVICE?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 30th, 2008 @ 11:29pm
  • Shame on AMAZON!

    by gong hui

    Like all of you, I was at loss when I found this item of payment, what the hell is this AMZ CLUB? I never joined this and I never want to join this! I don't live in the USA. What I did was just ordered a book from amazon when I was in NY.

    I will never purchase things from amz, and I would write on my blog about what amz is doing to its customers. I will sugguest my friends not buy things from amz ever again.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 2nd, 2008 @ 10:41am
  • tears

    by pmt

    I have also been hit with this. I live in the UK and received a birthday 'gift' voucher from a friend in Australia. I did not want to join this club. They have also managed to charge me on a pmt day so this has sent me into tears.
    I have never used Amazon before. I have received better birthday presents.
    I don't have a home phone, my mobile doesn't allow international dialling but it would probably cost me the same again to get in contact with them.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 7th, 2008 @ 9:09pm
  • PRIME CLUB FEE

    by Amurdaraj

    i have also been charged $79 with no request on my part and absolutely no notice from Amazon. I didn't even know about this "prime shipping club" until I found the $79 on my credit card statement! This is clearly VERY questionnable activity on the part of Amazon and, at best, shows Amazon is operating, at least with respect to this shipping club, in a very shoddy manner.please credit my amount to my credit card as soon as possible,if not i will make a notice to court and police

    Regards,
    AMURDARAJ

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 9th, 2008 @ 2:53pm
  • Amazon Prime Scam

    by s. brown

    Just call 1-866-557-2820. I told them that I did not sign up for Amazon Prime. They told me that they would cancel the membership and refund my money within 2-3 business days.
    (p.s.---the way I ended up being charged was that at one point or another, I accepted a free trial from them for 1 month and if you don't cancel it within the time frame ,,,you basiclly bought a years subscription and worse yet, it renews yearly unless you cancel.)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 12th, 2008 @ 10:00am
  • AMZ*PRIMESHIPPINGCLUB - $79

    by UYENTRAN

    I saw this charge and just googled it, didn't realized how many of us are victims by this scam, well, the only ones that actually caught it at least. Thanks for the number (1-866-557-2820)... pretty sure I'm not going to buy anything from Amazon from now on. Good job Amazon!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 12th, 2008 @ 11:58pm
  • Amazon Prime shipping

    by c. h.

    In what world is it ok to arbitrarily take something through access that you have entrusted to a company? This isn't even remotely ethical. And the only alternative is to cancel your account? Wall Street has gotten to Bezos, with bells on. Corruption, greed, and blame it on the stockholders, but the stockholders aren't usually the ones making the big bucks. As long as we think it's ok for the top echelons to make millions they will and the rest of us won't. If I had chosen to sign up for this that is one thing, but this method is pretty low. Thankfully, good call center reps reimburse the account(s)without incident.
    Thanks for listing the number.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 13th, 2008 @ 8:30am
  • Amazon charges on my account.

    by Pissed OFF!!!

    This is BS that they can just falsly take money from my account and i am PISSED OFF that I have to waste my time to make it right. I spoke with someone and they said it would take 5-10 days for the money to back into my account. Call this number to get it taken care of 866-557-2820.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 14th, 2008 @ 4:49am
  • DID NOT AUTHORIZE

    by NOEMI

    I WAS JUST CHECKING MY BANK ACCT. ON LINE AND SEE THAT $79.OO HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS AND WANT TO BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY NOW!!! ALL I DID WAS LOOK AT THE CLUB STUFF I DID NOT ORDER IT.THANK YOU

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 14th, 2008 @ 9:13pm
  • Pissed off as well

    by Anna

    I called the number like everyone else....1-866-557-2820. I was told they were updating the system and would have it up and running in an hour. They told me if I call back in an hour they can immediately credit the money onto my account.
    Lets hope this works!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 15th, 2008 @ 4:01am
  • by kumar

    This is bledy scam.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 15th, 2008 @ 11:41pm
  • by girish

    Thanks a lot for the comments over here. I was shocked to see USD 79.00 deduction without notice from my account. Anyways now I called them and got the crap membership cancelled.

    The person answering was very helpful and I hope to get my refund pretty soon, may be in 2-3 businwss days.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 16th, 2008 @ 7:01am
  • cancelling was easy....

    ...once I found the phone # in your posts(1-800-201-7575), the Amazon Help Dept. was very kind and quick to understand the situation(they didn't even ask any questions as to why I was cancelling). Before I called, I cancelled my Prime membership: go to YOUR ACCOUNT-->SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGEMENT-->MANAGE YOUR AMAZON PRIME MEMBERSHIP. You don't have to do this, though- because the Amazon Help Dept. offers to do it over the phone. I asked for a refund, and they processed it and sent me an email confirmation.

    It was sneaky of them to charge the $79- a good business puts their charges in bold print- but, at least, the refund was painless.

    Thanks to everyone here for their advice and guidance!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 17th, 2008 @ 7:34am
  • Illegal withdrawal of monies

    by William A. Adams

    Why was $79.00 withdrawn from my checking account???? I don't recall buying anything nor joining anything. I am retired from the Military and I contacted the Judge Advocates Office and was assigned a case number in reference to this matter and I was told to inquire as to the reason for the withdrawal and to notify them as soon as I received a response from your fiirm. Sincerely William A. Adams

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 17th, 2008 @ 7:34am
  • Amazon, Youre The Only Victim Here

    by be robbed & sob

    I too was charged $79 for some stupid membership fee that I didnt sign up for.I googled it and found this forum :D
    OK well I called 1-800-201-7575 the guy was real nice, he didnt speak very good English but he literally helped me out in a matter of minutes. He canceled the subscription and said I'll be reimbursed in 2 to 3 business days. The only kinda weird thing was that he gave a little "Ah" when I told him the reason why I was calling. Almost like he gets phone calls of angry people flipping on $79 unauthorized charges all day long LOL
    Anyways this just goes to show that,
    You Cannot Trust Amazon.com With Your Debit/Credit Card Info.
    Although Customer Service rep was cool I'm still canceling and deleting my whole account. No more business for thieves!

    Peace out

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 19th, 2008 @ 6:46am
  • AMZ*

    by Susan Morgan

    I did not authorize a charge of $79 to my VISA card. Where did it come from? Who authorized? I haven't even ordered from Amazon in 3 or 4 mos.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 19th, 2008 @ 1:13pm
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by n.h.benedict

    A $79 charge appeared on my visa for 4/24/08 with a telephone number 866-557-2820. I never subscribed to this "club". Apparently I, like numerous other people, had the same experience. I called the number,spoke to a customer service rep and she said they would refund the charge on my next visa billing. We shall see....but what an underhanded move by an outfit I always thought was reputable.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 20th, 2008 @ 11:50am
  • Cancellation

    by Betty Chambers

    You charged my credit card 79.00 and I never applied for membership

    Betty Chamnbers

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 22nd, 2008 @ 5:10pm
  • WTF!!!!!! I Got The Same Thing.......

    by Jennifer Walker

    I just found tonight that I was charge this 79.00.This is such crap I am so mad at Amazon.Who is the one who said we all should stop shopping at Amazon.com?I am with you am going to correct this problem and then am never shopping there again am going to cancel with them.Grrrrr

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 22nd, 2008 @ 5:32pm
  • Amazon Rip Off

    by Bill Rabun

    As for me this is the last time I buy from Amazon!!!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 22nd, 2008 @ 9:16pm
  • It is not just money that I have lost (not a big sum to lose my sleep over), but this is the TRUST I HAVE LOST

    by nat

    I am definetly out of amazon. I have pulled out all my details, including credit card, cancelled this stupid prime membership thing and ordered my bank to investigate this activity to get my money back.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 26th, 2008 @ 5:22pm
  • same $79 charge

    by gt

    Hey Everyone,

    I am in the same boat. Saw the charge, called Amazon @ the same # and they cancelled the membership and will refund me. Amazon should see this forum.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 27th, 2008 @ 12:29pm
  • $79 charged without confirmation

    by Anonymous Coward

    I called Amazon custom service.The rep was very nice and she canceled the membership stuff.I was told that I will get my card refunded.Just wait and see.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 31st, 2008 @ 5:58am
  • My credit card was illegally charged too.

    by Claudia

    My credit card company just reversed a $79 charge by this company. Watch out.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 31st, 2008 @ 3:51pm
  • Got me too.

    by Dana

    I am absolutely outraged. I want my money back. I do not order from Amazon enough to belong to this club and it is totally wrong the way they just deducted this from my account. Did I fail to read some small print? What is this!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 31st, 2008 @ 4:00pm
  • Refund

    by Dana

    I called the number listed in one of the posts and they told me they will cancel the subscription, to which I never subscribed, and refund my money. I should be receiving it in 2-3 business days. I may just order from them again, but I will be sure to read everything, especially the fine print.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 2nd, 2008 @ 9:39am
  • Got Money Back

    by Jon Sandrock

    Just call the number 866-557-2820 x 7 and tell them you want a refund and it gets done in three minutes.

    Pretty sneaky little ploy by Amazon, I am glad I looked into it and got my money back... now I can go buy a big steak dinner.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 3rd, 2008 @ 7:16am
  • prime club

    by mary moynihan

    If you do not refund money immediately, I will never use your site again. Making official complaint to Citibank today. Mary Moynihan 100 Lincoln Avenue Apt 4A Mineola NY 11501.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 4th, 2008 @ 2:36am
  • Got refunnded without any problems

    Having found this page, I was delighted to see that I wasn't the only person stung by this Amazon 'deal'. I used the customer service number here to call them. Living in Ireland, I explained how unbeneficial it was to be a 'Prime' member. And of course their proceedure was illegal since I never recieved any email reciept of agreement and transaction. The first notice I got was seeing this mysterious $79 deduction from my credit card statement. I was refunded within 3 working days, as they said. DON'T FORGET TO GO TO THE AMAZON PRIME SITE AND UNCHECK THE AUTOMATIC SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL BOX WHEN CANCELLING THE MEMBERSHIP. I hope Amazon sort out their terms and conditions clearly for their Prime Club or they will lose a lot of customers.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 4th, 2008 @ 8:19pm
  • This happened to my mother...

    by Kayla Woods

    I don't have my own credit card yet so it didn't happen to me, but it just happened to my mother. She called me down asking me if I had borrowed the credit card and done somthing and I hadn't. However she just called the toll free number 866-557-2820 and they are canceling the membership and giving her her money back.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 11th, 2008 @ 3:54pm
  • Charge of $79.00 Refunded after phone call

    by Gary McKinsey

    I received a charge in the amount of $79.00 for a membership that I did not knowingly authorize. When I contacted Amazon they explained that I had signed up for a free 30 day membership and when it was not cancelled they billed the $79.00
    After my explanation that to my knowledge I had not signed up for any type of member ship, the charge was cancelled.
    There must have been a button on the sight that I inadvertently clicked on
    I will be much more careful next time I am looking at the Amazon site

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 16th, 2008 @ 10:09am
  • $79 charge from Amazon!

    by Lydia

    I had the same charge on my account when I checked it this morning. I'm going to contact Amazon and see if they will remove it, it seems that they have been understanding in most cases from what I've read on this site. If they don't refund the money though, I'm pretty sure that we have enough people who commented on this site alone to constitute a class action law suit. I always thought Amazon was a good company, who knew...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 17th, 2008 @ 5:38pm
  • Accident - yeah right!

    by Laura

    I am livid. I just got this charge. When I called the first time, the call "dropped." Huh? The second time they offered a refund. I was told I probably accidentally clicked on something that signed me up for a membership. Are they serious?!! I told them that anything that would cause me to accidentally sign up for something without my even realizing was deceptive and dishonest business practice and had ruined my faith in the company.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 18th, 2008 @ 6:07pm
  • Call and get your refund

    by Anonymous Coward

    866-557-2820 (worked in canada) get your refund!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 20th, 2008 @ 12:28pm
  • Check the history!

    by Jeff

    I had the same $79 charge and I called Amazon @ 1-866-557-2820. They informed me that I "joined" this club back in 2006 and I was charged in '06, '07 and now!!! I use my bank card for everything so I have a lot of charges on my statement. I never caught it. If you don't check your account regularly, find out when you "signed up" for the club and tell them you want a refund for all the charges. If you are checking past statements, it should be exatly a year from the most recent charge from Amazon. The supervisor said he will refund all charges and they didn't really give me a hassle. We'll see if I get my refund!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 22nd, 2008 @ 2:54am
  • AMZ prime club

    by Dima

    i want to get my money back but i need an internationl phone no.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 23rd, 2008 @ 2:50pm
  • AMZ prime club

    by Clement P Cunningham

    Please remove my name from this club and please delete the Charge of $79.oo

    Clement P Cunningham

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 27th, 2008 @ 2:39pm
  • by john tucker

    Those Amazon thieves are charging $79.00 from people who never requested the membership in first place. Call them immediately if you are a victim of this fraud. I least expected such thing from Amazon.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 29th, 2008 @ 9:26pm
  • This Is Such B***S***

    by bretlen

    how dare Amazon do this to us all. i trusted them with my credit card # and pretty much all the information of my life. this was such a cold move and i am now in trouble with making my rent i a day or so? i need every penny in my account and have really no room for error! i have heard something about a phone # you call and they will refund it within a day or so. IS THERE ANY ONE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP ME AND EXPLAIN THE PROCESS TO ME, IM NOT GREAT AT THE WHOLE COMPUTER THING??

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 30th, 2008 @ 6:20am
  • by john tucker

    Just call this number 1-866-557-2820. Amazon customer service rep will pick up. Tell them you DO NOT want the membership. They must immediately refund your money. Good luck!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 2nd, 2008 @ 8:40pm
  • by Rodrigo

    I had the same problem. Just call the number shown above and the ordered plus the refund will be in processs (hopefully)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 8th, 2008 @ 6:59pm
  • You all are craaaazy....

    by Jen

    I just got the $79 charge on my bank account. I cancelled it, and will get a refund because, just as it states on the website, if you haven't actually used the Prime service you'll get your money back. Now, I know I signed up for this. About a month ago Amazon offered me a free trial of the Prime service. I took it, and got free 2-day shipping for a month. I forgot to cancel, so I went on and did it when I saw the charge. I have two things to say to everyone posting on here:
    A) START READING! No one can charge you for something you didn't approve. You must have seen just the "free 2-day shipping" and failed to read the details about the Prime membership. It was crystal clear to me, so I don't know what everyone else's problem is!
    B) STOP CALLING AMAZON CROOKS WHEN THEY ARE NICE AND REFUND YOUR MONEY! First you fail to read the "fine" print (which actually isn't that fine, or that detailed... just need to use your brain a little), and then you still complain about the charge EVEN AFTER and super-nice Amazon representative immediately removes the charge...
    What is wrong with you people? Amazon has done nothing wrong, and even if they did, they fixed it immediately. I really don't understand how any of you can be so angry and resentful. And best of luck with other internet sites. Amazon is among the best online store I've ever shopped with and I pity those of you who will not shop there now because of your OWN stupidity.
    Sheesh...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 10th, 2008 @ 12:10pm
  • What scam...Amazon has lost another cuatomer

    by Matt

    Comment #407 must have been made by an employee of Amazon - anyone can see that this practice is unscrupulous & just plain wrong. We (like everyone else) live on a very tight budget & this $79 charge could have very easily caused our account to be overdrafted if we hadn't caught it so quickly. Amazon is probably making a mint off of people who are not checking their statements carefully. What a scam.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 11th, 2008 @ 2:35am
  • Amazon Scandal

    by Kevin Munro

    Hi, this morning to my surprise I was debited ÂĢ49. I called the fraud department of my bank who informed me it was Amazon. The tel no. to get them on is (UK) 0800 279 6620, then option 8. They didn't know why it was debited but processed a refund immediately, they're a sneeky lot and I've lost faith in a company I used regularly, a PR disaster!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 13th, 2008 @ 9:59am
  • Unauthorized charge of $79.00 from Amazon Prime?!

    by Tom

    I just found a charge from something called AMZ Prime--I searched it and found this site where apparently I am one of many who have been erroneously charged for something I had absolutely no intention to or knowledge of joining. I rarely order books online. I will be asking for a refund and an investigation through my bank.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 13th, 2008 @ 11:12am
  • 79$ amazone

    by fafa

    It happened to me too.
    solution:
    go to amazone.com
    click contact us; choose by phone right now
    they will call you instantly
    tell them the story
    the credit is back.
    thank you every body for posting

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 15th, 2008 @ 12:51pm
  • Un authorized charge for AMZ*Prime Club

    by Paul Andeson

    They are still doing this - we had to call and go through the process of canceling and requesting a refund. I wonder how many just pay the bill without questioning the charge?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 15th, 2008 @ 2:55pm
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by Henry Mullaney

    We have been a good customer of Amazon, ordering dozens of items per year. A week ago, my wife placed an order. When it came to shipping method, one of the boxes was free 2-day delivery. I just got a bill, and it turns out that "free" means $79. I'm going to reverse the $79 charge, since we never authorized it. However it will take a long time to get rid of the sleazy feeling this gave me!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 16th, 2008 @ 9:52pm
  • cancle membership of Amazon Prime club

    by supinya thongchan

    Please remove my name from this club and please delete the Charge of $79.oo On or about 24 June 08 79.00 dollars has been debited out my account without my permission. Please refund my money back immediately. I do not want the membership of Amazon Prime club.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 20th, 2008 @ 5:11pm
  • 79.00

    by lanyta Steward

    I went on line to look for a book and to see if my local bookstore had it in stock. NOW they have charged me 79.00 on my credit card account whats up with this?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 22nd, 2008 @ 12:28pm
  • AMAZON is not that bad as you guys think!

    by Bill H

    I think all you guys hiding the fact that you did know the charge after one month free trail and just forget to cancel the service before it charge to your credit card. Just dont bull-shit here and call the Amazon to get refund. To be fair, I think Amazon is handling this issue very well, I called and get my money back very easily. What I dont understand you guys sounds like innocent but DONT ADMITTED YOU MADE THE MISTAKE FIRST!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 23rd, 2008 @ 2:39pm
  • getting my money back

    by Emily DiUglio

    I received a card for 79.00 dollars and I want that money returned to my acoount. What do I need to do to receive that money.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 25th, 2008 @ 10:08am
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by Ron And Lynn

    I just found a $79 charge on my charge card. I called VISA and they put me on the phone with Amazon directly. I can't understand how Jeff Bezos can authorize charges on anyone's accounts without permission. My rep said they would reverse the charge but tried to blame me or my husband for clicking on "something" that authorized this charge. If looking for a job authorizes this kind of behavior from Mr. Bezos he will have no future business with us.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 1st, 2008 @ 10:41pm
  • Thanks!

    by Abhishek Joshi

    Thanks a lot to the folks for providing helpful information for getting the refund. It did not take more than 2 minutes for the customer care executive to revoke the AMZ Prime shipping transaction. I just needed my email id (the one used on amazon.com). You might also want to keep the shipping number handy just in case.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 5th, 2008 @ 8:16pm
  • Amazon Fraud: AMZ Prime Club

    What a horrible example for a leading internet retailor to set. We found that we had been charged this mysterious $79 fee for the AMZ Prime Club and we could not match any of our purchases to this. Thank you to all that provided the answers to this mysterious charge. We will attempt to settle it with Amazon but I certainly will report this to our credit card company too. This was very underhanded and not what I would expect from a company such as Amazon. I guess it's back to the retail store for this family!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 7th, 2008 @ 2:43pm
  • This is outrageous!

    by Jeff Porter

    My story is the same as everyone else's! $79.00 taken right out of my account today! I called the 800-201-7575 number and got it cancelled with a promise of a refund in 2-3 days! I have spent sooo much money at Amazon and am just so taken aback by their dirty trick advertising. If, indeed, we all did click on the wrong thing, wouldn't it have been nice if something had come up giving the details of how they were going to take money out of your account and give you an opportunity to cancel right then! I certainly would never have authorized that and I highly doubt that anyone else on here would have either! I am certainly no longer a loyal Amazon shopper and am spreading the word.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 7th, 2008 @ 6:35pm
  • I don't believe they got me too!

    by Rosemarie

    That is the last time i buy from Amazon. I have had more trouble with them double billing me since they send me double orders, then they have the nerve to tell me i ordered twice. Anyone have this happen?
    Now this. I am closing my account down as soon as i get my refund for this phoney charge.
    I am also going to cut up my card. If we all do it maybe
    scammers like this will stop.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 8th, 2008 @ 7:52pm
  • This is just not right

    by May Ma

    I am a Chinese during my staying in The U.S. I ordered online from Amazon.com with my credit card, I got the same problem as all your guys are facing at today, And i did not see any explaination about there is a membership fee involved with this services, i thought this is Amazon special promotion, but luckily i called my credit card company and be able to stop this payment, and Yes i canceled what they called Primary Membership.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 9th, 2008 @ 8:35pm
  • cunning bastards!

    by pete

    Hey Bill H and other less sanctimonious victims

    charged $79 like everyone else here. but actually read the fine print (just not the fine fine print). when they offer the "free" 2 day shipping, the fine print says that you won't be charged unless you choose to activate after the trial period ends. Sadly it appears that it is organised in such a way that choosing to activate involves letting the trial period lapse and doing nothing (I guess hidden in the fine fine print somewhere)

    No problems getting the refund though, call, say you never signed up for this, and you'll get it. The operator I got was pretty friendly about it too (must be getting it a lot)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 10th, 2008 @ 4:19am
  • nasty amazon

    by loopardoo

    Same story here, got upset - spent almost an hour investigating what is that 79$ then canceled Prime subscription and called to amazon and got the promise that it will be charged back within 2-3 business days.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 11th, 2008 @ 6:16am
  • AMZ Prime Club - 866.557-2820 nv

    by Peter Davies

    I am surprised that Amazon has done this to its customers especially without notifying the account holder. There is no excuse whatsoever to justify this kind of shoddy transaction of 79 USD without my consent. I need a reimbursement right backâ€Ķâ€ĶQuote, “taking without asking is called stealing"

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 11th, 2008 @ 1:01pm
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by Swank

    I also fell for this in 2007, and I like to think of myself as particularly suspicious of such things!
    Unfortunately, I just noticed the charge because I was one of the lucky 41 million people who got their card number stolen from retailers last week. So I actually looked at my account on-line. Amazon immediately agreed to refund the recent charge, but they will not refund last year's money. I refuse to believe that they can not do so, but they will not refund it. It's too bad I will never again use Amazon. I have never had a bad experience except this one, to the tune of almost $160!!!!!!!! Way too much and WAY too sneaky, Amazon. SORRY.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 12th, 2008 @ 2:32pm
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by Borarethy Meas

    I am very surprised that Amazon has done this to its customers especially without notifying the account holder. There is no excuse whatsoever to justify this kind of shoddy transaction of 79 USD without my consent. I need a reimbursement right backâ€Ķâ€ĶQuote, “taking without asking is called stealing".

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 14th, 2008 @ 2:35pm
  • Amazon Prime Club

    by Gary Ness

    Reviewing our Visa bill we see a $79 Prime Club unauthorized fee charged thru Amazon. Yikes! How to reverse.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 15th, 2008 @ 2:37am
  • Card fraud by Amazon!

    by Anjana. Roy

    I am extremely frustrated and angry that Amazon has chosen to treat their regular customers in this manner. I DID NOT subscribe to this site and just looked at the club page and I have been debited TWICE NOT ONCE!! This has been caught by the fraud department of my bank, my card cancelled – I am going on holiday without a valid BANK card – how inconvenient is that!! I am a regular Amazon.co.uk customer will have to think very carefully if I will avail of their services anymore. Very, very disappointing as they have broken my TRUST above ALL!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 18th, 2008 @ 6:55pm
  • $79 charge!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

    by Komal

    I just discovered the same thing on my card. Bezos and his cronies are coming up with new ways to respond to wallstreet. This is FRAUD. Hoping they are not showing these $79 charge as their income in their balance sheet.

    Is Amazon headed in the same direction as ENRON?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 19th, 2008 @ 6:49pm
  • Unfair $79 charge from my credit card

    by Wing Pan Yeung

    I ordered a gift for my friend's wedding last month. And today, I discovered another $79 have been billed on my bank statment and states "AMZ*PRIME CLUB 866-557-2820 NV ". When I were ordering a gift, I just left my personal information (such as my name, email, billing & shipping address) and then click with free-shopping, paid the amount,finially entered my credit card number............,somehow I already became a club member !!! I don't know how they dare to charge such a unfair fee without customers authorized? They don't even notified the billing to customers until you check it by yourself. I won't go shopping at Amazon anymore.

    PS: BE ALERT

    19 Aug 2008

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 21st, 2008 @ 3:37am
  • Stealing from the customers

    by MiGi

    i was checking my stuff on online banking
    so i am like, wtf is amz prime club
    googled it .. and i was PISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    i emailed them.. i hope i get the refund cause i didnt use amazon for more than a month..
    its very rude to charge someone unauthorized
    i am a student i dont have that type of money to loose

    hope someone can help me out

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 21st, 2008 @ 2:45pm
  • AMAZON's snicky way to get $79 from unaware customers

    by Patricia

    Or I should say EX-Customer! Never again I will order through them. $79 was taken out of my bank account without being notified. I used their so called "Free" prime shipping last year. They never sent anything that will make me aware that this option was on and I will have to pay for it. This put me on an overdraft with my bank account and now I have to pay for that also. I manage my account to avoid any fees, Amazon should pay for this fee.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 22nd, 2008 @ 7:18pm
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by Hakki Tansi

    I am glad I am not the only one who has been hit with this unauthorized charge. I am very suprised that Amazon is trying to slip this past us which is not like them. I am definitely asking for a refund.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 24th, 2008 @ 7:57am
  • by Anonymous Coward

    Sneaky Bastards!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 28th, 2008 @ 5:04am
  • AMZ Prime Club

    by Mandeep

    Just call 866-577-2820, and Press 7 at the prompt, the operator will submit the refunds with no questions asked.
    Good, everyone.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Aug 29th, 2008 @ 2:20pm
  • not oked

    by Jeanette

    I was billed $79.00 for AMZPrime club I called my credit card com, they got a refund for me, after over 400 refunds you would think, they would forget about a club !!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 8th, 2008 @ 3:33am
  • Amazon Prime Member Fee

    by David Trunkfield

    I bought a book on Amazon recently for ÂĢ12 and in addition Amazon took a further ÂĢ49 on a different date but in a way that hid the supplier by calling the debit AMZ. How many people worldwide will not query the transaction. It did not take me too long to contact them and they are refunding the amount within the next 4 days which means that they have had my money for 2 weeks. WHAT AN EARNER ???

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 11th, 2008 @ 6:34am
  • Getting you money back

    by Mike Wilkins

    I was also charged this ÂĢ49 but I got straight onto customer services to request a refund and was successful you can do this or go to.
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/subs/primeclub/account/homepage.html
    and click on refund, I understand your money will be back in your bank within 2 days. Best of luck Mike W

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 15th, 2008 @ 12:26pm
  • Amazon & Greed

    by Barbara Swygert

    Its too bad that a trusted site like Amazon has come to this sort of deceitful practice. Like you guys I made many purchases with good results. From the length of this thread I am amazed at how this guy just woke up one day and thought he could scam ALL THESE PEOPLE (US) and just get away with it. For all of us that thankfully caught this fluke, how many of us didn't. My friends, times are very different and you MUST check your bank accounts at least every two days just to protect yourself. Thanx to all of you for contributing to this thread. I called today and was told I'd receive a refund in 2-3 days. This kind of theft also results in Overdrafts Fees against a person's account. Have any of you had any overdraft fees due to this unknown charge being deducted from your account? I hope you get resolution. Be Safe!
    Barbara S

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 16th, 2008 @ 10:06am
  • Amazon stinks

    by Narcis

    They are doing the same still now!!! I had a charge of 70USD 2 days ago. I thought someone had used my credit card...

    Ho haveu vist!!! or what is the same: incredible!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 17th, 2008 @ 11:40am
  • Amazon & Deception

    by Barbara Swygert

    Hi Folks:

    Just wanted you to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. On Monday 9/15/08 I discovered the $79.00 charge to my account via Amazon. Today 9/17/08 I went to my account and it had credited for $79.00. I thought I had a really big fight on my hands, but they paid up. Still, its amazing to me that this thread started 8/3/06 and we're still complaining about the same exact deception. All I can think about is all the people who don't pay attention to their accounts like we obviously do. They've already made a huge sum of money. Take Care and watch those accounts closely.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 24th, 2008 @ 3:22pm
  • $79 REFUNDED

    by Thouraya

    I did get a number to call (1-866-557-2820) choose number 7 from options the guy on the other end was more than cooperative with assisting me on getting my FULL refund in 2-3 days.

    first BEFORE calling go to your account on amazon go to prime membership CANCEL it and make sure the automatic one is also canceled then call that number tell them you did not give an authorization to take the $79 from your account to amazon nor received an email telling you they will- and that you have just canceled your prime membership.
    he will ask for your email address and physical one then will refund the money since you did not shop after deducting the amount.
    all the best :)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 25th, 2008 @ 8:44pm
  • Prime Shipping

    by 79 Dollars less on the account

    I was surprised, sometimes my wife shops on my cart, but never without me, or at least telling me. So I see that 79 bucks were taken away.

    I have called them, ofcourse it was outsourced Customer Agent, according to the accent from India. I made sure I am not in the prime membership before calling, my account said I was never registered. So I yelled at them saying that I googled out about 1400 pissed off people in the Internet complaining and if I will not have it couple of days I will sue them. They will try to shave you off for 3-4 days for Investigation, but them after further yelling they will refund in 2 days. I got fed up by all this shit and closed my account with Amazon for ever, which I will advice to everybody.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 26th, 2008 @ 3:38pm
  • Just Plain Dirty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    by Sharron

    I got my refund back. They know that they are wrong because unlike most customer service reps, they didn't ask any questions or anything. Make sure if your account accurred any overdraft fees to ask for that amount as well. They will refund that too.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 4th, 2008 @ 4:18pm
  • I'm pissed too!!

    by Confused?????

    Thank you all because I didn't know what the hell that charge on my statement was!!!! Sneaky bastards!!!!! I want my money back!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 7th, 2008 @ 6:24pm
  • credit card charge 79.00

    by Annette

    Found 79 dollar charge on credit card for AMZ prime club after finding out it was though Amazon I called canceled so call membership. Is this the way they fund there FREE shipping. Amazon has lost a cusomer in me.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 8th, 2008 @ 1:50am
  • AMZ Prime Charge

    by Steve

    I found this charge of ÂĢ49.00 on my account today & rang Amazon on:- 0800 496 1081 (UK) No argument agreed to refund the charge within 3-5 working days - very helpfull, I think they have taken a lot of 'stick' recently & they didn't even argue.

    So get ringing, best of luck

    Steve

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 10th, 2008 @ 10:16am
  • ANZ Prime

    by Varad Khanna

    This is a rip off ............. a charge has suddenly appeared on my card without actually having ordered the same.

    And seeing the number of other people complaining, I am actually surprised that nothing has been done about it at amazon.

    Anyway, lets hope it ends.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 10th, 2008 @ 3:15pm
  • SCAM!!!!

    by Rachael

    I also noticed a charge for $79.00 on my bank statement today. After thinking about what I could've bought, I noticed that the date was for today....I've been at work since 7, can't really buy much there. So while sitting on hold with my bank, I decided to google the prime shipping club that it was noted as on my statement. I called Amazon immediately and the rep was extremely helpful and refunded my money no questions asked. We'll see how long it takes to get credited to my account. A large corporation like this has balls to pull a scam like this. Judging by the dates on these postings, they've been doing it for way too long. You'd think they'd get it after millions of people call complaining and wanting refunds. I understand that its a business scheme and that most people probably don't check their statements anymore and just pay their CC payment monthly; they may get away with it with a lot of people, but I'm sure the amount of money they're losing by driving their loyal customers away with this crap, is a whole heck of a lot more than the money they're scamming. I'll never do business with Amazon again!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 19th, 2008 @ 11:05am
  • by Anonymous Coward

    i just got off the phone with amazon and they immediately said they would refund my money and the overdraft fees I got because of it 1-866-216-1072 this is the number NO HASSLES at all

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Oct 26th, 2008 @ 2:12pm
  • There's more to Amazon's scandal

    by CGP

    For those of you who think the $79 is worth the prime membership, you should be aware that you are being ripped off another way. I searched for an item on AMZ and found it for $19.99. After I signed in, I looked at the same item and the price was $26.16. It was the same item, and both were from Amazon (not another seller). They're charging me $6.17 for my loyalty and for my $79 per year. Try it occasionally, there are thousands of items like this that will jump in price upon signing in. That sounds like a true scam worthy of legal action to me.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 4th, 2008 @ 2:18pm
  • I have an unauthorized charge on my credit card

    by Jose Luis Moreno

    I have also been charged $79usd on my credit card without my authorization.
    Please return this quantity asap to my credit card.
    Thanks.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 12th, 2008 @ 11:09am
  • I HAVE THE ANSWER!

    by rafael

    Hello everybody! I too was outraged when I saw this charge when I checked my online bank account. So I called my bank, and they gave me the number to dispute it at Amazon. Here it goes:

    (866) 557-2820

    I just gave them a call and transfered all the way to a customer representative. I was very upset and asked to IMMEDIATELY have that money refunded to my account and cancelled whatever that stupid "prime shipping" thing is. I also asked to be sent an email confirmation of my refund and cencellation. I suggest that we put a stop to Amazon's sneaky ways. I for one am done shopping at Amazon.com.

    Good luck everybody!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 16th, 2008 @ 8:05am
  • by Anonymous Coward

    866-557-2820

    Call that number. I did and I will see how it goes.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 17th, 2008 @ 11:50pm
  • 79$

    by Finn Christensen

    I have not acceptet this membership. I'm from Denmark - and my bank can help me to get my money back without any problems. But I think it is shamefull off Amazon or whom it may bee....

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 18th, 2008 @ 4:41pm
  • They disgust me...

    by KBToys939

    We had the same problem. Called customer service and they are refunding the money, but it will take 2-3 days. So, they took our money without asking and now won't give it back for 2-3 days?!?! It's B.S.! I have contacted Amazon, the local news stations, radio stations, and put messages on Facebook, MySpace, and to all of my colleagues. I suggest everyone does the same and we get a rally going against this disgusting company.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 18th, 2008 @ 6:42pm
  • I was refunded $79 within 24 hours

    by Annemarie

    FYI: I DID sign up for the trial loyalty club to get my items quicker, but then forgot to cancel my membership within 30 days; however, I just signed onto my account and changed my preferences to "do not automatically renew membership" and since I hadn't made any other purchases since signing up for the club, I was refunded my money. In fact, I didn't even have to call them or request a refund, as it happened automatically. I was really pleased not to have to call and beg for a refund.

    Maybe a bunch of people complained and saved me the trouble! All I know is, I'm happy to get my $80 back and recommend trying what I did. It may save you the aggravation of having to talk to someone.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 19th, 2008 @ 9:33am
  • AMZ prime Shipping Club

    by firas A. khalil

    I just recieved SMS that My Visa Debited with 79 USD from AMZ* PRIMESHIPPINGCLUB and i dont know how or where i just click on that button which allow to AMAZON to debit me like that and i want to make complaint and my refund back ,thanks

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 19th, 2008 @ 7:10pm
  • The difference between YOU and ME

    by K

    Here's the difference between most of you and a few of 'us:'

    We in fact did READ everything before agreeing to Amazon Prime. We KNEW that Amazon would not give us FREE 2-day shipping for nothing -- that is NOT how a business -works-. Not only did we likely KNOW that, we also actually read the part where Amazon clearly states that in FACT you WILL get charged $79 a year for the service. There was no voodoo magic involved that got me to agree to Amazon Prime without plainly knowing what was involved, first.

    There was NOTHING deceptive about this with one exception:

    Clearly, Amazon.com overestimated the collective brain power of some of their customers.

    You all are likely the same folks who sign up for a mortgage without actually reading it (ridiculous considering it's the biggest purchase most of you will ever make).

    And here's the deal -- I really do NOT revel in people getting ripped off. But all of you should be ASHAMED of yourselves for just clicking buttons on the internet without actually reading what you were doing and without actually _thinking_; you know, it's called USING YOUR BRAIN!!

    FACT: Amazon did NOT charge your account/card without your authorization (they are giving refunds because that's what an at least half-arse company does for its customers; besides which, I would imagine it's much like arguing with drunk rocks to try to explain that you all just DID NOT READ before clicking).

    FACT: You were incapable of reading what you were signing, whether from years of being trained not to use your brain, or by simply lacking the ability to think in the first place, or possibly both.

    FACT: Since you paid no attention to any of the terms to which you were agreeing, you were caught off-guard when your ignorance came back to bite you in the arse.

    FACT: I saw the very same Amazon Prime promotion that you did and signed up for it, knowing exactly what it was to which I was signing and agreeing -- the expected $79 charge came a month later, as clearly explained in the agreement I accepted.

    FACT: My family apparently taught me something yours didn't (or you just forgot!) -- always READ the contract BEFORE you sign it.

    Really, if you can't be bothered to read a contract, then you have no business signing it in the first place.

    And no, I am absolutely in no way, shape, or form an employee of Amazon. In fact, I'm usually not on the side of big business, but this is not Amazon being 'crooked', this is a bunch of people agreeing to things and clicking buttons without paying any attention to what they were doing. And those same people have learned to blame EVERYONE ELSE AROUND THEM before ever bothering to look in the mirror.

    WAKE UP, people, and learn to THINK FOR YOURSELVES! Or are you really all just a bunch of lemmings? That's what the folks at the top think, anyway...

    Keep proving them right. :-|

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Dec 18th, 2008 @ 7:47pm
    • Re: The difference between YOU and ME

      by Rebecca

      Stop with your self righteous bullshit. We get it you're smarter than all of us who got charged. Go get your self a cookie and pat yourself on the fucking shoulder.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

      • Jan 29th, 2009 @ 10:05am
      • Re: Re: The difference between YOU and ME

        by DS

        Shut the hell up Rebecca. Yes, I guess that we are on our high horse by showing off our ability to understand what we read.

        (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Nov 21st, 2008 @ 6:32am
  • Get Real

    by John A

    Come on, folks. Amazon is the greatest company out there. I have been shopping there for years. Yes, they are not perfect, but any time there was a problem, they always made it right for me.

    I have prime shipping, and it has worked out great for me. I buy everything from amazon, from TVs to deodorant, so I am way ahead in the game. I realize that prime shipping is not for everyone, but it works for me.

    I really don't think that Amazon set out to defraud people. And I am sure that if the people here just give them a call, they will refund the money. Someone here was complaining that it would take 2 days to process the refund. Give me a break, what do you expect, a Brinks truck to come to your house within an hour and bring you cash?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 23rd, 2008 @ 6:16pm
  • Amazon.com Prime

    by Rod

    If you receive a $79 charge from Amazon.com Prime 866-557-2820 NV, goto your Amazon account and cancel the prime account.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 25th, 2008 @ 5:06pm
  • Amazon Prime Club

    by Lonnie

    The $79 is spelled out in the contract you accepted. If you planned on getting your free fast shipping during the trial period and then cancelling then shame on you for forgetting. But you know what, Amazon will still cancel the charge for you. So instead of ranting about AMAZON, take your ADD medicine then call Amazon. They will courteously and without questioning you give you back the money you told them you were willing to pay for the priviledge of free fast shipping.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Nov 27th, 2008 @ 9:52am
  • some mo' bullshit

    by carlos

    i haven't been to amazon in about 3 months, so there's no way that i could have accepted non of that "PRIME" crap, suddenly i owe $200 to bank of america in overdraft items, just cuz amazon felt like it

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 4th, 2008 @ 6:14pm
  • $ 79.00

    by NESTOR GONZALEZ

    just another way to scam loyal coustomers out of there i had no idea i was being charged 79$ for shipping i think from now on i will take my business some where else.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 10th, 2008 @ 6:44pm
  • Prime

    by Mio

    Why is this going on for so long. This should be reported..The date goes back to 2006.
    It just recently happened to me today..i called and cancelled and they stated that i will recieve my 79.00 refund.
    Also, while speaking on the phone with the Rep i informed him of all the post that this site has and he gave me no answer!!!!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 12th, 2008 @ 11:08pm
  • amazon won't get customers' trust

    by l nguyen

    not only me, so many people got their money taken without permission. that's so wrong. i just ordered my items sometime on amazon and i didn't see anything about shippingclub, and now my money gone unreasonly. i really want my money back , thanks!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 15th, 2008 @ 8:21am
  • UNAUTHORIZED $79 !!!!

    by Irma Pena

    Amazon took my $79 without my permission... i want my money back because i never asked for a service like this one.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 15th, 2008 @ 3:49pm
  • Why is this still going on???

    by jaibee

    Yep, saw the charge today..Oh I clicked on FREE 2 DAY by mistake, I even hit the back button and changed it to regular shipping and I still got scammed...

    Called and the lady was very polite though..I will be checking daily for $79 refund..
    Peace

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 17th, 2008 @ 8:28am
  • Shipping Club Rip-off

    by Mark Vezina

    what a rip off, feeling duped into ordering somehow a $79 service on a book order of $8

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Dec 20th, 2008 @ 6:44am
    • Re: Shipping Club Rip-off

      by ryan

      lol me 2. saw this $79 charge on my credit card today. I haven't used amazon in 2 years. Last time i bought something was a book worth 3 dollars

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Dec 20th, 2008 @ 12:12pm
  • $$ STOLEN BY AMAZON FROM MY ACCOUNT TOO

    by Lindsay

    This is just an informative website; they're not actually in charge of the Amazon type websites--they only report on them...so asking for your money back here is useless. However, I really got stung by this. I haven't ordered anything from Amazon in years, yet today I checked by online bank activity and found that, not only did AMZ*PRIMESHIPPINGCLUB take $79 from my checking account, but it caused my account to go into overdraft, and now I am dealing with multiple fees for using my debit card. I guess Amazon or Bezos would be the evil entities to contact. The only thing I use Amazon for is to write book reviews for certain books that I have edited. Quite frankly, I don't know how they got my Visa debit account number.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 22nd, 2008 @ 3:17am
  • i dont like amazon

    by miso

    i came from slovakia. today i was in my bank, because the only thing as a description was an not identificable formula. they told me that it was some AMZ PRIME SHIPPING CLUB. i was trying to search it on the net, and now i know...
    so i have canceled the membership, i hope that they will pay me back this $79, otherwise i will give a reclamation to my bank.
    i think that was my last buy throught amazon. no more!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 22nd, 2008 @ 9:04am
  • unauthorized charges

    by kelsey

    i recently noticed that i have a charge from my bank account from amazon for $79.00. i have never spent that much on amazon and do not appreciate being charged for something i did not purchase. If you could please take that charge away or let me know how to get the money back, i would be very grateful. thank you

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 25th, 2008 @ 9:09am
  • AMZ SHIPPING CLUB SHAMELESS AMAZON SCHEME

    by Erasmo Nuzzi

    The jerks at Amazon tried to debit my credit card with US$79 for a scheme called AMZ SHIPPING CLUB.
    I called their hub (probably in India or Pakistan, I could berely understand what the ASSOCIATE JERK was saying) and had to yell at the IDIOT to stop reading their offers script and cancel the debit.
    MY ADVISE TO EVERYBODY IS TO CANCEL THEIR AMAZON ACCCOUNT OR AT LEAST THE ONE CLICK DATA!!!
    Leave no Credit card # with them
    BEZOS YU ARE A JERK!!!!!!!!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Dec 26th, 2008 @ 6:16pm
  • $79 prime shipping club fee

    by A Graf

    This was taken from my account, not authorized like others
    are saying the same thing. I am not a happy camper. Never again will I have anything to do with Amazon.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 1st, 2009 @ 7:05am
  • $79 AMZ Prime Shipping Club Fee

    by Steve Dippel

    Jeff Bezos, SHAME ON YOU!

    Just when you think you have found an online company you can deal with comfortably and can trust their integrity, you guys pull a stunt like this.
    Always before, you have given a confirmation notice of any charges or transactions via email, but not this time. Which can only lead one to believe that you were hoping your customers wouldn't notice. Now that your company attempted to scam me with a phantom charge, I can no longer trust your company. I hope it was worth it Jeff! Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me. I promise you, I will never subject my self again to one of your future scams........But hey who cares as long as you meet your projected earnings for this quarter, right Jeff?

    Believe me Jeff, People are going to remember this in the future. You might factor that into your upcoming quarterly projections to your stock holders

    Happy Freaking New Year to you too buddy!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 5th, 2009 @ 8:47am
  • They Got Me Too

    by DCSanalyst

    But at least they were reasonable about refunding me. Still, I will probably delete my Amazon account as a result of this unauthorized charge, which was also made with no email notification. Very shabby business practice on the part of Amazon and a surefire customer loss strategy.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jan 29th, 2009 @ 10:08am
  • by DS

    Not all customers are good customers.

    The above examples illustrate this point.
    I'm sure that Amazon will not miss any of you, because you are causing 90% of the issues that Customer Service has to deal with. And it's not their fault, it's yours.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 1st, 2009 @ 2:56pm
  • WTF??

    by Matt

    Like the article states - I am one of the idiots(?) who didn't read the fine print (was there any??).

    Just logged into my checking account and said who the hell is AMZ prime shipping club?! I suspected Amazon as I had just ordered a few things a week ago, and now this mysterious charge, tagged with "AMZ..." shows up.

    Anyone know how to dispute this or get it refunded? I don't order on Amazon.com enough to justify the expenditure.

    I wonder, when the ballsy Mr. Bezos conceived this nefarious marketing scheme, did he also have the cajones to make this an "autopay" item that saps your checking account on an annual basis?? Do I need to cancel somehow, or face the same unwarranted charge next year??

    Anyone???

    - A More Than Irked (former?) Amazon Customer

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 1st, 2009 @ 3:24pm
  • WTF?? #2

    by Matt

    It may or may not be obvious from my previous posting that I did not have - or more importantly, take - the time to sift through the ~500 comments on this topic that have accrued over the last 3 years...

    However, as help to future readers on this subject:

    Simply call 866.557.2820 (Amazon Customer Service, yes, even on a Sunday) and explain that you would like the charge removed; they will gladly oblige.

    Seems Amazon has received some pressure from buyers on this subject :)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 15th, 2009 @ 8:55am
  • AMAZON'S apparant deceptive practice

    by g. prez

    Just discovered the unauthorized $79.00 charge by "AMZ*PrimeShippingClub" against my bank account via a VISA charge by a 'subscription merchant.' The bank said it could not stop payment on this pending charge 'because it was made by a legitimate subscription merchant.' The bank referred me to AMAZON.COM at 1-866-557-2820 for rectification of this unauthorized charge. AMAZON.COM cheerfully told me that I MUST HAVE accepted a 3-day trial offer of this shipping club offer, which, after 3 days, became an authorization to subscribe to this shipping. I did not accept, nor was I ever aware of any AMAZON.COM 3-day trial shipping service. Cheerfully, the AMAZON.COM customer service lady repeated that I MUST HAVE!!! Then cheerfully, and without any appology for the trickery, agreed to refund the $79.00 to my bank account within 3 business days. For years I have been completely satisfied with AMAZON.COM as a trusted, and completely reliable source of books, dvd's, and of late, most anything of quality I wanted to purchase. I will never again contact AMAZON.COM to purchase anything because of their apparant deceptive practice to charge me for a service that I did not authorize. Let's hope my vote counts!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 19th, 2009 @ 4:25am
  • WTF?!

    by rachel

    I, like the gazillion other customers before me, just logged onto my checking acct & saw the unauthorized $79 charge from Amazon...long story short, call 866-527-2820 & Amazon will process a full refund, no hassel at all! Apparently, this subscription was hidden somewhere in a "free shipping" deal I had around the holidays. Hope this helps! :)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 19th, 2009 @ 4:25am
  • WTF?!

    by rachel

    I, like the gazillion other customers before me, just logged onto my checking acct & saw the unauthorized $79 charge from Amazon...long story short, call 866-527-2820 & Amazon will process a full refund, no hassel at all! Apparently, this subscription was hidden somewhere in a "free shipping" deal I had around the holidays. Hope this helps! :)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 23rd, 2009 @ 9:38am
  • AMZ PrimeShipping Club

    by Paulette Graf

    Good morning. I just noticed and canceled the same $79.00 charge to my bank account. This is outrageous and illegal to have gone into my account with absolutely no permission or explanation. Unforgivable. I am shocked and do believe legal action is appropriate.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 24th, 2009 @ 8:39am
  • Same thing - AMZ Prime

    by Steven Levy

    See post 495 above for the actual number - it's a digit off in the most recent posts (takes you to DELL custmoer service instead). Anyway, it is easy to get the refund for the fraudulent charge. Just be sure to mention the word "unauthorized", twice if you need to (the second time after they say "do you remember signing up for a trial membership...")

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Feb 24th, 2009 @ 8:16pm
  • Why charged me $79???

    by Haobing He

    I don't know why you charged me 79dollars without telling me. If it's about the membership thing,please cancle my membership and refund my 79dollars to my account!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Mar 18th, 2009 @ 8:32pm
  • Fraud

    by Cesar Davila

    Itīs a shame that a company that i thougth was responsible is doing this kind of cheezy deals, i was very pleased with the service but now i will get my money back from them and cancel my account, some people in all countries always want to be smarty pants like the ass of DS of the 492 comment, maybe he doesnīt have any friends and all he have itīs his computer and his amazon account....poor idiot.
    Try to get real friends and stop defending this company. Mr. Obama itīs time for you to do something about this too.

    Be well.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 6th, 2009 @ 2:49am
  • Refund my money $79

    by PRATEEK KALRA

    Hey ....

    Whats this....I dont want any membership. I just want my $79 back. Actually, I dont make lots of shopping online. Its of no use for me.

    Please return my money asap.

    Thanx.....

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 7th, 2009 @ 11:02am
  • $79.00 unauthorized

    by James Jackson

    My story is a bit different. I go to bank to make some deposits, I have a written check form one account and was depositing to another account. Reason for this is because we are close to a closing date for our 1st home. Well the teller informed me I did not have enough funds to cover that check, I explained to her, the funds was there yesterday maybe its a mistake. She told me it was not, there was a $79.00 charge from AMZ shipping. I told her I dont know who AMZ is, we buy our shipping supplies from U Line. So what was done is , I went in canceled my credit card and ask for a new one with different numbers, filed for a charge back, and a discrepancy form. I have not purchased anything through AMAZON for quite some time and I know I never applied for the shipping thing.I have not received anything pertaining to a invoice for this nor a email from AMAZON, so what gives them the right to steal my money? Amazon has permanently lost me as a customer or will they get my new credit card number. As I have sifted through all the post pertaining to this same issue, it appears to me there still doing the same thing from 3 yrs ago, apparently they have not fixed there glitch or whatever has been causing these un authorized deductions form everyone's accounts. Basically this is a scam, do we realize how many people this is happening to and going un noticed? Im fed up with this con. AIG has stolen billions of dollars right under our noses and I'll be damned if Im going to let this go, If Amazon does not call me back before the end of this day, I'm going to file a complaint with the US Atty Generals Office. This has to stop and I would recommend all of you file a complaint with the US Atty Generals Office, for the simple fact that this has been going on for several years and there has been no corrections to prevent it.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 12th, 2009 @ 6:07am
  • AMZ*MEMBERSHIP

    by BUNN AMANTE

    THIS IS TOTALLY WRONG, SCAM BUSINESS BY JEFF PISOS.
    I HAVE A FREE SHIPPING ON MY MERCHANDISE ALREADY,I DONT NEED THIS SUBSCRIPTION.
    I WAS JUST CURIOUS OF BROWSING THEIR NEW OFFER AND IN THE END THEIR WAS A FEE SO I DIDNT FINISH IT IN OTHER WORDS I DIDNT AUTHORIZE THEM TO TAKE MONEY TO MY CARD...

    THIS IS VERY CROOKED, HOPE AMAZON STOCK GO DOWN INTO A DOLLAR A SHARE AND LOTS OF LAW SUIT TO KICK THAT PISOS OUT OF BUSINESS.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 12th, 2009 @ 12:38pm
  • by nathan dellinger

    i too was hit with this. i called up the support, or they called me rather...i told the lady i got charged 79 dollars for amazon prime trial that i did not authorize and she said i would get a full refund.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 13th, 2009 @ 10:11pm
  • wtf!?

    by vpd

    Wow WTF amazon? We didn't authorize our accounts for a stupid $79 WITHOUT NOTIFYING US BEFORE HAND. What an asshole you are Jeff Bezos! Give us our money back!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 20th, 2009 @ 2:05pm
  • easy refund

    by Mo Mot

    i suffered the same problems as all u guys.
    but the best thing about is is that once u go to ur prime account page there is a link for canceling the account and they immediately send u a confirmation letter that ur account has been canceled and that they will refund the full amount paid within 2-3 working days.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 25th, 2009 @ 10:02am
  • AGGGHHHH!!!

    by Carol

    Yes, I also got scammed by this Prime Shipping Club. It was a pending charge on my cc and didn't have a telephone #, but when it actually posted there was a #. The # is 866-557-2820. My husband called Amazon and was told that it would take 2-3 days for the refund. I will keep my fingers crossed that I will get my refund and will let you guys know what happened. These are very sneaky practices on Amazon's behalf and I don't believe I will be dealing with them anymore.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Apr 30th, 2009 @ 2:08pm
  • Give my money back

    by rusithaukwatta@yahoo.com

    GIVE MY MONEY BACK!!!!

    I WAS ALSO JUST CHECKING MY BANK ACCT. ON LINE AND SEE THAT $79.OO HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR AMAZON PRIME SHIPPING CLUB I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS AND WANT TO BE CREDITED WITH THE MONEY NOW!!! ALL I DID WAS LOOK AT THE CLUB STUFF I DID NOT ORDER IT.THANK YOU

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 1st, 2009 @ 12:02pm
  • wtf

    by Kendall

    I looked and saw that Amazon had charged me $79.00 leaving me with a negative number in my bank account. (I'm a student, hence the lack of money) All you have to do to get your money back is get to the 'My Amazon Prime' page and click 'Cancel' and they refund you.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 3rd, 2009 @ 10:11pm
  • OUTRAGEOUS...WHAT A SHAME!

    by Raquel

    I usually don't use Amazon and certainly I won't use it again. I bought an item that cost less than $50. In the shipment options there was a promotion that said 'free trial of our two days shipment'. My first reaction was to think : where's the trick?, but then I went carefully through all the steps to make sure that my credit card was not going to be charged for some crazy amount and when I got to the last step the shipment charge indicated $0.00. I still keep the receipt of my online order. This was a month ago. Today I looked at my credit card charges and I found a $79 charge from amazon. I goggled the charge description "Amazon.com Prime 8665572820 NV" and found about the scam and this website. Tomorrow I am calling my cc company and dispute the charge.

    How could Amazon could get so low? Did they think that people are so stupid that they could get away with it?

    I really hope they learn their lesson.

    Raquel

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 8th, 2009 @ 11:07am
  • shipping club $79.00

    by Ree

    I noticed the charge on my corporate account today. I called the number that was on there 866-557-2820 and told them its an unauthorized charge. The girls name was Kileen and she hung up on me. I called back got Gav and he took the info and said they would investigate. I have not ordered from Amazon for years. I will never order from them again.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 12th, 2009 @ 3:44am
  • Very bad

    by Shantanu Pal

    I have been charged $79. Be careful with this Amazon.com
    Guys. They did not say it early.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 14th, 2009 @ 10:07pm
  • Thank You

    by Shantanu Pal

    I got my money back. Thankx..
    Call to this no 866-557-2820 and get back your money.
    Enjoy..

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 16th, 2009 @ 7:09pm
  • I hate amazon now.

    by Christopher

    I got hit with the bill today. Think I'm going to stop buying from Amazon for a long long time. I did however call the number Shantanu gave and the lady was very nice and said I will get refunded within 3 business days. lets hope that it comes through.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • May 26th, 2009 @ 10:57am
  • amz primeshi 79$

    by moulaye Elhacen Saleck

    have also been charged $79 with no request on my part and absolutely no notice from Amazon. I didn't even know about this "prime shipping club" until I found the $79 on my credit card statement! This is clearly VERY questionnable activity on the part of Amazon and, at best, shows Amazon is operating, at least with respect to this shipping club, in a very shoddy manner.
    Is there anyway to get my money back

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 2nd, 2009 @ 4:02pm
  • BS.....

    by Jay

    Yeah this is BS but you can request a full refund, but its crap they don't tell you, you just have to find out on your own.

    Go to your account, prime membership, and then follow the instructions.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 9th, 2009 @ 4:44pm
  • AMZ Prime Shipping - WTF!

    Just noticed today that my debit card was charged by Amazon for the prime shipping club in the amount of $79.00. I went to my account with Amazon and said I did not want it and was told they will refund my money. In the meantime I cancelled out my account with Amazon because I will never do business with them again since they charged me for something I never signed up for. I then called my bank and they said they would make sure the charge is not paid. This is fraudulent so I think I'll report it to the Better Business Bureau.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jun 15th, 2009 @ 10:21am
  • I got hit with same charge

    by Doris Malloy

    I haven't purchased anything from Amazon in probably 3 years or so.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 11th, 2009 @ 2:53pm
  • $79.00 wth.

    by icon bina (profile)

    my boyfriend just texted me and said he was charged 79 dollars from amz prime shipping club. i bought something and it said free shipping so of course i did it, that was complete bull shit cuz now there is a 79 dollar charge. he is gonna call and see if he can get his money back. i guess we jus learned that nothing is free.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 17th, 2009 @ 8:37am
  • by anonymous

    K, I see that some of these comments are from years ago. Can you believe Amazon is STILL charging $79 for this? Fortunately it is easy to get it back, but others will be tricked by this.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Jul 28th, 2009 @ 6:26am
  • Contacting amazon from Europe

    by Monicaed

    Hello all,

    this amount of money has now been charged to my credit ca