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?
Reader Comments (rss)
(Flattened / Threaded)
money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k. by MICHELLE ROBINSON on Aug 3rd, 2006 @ 7:30am
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
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we also see an unauthorized charge of $79 by Joy Gooden on Aug 8th, 2006 @ 5:51pm
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.
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by Nanne Olds on Aug 11th, 2006 @ 7:25am
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.
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Amazon prime shipping charge $79 without knowing! by david rose on Aug 18th, 2006 @ 2:58am
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!
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by WHT on Aug 20th, 2006 @ 11:00am
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.
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by PISSED OFF on Aug 20th, 2006 @ 10:06pm
I just found the $79.00 charge on my bank statement. Has anyone been able to get their money back from Amazon?
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why did they do this to us? by negative bank acount on Aug 26th, 2006 @ 3:14am
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!
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Amazon.com by Staci Mims on Aug 28th, 2006 @ 7:19am
Has anyone found a telepone number to call Amazon.com??
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prime time to cancel by patrick on Aug 29th, 2006 @ 9:22pm
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
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mission accomplished by patrick on Aug 29th, 2006 @ 9:49pm
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!!!
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What the HELL! by Trinkit on Aug 30th, 2006 @ 9:06am
I just found the same damn thing on my account.
I'll do some research into a class action law suit! This is fraud.
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Amazon rip off by Rhonda on Sep 5th, 2006 @ 8:05pm
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!!!!!
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Fraud at it's sneakiness by kenyon on Sep 17th, 2006 @ 9:25pm
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??
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thankfully I used a credit card by craig on Sep 19th, 2006 @ 9:55pm
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....
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Thank you Patrick/Get a REFUND by Cindy on Sep 20th, 2006 @ 10:44am
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
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$79.00 RIPOFF by Hermann on Sep 20th, 2006 @ 4:21pm
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.
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Quick cancel by John Ceballos on Sep 21st, 2006 @ 2:37pm
I phoned Amazon and was refunded within 5 minutes.
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Re: Quick cancel by Jeff on Oct 6th, 2006 @ 8:35am
What's Amazon's phone number!!!!!!!!
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Phone Number by Jerry on Oct 18th, 2006 @ 12:08pm
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
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Re: prime shipping club by c manning on Oct 28th, 2006 @ 7:27am
Amazon just lost a good customer. this is a scam.
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Amazon charged my card for Prime Shipping subscrip by debi on Nov 3rd, 2006 @ 6:39pm
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.
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amazing how they low they will go by David on Nov 15th, 2006 @ 8:18pm
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!
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Doesn't look like much loyalty is being engendered by Willo on Nov 30th, 2006 @ 6:34pm
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!
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Amazon prime club theft by Mimi on Dec 2nd, 2006 @ 4:47am
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.
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Amazon Prime Membership by Dale on Dec 22nd, 2006 @ 7:10am
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.
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Re: credit card for $79.00 by valerie henwood on Dec 26th, 2006 @ 4:08pm
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.
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Cancellation/refund without a problem by Henning on Jan 29th, 2007 @ 7:47am
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."
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Bad marketing practices will harm customer retenti by anonymous on Apr 17th, 2007 @ 11:21am
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.
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Amazon still tricking people into Prime Club Membe by Jackie on Apr 24th, 2007 @ 4:32pm
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!
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Same here... tell me again what button did I press by Dan on Apr 28th, 2007 @ 4:34pm
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...
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AMZ crooks by Boyd Rahier on May 1st, 2007 @ 12:59pm
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 $79. I do not know how they got hold of my charge card number. Then, if you want to take on a real chorse, try to find these f-----s in order to send them an e-mail complaint. It's like they do not exist. Boyd Rahier
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Got the refund by bookless on May 1st, 2007 @ 2:11pm
Just called Amazon at the numberI found on this site, and it took all of 30 seconds to get my refund. Press 7 at the prompt, and the operator will submit the refunds with no questions asked.
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Same 79$ charge, Amazon have cancelled the number by Khaled Nasseredin on May 2nd, 2007 @ 12:47am
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
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fraud!!!! by Donna Gorman on May 2nd, 2007 @ 12:00pm
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.
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It IS fraud and we should all STOP using AMAZON.CO by jennifer on May 2nd, 2007 @ 2:38pm
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!
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I spoke with customer service! by Felisha on May 3rd, 2007 @ 9:23am
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!
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by anyway on May 3rd, 2007 @ 3:50pm
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.
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same here 79.00 charge to credit card by tonya hogue on May 3rd, 2007 @ 7:51pm
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
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AMZ Club by Ragab Tosson on May 4th, 2007 @ 12:58am
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
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Re: AMZ Club by tonya hogue on May 4th, 2007 @ 6:29am
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
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A $79-cheat by Joey Lam on May 4th, 2007 @ 7:29pm
I didn't join but was charged. Don't even know what it is before I check on Yahoo! This is tentamount to fraud.
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AMZ Prime Club by Cindy Powell on May 5th, 2007 @ 9:13am
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.
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AMZ Prime Club by Mrs Valle on May 6th, 2007 @ 6:17am
Until now we trusted Amazon, but we were never advised of this $79.00 charged, just came in so we wonder what club we joined that we did not know about!!!!
The 866 577 2820 number is no longer available... any suggestions?
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Re: It IS fraud and we should all STOP using AMAZO by albert on May 6th, 2007 @ 8:37pm
Here is another victim of Amazon.com. I found in my credit card a charge of 79$. It's a shame!
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I am so angry by susan kipping on May 6th, 2007 @ 10:05pm
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.
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I called and got my money back by susan kipping on May 6th, 2007 @ 10:24pm
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.
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Amazon Prime is crooked. I feel cheated and angry! by Dee Villarrubia on May 6th, 2007 @ 11:10pm
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
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by Mrs Valle on May 7th, 2007 @ 6:56am
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.
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Bad [ by Anonymous Coward on May 7th, 2007 @ 7:30am
I am angry for Amzon's AMZPrime Club.Why I must pay
79 dollars annual?
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Bad [ by Japanese on May 7th, 2007 @ 7:31am
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Amazon Prime Club $79.00 dollar charge by Mrs Valle on May 7th, 2007 @ 1:02pm
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.
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Money taken out of my credit card without my knowl by Daniel on May 7th, 2007 @ 7:42pm
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
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Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k by Agnieszka Kaminska on May 7th, 2007 @ 7:57pm
Scandal!!!!!
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Amazon Prime Club by D. Addison on May 8th, 2007 @ 2:02am
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.
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What`s that? by Anonymous Coward on May 8th, 2007 @ 12:09pm
I was also a victim!
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i didnot authorize for this payment by ch v s n murthy on May 9th, 2007 @ 1:42am
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
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i didnot authorize for this payment by ch v s n murthy on May 9th, 2007 @ 2:00am
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
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Re: Quick cancel by ch v s n murthy on May 9th, 2007 @ 2:32am
can u give me amzon contact no., they have debited from my card also
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Amazon Fraud by Jonnie VanderZanden on May 9th, 2007 @ 5:35pm
I too just checked my credit card. How do we get them to credit my card back?
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People sanity by Uddhava das on May 10th, 2007 @ 7:35am
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
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by Amazon Official on May 10th, 2007 @ 8:04am
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).
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Dumb people by Javi0084 on May 10th, 2007 @ 8:07am
Do you people have no reading skills? THIS IS NOT AMAZON.COM!!
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Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k by Betaflame on May 10th, 2007 @ 8:15am
You might want to try complaining to Amazon.com instead.
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Re: Dumb people by Anonymous Coward on May 10th, 2007 @ 9:40am
[quote]Do you people have no reading skills?[/quote]
This is probably why the have charges for $79 on their credit card.
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by eric becker on May 10th, 2007 @ 10:02am
I am happy to pay the $79. Now most of my product ordered by amazon arive within 1 or 2 days. Great service.
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Re: i didnot authorize for this payment by WOW can you even read? on May 10th, 2007 @ 10:20am
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
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Re: i didnot authorize for this payment by Glenn Barres on May 10th, 2007 @ 11:07am
Man some people are just retarded. THIS IS NOT AMAZON, this is Techdirt. friggin read the screen people
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by HaaaaHaaaa on May 10th, 2007 @ 11:29am
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.
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Re: Dumb people by Rip-off on May 10th, 2007 @ 11:51am
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?
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i r teh stupid by rocks on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:08pm
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)
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wait, I have to pay for stuff that costs money??!? by Incredibly entertaining on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:08pm
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?
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Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k by READ on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:15pm
If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.
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Re: we also see an unauthorized charge of $79 by READ on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:16pm
If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.
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Re: Re: prime shipping club by READ on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:17pm
If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.
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Re: Amazon prime shipping charge $79 without knowi by READ on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:18pm
If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.
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Re: Re: credit card for $79.00 by READ on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:19pm
If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.
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Re: What the HELL! by READ on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:20pm
If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.
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Re: amazing how they low they will go by READ on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:23pm
If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.
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ya'll iz dum by smarter than you on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:24pm
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
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Re: Doesn't look like much loyalty is being engend by READ on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:24pm
If people would just READ things and read it all, much misunderstanding could be avoided.
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Re: by Laughing on May 10th, 2007 @ 12:26pm
I CONCUR !!!
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I can get Amazon to refund you... by Ima Scammer on May 10th, 2007 @ 2:30pm
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.
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FUCKING READ ME by The Fine Print on May 10th, 2007 @ 2:54pm
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.
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Unauthorized Charge by Bazemore on May 10th, 2007 @ 3:03pm
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.
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Re: Re: credit card for $79.00 by Anonymous Coward on May 10th, 2007 @ 3:26pm
Hey numb nuts, learn how to use the internet. This isn't amazon.
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free by Anonymous Coward on May 10th, 2007 @ 7:06pm
You have just won one FREE INTERNET!
sign with blood here _______________.
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Re: Unauthorized Charge by Amazon on May 10th, 2007 @ 8:37pm
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
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Amazon prime shipping charge $79 without permissio by ELIRAN on May 11th, 2007 @ 2:33am
i am another victim of Amazon I found in my credit card a charge of 79$. i am not Buying anything from Amazon again
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Tooken my 75$ without permission by Weeraboon on May 11th, 2007 @ 5:44am
Hi every victim,
I got a statement that show AMZ charged me already 79$.
Why and How??
How can we do?
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They still think this is Amazon? by Javi0084 on May 11th, 2007 @ 8:08am
Either people are refusing to read or the are being sarcastic. I wouldn't be surprised if they also fell for the Nigerian scams!!
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what happened? by Sukyoung Hong on May 11th, 2007 @ 10:06pm
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.
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haw to get your money bak by eliran on May 11th, 2007 @ 10:59pm
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
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Haw to get your money back by eliran on May 11th, 2007 @ 11:54pm
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
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Give my $79 back by Xiaomeng Lu on May 12th, 2007 @ 4:15pm
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.
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this happened twice by Pete on May 14th, 2007 @ 3:02pm
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.
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Prime Shipping Club by Irene on May 17th, 2007 @ 8:39am
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.
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BOGUS Prime Shipping by Judy Woo on May 18th, 2007 @ 12:43pm
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."
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Customer service refunded my account by Donna on May 19th, 2007 @ 9:02pm
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.
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AMZ*Prime Club by Anonymous Coward on May 21st, 2007 @ 7:28pm
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
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AMZ Prime Club by Gabriele Titone on May 22nd, 2007 @ 9:05am
This is unbelievable.
Amazon also took my money without authorization.
I demand a refund immediatley.
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Surprise charge by Barbara J. Collins on May 24th, 2007 @ 6:16pm
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 $79.00 which she said was being put back in my account with interest> She also said that I was being sent an e-mail with the cancelation. Too bad I didn't get the e-mail with the charges. Have been a member of Amazon for a long time. They say this is to build up a loyal member base. Well they just lost my loyalty! Won't be ordering any thing more from them.
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Re: Tooken my 75$ without permission by Shekila Barnes on May 25th, 2007 @ 10:55am
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
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Re: money taken out of my bank acct without my o.k by Shekila Barnes on May 25th, 2007 @ 11:13am
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.
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Amazon dot charges for Prime Club by Sunil Govinnage on May 27th, 2007 @ 10:06pm
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
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Re: Re: amazing how they low they will go by Guinevere Hurley on May 29th, 2007 @ 5:32pm
If people would just hit the send BUTTON once and just once, a gazillion postings of the same comment could be avoided.
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Unauthorized Charge by Amazon on May 27th, 2007 by Anet Minassian on May 29th, 2007 @ 11:15pm
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.
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OMG by brian on Jun 8th, 2007 @ 4:58pm
I GOT CHARDGED $79 for something i didnt authorize...what the hell...
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by Steve on Jun 18th, 2007 @ 10:03am
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.
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$79 Wrongful Charge!!! by Michelle on Jun 18th, 2007 @ 3:03pm
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.
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YOU PEOPLE ARE RETARDED by Brian on Jun 19th, 2007 @ 11:59am
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.
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I demand!!! by suv4x4 on Jun 19th, 2007 @ 12:59pm
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!
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Ladies and Gentlemen by Chris on Jun 19th, 2007 @ 1:28pm
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
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by vijay on Jun 24th, 2007 @ 6:22am
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
-----------------------------------------------------------
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Re: Give my $79 back by Julio Rodriguez on Jun 26th, 2007 @ 9:51am
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.
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$79 Rip-Off by Burned and Burning on Jun 28th, 2007 @ 12:10pm
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.
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Re: $79 Rip-Off by Danita Cronkhite on Jul 1st, 2007 @ 1:52am
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.
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Ripped Off Senior by charlotte previati on Jul 2nd, 2007 @ 10:41am
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
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Re: What the HELL! by charlotte previati on Jul 2nd, 2007 @ 10:47am
Please let me know if you find something im 65 and very pissed off i need my money and think your right it is fraud
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Re: Re: Dumb people by Charlotte previati on Jul 2nd, 2007 @ 10:53am
well your dumb the number on my banking next to the amz prim club is
AMZ*Prime Club 866-557-2820 US , when you call it is thank you for calling Amazon.com so your WRONG
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Re: AMAZON Scam by Kelly on Jul 2nd, 2007 @ 11:36am
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.
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Re: Re: Quick cancel by Kelly on Jul 2nd, 2007 @ 11:38am
The number appeared next to the charge identifier on my statement. It's 866-557-2820 Best of luck
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AMZ*Prime Shipping Club by LJ on Jul 3rd, 2007 @ 6:52am
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?
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Amazon Charge by Rob on Jul 7th, 2007 @ 8:07am
I got dinged as well. Powells.com from now on. Family owned, union book store who would never pull this kind of crap.
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It IS fraud and we should all STOP using AMAZON.CO by Dainis Zeps on Jul 10th, 2007 @ 1:36am
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
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BS Amazon just took 79 dollars from me by John Davidson on Jul 10th, 2007 @ 7:51am
This is so wrong. I havent even used amazon for the last two months! Then this morning i see this charge.
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FRAUD!!!!!!!!! by Vblack on Jul 14th, 2007 @ 9:24am
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!!!!!
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CALL AND GET YOUR REFUND!!!! by Vblack on Jul 14th, 2007 @ 9:28am
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.
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Got the refund!!! But what a shock to see that cha by Anne on Jul 17th, 2007 @ 2:33pm
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...
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Shame that you are doing this kind of transactions by ZhouRui on Jul 18th, 2007 @ 11:03am
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.
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