This is the kind of Christmas Creep we can be down with: Although it’s still only mid-October, retailers have been announcing how many jobs they’ll be adding to the rolls this holiday season. And Amazon just dropped a doozy of a number, which should make plenty of people’s season’s bright — it says it will hire 50,000 workers this year as part of its seasonal hiring plan. [More]
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Amazon To Kindle Customers: If & When E-Book Settlement Is Approved, You Might Get A Refund
By 10.15.12
It sometimes feels like the price-fixing settlement between e-book publishers and the government has been stretching on for forever. But it now seems Amazon is prepping Kindle customers for a potential, partial refund if they bought e-books between April 2010 and May 2012. That is if the court approves the settlements in various states. [More]
Hey, Amazon, Your Marketplace Sellers Are Customers Too
By 10.15.12
When one individual buys an item from another individual through the Amazon marketplace, who is the vendor and who is the customer? From Amazon’s point of view, the buyer is the only one putting an item in their cart on Amazon.com and hitting “Check out.” Kyle complains that this means Amazon sellers, who might be individuals and loyal Amazon customers too, are shut out and automatically in the wrong when there’s a dispute. [More]
Does Amazon Actually Sell Its Kindles At Cost?
By 10.12.12
Since people first began dissecting Amazon’s Kindle e-readers, it’s been believed that the online giant isn’t making much of a profit of the devices. Now the company’s CEO has publicly stated that there is no profit margin on the Kindle. [More]
Best Buy To Price-Match Online Competitors
By 10.12.12
Best Buy has already said that it intends on dropping its prices on BestBuy.com to better compete against Amazon and other online retailers, but now comes word that the electronics chain plans on actually matching the prices of its online competitors at its bricks-and-mortar stores. [More]
Did Amazon Need To Pack My Order Of Bubble Wrap In Bubble Wrap?
By 10.12.12
When you place an order for a material that is itself used as packing material, you might be surprised to see that your order comes surrounding by other packing material. But there may be a method to this madness after all. [More]
So I Guess UPS Has Just Stopped Delivering To My House?
By 10.10.12
Since signing up with UPS My Choice a couple months ago, Consumerist reader Stephanie has seen her UPS service slow down, first delivering 2-day packages on the third day, and for the last few weeks, simply not delivering at all. [More]
Walmart Testing Same-Day Delivery In Smattering Of U.S Locations
By 10.9.12
Another day, another bid by a retailer competing with Amazon to strike a blow by offering a new, attractive service to customers: This time it’s Walmart, and the tempting idea is same-day delivery for online orders. The company started testing the waters last week in the Washington suburbs and is rolling out the service in few other U.S. locales soon as well. [More]
Amazon Downgrades Your Electronics Trade-In Value? Complain
By 10.9.12
Ian decided to use Amazon’s trade-in service to get cash for his iPad. The third-party company that runs the trade-in service decided that his device had invisible scratches, and downgraded its condition. They offered him $30 less than if it had been in “like new” shape. He was annoyed, and contacted Amazon about it. Amazon stepped in and promised him that if he sends the iPad again, he’ll get the full balance of the “like new” price. [More]
Netflix CEO Calls Amazon Prime Videos A “Confusing Mess”
By 9.27.12
In the time since Amazon launched its streaming video service — which includes a library of free movies and TV shows for members of Amazon Prime — it has grown to become a competitor for Netflix, especially after that company angered many customers by doubling the subscription rate for customers who wanted to keep receiving DVDs by mail. But Netflix CEO Reed Hastings says he’s not worried about Amazon, and in fact, he’s not quite sure what they’re offering consumers. [More]
Barnes & Noble Ushers Its Thinner Nooks Into The Ring To Duke It Out With Other Tablets
By 9.26.12
If you don’t compete, you die. That’s what’s pushing retailers to give it their all to nudge Amazon and Apple from their spots atop the e-commerce and e-reader world, and basically anything else you can put an “e-” in front of. Today Barnes & Noble unveiled its newest Nook Tablets, both with HD to produce better video viewing. [More]
Amazon Keeps Sending Me Dinged-Up Graphic Novels
By 9.26.12
Yes, buying used books can save a lot of money, but Spencer went to the trouble and expense to buy a new copy of the trade paperback he wanted from Amazon. A Star Wars graphic novel, thank you very much. Only Amazon was unable to send any books to him in mint condition, or without getting banged up in the box or puny padded envelope. [More]
Are Office Supply Stores Following Big Box Chains Down The Drain?
By 9.26.12
We’ve seen big box stores pare down the number of retail stores from their roll, as well as cut physical space and try to bulk up online sales. Now it looks like office supply stores are the latest retailers to feel the heat from Amazon: Staples announced it would be shuttering 45 stores in Europe and speed up the closing of 15 more in the U.S. to try and save $250 million a year. [More]
Wireless Is Free On Delta As Long You're Buying Stuff From Amazon
By 3.5.12 — Updated: 9.8.16
There’s some good news for Delta Airlines passengers is that they’re offering free in-flight WiFi. Score! Oh but there’s a catch — it’s only free to view Amazon.com sites so you can buy stuff mid-air. Yay…? [More]
How About Some Cocaine To Go Along With That Terrorism Textbook You Ordered On Amazon?
By 1.27.12
A college student was a bit surprised when she opened a used textbook on terrorism that she’d ordered from Amazon, and a package of cocaine fell out. Perhaps whoever sent it thought she might need an extra kick for those hours of studying.
