NewMexiKen likes doing business with Amazon.com. I know, they’re killing the local bookstores, and that is indeed a loss — the real local stores like Bound To Be Read, not the Borders and Barnes and Nobles. But I’ve found Amazon usually gives good service at a very good price. (And I get a small kickback every time you use that Amazon link over in the far right column.)
But I thought this was strange.
Monday I was placing an order for my grandsons. Though I hadn’t completed the order, I checked the shopping cart and saw that the shipping address was mine, not Aidan and Mack’s. As soon as I changed the address, the order, and I have to say it this way, “placed itself.” It was gone and — in the few seconds before I could correct it — I was notified the order was being prepared and I couldn’t make changes. (Wrong address, one item not on the order.)
I tracked down an Amazon 800-number, itself no easy feat. Nothing they could do, I was told. The order would have to be shipped to me (in Albuquerque, rather than to the boys in Virginia). Blah, blah, etc. I would just have to return the books. Eventually the customer service rep said she would credit my charge card as soon as the order was shipped (not waiting until the books were returned in other words). I agreed to this.
And, indeed, the order has shipped to me, my card was charged, and then the charge was refunded. I just have to watch for UPS tomorrow and refuse delivery. But wouldn’t you think it would have been easier all around if they had a means to stop an order?
Oh, and here’s the kicker. I went back in and made the correct order for Aidan and Mack. And now the order is partly held up because they don’t have one of the books in stock. Guess what? I know where their last copy of that book is — it’s on its way to me.