A deal was just posted for a Mavic mini combo for $99 from a seller on Amazon. Stupid me jumped straight on it before doing any investigating and paid. As soon as I went back on Ozbargain there were a few comments saying “brand new user beware” and then the deal was unpublished.
No money has left my account and I canceled the order 3 minutes after i placed it. Does anyone know if my details are now in the hands of the “scammer”??
Thanks
I think you know the answer.
I sure do 😉
Let us know how it goes!!
sure will. quite curious actually. I've always been covered by eBay. Trying out Amazon's policy for the first time
I've tested it twice now, super simple process
Amazon doesn't give your car details or similar out.
Amazon knows my car details?! 😯
Damn you phone and damn you spackbace 😋
It does if you've got Alexa.
Mine’s been shipped . I’m interested as to what I receive . My expectations are very low.
Oh lol, I just decided to request a cancellation. I'll report back what happens.
Cheers
Mine too. What tracking code did you get? When I go into tracking it says that posting, sorting and dispatching happened on 21st and 22nd December, 4 days before we ordered today.
Anyone have experience with scams like this and know what will happen next?
well that's a bit screwed up :(
I purchased full well knowing it would be a scam, just wanted to see how Amazon would handle it since I haven't jumped on one of these before.
I'm confident Amazon will sort it out.
And actually, they haven't shipped me anything, since the tracking number was created 5 days before I ordered today. So not sure what will happen there.
@Zazer: They'll update it no doubt with another one when Amazon queries it. You should get a refund in a few weeks if they do this. Depends on how many scam sales they made as to how fast it will be.
@Maverick-au: Bugger. Is this a common scam? I've never heard of this before. And doesn't Amazon hold the funds for a bit? To prevent things like this from happening?
@Zazer: It seems to be, Amazon I thought vetted the sellers better but it may be they are more interested in new sellers now.
There have been at least a few of these dodgy sellers listed or mentioned here in the last month.
Mostly Asian of origin from what I've seen (China), Amazon I assume keeps the funds in escrow or at least a percentage for new sellers until deliveries are made (which is why I assume they uploaded shipping info so fast).
@Maverick-au: Damn. Guess I won't be doing this again. Messaged the seller through Amazon. Guess I will talk to Amazon support as well and see what they say.
@Zazer: You might be able to get a refund quicker that way and maybe even a small credit for the hassle. At least it's only $99!
@Maverick-au: Yeah, I'll see what they say. That was the main reason I did it. i thought, well, people have gotten credits from Amazon before in this case, but if it's somehow genuine then I was in the market for a drone anyway, and it's only $99 at the end of the day as well. Ah, well. Could have been worse.
@Zazer: The credits normally flow if they are legitimate sellers that stuffed up. Not sure how they will handle this. Let us know how long it takes and if they give you anything extra.
@Zazer: It's a really long shot, but everyone's a new seller at some point. Maybe it's super cheap so people buy it and give good feedback to get them up and running. Maybe they want it to look like they've shipped it straight away to keep Amazon happy and they'll update it with the correct tracking soon. In the more likely scenario, I hope the refund process goes as smoothly as possible.
Nobody cares what you think.
I ordered something similar a couple months ago through amazon. Got a tracking number, it ended up going to melbourne (i'm in perth).
Amazon refunded it quickly.
I jumped on this too with the expedited shipping. Thinking I should just cancel rather go through the Amazon A-Z process.
They've "shipped" mine so not an option for me anymore. Have they not marked yours as shipped?
Mine was preparing to be shipped but couldn't cancel automatically through the site, but got on chat and they cancelled it.
Edit: Turns out customer support cancelled the wrong order! More crap to sort out.
Edit 2: Chat cancelled the wrong order. I got the "wait 2 days" now.
Amazon will cancell after couple of days.
Same thing happen to me while ago
What happened a while ago?
Bought it. Order status was awaiting shipping for couple of days then order status changed to cancelled
Bugger. They've "shipped" mine and given me a fake tracking number which shows as having shipped on the 21st of December, before I made the order. This could get messy.
@Zazer: Just make a video when you receive the item and make a complaint if it turns out to be dodgy one
@Zazer: Should record before u open the Package, you can also try checking with the postage courier about weight of the parcel. If they send u an empty box that's an easy way to get your money back.
Mine is still not shipped yet. Amazon advised me to wait 2 days for a seller reply and then report back to them so they can take appropriate actions
Are there a lot of dodgy sellers on Amazon? I thought it was a well protected site.
I bought some headphones from a new user that were clearly fake when they arrived… I got 3 pairs. The seller refunded in a timely manner and asked for items to be returned. I had to pay return shipping so I didn’t send back. I asked them to refund postage before I send and they said they would after I posted. Anyways the seller is no longer on Amazon and I have not heard from them in 3 months
Amazon feels like it's safer than ebay. At least you can reach support.
THo I've only done delivery by amazon stuff
PayPal is pretty good with refunds on eBay though.
Amazon can be sketchy with refunds with 3rd party sellers.
just launched account id say no to that
Precisely why I don't shop on Amazon for pricey (or pricier) items.. There's no easy paypal payment method to act as your safety net.
Precisely why I don't shop on Amazon for pricey (or pricier) items.. There's no easy paypal payment method to act as your safety net.
This makes no sense, Amazon is probably the safest place to shop.
Both eBay and Amazon are safe. They always side with the buyer 99% of the time
I ordered and paid extra for fast shipping and I think I got the same tracking number as above, says it was sent 21st… when we all ordered on the 26th…
oh well…. have to see what happens…
Can you PM me yours? Then we can confirm if they just gave everyone the same…
I just got a tracking number too. PM me yours
Edit: I just looked up my tracking number. Sent using China EMS (packet) on 25 December. Destination: Australia. To be handed over to AusPost
I also figured I'd risk it as was curious to see what happens, ordered on the 26th and got a tracking number that said it was sent on the 25th as well. Any chance yours starts with LO669 and end in 3CN?
@I Smell Pennies: At least they aren't doubling up on the tracking numbers, so "something" has been sent to "someone" 😁
@Maximum64: my tracking now shows awaiting customs clearance in Sydney. i wonder where it’s going next HAHA
@I Smell Pennies: Mine got delivered today to St Albans Victoria, however I am over in Perth. Went to dispute it with Amazon and the transaction now shows as refunded despite not requesting one, but I have received no emails from them, so contacted their live support. Apparently the seller has "refunded" me already, but via gift card to a different account that isn't mine. No idea how the hell they can do that, surely thats a massive fraud hole for them. It's now being "investigated" by Amazon for a refund.
I love this website. Sooo many people willing to jump on a deal until it goes pear shaped, then you are the victim, you create a thread, leave negative reviews for the website, go to the ACCC, ombudsmen, have the biggest tantrum and all of this, even though you’ve been refunded for a product worth 6x your purchase price.
You got a refund. Move on. Jesus Christ.
Except no one has gotten a refund yet.
No money left their account so they cancelled the order. Still comes on here and asks if they’ve been scammed even though they paid zero.
Well if you actually read the post I ask if my details were in the hands of scammers lmao
@shamalama: What, your address and name? Hahahah what are they going to do with that info? Oh my lord.
Most likely, like others who posted, money will be taken out when its shipped because the merchant isn't responding to cancellations.
@sheepdog: All is protected by Amazon and the bank. This is what I don’t get, old mate posts a thread about getting scammed and hasn’t spent a cent.
Those who have paid can charge back. No one complains when it’s delivered but as soon as the deal is too good to be true isn’t true, the entitlement card comes out and the complaints start rolling in.
Amazon processes the payment, so what have you been SCAMMED out of? What is your definition of scammed because it certainly isn’t the situation you posted.
@WilliamPowerfish: Here is a novel concept - if a reputable website lists a product, you expect the product to be purchasable and its the website who should be shamed if its actually a scam. This whole marketplace economy is an absolute sham to avoid accountability. Yes, they will eventually cover it by their A-Z Guarantee but first you'll have to go through a bunch of hoops and will take weeks. And if the seller actually sends out empty boxes, that burden of evidence is made even harder.
Why would someone complain if the item they paid for was delivered? That is literally the point - we're not playing a game, we're paying for items with hard earned currency. Its not entitlement to expect that a product advertised on a well known, reputable website to actually be legitimate and I would wager using words like entitlement is just some keyboard warrior trying to sound edgy.
@sheepdog: Here is another concept. The item that one buys, such as this, is 6x below the market value, then you purchase it expecting nothing but rainbows and butterflies, to find out that it’s actually not the real deal.
Who knew?!
Due diligence, if you ignore the basic concept of common sense, you are merely testing your lucky. If you want to complain about not winning the lottery, don’t play. The difference is that this user didn’t pay to play and still feels entitled to complain.
This thread was created for advice on a scam but no money was taken. All payments are processed by Amazon, which has a good guarantee on such issues if money was paid, as some users have done so, and then you have the protection of the bank and an option to charge back if necessary.
But yet OP has been SCAMMED!
Except for the Mexican guy at the end of your post being used as your slave, I totally agree with you.
Doesnt Amazon process the payment?
Yes. But the seller obvious has our details so they can ‘ship’ the item out. They just don’t have our payment details
That's the thing about drones, we all want to catch the next $299 Bunnings deal ha ha ha…
seen a few of these 'just launched' store with ridiculous pricing. amazon need to do a better job of vetting. some of their third party sellers are downright misleading. for example, something will state 'pack of 12'in description but they only send you one
My has been shipped out.
I spoke to Amazon chat today and they confirmed if there are any issues they will take action and we will receive a refund.
I will film the parcel unopened and when I am opening it up.
By doing that I am certain I do not have to return the Chinese Newspaper in the box ha ha ha…
So did you get it?
so who got their mavic?
Whatever it was on my tracking number got delivered today to St Albans Vic, but I am over in Perth. Went to dispute it with Amazon and the transaction now shows as refunded despite not requesting one, so wont allow me to dispute, but I have received no emails from them about having been sent a refund, so contacted their live support. Apparently the seller has "refunded" me already a few days ago, but it was via gift card to a different account that isn't mine. No idea how the hell they can do that, surely thats a massive fraud hole for them. It's now being "investigated" by Amazon for a refund.
Amazon told me to wait 2 days for the seller to reply otherwise they will refund me. we'll see how it goes now
Did the delivery address say Perth on the Amazon order page?
mine says Wilcannia, NSW. I’m near Penrith NSW
Refund processed 2 days ago. Contacted Amazon, they told me to wait a few days for a response, contacted them again two days later, they said they would request a refund for me, and refund was processed the next day.
I was wondering what happened with the drones and vacuum robots orders from Amazon AU. Were all the orders delivered to the wrong address? Did Amazon just accept the scam and gave the money back? Has the scammer been put in prison or killed as it should happen to scammers? :)
My drone will arrive tonight according to Amazon…
Did it? I'm apprehensive…
Mate, I don't think I will receive it but Amazon told me to wait for the parcel to arrive so that I can submit a refund request.
I just had a refund from Amazon.
I have learned a lesson…
It is a new business that sells a drone for "nothing" then it is too good to be true.
Will not do that again. Not worth the trouble ha ha ha…
UNLESS IT IS FROM BUNNINGS ha ha ha…
Here is an article that pretty much describes the modus operandi of these crooks
A seller opens a new account and begins selecting popular items to "sell," which they can easily select with a few clicks using Amazon's streamlined seller's platform. They then list these items for prices that are generally cheaper than what other vendors are selling them for. When the orders come rolling in they almost immediately claim that the items have left the seller facility and are in transit to the carrier — which releases the payment to their account. But they don’t actually ever ship out anything. In all likelihood, they never really even have the items they are claiming to be selling in the first place.
The game now is to buy time, to wait out Amazon’s two week payment cycle before the negative feedback and customer complaints inevitably begin coming in. To do this, these merchants claim that their items will not arrive for three to four weeks from the purchase date, which enables them to get paid long before customers even start wondering where their stuff is.
Eventually, after dealing with masses of angry customers who have come to terms with the fact that they were scammed, Amazon boots the offending party from their marketplace. But by this time the scammer has their money and has more than likely already opened a new seller account under a different name, as the process begins all over again.
Amazon’s standing policy on these scams is that they are a user-regulating marketplace: they take action when complaints start rolling in, not before — but by this time damage has already been inflicted. As Amazon's media relations departed confirmed when I questioned them for this article:
Thanks for the article.
So what is the solution here? I don't understand how Amazon does not enforce stricter seller guidelines, take some ID at least so that they can blacklist the person from doing this again.
It is impossible to prevent things like this from happening.
Us consumers has to be more vigilant unless there is a seller like Bunnings that will either honour the price error or you will receive some sort of compensation.
Similar to me, I bought a reolink camera set (worth $500-$600 with expedited shipping) for $99. New it was too good to be true.
They've given me a tracking number that was shipped on the 21st of Dec (I ordered it a few days ago), and it's been delivered but in some other suburb.
Too bad I can't lodge a claim with AtoZ amazon since it hasn't been after the maximum delivery date.
Absolutely stupid of me, but just wanted to try my luck.
I notice quite a few new accounts are posting here on OzB, where accounts are pretty much keyboard mashing: hjrfkdeth etc. Surely something can be done to stop this?
Also kudos to the mods here for almost immediately removing such posts to prevent a lot of us being scammed (unlike me because I was refreshing too much)
Did everyone actually get their money back? Pretty sure I bought something from the same seller last week (under a different name, for a different product) and I'm now fighting Amazon Au for a refund.
Mine is under investigation (i told them to report the seller and track them all down) they said my money is safe and will be refunded in a few days.
Yes, I’ve been told to wait 5-10 days for a refund. Hope yours arrives soon.
I just bought it too!! I’m not worried though because Amazon has a good refund guarantee with these things. What are your thoughts guys? Should I cancel?