Purchased a Product on Amazon That Was Falsely Advertised

Lhotdogwater22 on 13/05/2020 - 15:41
Last edited 13/05/2020 - 15:53

I purchased an MSI Motherboard + CPU combo from Amazon AU, a screenshot of the listing can be found here: https://imgur.com/a/NroHLS8 (the listing has since been changed to CPU only)

Upon receiving the package, only the Motherboard was in it and the CPU wasn't.

I've spoken with the seller (3rd party) and they informed me only the motherboard was included.
Prior to purchasing the items, I spoke with Amazon Live Chat and they confirmed it came with both the CPU and Motherboard.

I raised this with Amazon who had the seller message me again and inform me of the return procedure, which I have been asked to;

  1. pay for shipping to Canada
  2. pay for signature on delivery
  3. insure the product package in case it gets lost.

Surely this cannot be legal..?

From my understanding, the 3rd party seller has to meet their obligation to provide me with the items as advertised on their website, as mentioned by the Australia Consumer Law & the ACCC requirements against bait advertising.

This was supposed to be an upgrade to my current PC as I'm a video editor and now I have $800 or so in funds tied up, any opinions on what to do?

Computing

Related Stores

Amazon AU
Amazon AU
Marketplace

Comments

  • trex on 13/05/2020 - 15:48

    "Available from these sellers" so the screenshot isn't the actual listing by the seller itself. Check to the actual purchase transaction to see what exactly is in the description. If you didn't receive your purchase as described, lodge a complaint with Amazon AU and if you paid with Paypal, raise a dispute.

    • hotdogwater22 on 13/05/2020 - 15:56

      The listing was the same as shown above, see screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/B1y8vof

      • Satirical on 13/05/2020 - 16:33
        +2

        International 3rd Party seller who wouldn't be bounded by ACL at all, Amazon is acting like the middleman like eBay. Try to quote the A->Z guarantee and mention that it wasn't what was promised and push for them to cover your return costs.

        • smalltime0 on 15/05/2020 - 08:24
          +1

          Technically anybody selling to an Australian buyer is bound by the ACL, but it is really a technicality. they can just give the ACCC the middle finger with 0 consequence.

    • PissLUR on 13/05/2020 - 16:16

      paypal on amazon?

      • trex on 13/05/2020 - 17:03
        +1

        lol… I'm sure you would have gathered that I don't buy often from amazon.

  • arislan on 13/05/2020 - 15:59
    +2

    This is legal apparently? Forget Amazon, I had the same issue with local shops like Thomas Sabo. Bought an item for valentine's day from their webstore, they send me a wrong item, I raise a case, they acknowledge. My option send it back at my cost for a replacement or keep the crap they sent me.

    Yea I can complain to fair trade, but realistically, it ain't gonna get resolved within the timeline I need.

    • bohn on 13/05/2020 - 16:01

      at least if you use paypal you can get free returns.

      • smalltime0 on 15/05/2020 - 08:27

        Nope, you have to front the shipping cost first.
        I had an item I bought for ~$100AUD with paypal, but it would've cost about $40 to return it. I would've got that $40 back as well, but I just didn't bother.

  • bohn on 13/05/2020 - 16:00

    yeah, lodge a complaint with amazon. They will most likely sort it out for you, but you can do a dispute if you have to.

  • MagicMushroom on 13/05/2020 - 16:19
    +4

    This is not new and some listing still has the same issue

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/500070
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/483732

    • Satirical on 13/05/2020 - 16:29

      Yup, it was simply a deal too good to be true which should've raised flags so that ASIN could've been cross checked. A 3800X alone is $500 while a Meg Ace is $600, margins are slim enough on PC components so it's doubtful that such a deal would've been that easy to get.

      An example , for the item above where description says MSI motherboard+CPU, ASIN = B07T5QDRFX => cross reference anywhere else and you'll see B07T5QDRFX = MSI Gaming Plus X570, nothing more. Amazon labels their inventory according to ASIN and what you receive is based on that. ]

      Only solution now is to try to escalate to manager or something to push for a free return label.

  • dasher86 on 13/05/2020 - 16:39

    I don't think ACCC applies to third party sellers on a market place.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 13/05/2020 - 17:26

      As @Satirical said:

      International 3rd Party seller who wouldn't be bounded by ACL at all

      • dasher86 on 13/05/2020 - 19:26

        šŸ˜‚

  • Ryanek on 13/05/2020 - 16:44
    -1

    You gambled and you lost. The CPU alone is $600+ so you went into it hoping for the best.

  • Tech5 on 13/05/2020 - 17:13
    -3

    I remember this exact deal. Multiple people later on called/online chat and was told it was an incorrect listing that only included mobo.

    It was too good to be true, you took a gamble and lost.

    Your awareness of consumer law is completely incorrect. If the seller is unable to meet obligations, or in this case, major defect where advertised =/= received, you are entitled to a refund.

    You are however, entitled to a full reimbursement of shipping costs if you can prove that the advertisement was incorrect.

    Rather than imagine what you think the law is, I recommend you actually check it here: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guaranteesā€¦

    • spackbace on 13/05/2020 - 17:48

      You are however, entitled to a full reimbursement of shipping costs if you can prove that the advertisement was incorrect.

      Rather than imagine what you think the law is, I recommend you actually check it here: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guaranteesā€¦

      You didn't see which country the OP's product is from did you…?

      1. pay for shipping to Canada
      • Tech5 on 14/05/2020 - 00:11

        Will Amazon AU, acting as a marketplace in Australia, not obey Australian law just to maintain a reputation?

        • spackbace on 14/05/2020 - 02:50
          +2

          No

          And 1 case like this ain't gonna have a single iota of difference on their reputation, and you're kidding yourself if you think it will

          • Tech5 on 14/05/2020 - 09:56

            @spackbace: And yet they have. There are multiple reports that amazon will reinburse shipping costs. In fact they did that for me only last month for a DOA harddrive from a third party in the states.

            It is well known they calculate a loss ratio of a sorts, to work out if they can do anything for you. Iā€™ve had parcels delivered next door and have half the total cost refunded for the ā€œinconvenienceā€.

            It is purely for goodwill, particularly if you use the site a lot. Just check out "Amazon customer service reddit" and you will see a lot of stories of what they do to maintain goodwill. They follow consumer law, and even go beyond that.

  • swimmingtoad on 13/05/2020 - 18:11

    When the price is to good to be true…

    "From my understanding, the 3rd party seller has to meet their obligation to provide me with the items as advertised on their website, " No they don't have to honor 'mistake listings' There is always a clause in the terms when you checkout online.

  • fatpizza on 13/05/2020 - 18:31
    +1

    Regardless of what the listing says now, what does it say on the confirmation email you'd of received when placing the order?
    As that should be all the evidence you'd need for a dispute.

  • whooah1979 on 13/05/2020 - 18:47

    Please link the listing.

  • screensaver on 13/05/2020 - 19:55
    +2

    I have the same problem at ebay for the same amount, different item, seller is refusing to refund me and has indicated he will fight tooth and nail through the dispute process

  • Canberran on 13/05/2020 - 20:08
    +2

    Don't speak with third party. Speak directly with Amazon. You have the screenshot proof that it was listed as two items and you have chat history that it was confirmed.

  • The tiger on 14/05/2020 - 10:01
    +2

    Amazon ā€˜s performance to protect buyers has never been satisfactory if compare with eBay. Remember sometimes ago a seller wrongly put up a price of two dozens of a well reputation batteries HERE for a price of 0.99 plus shipping fees of $10.00.Later the seller admitted openly in this website that the price he advertised was incorrect and he promised to make all refund to the 7,000 buyers including me. No refund has ever been refunded to my account. I referred to Amazon for help ( at least 4 to 5 days times). Each time Amazon just pushed me to the seller who first gave reason that he was too busy to make the,refund and asked me to be patient but subsequently he just ignored my reminders . My purchase was on 17.3.20 Amazon just sit tight and do nothing to help me. No refund has ever been made to me. Got fed up . Now I swear I wonā€™t buy anything through Amazon. I tried to cancel my account with them. Surprised they never let me do it, so I cancel the details of my profile including my bank details. Bye, bye Amazon.

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