Purchased an Item from Amazon but It Is Not as Described

Hello all,

Long story short, I received an item from Amazon which is not as described (the product page shows it is Made in Country A, what I received is Made in Country B). Amazon rep in chat told me I should have read the Legal Disclaimer "Unless expressly indicated otherwise, Amazon.com.au is not the manufacturer of the products sold on this site. Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than what is shown on our website. We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented on our website. Please always read labels, warnings, and directions provided with the product before using or consuming the product. Please see our full disclaimer below.".

Am I in the wrong for wanting a refund when I received an item that is not as described?

If I am not wrong, how should I deal with this situation in the future should it arise again?

Thanks for your input.

edit: I did get a refund. But it was offered reluctantly "One time exception", said the rep. I was basically blamed for not reading the Legal Disclaimer.

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Comments

  • +4

    Link?

    • +20
    • -1

      https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B082HHPWGG/ref=ppx_yo_d…

      If you must know.. It may appear I am being petty but it's the principle.

      • +13

        Country of origin ‏ : ‎ Japan

        Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than what is shown on our website.

        Please always read labels, warnings, and directions provided with the product before using or consuming the product.

        How do you read the labels prior to purchasing. The website is the only information you have to reliably go from.

        Give em hell.

        On a side note, just purchased some.

        • lol me too. free snacks

          • @PissLUR:

            Important information

            Ingredients:
            x

            LOL.

            I was basically blamed for not reading the Legal Disclaimer.

            Surely, didn't see the ingredients.

            Product Dimensions 175 x 540 x 255 cm; 40 Grams
            Ingredients X
            Brand Lotte
            Package weight 0.06 Kilograms

        • +1

          How do you read the labels prior to purchasing. The website is the only information you have to reliably go from.

          Give em hell.

          I agree.

          It's like The Good Guys having a 32" TV described as 80" and blaming you for not reading the box.

          Further to this, the product in question isn't some third party marketplace item - it is sold and fullfilled by Amazon AU

      • I don't see how they can stand by that, I can add the item to my cart and but it without seeing the legal disclaimer… They need to put it at the top, it's unreasonable to read that so far down. I have never even notice it previously. Deceptively placed I think.

  • +2

    Was sold an item that is not as described

    Last time that happened to me, I got a full refund and Amazon told me to keep the product.

  • +3

    getting a refund is very simple. go to your order history https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/css/order-history?ref_=nav_orde…
    find your order
    and click the Return or replace items

    • Does it give you an option for refund? It's where you've got to send the item back isn't it? Feels like the OP didn't want to return the item (for whatever reason)

    • Dont you get a limit on returns until your account is flagged?

      • i am spending way too much. they are yet to care about my account.

        676 orders placed in 2021.

  • What's the product?

    Just get a refund, Amazon is pretty good with them.

    Am I in the wrong for wanting a refund when I received an item that is not as described?

    Depends what the difference is.

    If I am not wrong, how should I deal with this situation in the future should it arise again?

    Do more research and hassle the seller with questions.

  • -2

    Did you read the disclaimer?

    how should I deal with this situation in the future should it arise again?

    Read the disclaimer

    • +5

      That's irrelevant. Consumer rights law…

      • -1

        He said he knows the law and that I should have read the Legal Disclaimer.

        • +5

          A seller cannot circumvent the statutory rights under the ACL with a disclaimer

          • @Ocker: That's what I thought. But the rep kept on going with this Legal Disclaimer thing, which made the whole situation unpleasant.

            • +8

              @lookin4bargain: I believe that is part of their training so you give up.

              • @pharkurnell: Almost gave up.. Had to keep reminding the rep I received an item not as described.

                • @lookin4bargain:

                  I received an item not as described.

                  Tell him to read the ACCC laws and ask if he is employed by Amazon Australia ?

            • @lookin4bargain: I think a company rep giving a customer advice that is contrary to their rights is also a contravention so you should report them on that basis. I think that's what happened with some of the electronics retailers previously where they were telling customers they had to contact the manufacturer directly for warranty repairs and replacements and the ACCC went after them for that (misleading consumers about their rights).

      • saves the user hassles of returning stuff, which appears in his case to be difficult - unlike all the other replies.

  • You haven't told us what item you bought, which I would have thought is a critical information?
    I feel like you are holding back some information as returning stuff to Amazon is usually very easy.

    • +3

      You haven't told us what item you bought, which I would have thought is a critical information?

      It's a bit embarrassing…

    • See above.

  • sunlong rice was like that
    picture was made in Australia
    but when i came it was Thailand

    • +12

      but when i came

      :O

      • :P

      • Well that often happens in Thailand!

  • +4

    If I am not wrong, how should I deal with this situation in the future should it arise again?

    Not sure about that, but this post may indicate how Amazon may deal with it - Amazon High Number of Refunds Email

    Note: "Unless expressly indicated otherwise, I am not the manufacturer of the English language. Actual words used and not used may contain more and different information than what is written. I recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented on my post. Please always read labels, warnings, and directions provided or not provided with the posts before using or consuming the information."

  • The cover image doesn't look like it's of Japanese origin at all despite the トッポ. Certainly Amazon's BS though, since they did put Japan as country of origin.

  • +1

    They say "One time exception" quite often so I wouldn't think too much about it :)

  • +3

    Despite the principle of this, the purchased products price and subsequent extensive whinging, is embarrassing.

  • +1

    Am I in the wrong for wanting a refund when I received an item that is not as described?

    no

    If I am not wrong, how should I deal with this situation in the future should it arise again?

    Ask them to follow the law and report to Fair Trading a call for advice.

    Now also report to Fair Trading in your state that they mislead you, which is an offence.

  • I prefer Thailand made 1000% than made in PRC or Vietnam. Most Japanese products nowaday are made in Thai anyway. Why the surprise?

    If you want the real origin, buy it from online japanese stores like japancandystore.com, etc.

    • Sorry what? I don't know where you get all these ideas from. I am simply asking if it's wrong to get a refund for an item I bought that's not as described?

      • Nothing wrong with that.

        Is there anything wrong with the choc stick?

        I bought the same and they are yummy. Would buy more when on sale.

      • yummo

        Very rarely you can buy any real japanese snacks for $1.50. Even I paid for $4 watermelon flavor & it is still made in Thai. :(

        I get that the description is indeed misleading. You may try to request for refund, I'm pretty sure it would be pretty easy.

        • Yea I don't have any problems that it's made in Thailand. But the product page should reflect the same and not mislead me into thinking it's from Japan, because it literally is saying it's from Japan.

          I requested a refund and was told several times about the Legal Disclaimer. He said something along the line I am trying to educate you the Legal Disclaimer bla bla bla. And I said to him you should educate yourself with the consumer law. And he replied he knows the law. I then reminded him again the item I have received is not as described. Basically he kept going on and on about the Legal Disclaimer thing until I stopped saying anything, only then he offered a refund. That's why I came here to ask if what I did was wrong because my understanding is I am protected by the consumer law when the item I bought is not as described. If they have left the Country of Origin out, I wouldn't have had any problems.

          • @lookin4bargain: Should be pretty easy to get your $1.50 back. Arguing w Amazon has already cost them (and yourself) more. Unless it’s really a big deal to it I’d suggest leaving it and save your refunds for when a big ticket item arrives mangled and merchant decides to fight back.

  • Damn, sorry you had such a hard time getting a refund. Once I complained about the flavour of a pack of drinks I bought and they offered a refund without me asking…

    • -1

      Rep must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed.

  • -3

    So you wanted your $1.50 back because your Korean Brand made in Thailand snack didn't come from Japan?

    • And what's wrong with that when the item is not as described? Are you the rep I dealt with today?

      • Yes they will give be a refund if you winge. If you keep doing it they will kick you from the site.

  • -4

    So, not as described, according to you, is the place of manufacture?
    Not the product, but the place of manufacture.
    That's the "not as described" you consider, as not being what was expected. Not the actual product, but where it was made.

    I surmise the product was made made in a number of locations, around the globe, yet you received one which stated it were made in China.

    I feel you may harbour hate toward the fine people of China, and in finding your item, which is made from various locations, happen to be from a country, you despise, for whatever personal reason. Be it got propaganda enticing you to HATE another race, or more of a personal HATE.

    I feel your complaint exposes possibly a much deeper concern. Now this is only advice, but have you considered speaking with your doctor? Maybe they can discuss how you are feeling, at the moment. If not address, your complaint to Amazon, could manifest into a much more serious situation, all based on your perception of HATE.

    • I think everyone 'surmised' as you put it….. It was most 'likely' a Japanese product coming from Thailand not China.

      I feel you may harbour hate toward the fine people of Thailand and Japan, and in finding this thread, which is made by people from various locations, happen to be from a country, you despise, for whatever personal reason. Be it got propaganda enticing you to HATE another race, or more of a personal HATE.

      I feel your complaint exposes possibly a much deeper concern. Now this is only advice, but have you considered speaking with your doctor? Maybe they can discuss how you are feeling, at the moment. If not address your complaint to a Ozbargain mod, otherwise this could manifest into a much more serious situation, all based on your perception of HATE.

      :P

      P.S Like many said, many Japanese brand products available here are made in Thailand. Occasionally some are from China(I think a Chinese new year pokky was!?!)

    • +1

      Now this is only advice, but have you considered speaking with your doctor?

      Good advice for yourself.

      I'm going to also, as your comment gave me cancer I'm sure.

  • I'm not sure anyone has brought it up yet, but what is 'country of origin' anyway?

    We're assuming it is manufacture, but could 'origin' be original creation place?

    Still misleading either way.

  • +1

    Just be careful that you don't get banned by Jeff:

    https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/could-banned-amazon-doing-co…

  • to be fair, it doesn't say "made in japan"… not sure how I feel about this. Japanese snacks are pretty op though, I wonder how many in Japan are made in other counties.

    I was kinda bummed out when I found my beloved Nissin Kyushu Black ramen noodles were made in Indonesia. I still buy them, I still eat them, but they don't seem as good :(

    • That happened to my Kewpie Mayonnaise. It was the best mayo I'd tasted, put it on everything; 6 Months later I read the label. Where? Thailand. Nah mate this is (profanity) shit.

      Turns out the first one I bought from some online Asia foods place was japanese. I used to buy jp and korean noodles (then filled the rest of the box with random SEA noodles and pickled veg for 1/8th or 1/4 the price because they charged too much for postage) after that first packet I saw them in coles and life was great. bonus they were half the price.

      Once you know you can't unknow. The kewpie in my fridge is counterfit rubbish. Top 5 mayo's tops. Now I use it more sparingly so only on 2/3rds of meals that may or may not be improved with the addition of mayo.

      You get by. Day by day.

  • You're not wrong. Just petty.

    Cop it on the chin, don't buy it next time and leave a review reflecting your feels.

    • +1

      I agree with this but the rep arguing consumer law against a customer seems worse than the initial offense.

      I would have given up on a monetary refund and try to get my value by finding out what other great legal advice he would share.

  • +3

    The onus should be on Amazon.

    Country of origin claims

    Consumers may be influenced by a number of factors when buying goods, including claims about where a product was grown, produced or made. If you choose to make a country of origin claim, or are legally required to do so, it must be clear, accurate and truthful.

    Seeing they gave such a reluctant "one time exception" perhaps you may reluctantly advise ACCC / Fair Trading that Amazon is a little short in the clear, accurate and truthful department.

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