I had recently ordered products from Amazon that were promoted under a 25% discount IF the order was at least $50. MY order totaled more than required but when I went to check out, the discount was not available nor was it applied. I called Amazon and talked to a service rep who claimed that he could not find it, even though I had it up on my computer and tried to direct his attention to the promotion. I ordered the products but subsequently filed a report with the BBB handling Amazon complaints.
The respondent Amazon rep to the complaint stated that she could not find the ads. Fortunately I had made copies that showed, in no uncertain terms, that Amazon had a promotion. Within 24 hours of my complaint, the ads had been removed. The BBB asked me to send them copies, which I did. I had filed my complaint under "false advertising". Amazon responded with a $20 gift card stating that they were making a "one time" exception with more use restrictions than I cared to bother with, however their reply did not address my initial charge of false advertising.
To my surprise the BBB accepted that as I resolution and closed my file. I guess it goes to show that one can escape the more serious charges by tossing a $20 bill, so to speak, to make it go away. What's more, the agency in charge of this process (BBB) can accept that as a "resolution". I can not begin to guess how many people fell prey to this promotion, but I intend to push this up the line. Personally, I feel that it's a shame and a sad fact that big companies can get away with transgressions that the smaller ones can't.
John
Fresno,#2Author of original report
Fri, January 01, 2021
In answer to your questions, the total purchase price was just under $55. The promotion was to have been applied to a minimum purchase of $50. Regarding the use restrictions, I could only use their $20 on items sold by Amazon.com. It was not a general card that applied to whatever I wanted to buy. The fact is, Amazon skated out from the greater charge of "false advertising" for 20 bucks and the BBB approved. Now that the case has been closed, I won't even see the $20
Robert
Irvine,#3Consumer Comment
Fri, January 01, 2021
What was the total amount of your order before tax?
What were these "Use Restrictions" that you didn't like?