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Amazon Japan suspected of forcing retailers to cut product prices
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kohakuebisu
Amazon also bumps up the prices of some goods. Anyone using the platform has to charge a high enough margin to cover Amazon's take. Amazon will force them to use the same prices on other platforms so that Amazon is not undercut.
wallace
Had a very recent experience for the first time. Ordered a shirt for about ¥4,000. When it arrived it was the wrong size. Got in touch with Amazon to make a return. It was accepted. Then I discovered the Chinese seller charged me a "restocking fee" equal to the full price of the shirt. I would have been happy to pay ¥1,000 but not full price. I could have kept the shirt and gifted someone. Watch out for returning items and restocking charges.
Wasabi
wallace == You should be able to send a claim to Amazon about this. They made the mistake in the first place. Maybe ask for a full refund.
wallace
Wasabi
I tried and contacted Amazon but basically, it's up to the seller. You can many of these cases online these days. When buying especially clothes check the return policy. In 15 years first time problem.
リッチ
Japanese marketing media on tv and newspapers and magazines won’t even run commercial ads without some “campaign chu” part in it. Whats the difference.
wallace
Some Amazon sellers are sending low-quality items and when returned charging a restocking fee.
Gaijinjland
In principle, as a customer, I don’t care that Amazon strong arms retailers into lowering their prices since they automatically charge me 600 yen a month anyway for their Prime service. Never had to pay anything for returns and was always 100% reimbursed.
wallace
Gaijinjland
Same experience for me for 15 years until two recent ones. The events I have posted can be found online which I didn't know until I went to look.
WoodyLee
Those who deal with Amazon site know damn well how this company operates outside all the laws and rules, it has absolute control and power over its customers and retailors and it will make or brake them at any moment.
I once wrote an honest review of a product I purchased from Amazon, my review was blocked, and I was unable to order any similar products, the message I kept getting was that there was a problem with my shipping address, or shipping address incorrect but I could order anything else to the same address except the product I wrote the review about.
I can't imagine what would this company do if it was operating Super markets, running hospitals, schools or railroads ??? we will all be slaves under it's control.
WoodyLee
Amazon charges 30% of the original price as a restocking fees of returned items.
WoodyLee
I once ordered a Japanese helmet from Amazon and when I tried it on it felt a little tight even though it was the right size that I normally use. I requested a return and it was accepted only to find out that I am being charged 30% because the box was opened?!?! so how is someone suppose to check the product without opening the box !?
Hello Kitty 321
@WoodyLee
Are you sure? I have never been charged for a return.
wallace
WoodyLee
Sellers can charge more. Usually 20-50% but sometimes 100%.
I have never charged a restocking fee before.
vallum
wallace wrote Today 04:49 pm JST
Maybe they misundertood your claim?Was it your their mistake or yours anyway?
You don't usually have to return the item if the order was wrong and it wasn't your mistake. You return the item when, for example, ordered a M size shirt but only realized you ordered the wrong size when the order arrived. In other words, if it was your mistake. Then, yes, returning policy you should read.
Mickelicious
There's some crap on Amazon.
I ordered hiking poles that malfunctioned on their second use. Although I hike a lot, I only use poles when the terrain is dangerously challenging: steep and loose or icy surfaces. The returns policy for the poles? 30 days.
I've had vendors from a larger country in our region try to bribe me to change my review, and another make promised discounts on consumables conditional (post-purchase) to a positive review - despite my not knowing how the product performs yet (without those 'bargain' consumables).
Foxtrot Oscar, Tech Bro JB.
Peter Neil
i'll weigh in that i've never had an issue with returning anything on amazon. i was going to be charged a restocking fee on a wrong sized item. looking at my order, i ordered the wrong size accidentally. that’s not their fault.
wallace
vallum
I ordered a jacket and a shirt, both from a Chinese seller. Both were smaller than my order. I knew a friend would like the jacket and gave it to them. The shirt was returned but I was charged full price restocking.
Hervé L'Eisa
Always check the actual seller. For some items, a Chinese seller may be acceptable, but choose carefully. Online retailing is "Buyer Beware", and I've used Amazon for a very long time.
TokyoLiving
Amazon US is changing policies to be nice with customer and sellers, Amazon Japan must do the same..
dobre vam zajebava
wallace
did you ever heard about something like
PayPal
than thing like this will never happen to you.
many ads at amazon are fake ones.and there are many ways to scam people there especially before main shopping xmas shopping season.
Arvin Caberte
"Forcing" should be replaced by the word "coercing" in my opinion. It is common practice outside of Japan to influence suppliers/vendors/merchants to cut cost that affects prices of goods. Greed comes a long way even eroding the very fabric of basic human relationships.
Sven Asai
Yes, they try to implement tricky methods and the highly volatile pricing is not convenient, but if you learn to handle it, then you can make some bargains at market beating prices. In general, don't reserve wished items in the online cart, this will lead to higher, sometimes exponentially rising prices, especially when there are only a few left in storage. Better mik no interest and delete it a few times, then hit in the cheapest moment. Their price calculating robot or algorithm is very strange, take care.
ian
Only problems I had were unattended deliveries. I specifically check no unattended deliveries yet some delivery persons still do it
ian
What do they say to sellers?
"If your products are offered at the lowest price in the market, it will be displayed prominently on the platform. If not we will not display it prominently." ?
vallum
wallace
Oh, I see. Did they specify you had to return the shirt, though? Or you said you wanted to return it?
To be clearer, even if the order was wrong and it was their mistake, that may have sounded like you wanted to exchange it for another size, not reclaim your actual order.
dobre vam zajebava
If I'm not mistaken, Amazon Japan doesn't accept Paypal.
wallace
vallum
I did not receive a replacement item or a refund.