I’ve been an Amazon.com customer for YEARS – since 2004 and have spent thousands and thousands of dollars there. They are the first place I look for products and one of my main resources for Christmas shopping.
Until now.
Maybe I am over-reacting.
You tell me.
The other day I ordered a $60 Radio Flyer bike for my daughter that was going to be from Santa. Her “big gift” from the big, jolly man. The product page indicated the item would be shipping in its original packaging (I always look for that) and to mark it as a gift if you want it concealed. Cool. I marked it as a gift, and made the purchase.
Yesterday, my kids and I came home from the store and we were half a block away when my son said “Radio Flyer, what’s that?” after spotting the NOT CONCEALED box sitting on our porch. I quickly scrambled and told him to distract Abby so I could put it away, but the problem still remains. My 6 year old is too smart for me to be able to put this under the tree from Santa now.
And I am heartbroken.
I know we can give it to her from us, and she’s too young to know the difference, but I was just excited for it to be from Santa. This isn’t ALL about the kids you know. The parents get into this Santa thing too.
I doubled checked my order in my account and it clearly says it was marked as a gift, so I wrote to Amazon.com explaining the situation and also that the box was damaged and re-taped (I haven’t opened it yet to see if the bike is damaged I wanted to hear back from them first). They wrote back with an apology for the damaged box and a $5 credit to my account for my trouble. They made no mention about the mistake they made about the concealed package.
So I wrote back.
I got yet another apology:
Hello,
I’m sorry for the delay in responding fully to all of your questions in our previous correspondence.
I understand your order didn’t arrive concealed although you marked it as a gift. Unfortunately, on rare occasions, fulfillment centers make a mistake when assembling a package. I’ve forwarded your message to our fulfillment team to make sure they’re aware of this incident.
I realize this is a gift order for a special occasion, and I’m so sorry about the inconvenience.
We’ll consider your feedback as we plan further improvements.
Customer feedback like yours really helps us continue to improve our store and provide better service to our customers.
One of our aims at Amazon.com is to provide a convenient and efficient service; in this case, we haven’t met that standard. I hope you’ll give us another chance to serve you better in the future.
It is our absolute commitment to provide you the best possible customer service. Should you need any further assistance with this order, please click the link below to tell us when and where to get in touch with you, and a dedicated customer service representative will contact you by phone to provide resolution.
http://www.amazon.com/rsvp-n?c=hawdaudh3238273931&q=sn
Best regards,
Vijay P.
Amazon.com
We’re Building Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company
But I just don’t feel like it is enough.
This was a big deal for me.
What do you think? Am I over-reacting? Should I let it go and just move on with my life? Should I push it further and ask to speak to a customer service rep? If so, what should I even expect them to do to remedy it?
About Kim
OMG I would be devastated too. Christmas is a huge deal in our house and to see eyes light up because of Santa is what it means to us parents now. Shame on Amazon for not realizing that they ruined a moment.
Oh I’d be pissed too! Clearly it was marked as a gift and with it being this close to Christmas they would think, ‘Hmm…little pink bike, Christmas on the way…this is probably a CHRISTMAS.GIFT! We should wrap it.’
I don’t know what to tell ya though. It sucks! They should do more than $5 off and an apology. You should get more so you can buy her a new Santa gift.
That stinks! And no, I don’t think you are over reacting. The same thing would’ve happened at my house and the surprise would have been ruined. I would expect them to do more than apologize. At the very least they should offer you a gift card or something. (Because of course NOW you are going to have to buy something else from Santa.)
I would be heartbroken, too. But like you, what do you expect in return? I don’t think there is anything they can do but apologize.
You are NOT overreacting, that’s crap. “Oh, whoops, sorry” is bull.
That is horrible and no you are not overreacting at all. You checked you wanted it concealed that is what you should get.
Nah, I don’t think you are overreacting. I think they should have refunded you whatever you paid in shipping (unless you didn’t have to pay shipping, then I think you should have received more the $5).
I’d check to make sure the bike itself isn’t damaged or missing parts since the box was damaged and retaped. Unfortunately, I don’t think these companies care if it was from Santa or not. It also makes me not want to buy form them unless i plan on the box being seen by my kids since they’re not reliable in their concealment. They need better quality control.
I don’t think you are overreacting at all. It was their job to fulfill the order as placed and they failed big time. That really makes me wary of purchasing gifts like that from them now. I have an 8 year old son that usually walks in the door just after our mail is delivered and would not want the same thing happening. Not cool at all!
Sorry but no. Good grief people…THINK…If toys like that are ordered in Nov./Dec. then most likely, it is a gift for a child and it is a pretty good bet it is from Santa. It is one thing if the product is printed in smaller letters but just think!
Would I pursue it and expect them o change anything? Nope. Corporate America. In the future send them to your Mom’s.