This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42394898
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Advertising Standards considers inquiry into Amazon Prime | Advertising Standards considers inquiry into Amazon Prime |
(35 minutes later) | |
Amazon's promise of next-day deliveries could be investigated amid customer complaints that it is failing to meet that pledge. | Amazon's promise of next-day deliveries could be investigated amid customer complaints that it is failing to meet that pledge. |
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is considering whether to launch a formal inquiry into Amazon. | The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is considering whether to launch a formal inquiry into Amazon. |
The firm's top service, Prime, offers next-day deliveries for £7.99 a month. | The firm's top service, Prime, offers next-day deliveries for £7.99 a month. |
The ASA said: "We have received a handful of complaints about Amazon parcel deliveries and we are at the initial assessment stage." | The ASA said: "We have received a handful of complaints about Amazon parcel deliveries and we are at the initial assessment stage." |
An Amazon spokesman told the BBC the ASA had confirmed to it there was no investigation at this time. | |
The ASA said there had been five complaints since the start of the month. | The ASA said there had been five complaints since the start of the month. |
Amazon offers free delivery above a certain minimum spend, but express, unlimited delivery for Prime customers. | Amazon offers free delivery above a certain minimum spend, but express, unlimited delivery for Prime customers. |
It also offers this coming Saturday, 23 December, as its final order date for Christmas orders, three days later than the Wednesday offered for non-Prime customers. | It also offers this coming Saturday, 23 December, as its final order date for Christmas orders, three days later than the Wednesday offered for non-Prime customers. |
Amazon Prime customers who contacted the BBC reported mixed experiences. | |
Gary Nicholson, from Farnham in Surrey, said: "Our Amazon Prime deliveries often miss their 'next day' target. We always make a point of complaining, and are generally given a 30-day extension to our annual subscription." | |
Dr Guy Simmons also emailed in. He, too, had experienced missed deliveries, but said it was unreasonable to expect perfection every time: "I have had Prime for years. It has been very rare indeed for a parcel not to arrive by the guaranteed date. On those occasions, Amazon has extended my Prime membership by one month. | |
"It is a fantastic service and it is totally unreasonable to expect that things may rarely not work out." | |
Contract breach | Contract breach |
Amazon advises customers to contact customer services if they do not receive a parcel by the estimated delivery date. | Amazon advises customers to contact customer services if they do not receive a parcel by the estimated delivery date. |
The consumer rights group Which? points out that a company missing its delivery date is in breach of contract. | The consumer rights group Which? points out that a company missing its delivery date is in breach of contract. |
It says that consumers have the right to terminate the purchase and get a full refund in that instance. | It says that consumers have the right to terminate the purchase and get a full refund in that instance. |
It says the first step should be to contact the retailer directly to make a complaint that a parcel has not been delivered and request they take action to remedy the situation. | It says the first step should be to contact the retailer directly to make a complaint that a parcel has not been delivered and request they take action to remedy the situation. |
Do you use Amazon Prime? What experiences have you had with Amazon Prime deliveries? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Do you use Amazon Prime? What experiences have you had with Amazon Prime deliveries? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |