Amazon/Walmart Competition Increases
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This seems to be a trend. You really need a clean VM that after shopping you just revert to the saved copy. But thinking further, I suspect you'd need to create a new account each time to avoid them tracking you.
Charlie Gilley <italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape... "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783 “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
New account won't do it - they recognized my machine &/or IP (probably the latter). One option is to more frequently reboot my router and get a new IP assignment. Making clean VM's is not quite in the cards - I don't have control over the company's VM. I may be able to use the VM, proper, as for now I simply use it as a way into the company network so I can connect to my Xeon. An experiment is in the making!
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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No - not in service or pricing or anything like that which the idea of competition should bring to mind. Screwing with customer in a re-order of an item. So time ago I posted how Amazon seemed increased the price on anything I already purchased. I guess the logic being that if I am repurchasing it I liked it and will pay more for it. It wasn't something I needed any time soon so I let them keep it so they can enjoy the benefits of its increasing value. Now Walmart is playing a different game - trying to get me into their store. I bought some of an item yesterday - not the full compliment - as I was saving a couple more to help top-up an order to the free delivery level. In to the cart they went along with items that were out of stock yesterday and in stock today. After all was said and done, I was going to check out and observed the items, which were supposed to be deliverable (as they were with yesterday's purchase) must now be picked up in person. Supposedly only four left. The whole point was the free delivery and so I just dropped it. Then I had two ideas. (1) create the order without logging in first (no cookies or anything like that survive on my machine when the browser closes). Well - it seems they remembered me enough, via the URL no doubt, and things were the same. Now try idea (2): order it from my work computer. Sure enough, they were now deliverable. Nothing suddenly out of stock or in short supply. It's just amazing what about 90 seconds can make in their stock and shipping abilities. Oh - as an aside - you know how on Amazon an item can be a great price or literally 5x to 10x what it's worth, depending upon which vendor you choose? Walmart's got that down, too. **It's great seeing how the market is ever improving for the consumer by the that market force known as competition.
**"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
I had one Amazon order cancelled and refunded just before it was due to ship as it was out of stock. Check the page and it was in stock - but at twice the price ... :mad:
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt -
I had one Amazon order cancelled and refunded just before it was due to ship as it was out of stock. Check the page and it was in stock - but at twice the price ... :mad:
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
You should have threatened to report them to the SFO. Unethical and probably illegal.
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The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing. -
No - not in service or pricing or anything like that which the idea of competition should bring to mind. Screwing with customer in a re-order of an item. So time ago I posted how Amazon seemed increased the price on anything I already purchased. I guess the logic being that if I am repurchasing it I liked it and will pay more for it. It wasn't something I needed any time soon so I let them keep it so they can enjoy the benefits of its increasing value. Now Walmart is playing a different game - trying to get me into their store. I bought some of an item yesterday - not the full compliment - as I was saving a couple more to help top-up an order to the free delivery level. In to the cart they went along with items that were out of stock yesterday and in stock today. After all was said and done, I was going to check out and observed the items, which were supposed to be deliverable (as they were with yesterday's purchase) must now be picked up in person. Supposedly only four left. The whole point was the free delivery and so I just dropped it. Then I had two ideas. (1) create the order without logging in first (no cookies or anything like that survive on my machine when the browser closes). Well - it seems they remembered me enough, via the URL no doubt, and things were the same. Now try idea (2): order it from my work computer. Sure enough, they were now deliverable. Nothing suddenly out of stock or in short supply. It's just amazing what about 90 seconds can make in their stock and shipping abilities. Oh - as an aside - you know how on Amazon an item can be a great price or literally 5x to 10x what it's worth, depending upon which vendor you choose? Walmart's got that down, too. **It's great seeing how the market is ever improving for the consumer by the that market force known as competition.
**"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
I wonder if clean browser + TOR or a privacy VPN would help. I have had fairly good luck in the Walmart marketplace. Most of the time my order goes to a third party. I just bought 2 small 15 inch tires via Walmart. I loved the fact that they were delivered with just a barcode+address taped to each one. No boxes to recycle!
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No - not in service or pricing or anything like that which the idea of competition should bring to mind. Screwing with customer in a re-order of an item. So time ago I posted how Amazon seemed increased the price on anything I already purchased. I guess the logic being that if I am repurchasing it I liked it and will pay more for it. It wasn't something I needed any time soon so I let them keep it so they can enjoy the benefits of its increasing value. Now Walmart is playing a different game - trying to get me into their store. I bought some of an item yesterday - not the full compliment - as I was saving a couple more to help top-up an order to the free delivery level. In to the cart they went along with items that were out of stock yesterday and in stock today. After all was said and done, I was going to check out and observed the items, which were supposed to be deliverable (as they were with yesterday's purchase) must now be picked up in person. Supposedly only four left. The whole point was the free delivery and so I just dropped it. Then I had two ideas. (1) create the order without logging in first (no cookies or anything like that survive on my machine when the browser closes). Well - it seems they remembered me enough, via the URL no doubt, and things were the same. Now try idea (2): order it from my work computer. Sure enough, they were now deliverable. Nothing suddenly out of stock or in short supply. It's just amazing what about 90 seconds can make in their stock and shipping abilities. Oh - as an aside - you know how on Amazon an item can be a great price or literally 5x to 10x what it's worth, depending upon which vendor you choose? Walmart's got that down, too. **It's great seeing how the market is ever improving for the consumer by the that market force known as competition.
**"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
I have never had any issues with Amazon price hikes on item re-orders. I order from Amazon at least 2-4 times a month for myself and the family. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just saying it has never happened to me yet. Next time this happens to you, check to see if the re-order item with the price increase is coming from the same vendor you bought from last time. The prices vary greatly sometimes for the same item, by vendor. Amazon may be giving you another vendor's item at an increased price, if the item is out of stock for the vendor you originally ordered from. Just a thought.
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I have never had any issues with Amazon price hikes on item re-orders. I order from Amazon at least 2-4 times a month for myself and the family. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just saying it has never happened to me yet. Next time this happens to you, check to see if the re-order item with the price increase is coming from the same vendor you bought from last time. The prices vary greatly sometimes for the same item, by vendor. Amazon may be giving you another vendor's item at an increased price, if the item is out of stock for the vendor you originally ordered from. Just a thought.
Well - based on experience and feedback elsewhere in the thread, it certainly does happen. Not always. One thing I've noticed on both Amazon and Walmart: caveat emptor is in full force with respect to pricing. Some items - often the same item, can vary in price tremendously. The absurdly high prices are (as I remember) always third party vendors. Looking for a quick buck. A place I also find a useful online ordering source for general merchandise: Target.com .
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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No - not in service or pricing or anything like that which the idea of competition should bring to mind. Screwing with customer in a re-order of an item. So time ago I posted how Amazon seemed increased the price on anything I already purchased. I guess the logic being that if I am repurchasing it I liked it and will pay more for it. It wasn't something I needed any time soon so I let them keep it so they can enjoy the benefits of its increasing value. Now Walmart is playing a different game - trying to get me into their store. I bought some of an item yesterday - not the full compliment - as I was saving a couple more to help top-up an order to the free delivery level. In to the cart they went along with items that were out of stock yesterday and in stock today. After all was said and done, I was going to check out and observed the items, which were supposed to be deliverable (as they were with yesterday's purchase) must now be picked up in person. Supposedly only four left. The whole point was the free delivery and so I just dropped it. Then I had two ideas. (1) create the order without logging in first (no cookies or anything like that survive on my machine when the browser closes). Well - it seems they remembered me enough, via the URL no doubt, and things were the same. Now try idea (2): order it from my work computer. Sure enough, they were now deliverable. Nothing suddenly out of stock or in short supply. It's just amazing what about 90 seconds can make in their stock and shipping abilities. Oh - as an aside - you know how on Amazon an item can be a great price or literally 5x to 10x what it's worth, depending upon which vendor you choose? Walmart's got that down, too. **It's great seeing how the market is ever improving for the consumer by the that market force known as competition.
**"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
Yes, you have to watch the 3rd party vendors. I just ordered an item from Amazon. On the web page there were 2 options: 1 for $5 or 2 for $6.50. Choosing option 2 as the better price I found when I went to checkout that there was a $70 shipping charge. So, cancel that, go back and pick option 1, set a quantity of 4. This time check out shows $20 for 4 item's and free shipping with my prime membership. Apparently the option 2 vendor was hoping I'd do a 1-click purchase and not notice the high price. The very reason I never do a 1-click purchase. I want to see what the total charges are and who's getting them before I agree. I'll expend the extra clicks, they're cheap.
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Yes, you have to watch the 3rd party vendors. I just ordered an item from Amazon. On the web page there were 2 options: 1 for $5 or 2 for $6.50. Choosing option 2 as the better price I found when I went to checkout that there was a $70 shipping charge. So, cancel that, go back and pick option 1, set a quantity of 4. This time check out shows $20 for 4 item's and free shipping with my prime membership. Apparently the option 2 vendor was hoping I'd do a 1-click purchase and not notice the high price. The very reason I never do a 1-click purchase. I want to see what the total charges are and who's getting them before I agree. I'll expend the extra clicks, they're cheap.
And this begs the question: since it's an obvious scam (and there are lot of them on Amazon similar to your description and others) - why is it allowed? I don't have prime because Amazon is by no means my go-to place for much of anything. It just seems like risky business to shop there.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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And this begs the question: since it's an obvious scam (and there are lot of them on Amazon similar to your description and others) - why is it allowed? I don't have prime because Amazon is by no means my go-to place for much of anything. It just seems like risky business to shop there.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
I don't think Amazon checks - or even cares (beyond their legal liability) - what their vendors charge. I believe vendors can opt in or out of prime capabilities as they choose. I don't believe that what happened to me was illegal, just scummy. And, who knows, perhaps the shipping charge from their location actually was $70. :~ Caveat emptor? You're d**n skippy! I don't find Amazon more or less risky than other sites. I find it very convenient since retiring to rural South Dakota. But I nearly always check other sites for pricing and other options before making that final click.
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No - not in service or pricing or anything like that which the idea of competition should bring to mind. Screwing with customer in a re-order of an item. So time ago I posted how Amazon seemed increased the price on anything I already purchased. I guess the logic being that if I am repurchasing it I liked it and will pay more for it. It wasn't something I needed any time soon so I let them keep it so they can enjoy the benefits of its increasing value. Now Walmart is playing a different game - trying to get me into their store. I bought some of an item yesterday - not the full compliment - as I was saving a couple more to help top-up an order to the free delivery level. In to the cart they went along with items that were out of stock yesterday and in stock today. After all was said and done, I was going to check out and observed the items, which were supposed to be deliverable (as they were with yesterday's purchase) must now be picked up in person. Supposedly only four left. The whole point was the free delivery and so I just dropped it. Then I had two ideas. (1) create the order without logging in first (no cookies or anything like that survive on my machine when the browser closes). Well - it seems they remembered me enough, via the URL no doubt, and things were the same. Now try idea (2): order it from my work computer. Sure enough, they were now deliverable. Nothing suddenly out of stock or in short supply. It's just amazing what about 90 seconds can make in their stock and shipping abilities. Oh - as an aside - you know how on Amazon an item can be a great price or literally 5x to 10x what it's worth, depending upon which vendor you choose? Walmart's got that down, too. **It's great seeing how the market is ever improving for the consumer by the that market force known as competition.
**"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
W∴ Balboos, GHB wrote:
Amazon seemed increased the price on anything I already purchased
For me, that's been mostly the case in particular for items actually fulfilled by merchants who may be subjected to currency fluctuations. Otherwise, I have no conspiracy to report. I've seen prices go both up and down, including for items that have been sitting in the cart for weeks.
