Comments on: The Free Food That Wasn’t http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/ Live Well for Less Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:54:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Megan http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8620 Megan Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:52:26 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8620 I just got my QVC order today. $0.59 for a pretty paper lantern that I'll give to my sister. Yay! I just got my QVC order today. $0.59 for a pretty paper lantern that I’ll give to my sister. Yay!

]]> By: A.Marie http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8537 A.Marie Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:01:32 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8537 I also agree, Mercedes. Why did the code go through? And, although I don't normally disagree with people, I do disagree with Jill's statement "Resolutions die in the face of good deals." I don't care what kind of "deals" Amazon has going on. I'm not interested! All of us understand that Amazon is a business, not a charity. We aren't out to get charity. I also agree, Mercedes. Why did the code go through? And, although I don’t normally disagree with people, I do disagree with Jill’s statement “Resolutions die in the face of good deals.” I don’t care what kind of “deals” Amazon has going on. I’m not interested! All of us understand that Amazon is a business, not a charity. We aren’t out to get charity.

]]> By: Cj Sime http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8522 Cj Sime Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:44:01 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8522 I agree with your post. Although, I don't believe I have ever disagreed. :o) Keep up the good work. I agree with your post.

Although, I don’t believe I have ever disagreed.

:o )

Keep up the good work.

]]> By: Alex Baumgarten http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8460 Alex Baumgarten Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:42:05 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8460 They canceled my order and to tell you the truth I didn't really want the other stuff that I had to buy to get it above $25 and the shipped it to me an charged me as well! Not too happy. They canceled my order and to tell you the truth I didn’t really want the other stuff that I had to buy to get it above $25 and the shipped it to me an charged me as well! Not too happy.

]]> By: jen http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8387 jen Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:22:23 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8387 my squares were obviously cancelled, but the did NOT cancel the rest of my order and sent my other 9.99 order and credited me with free shipping, so it wasnt all bad. my squares were obviously cancelled, but the did NOT cancel the rest of my order and sent my other 9.99 order and credited me with free shipping, so it wasnt all bad.

]]> By: Lorrie http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8362 Lorrie Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:06:11 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8362 I placed an order with Amazon for the breakfast squares. I have not noticed a cancellation email. I will have to check my order history. I also placed an order with QVC using the $10 discount. It went through just fine and I have already received my item. I placed an order with Amazon for the breakfast squares. I have not noticed a cancellation email. I will have to check my order history.

I also placed an order with QVC using the $10 discount. It went through just fine and I have already received my item.

]]> By: Kimberly http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8321 Kimberly Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:31:58 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8321 I placed the order thinking it may not go through.. I figure we take chances with deals like this, sometimes we are lucky, sometimes not. The promo did clearly state buy one get one free, not buy nothing get one free so I knew there was a chance it would be cancelled. I was lucky to have received the rest of my order still with free shipping intact so either way I came out ok... but I sure was looking forward to those free treats :) I placed the order thinking it may not go through.. I figure we take chances with deals like this, sometimes we are lucky, sometimes not. The promo did clearly state buy one get one free, not buy nothing get one free so I knew there was a chance it would be cancelled.

I was lucky to have received the rest of my order still with free shipping intact so either way I came out ok… but I sure was looking forward to those free treats :)

]]> By: Camille http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8313 Camille Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:25:45 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8313 I had a similar issue with Amazon a few weeks ago, but through a third party vendor, Organize.com. They incorrectly listed a case of Mrs. Meyers Dryer Sheets for $9 (or so) which regularly priced are $87.72. Since the discounted price was only on one scent, I simply assumed they were discontinuing that scent. A few days after placing my order I received an email from Amazon and Organize.com that my order had been canceled. Human error is understandable, but the company has to put safeguards in place for that. I believe if the company incorrectly lists something, they should fill ALL orders made prior to the mistake being discovered. If an item is priced incorrectly at a brick and mortar store they usually give you the marked price and then go correct it on the other items. In some states, they are legally obligated to do so. It's time for web stores to provide the same service to their customers, loyal or not. I had a similar issue with Amazon a few weeks ago, but through a third party vendor, Organize.com. They incorrectly listed a case of Mrs. Meyers Dryer Sheets for $9 (or so) which regularly priced are $87.72. Since the discounted price was only on one scent, I simply assumed they were discontinuing that scent. A few days after placing my order I received an email from Amazon and Organize.com that my order had been canceled.

Human error is understandable, but the company has to put safeguards in place for that. I believe if the company incorrectly lists something, they should fill ALL orders made prior to the mistake being discovered. If an item is priced incorrectly at a brick and mortar store they usually give you the marked price and then go correct it on the other items. In some states, they are legally obligated to do so. It’s time for web stores to provide the same service to their customers, loyal or not.

]]> By: Mary http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8307 Mary Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:24:17 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8307 I guess this is one of the pitfalls about bargain shopping online and having all these wonderful "deal" sites that alert thousands of folks to these "too good to be true deals." I usually ignore most of the "too good to be true" deals, especially when my gut tells me that the company is not going to take that kind of loss. Even Amazon is in it to make money and even with the loss of business from a few thousand, they will still make enormous profits. I hate to say it, but as much as I love to get all the wonderful tips, sometimes I am selfish and don't share great tips I find for fear others will take advantage of it and I'll get my order canceled. I guess this is one of the pitfalls about bargain shopping online and having all these wonderful “deal” sites that alert thousands of folks to these “too good to be true deals.” I usually ignore most of the “too good to be true” deals, especially when my gut tells me that the company is not going to take that kind of loss. Even Amazon is in it to make money and even with the loss of business from a few thousand, they will still make enormous profits. I hate to say it, but as much as I love to get all the wonderful tips, sometimes I am selfish and don’t share great tips I find for fear others will take advantage of it and I’ll get my order canceled.

]]> By: Jill http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8306 Jill Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:12:34 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8306 Mercedes - It worked because someone mistakenly put in the promotional code to credit the $19.00 regardless of whether it was a bogo or not. It should have only worked if you had 2 orders of cranberry squares in your cart. Many people will say that Amazon should just take the loss - they made the mistake and have to live with it. But everyone makes a mistake (even major companies), and they have multiple disclaimers in place to cover themselves. The same thing happened with the Britax car seats at Amazon and Target a few months ago, and while they angered a lot of people by canceling the orders, they had every right to. You could argue that it's a bad PR move on their part. It might be, but it appears as if a lot of people ordered from Amazon just to get the free food and aren't regular customers. I don't think Amazon cares about those customers anyway - especially if the buyers are supremely frugal - because most likely they will break their resolution about not shopping at Amazon the first time that Amazon has something they want for cheap. For regular customers like me that are a little annoyed and might think twice about buying again, perhaps they have a problem. But they made a calculated risk decision as a business - lose thousands now or perhaps alienate a few customers. They know that we will most likely be back. Resolutions die in the face of good deals. Mercedes – It worked because someone mistakenly put in the promotional code to credit the $19.00 regardless of whether it was a bogo or not. It should have only worked if you had 2 orders of cranberry squares in your cart.

Many people will say that Amazon should just take the loss – they made the mistake and have to live with it. But everyone makes a mistake (even major companies), and they have multiple disclaimers in place to cover themselves. The same thing happened with the Britax car seats at Amazon and Target a few months ago, and while they angered a lot of people by canceling the orders, they had every right to. You could argue that it’s a bad PR move on their part. It might be, but it appears as if a lot of people ordered from Amazon just to get the free food and aren’t regular customers. I don’t think Amazon cares about those customers anyway – especially if the buyers are supremely frugal – because most likely they will break their resolution about not shopping at Amazon the first time that Amazon has something they want for cheap. For regular customers like me that are a little annoyed and might think twice about buying again, perhaps they have a problem. But they made a calculated risk decision as a business – lose thousands now or perhaps alienate a few customers. They know that we will most likely be back. Resolutions die in the face of good deals.

]]> By: Bethany http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8304 Bethany Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:35:36 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8304 I haven't checked my husband's email the past few days, so this was a new development for me. I just checked my amazon history and it appears that my order as also been cancelled. I agree with you completely. It's the company's fault and not the buyers. I will be complaining to Amazon as well. I do want to know how I need to cancel my amazon prime though. Any help? I haven’t checked my husband’s email the past few days, so this was a new development for me. I just checked my amazon history and it appears that my order as also been cancelled. I agree with you completely. It’s the company’s fault and not the buyers. I will be complaining to Amazon as well. I do want to know how I need to cancel my amazon prime though. Any help?

]]> By: Susan http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8303 Susan Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:15:54 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8303 My husband will no longer order from Amamzon...not becasue of this reason but this just adds to his list of annoying thigs Amamzon does! UGH!!!! My husband will no longer order from Amamzon…not becasue of this reason but this just adds to his list of annoying thigs Amamzon does! UGH!!!!

]]> By: Andrea http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8302 Andrea Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:07:09 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8302 Well, I don't even know that calling will help. I called, and the representative's attitude was that it was "...human error and that Amazon can most certainly pull promotional codes whenever they want." The representative just didnt' care, and that was VERY apparent. I'll be sticking to Barnes and Noble from now on. This isn't my first run in with poor service from customer service at Amazon. Pity, too. They saved me a lot of time and money in gas. Well, I don’t even know that calling will help. I called, and the representative’s attitude was that it was “…human error and that Amazon can most certainly pull promotional codes whenever they want.” The representative just didnt’ care, and that was VERY apparent. I’ll be sticking to Barnes and Noble from now on. This isn’t my first run in with poor service from customer service at Amazon.

Pity, too. They saved me a lot of time and money in gas.

]]> By: Mercedes http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8301 Mercedes Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:57:39 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8301 Jill but then why did the code work then?, it's an error they need to fix in their end. Jill but then why did the code work then?, it’s an error they need to fix in their end.

]]> By: Andrea http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8300 Andrea Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:56:28 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8300 Jill - That's what my husband and my argument was yesterday - so cancel the part of the order that WAS incorrect, but leave the rest to ship as it is supposed to. Thanks, Mercedes, for posting this. We did the deal the legitimate way: we bought a bunch of books per each order, and were looking forward to a few inexpensive Valentine's presents for each other. It just seems like there are so many places that aren't deal friendly/ coupon friendly these days, and in this recession, that is DEFINITELY bad PR. Jill –

That’s what my husband and my argument was yesterday – so cancel the part of the order that WAS incorrect, but leave the rest to ship as it is supposed to.

Thanks, Mercedes, for posting this. We did the deal the legitimate way: we bought a bunch of books per each order, and were looking forward to a few inexpensive Valentine’s presents for each other. It just seems like there are so many places that aren’t deal friendly/ coupon friendly these days, and in this recession, that is DEFINITELY bad PR.

]]> By: Darla http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8299 Darla Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:33:44 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8299 Happened to me with curtains from Macy's. I'll never shop there again after that whole ordeal. Happened to me with curtains from Macy’s. I’ll never shop there again after that whole ordeal.

]]> By: Jill http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/02/the-free-food-that-wasnt/#comment-8298 Jill Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:23:27 +0000 http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/?p=1926#comment-8298 I don't think Amazon is lying. The promotion is clearly listed as a buy one get one free scenario. That we were able to get it for free without paying for one was a mistake. What does annoy me is that they cancelled my WHOLE order, even though I bought over $50 worth of other things. I should still get free shipping on the other things. Now I do think Amazon has a right to cancel orders outright when they fall below $25 after cancelling the cranberry bars. I don't think they are obligated to ship you that $6 other thing you bought just to get free shipping. I especially think those who signed up for Amazon prime just to get the free food don't have anything to complain about. You didn't technically do anything wrong, but you tried to work the system and failed. Overall I fall in the "if it's too good to be true...." camp. Sure I would have loved to get free food, but I'm not out anything, and Amazon is a business not a charity. I don’t think Amazon is lying. The promotion is clearly listed as a buy one get one free scenario. That we were able to get it for free without paying for one was a mistake.

What does annoy me is that they cancelled my WHOLE order, even though I bought over $50 worth of other things. I should still get free shipping on the other things. Now I do think Amazon has a right to cancel orders outright when they fall below $25 after cancelling the cranberry bars. I don’t think they are obligated to ship you that $6 other thing you bought just to get free shipping. I especially think those who signed up for Amazon prime just to get the free food don’t have anything to complain about. You didn’t technically do anything wrong, but you tried to work the system and failed.

Overall I fall in the “if it’s too good to be true….” camp. Sure I would have loved to get free food, but I’m not out anything, and Amazon is a business not a charity.

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