Thu 15 Nov 2007
So much for Amazon Pre-orders
Posted by Bashar under Amazon, Technology
[11] Comments
For months and months Amazon have been promoting the anticipated Assassin’s Creed video game for pre-orders. Usually, pre-ordering the item means reserving your copy for the release date to receive it ASAP. I did just that, and I even registered to Amazon prime to enjoy FREE 2 day so called shipping. I did that only to receive such a silly email from Amazon saying:
“We wanted to let you know that there is an unexpected delay with your
video game order (Order# 104-3371841-0424220) you placed on November 12 2007 02:32 PST. Unfortunately, we are unable
to ship the product(s) as soon as we expected and need to provide you with a new estimate of when
they may be delivered:
“Assassin’s Creed” [Video Game]
Estimated arrival date: 11/16/2007
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this delay.”
What? What am I supposed to do with this stupid apology? I sent them an email to clarify why the hell the item is still Shipping Soon (as of yesterday and up till now!). Their reply came simple:
“Thank you for writing to us at Amazon.com.
I’ve checked your order and can confirm that we are currently
preparing it for shipment.
Please know that we dont offer release date delivery for the
item “Assassin’s Creed”.
We still expect to ship it in time for delivery by the date listed
in Your Account: November 16, 2007″
Very overwhelming right? The fact they still claim they (expect) to ship it IN TIME for the date listed in my account. Nov 16! Let’s just review facts here, as they seem to change the shipping date however they like and then refer back to it as evidence. The item was pre-ordered, expected to be shipped on Nov 13. On Nov 14 only, it’s status changed to Shipping Soon. Today, and as I am writing this post right now, it’s still shipping soon. I.e., almost 24 hours and it’s still shipping soon. While in fact, today should’ve been the worst delivery estimate, they are still hoping to make it the best shipping estimate. And since it’s shipping soon, I cannot even cancel the order. I wonder why they listed it for pre-order if they don’t have enough of it.
Also, for me, it’s not only a matter of convenience. I am grouping my items as one shipment for the courier forwarding company to send over to Kuwait. Alas, now I am paying an extra over $10 for the previlige of receiving late shipment. But you know what? I think it’s my mistake I didn’t listen to my friend’s advise about GameStop. I’m just not sure how they will handle delivery to US courier forwarding companies, and international price is high.
[UPDATE]: They did come back to me with a bit long and polite email offering $5 credit. It’s not much, and won’t cover the delay and separate shipment cost as they know and stated it, but what can you do? Fine. At least they admit the problem was from their end this time. The item is out for delivery now. Can’t wait to get my hands on it :)
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