Warning: Buy camera gear from Amazon.com at your own peril

[camerosity]

I've been buying gear from Amazon for a few years now without issue. However, I have been the victim of a scam, that I have since read is not an isolated one, and it seems to be an internal scam at Amazon by employees.
I bought a Tamron lens for $699 and they sent me a message saying I had to provide a numeric code to receive the item, which has never happened before. I was used to having to sign for delivery, but this was new.

The knock came on the door, and I was greeted by an Amazon delivery person, who had a couple items for me (one was a flat bubble envelope that contained an accessory for a used camera I had purchased from another website and the other was a box that was supposed to be the $699 lens).

I asked the person if I really had to provide the code to receive the item, and she then told me it was telling her not to deliver the item because of some issue, so she had to call her support number to get help. Once on the phone with the support person, I gave them the code and received the box (I had already been handed the bubble envelope). Even though the box was much smaller and lighter than the lens box, I was so distracted by the whole spectacle I didn't think to refuse delivery since it clearly was not a lens.

Opened the box after I closed the door, and inside was a plastic bag with face masks. Not what I ordered! Ran down to the driver and she said it was in my hands now, but don't worry, these things happen and you can just return it and get a refund.

If it were only that easy. I called customer service right away and reported Wrong Item Received, and they said Don't worry, these things happen, and you can just return it and get a refund.

Amazon has had possession of the wrong item they sent me now for nearly one month, and no refund yet. I am worried I may be out the $699 plus tax. I paid for it with my Amazon store card, and I haven't called customer service yet to find out what the problem is.

So I have decided, no more photo gear (cameras or lenses) from Amazon. I will stick with BH Photo from now on, as I think they are more trustworthy.

 

[beagle1]

I've been buying gear from Amazon for a few years now without issue. However, I have been the victim of a scam, that I have since read is not an isolated one, and it seems to be an internal scam at Amazon by employees.
I bought a Tamron lens for $699 and they sent me a message saying I had to provide a numeric code to receive the item, which has never happened before. I was used to having to sign for delivery, but this was new.

The knock came on the door, and I was greeted by an Amazon delivery person, who had a couple items for me (one was a flat bubble envelope that contained an accessory for a used camera I had purchased from another website and the other was a box that was supposed to be the $699 lens).

I asked the person if I really had to provide the code to receive the item, and she then told me it was telling her not to deliver the item because of some issue, so she had to call her support number to get help. Once on the phone with the support person, I gave them the code and received the box (I had already been handed the bubble envelope). Even though the box was much smaller and lighter than the lens box, I was so distracted by the whole spectacle I didn't think to refuse delivery since it clearly was not a lens.

Opened the box after I closed the door, and inside was a plastic bag with face masks. Not what I ordered! Ran down to the driver and she said it was in my hands now, but don't worry, these things happen and you can just return it and get a refund.

If it were only that easy. I called customer service right away and reported Wrong Item Received, and they said Don't worry, these things happen, and you can just return it and get a refund.

Amazon has had possession of the wrong item they sent me now for nearly one month, and no refund yet. I am worried I may be out the $699 plus tax. I paid for it with my Amazon store card, and I haven't called customer service yet to find out what the problem is.

So I have decided, no more photo gear (cameras or lenses) from Amazon. I will stick with BH Photo from now on, as I think they are more trustworthy.

I've never (ever) had a problem returning camera gear from Amazon

 

[camerosity]

I've been buying gear from Amazon for a few years now without issue. However, I have been the victim of a scam, that I have since read is not an isolated one, and it seems to be an internal scam at Amazon by employees.
I bought a Tamron lens for $699 and they sent me a message saying I had to provide a numeric code to receive the item, which has never happened before. I was used to having to sign for delivery, but this was new.

The knock came on the door, and I was greeted by an Amazon delivery person, who had a couple items for me (one was a flat bubble envelope that contained an accessory for a used camera I had purchased from another website and the other was a box that was supposed to be the $699 lens).

I asked the person if I really had to provide the code to receive the item, and she then told me it was telling her not to deliver the item because of some issue, so she had to call her support number to get help. Once on the phone with the support person, I gave them the code and received the box (I had already been handed the bubble envelope). Even though the box was much smaller and lighter than the lens box, I was so distracted by the whole spectacle I didn't think to refuse delivery since it clearly was not a lens.

Opened the box after I closed the door, and inside was a plastic bag with face masks. Not what I ordered! Ran down to the driver and she said it was in my hands now, but don't worry, these things happen and you can just return it and get a refund.

If it were only that easy. I called customer service right away and reported Wrong Item Received, and they said Don't worry, these things happen, and you can just return it and get a refund.

Amazon has had possession of the wrong item they sent me now for nearly one month, and no refund yet. I am worried I may be out the $699 plus tax. I paid for it with my Amazon store card, and I haven't called customer service yet to find out what the problem is.

So I have decided, no more photo gear (cameras or lenses) from Amazon. I will stick with BH Photo from now on, as I think they are more trustworthy.

I've never (ever) had a problem returning camera gear from Amazon

But have you ever had to return a box of face masks that were sent to you instead of the $699 lens you paid for? It's been one month now since they received the box of face masks back as the "wrong item received" return I started, and still no refund to my Amazon card yet. I think I am just going to call the card issuer and initiate a dispute on the charge with them instead of calling Amazon...

 

[Krusty79]

I would try calling them and ask to speak to a supervisor. I've placed a few orders from them recently with no problems, but no camera gear and nothing as expensive as a $700 lens.

I hope the delivery driver wasn't just being lazy when they said to just return it.

 

[camerosity]

I would try calling them and ask to speak to a supervisor. I've placed a few orders from them recently with no problems, but no camera gear and nothing as expensive as a $700 lens.

I hope the delivery driver wasn't just being lazy when they said to just return it.

I guess I am just being lazy not calling and following up, because this whole thing makes me so mad. And the thought that when I call they push back on me and tell me I sent the wrong item back to them, I'd probably just go ballistic and I really do not want to go there at all. So I am hoping daily they will get their act together and refund me. But you're right I should probably call and ask for a supervisor.

The delivery driver was a super young, super cute, blonde college girl, but legit and drove the big Amazon van. I think once I signed for and accepted the package (which was dumb of me I admit) she was out of the loop and it was my job to return it as wrong item sent. Upon doing some google searches it seems like this is a known scam and it has definitely soured my trust in Amazon for buying photo gear, and from now on I will buy from well known photo stores just in case (I have a couple local ones in town I can just drive to if I am in a hurry).

 

[Wingsfan]

It sounds like you still need to contact them again and speak to a supervisor. And or work through your credit card as well.

I will occasionally buy accessories, I just bought an SD card, from amazon, but I haven't bought a camera body or lens through them in probably 6 or 7 years, maybe longer, and I especially won't after the DPR situation last year. I still try to give my business to local brick and mortar camera shops whenever I can, and if not I will buy from the manufacturer Direct from one of the nationally known stores ( I realize they may not have refurbished options like Amazon will).

But the one or two times I had an issue with anything from amazon, it was always resolved quickly either with an email or one or two phone calls. So I suggest you do a little follow-up, after all it's the squeaky wheel.....

 

[bmoag]

There are several reports of people receiving bogus high end items from Amazon, sometimes Amazon will not take them back.

I had a dispute over a defective item shipped by Amazon but sold by a third party. I'm not sure I ever got more than a partial refund but that was after rounds of emails and online chat and it was for a fraction of the cost of that lens. More the principle of the thing then the amount of money.

The OP needs to get on the stick, but first check the credit card statement thoroughly to see what if anything has been refunded. If you're passive they win.

 

[beagle1]

I would try calling them and ask to speak to a supervisor. I've placed a few orders from them recently with no problems, but no camera gear and nothing as expensive as a $700 lens.

I hope the delivery driver wasn't just being lazy when they said to just return it.

I guess I am just being lazy not calling and following up, because this whole thing makes me so mad. And the thought that when I call they push back on me and tell me I sent the wrong item back to them, I'd probably just go ballistic and I really do not want to go there at all. So I am hoping daily they will get their act together and refund me. But you're right I should probably call and ask for a supervisor.

The delivery driver was a super young, super cute, blonde college girl, but legit and drove the big Amazon van. I think once I signed for and accepted the package (which was dumb of me I admit) she was out of the loop and it was my job to return it as wrong item sent. Upon doing some google searches it seems like this is a known scam and it has definitely soured my trust in Amazon for buying photo gear, and from now on I will buy from well known photo stores just in case (I have a couple local ones in town I can just drive to if I am in a hurry).

I used the chat function in my one and only problem with Amazon (so far)

very easy to get a refund

 

[number_5]

The OP needs to get on the stick, but first check the credit card statement thoroughly to see what if anything has been refunded. If you're passive they win.

Also check the Amazon credit (under Gift Card Balance, I think). Someone I know checked his card for more than a week, and it turned out the refund was in the form of Amazon credit.