So, ordered an external enclosure for a laptop optical drive from an Amazon retailer knowing full well it would come by “slow boat from China,” since it wasn’t a critical piece of equipment and not needed tout de suite. Eventually, it arrived. Again, no problems with the six week delivery time, since I ordered it with an expectation that delivery would be glacially slow.
But.
It was neither as described in the product description nor as pictured on the product display. It was missing the ONE essential element that allows using a laptop optical drive as an external, portable drive: an interface card. The card was neither built into the enclosure nor flopping around loose in the box. I had a plastic box, a couple of short USB cables, and a faceplate. Useless, except perhaps for target practice.
Corresponded with the seller. Seller wanted pictures of what was missing from the box. Yes, that is indeed what was stated.
*head-desk*
After several emails back and forth (and a complete unboxing sequence sent, along with copies of the text and pictures from the product page for comparison), the company offered to “make me whole” by refunding all but $0.44 of what I paid them for the trash they sent me to dispose of for them.
*sigh*
But at least they didn’t ask me to send their trash back to them.
Still, one strike and the seller is OUT. I’ll never buy from this seller again. Seller “TOOGOO”? “Disrecommended”
I ordered an audio CD about four years ago from a third party reseller through Amazon. Several weeks later I received a book. When I left feedback because I received a completely different product than the one I ordered Amazon deleted my feedback calling it a product review.
I don’t trust Amazon to make things right when third party resellers are involved, or to let people know when they aren’t as advertised.
I’m very surprised you were able to contact the actual seller, let alone get your money back.
Amazon seems to have modified its policy. Now, if one reports a problem, one is immediately referred to the seller, with means provided to contact the seller, and Amazon notifies the buyer that the seller HAS received the complaint–at least that’s how it worked for me. I also was able to leave a review detailing about exactly what I wrote here, as well.
*shrugs* Perhaps Amazon was toasted enough by others with your experience making it change its evil ways. . .