Amazon... A warning.
07-05-21 | 12:50 PM
#102
QR-disc must die!!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 703
Likes: 199
From: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.
Death to Amazon .com. Also, sanction Bezos, and claw back all the taxes that he has avoided paying.
07-05-21 | 12:56 PM
#103
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 522
Likes: 95
From: TX
Bikes: Downtube IX NS&FS, Dahon Speed8Pro/Matrix/Curve, Brom S2L,Montague Para, ICE-XL w/Rollie/Schlumpf, Trident Spike, ebikes, BFSatRDay
Fake / paid / manufactured reviews are a big problem.
Plus many of the "Ask a Question" comments are from totally unknowledgeable sources,
along the lines of "I don't have one but it might fit.."resulting from Amazon soliciting comments without vetting who they are asking , answers, or respondents.
Erroneous Pictures, bad descriptions, irregular pricing , shipping outside of Amazon , and counterfeits are growing.
The whole Fulfillment By Amazon process is poorly monitored to prevent problems, and may encourage them.
Even with trying to be cautious it appears a crapshoot.
? Documentation?
80% of the Shimano Acera RD I just searched for were copies, conspicuous counterfeits, mislabeled, were sold outside of Prime with delays and/or high shipping or priced as 4-5X retail gotchas. Run the search, yourself and see.
The faux Customer Service is generous, because their monitoring of vendors is so bad, like they are just in on the game.
This is driving out good vendors, who get doubly stung.
It's getting to be as risky as Alibaba, which appears to be their model for the future.
Last edited by bikebikebike; 07-05-21 at 05:22 PM.
07-05-21 | 01:10 PM
#104
High Plains Luddite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 682
Likes: 102
From: Colorado
Bikes: 3x8 & 3x9
I don't do business with Amazon for several reasons.
The reason I get a daily reminder about is how poorly their delivery drivers drive and especially how they park. They regularly block narrow streets in the city. They often stop their truck in the middle of the road so no cars can pass. Where streets are wide enough for them to pull over to the curb or sidewalk and park, they often don't pull over far enough. They just stop wherever they want to and get out with no attempt to get out of the way of other drivers. Where streets are wider, they routinely park on the wrong side of the road. I don't mean once in a while either; I see this crap EVERY SINGLE DAY in the neighborhood where I live in the suburbs and in the urban neighborhood twenty miles from home where I work. It happens everywhere and 99% of the time it's a blue Amazon truck. Rarely is it a FedEx or UPS or USPS vehicle.
The reason I get a daily reminder about is how poorly their delivery drivers drive and especially how they park. They regularly block narrow streets in the city. They often stop their truck in the middle of the road so no cars can pass. Where streets are wide enough for them to pull over to the curb or sidewalk and park, they often don't pull over far enough. They just stop wherever they want to and get out with no attempt to get out of the way of other drivers. Where streets are wider, they routinely park on the wrong side of the road. I don't mean once in a while either; I see this crap EVERY SINGLE DAY in the neighborhood where I live in the suburbs and in the urban neighborhood twenty miles from home where I work. It happens everywhere and 99% of the time it's a blue Amazon truck. Rarely is it a FedEx or UPS or USPS vehicle.
07-05-21 | 03:57 PM
#106
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 478
Also, maybe I've had good luck but I've purchased stuff (not much bike stuff, but lots of other stuff) from all kinds of sketchy vendors on Aliexpress over the years and never had a problem. I've also had good luck with various potentially "questionable looking" European bike-specific websites (example, lordgun.com) that have had surprisingly good service.
07-05-21 | 04:12 PM
#107
Rhapsodic Laviathan
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 144
From: Louisville KY
Bikes: Rideable; 83 Schwinn High Sierra. Two cruiser, bmx bike, one other mtb, three road frames, one citybike.
I guess I'm the only one who realized a lot of amazon sellers are the same ones selling on wish?
07-06-21 | 06:11 AM
#108
Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9,143
Likes: 1,736
From: Wherever I am
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
As Amazon is often times just a store front to an unknown seller, you are right in that it can be risky to buy just about anything on Amazon. Pay attention to the "Ships from and sold by" reference below the buy button on the right. That'll show who is really selling the part and you can investigate the company a little. If the "Arrives" date is several weeks to several months, you can be sure the merchant is in a foreign country.
I ordered Ultegra SPD-SL pedals on Amazon earlier this Spring w/o issue and they sure look legit. I am waiting for XTR brake rotors purchased on Amazon to arrive tomorrow. I noticed the rotors are coming from a bike shop in Florida via FedEx, so they're obviously not being stocked by Amazon.
The good news about buying on Amazon is that returning an item should be pretty easy... you can return items at your nearest Kohl's Department Store or through certain UPS Stores (if you're in the USA). Now that Shimano put the crack-down on gray market parts a few years back, I've found that Amazon usually has the lowest prices on brand name parts like Shimano. I used to buy my parts from UK bike shops but now the over seas shops will no longer sell to customers in the USA or their prices are no better than what we can get from US based stores.
I ordered Ultegra SPD-SL pedals on Amazon earlier this Spring w/o issue and they sure look legit. I am waiting for XTR brake rotors purchased on Amazon to arrive tomorrow. I noticed the rotors are coming from a bike shop in Florida via FedEx, so they're obviously not being stocked by Amazon.
The good news about buying on Amazon is that returning an item should be pretty easy... you can return items at your nearest Kohl's Department Store or through certain UPS Stores (if you're in the USA). Now that Shimano put the crack-down on gray market parts a few years back, I've found that Amazon usually has the lowest prices on brand name parts like Shimano. I used to buy my parts from UK bike shops but now the over seas shops will no longer sell to customers in the USA or their prices are no better than what we can get from US based stores.
07-06-21 | 07:25 AM
#109
For The Fun of It
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,125
Likes: 1,997
From: Louisissippi Coast
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
I have built quite a few bikes from the frame up. I have done so without using Amazon. I buy largely from reputable ebay sellers in the USA, most of whom have a physical store front.
07-06-21 | 08:27 AM
#110
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,699
Likes: 10,236
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Amazon is the new Monsanto or Walmart when it comes to the emotional outbursts and inconsistencies displayed by consumers. Good lord.
I use Amazon from time to time when it is advantageous. Otherwise I just use any number of other retailers. Making it a moral decision just opens up way too many inconsistencies. Declaring you wont buy from Amazon due to warehouse worker pay or knockoff products while you impatiently wait in line at McDonalds for a meal so you can then run over to any number of clothing retailers that sell fast fashion is flippin hilarious. <--this very real scenario and countless others similar to it play out over and over again every day in families across the country(and world).
I bought a Brooks c17 saddle a few months ago off Amazon for $79. Cheaper than anywhere by $25-50 and delivered in 2 days.
I bought half a dozen helmets over the winter because of free returns. Super simple and convenient for figuring out what I wanted.
I use Amazon from time to time when it is advantageous. Otherwise I just use any number of other retailers. Making it a moral decision just opens up way too many inconsistencies. Declaring you wont buy from Amazon due to warehouse worker pay or knockoff products while you impatiently wait in line at McDonalds for a meal so you can then run over to any number of clothing retailers that sell fast fashion is flippin hilarious. <--this very real scenario and countless others similar to it play out over and over again every day in families across the country(and world).
I bought a Brooks c17 saddle a few months ago off Amazon for $79. Cheaper than anywhere by $25-50 and delivered in 2 days.
I bought half a dozen helmets over the winter because of free returns. Super simple and convenient for figuring out what I wanted.
07-06-21 | 07:46 PM
#111
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 574
Likes: 78
From: Wisconsin
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Paramount, 2017 Raleigh Clubman Carbon, 2015 Felt Z75 Disc, 2008 Fuji Cross Comp, 2010 Trek Navigator 1.0, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1974 Schwinn Le Tour, 2017 Giant Anyroad 2, Surly Cross Check, 2021 Giant Talon 2
They are a last resort for me. Usually easy to find cheaper elsewhere.
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07-08-21 | 08:20 AM
#112
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 710
Likes: 144
From: Va
Bikes: Trek DS 8.3 - cannondale M500
Amazon makes a ton of money from third party sellers and also back charges them for advertisements. So I doubt they care much about counterfeit things of any kind. I listened to a podcast once about amazon and it's scary how much they own, control, manipulate etc....
07-08-21 | 11:04 AM
#113
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
07-09-21 | 06:00 AM
#114
Banned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,585
Likes: 6,538
From: TN
Amazon is the new Monsanto or Walmart when it comes to the emotional outbursts and inconsistencies displayed by consumers. Good lord.
I use Amazon from time to time when it is advantageous. Otherwise I just use any number of other retailers. Making it a moral decision just opens up way too many inconsistencies. Declaring you wont buy from Amazon due to warehouse worker pay or knockoff products while you impatiently wait in line at McDonalds for a meal so you can then run over to any number of clothing retailers that sell fast fashion is flippin hilarious. <--this very real scenario and countless others similar to it play out over and over again every day in families across the country(and world).
I bought a Brooks c17 saddle a few months ago off Amazon for $79. Cheaper than anywhere by $25-50 and delivered in 2 days.
I bought half a dozen helmets over the winter because of free returns. Super simple and convenient for figuring out what I wanted.
I use Amazon from time to time when it is advantageous. Otherwise I just use any number of other retailers. Making it a moral decision just opens up way too many inconsistencies. Declaring you wont buy from Amazon due to warehouse worker pay or knockoff products while you impatiently wait in line at McDonalds for a meal so you can then run over to any number of clothing retailers that sell fast fashion is flippin hilarious. <--this very real scenario and countless others similar to it play out over and over again every day in families across the country(and world).
I bought a Brooks c17 saddle a few months ago off Amazon for $79. Cheaper than anywhere by $25-50 and delivered in 2 days.
I bought half a dozen helmets over the winter because of free returns. Super simple and convenient for figuring out what I wanted.
07-09-21 | 06:30 AM
#115
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 734
Likes: 212
From: Northern Virginia
Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
This is a good thread. I've bought auto and bike parts on eBay and Amazon without trouble, but there are YouTube videos of people unboxing obvious fakes. There are a lot of counterfeit high-end spark plugs on Amazon ... selling super super cheap. I agree with the people who emphasized how important it is to look into who you are buying from. If it is shipped by Amazon, it should be fine. And there are a lot of LBSs who have turned to eBay and Amazon to help keep their business afloat. My wife and I sell jewelry on eBay and etsy, and we are able to make a great income, and put our kids through college. Best bet is to read the feedback carefully.
07-09-21 | 10:53 AM
#116
Tragically Ignorant
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
Likes: 9,108
From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
My largest beef with Amazon is that the ratings often include ratings for items that are not for the exact product you are buying. I have looked at items where the ratings reference features not available on the actual item being listed. In some cases it is a higher or lower level item by the same manufacturer and even may include ratings of discontinued products. I have gotten counterfeit DVDs from Amazon, but they did refund the money.
It's even worse than that. If you are going by ratings, you definitely need to look beyond the number of stars. Sometimes, not only is it not the exact same product, they had a rash of listings where they actually weren't even for the same kind of product because they kept the 4-5 star review rating but completely changed the product description. So, for example, you could see that a lawn mower had a 4 1/2 star rating, only to look at the reviews and find out they were actually discussing a crock pot.
07-09-21 | 11:34 AM
#117
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Likes: 324
Bikes: 2 many
No problems here with Amazon. (while reading this tread, USPS dropped off a package for my daughter, Amazon made a delivery across the street, and FedEx just dropped off something for me). My order was placed yesterday.
07-30-21 | 12:11 PM
#118
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 522
Likes: 95
From: TX
Bikes: Downtube IX NS&FS, Dahon Speed8Pro/Matrix/Curve, Brom S2L,Montague Para, ICE-XL w/Rollie/Schlumpf, Trident Spike, ebikes, BFSatRDay
Agree with most all the above.
Burned on Ebay for COUNTERFEIT SHIMANO ACERA. RD
To be honest I would have been OK with a decent copy, but this was pictured labeled and advertised as real.
This was not as pictured with poor finish, machining and tolerances. That is simply FRAUD
AMAZON made it hard to vet their stock, packed with more red flags than Red Square on May Day
Cost of weeding through scams is added to the cost of real deal, and if they were in stock would have been the better deal up front.
Ebay counterfeits on my watch ˜ 50%.. AMZ running 25-80%
Burned on Ebay for COUNTERFEIT SHIMANO ACERA. RD
To be honest I would have been OK with a decent copy, but this was pictured labeled and advertised as real.
This was not as pictured with poor finish, machining and tolerances. That is simply FRAUD
AMAZON made it hard to vet their stock, packed with more red flags than Red Square on May Day
Cost of weeding through scams is added to the cost of real deal, and if they were in stock would have been the better deal up front.
Ebay counterfeits on my watch ˜ 50%.. AMZ running 25-80%
07-30-21 | 06:28 PM
#119
For The Fun of It
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,125
Likes: 1,997
From: Louisissippi Coast
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
Agree with most all the above.
Burned on Ebay for COUNTERFEIT SHIMANO ACERA. RD
To be honest I would have been OK with a decent copy, but this was pictured labeled and advertised as real.
This was not as pictured with poor finish, machining and tolerances. That is simply FRAUD
AMAZON made it hard to vet their stock, packed with more red flags than Red Square on May Day
Cost of weeding through scams is added to the cost of real deal, and if they were in stock would have been the better deal up front.
Ebay counterfeits on my watch ˜ 50%.. AMZ running 25-80%
Burned on Ebay for COUNTERFEIT SHIMANO ACERA. RD
To be honest I would have been OK with a decent copy, but this was pictured labeled and advertised as real.
This was not as pictured with poor finish, machining and tolerances. That is simply FRAUD
AMAZON made it hard to vet their stock, packed with more red flags than Red Square on May Day
Cost of weeding through scams is added to the cost of real deal, and if they were in stock would have been the better deal up front.
Ebay counterfeits on my watch ˜ 50%.. AMZ running 25-80%
In hindsight, could any additional diligence have weeded that out?
US based seller?
Long Seller history?
Someone advertising themselves as a US based seller but showing long ship times?
Feedback score?
Language issues in description?
The last item I ordered from Ebay was advertised as being in Connecticut but was shipped from China. It took much longer than advertised. When I went back and did my homework on the seller, I realized I had been lazy with my diligence.
https://www.ebay.com/usr/privatecapi_0
07-30-21 | 07:41 PM
#120
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 113
Likes: 16
From: Michigan
Bikes: Miyata, Bridgestone, Trek
08-01-21 | 08:54 PM
#121
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 522
Likes: 95
From: TX
Bikes: Downtube IX NS&FS, Dahon Speed8Pro/Matrix/Curve, Brom S2L,Montague Para, ICE-XL w/Rollie/Schlumpf, Trident Spike, ebikes, BFSatRDay
I would have given this last one a C+ on listing clues, a few hints, but you would have had to look real real close,
and a big overlap with the better, but not crisp, vendors. Mostly one maybe two words out of place , and one misleading inconsistency in descriptions
"ÜS based", high volume , no recent bad feedback of 96% overall
He flipped into a total refund at the first complaint, which is prolly how he keeps his feedback.
buyers don't want to get into a flame war in feedback, so he banks on being under reported.
Soft clue in that most other items in recent feedback were low priced.
I am out time and hassle
08-02-21 | 03:12 PM
#122
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457
Likes: 85
From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: 2017 Surly Cross-Check. 2020 Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0, 2002 GT Dyno Roadster, 2002 Rans Stratus, 2020 Giant Fathom 2, 2011 Trek Pure Sport
I recently Prime-purchased some combo shifters that looked like Shimano, but were no-name on the description or pictures. What I got in the mail was counterfeit Shimano labeled shifters of really bad quality....brake levers wobbly, barrel adjusters wonky, etc. I sent them back. Easy lesson learned without the cost of owning them.
I have made a lot of purchases on Amazon, and I usually have no regrets. When you need to sell a bike, Saddles and grips are very cheap and of decent quality (but not so comfortable) I found decent brake pads too that seem to hold up just fine.
On the other hand, pre-pandemic, I would almost always find what I was looking for in the cheap at my LBS that sells UltraCycle parts. No frills, cheap, and decent...not pro stuff, but you get the drift.
I have made a lot of purchases on Amazon, and I usually have no regrets. When you need to sell a bike, Saddles and grips are very cheap and of decent quality (but not so comfortable) I found decent brake pads too that seem to hold up just fine.
On the other hand, pre-pandemic, I would almost always find what I was looking for in the cheap at my LBS that sells UltraCycle parts. No frills, cheap, and decent...not pro stuff, but you get the drift.
