Bought a Sony A7IV and received Scrap
My Shocking Experience with Amazon’s Camera Delivery Gone Wrong
Have you ever waited excitedly for something you bought online, only to feel disappointed when it arrived? That’s what happened to me recently when I ordered the new Sony A7IV camera from Amazon.
I’m really into photography, so getting the Sony A7IV was a big deal for me. After looking at lots of options and saving up, I finally bought it using my credit card in monthly payments. I imagined all the amazing pictures I could take with it.
But when I opened the box, instead of the awesome camera I was expecting, I found a bunch of scrap camera parts. It felt like my dreams were crushed right in front of me.
Key Order Details
- Product: Sony Alpha ILCE-7M4K Full-Frame Hybrid Camera 33MP Interchangeable-Lens Mirrorless Camera with 28–70mm Digital Zoom Lens — Black
- Order#: 403–0677718–1385126
- Ordered on: 24 April 2024
- EMI: Rs. 9270.38 for 24 months
- Sold by: Appario Retail Private LTD
- Delivery recording:
- Return:
I recorded the whole unboxing process, as I usually do. The video shows how risky online shopping can be, even with a trusted seller.
I contacted Amazon’s customer service right away, hoping for a quick fix, but it didn’t happen. Every time I called, I got a different answer. For example, one representative said that after three unsuccessful pickup attempts, the return would be initiated without any further requirements. But when I called back two days later, another representative said she wasn’t aware of any such rule and couldn’t find any notes or comments about it.
Finally, after three weeks of calling, chatting, and emailing, they refunded the money. It was really stressful, especially since I’d heard stories online of people not getting refunds.
What did I lose?
- Mental health
- Time and Effort
- HDFC Processing fee (Rs. 199)
My suggestions to Amazon:
- Offer open-box delivery.
- Enforce strict penalties for offenders.
- Improve delivery security and monitor vendors, banning repeat offenders permanently.
- Implement a standardized flow in your app for such incidents, with a section for representative comments.
My suggestions to the Indian Government:
To ensure quicker resolution of such complaints, it’s crucial to streamline the process, resolving them within a maximum of two weeks. As a working professional dedicating time and contributing taxes for the country’s progress, it’s unrealistic for us to follow up for months.
My story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who places their trust in online retailers. While the convenience of online shopping is undeniable, incidents like mine underscore the importance of remaining vigilant and advocating for better consumer protection measures.
I’ve been an Amazon customer for ten years, spending over a million INR. This was my first purchase over a lakh, and it might be my last.
For those curious about my next steps, I’ll opt to buy the camera offline this time. In the future, I’ll likely limit my online purchases, especially for items over 50k INR, or opt for Flipkart if they offer the product, mainly because of their open-box delivery option.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my experience. Let’s work together to ensure that incidents like mine are not overlooked and that consumers are afforded the protection and accountability they deserve in the online marketplace.
