MSE News: Been charged for unwanted Amazon Prime? Here's how to cancel

Tropez

custardy wrote: »

Amazon use whatever suits them. Either by cost,logistical reasons or whatever.
none of their couriers could handle Amazons entire daily volume.

Fair enough. I just wondered whether they'd stopped using them since, as I mention, everything here seems to come from Amazon Logistics now.

I've just done a quick scoot around on Google and it appears Amazon Logistics have two locations near me, one of which is much closer than the nearest Yodel depot, so possibly it is just more cost-effective.

I figured with the "No-Rush" deliveries showing up rather quickly they just bunged it on the next route that was passing near my address, as I'd imagine that doesn't add much to their costs since they'll be in the area anyway?

Tropez

valentinesbabe wrote: »

I had the Amazon Prime membership just over a year ago and decided to let it run for the year, however I decided I didn't want to continue with it and as the card I'd used to pay with had expired I thought I wouldn't need to do anything. Amazon however used other card details it had on file for me and took payment from one of those!! Absolutely outrageous. While I acknowledge I should have cancelled formally I can't believe they think it is okay to take payment from another card without my knowledge or consent! I shall be chasing it up!!

You might want to read the Terms and Conditions - specifically the Fees Renewal section, and even more specifically the part in capitals:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200198240

YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL AUTOMATICALLY RENEW AND YOU AUTHORISE US (WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE TO YOU) TO COLLECT THE THEN-APPLICABLE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE USING ANY PAYMENT CARD WE HAVE ON RECORD FOR YOU.

It isn't "outrageous" that they abided by the terms you agreed to when you signed up and you already did consent to this by agreeing to these terms when you signed up.

Still, Amazon aren't that bad. If you ask nicely and not accuse them of poor form they'll probably refund you.

bod1467

valentinesbabe wrote: »

however I decided I didn't want to continue with it and as the card I'd used to pay with had expired I thought I wouldn't need to do anything.

A classic case of thinking cancelling the payment method cancels the contract (and contractual liability). :T

1964posh

Receiving Martins regular newsletter reminded me that I had accidentally signed up and paid up to Prime. I chose contact by 'Chat'
The agent had agreed and issued my refund within 1 minute. I was expecting a bit of a battle and was delighted at the speed of the resolution.

paulsouthport

There are a lot of "you signed up, it's your own fault" comments here.
Well, my my case, I had a Lovefilm account, which I had used over a couple of years, paying the monthly subs. During the time I had it, I used 3 different cards, 2 as I was migrating bills between accounts and the 3rd when my wife took over the account.

Amazon, who took over Lovefilm, charged all 3 cards the £79 fee each. 2 from Amazon in Europe and one from Amazon in USA.

To be clear, there was only 1 account, in UK. But 3 charges on 3 cards.

To be fair, Amazon immediately refunded all 3 charges when told, but, it's perhaps not as clear cut as people like to make out.

BobBruce

I recently joined Amazon Prime and it was crystal clear that a) it was a trial and b) you could cancel. I cannot believe this story was run without bothering to check.

airds

Muppets.

And just to prove it, only THREE have said "Thank You to MSE Helen For This Useful Post" - out of ~2700 views - sums it up ....

ps
It's a good service for £6.58/m -if you can afford the annual sub in one go - with free next day delivery - especially if you use Amazon a lot for items anyway, read kindle books, and has unlimited video streaming and photo storage.

gomerpyl3

Amazon have many flaws, but I don't blame them for this. Waaay back in 2012 I took out a free trial. I knew it was for 30 days, then would renew at the then annual rate of £49 (now £79). It said this whilst I was opting in, I then got an email that saying the same thing[emphasis mine]...

If you want to continue after your free trial, do nothing. Your membership will automatically continue and we will charge the payment method you used when you signed up £49 for the next year and annually after that.

Yes, I looked through my old emails to find this.

I don't read terms & conditions normally, I can't be bothered to do it - consequences of this are varied, including a company legally whoring my details to anyone who will pay for them, or in gaming me agreeing to allow my avatar to be used in promotional stuff. It may even say that I must allow their sheep to graze upon my land. If I click 'accept', it's my responsibility.

If you are complaining about it now, there's probably a lesson there somewhere. I won't spell it out here, because you won't read that either.

I jest, of course. You've stuck with me so far...

Although, to be fair to those of you who responded before me - the general mood here so far is that fools and their money are soon parted.

song6ird

I signed up for prime and to prevent myself from incurring the charge cancelled immediately after receiving the quick delivery. I wish I'd realised I could enjoy use of prime for the whole free trial period even after clicking the 'don't continue membership' button. I too failed to read all the t&cs but the need to cancel was quite clear. Free trials almost alway sign you up for a charge after the free trial ends. No-one likes reading all the small print but if we don't we have only ourselves to blame.

00kitkat00

Thanks MSE, £79 went out of my account in January and I thought I was doomed assumed I must have signed up and agreed to something unwittingly. Just clicked the buttons as instructed and received notification of the refund hurrah