A bribe to remove a negative Amazon review

Sam_J12

I recently purchased a piece of IT equipment from a seller on Amazon. I was unhappy with it and consequently left a two star review for the item on Amazon a few days later. My complaint was not due to a malfunction but because the item was described as "silent" but its normal operation is clearly anything but silent. I did not bother returning the item because I am now abroad and it is simply too inconvenient - plus it was only £15 so thought I would just take the hit.

This morning I received an email from the seller saying they were disappointed I did not like the item and offered a full refund without the need to return the item, if I would just remove the poor review. They were even so kind as to include a link through which I could directly remove the review. The email was clearly just a standard email copy and pasted, other than the link at the end and my name at the top, so I am guessing this company does this regularly.

Is this standard practise and are they allowed to do this by Amazon? Have others here had this experience? It would seem to compromise the entire review system on Amazon if this is common practise. I am inclined to turn down the £15 and amend the review to let people know the seller tried to bribe me.

wdah

I had a similar experience once, but the seller was offering a replacement or refund as mine was likely faulty. I took the replacement and amended my review accordingly.

I guess the issue here is whether you think it's a one off faulty unit, or something that's being sold dishonestly. It's strange they haven't offered a replacement.

Kim_13

In this case I could see the refund never materialising. Presumably if you remove the review and they didn't keep their end of the bargain, you couldn't then reinstate it.

Jennifer_Jane

I would add the comment to my current review per your last sentence without mentioning the word "bribe" of course. Disgraceful on their part. People depend on the reviews for information, and you might be saving someone else - many people, in fact - from wasting their money.

poorRob

I wouldn't be too hasty to judge them. Most retailers actually say on their website they'd rather you contact them first in the event of a problem to give them the chance to put things right before you write a review.
Did you do that?

wdah

poorRob wrote: »

I wouldn't be too hasty to judge them. Most retailers actually say on their website they'd rather you contact them first in the event of a problem to give them the chance to put things right before you write a review.

On Amazon you're reviewing the product though, not the seller. If you've been sent a duff item it's only fair to warn others, regardless of how the seller reacts when you tell them.

britgal

It sounds really dodgy, especially if you feel the reply was generic - that makes it seem it has been sent out more than once! i would report them. Would there be a guarantee of the refund before you removed your comment for example...

Sunny_Saver

I once bought a trolley bag on Amazon. It broke after first use. When I told them, they refused to refund me unless I paid an admin charge. I wrote negative feedback. They offered to refund me without an admin charge if I removed it.

I sent the whole email trail plus complaint to Trading Standards.

Result: full refund received, negative feedback left on.

skid112

I ordered an item on Amazon which was never sent out, I did get my money back after a long protracted dispute. Left appalling feedback which they then offered me £10 to remove, so i reviewed my review stating they had tried to bribe me to remove negative feedback