What is the difference between Amazon and Amazon?

aitkegs

Well you can go online and see the well recognised logo and think no need to worry here I'm dealing with a global entity and any problems I have will be quickly sorted out.

But beware! Make sure that if you are in the UK you deal with Amazon.co.uk whereas elsewhere you deal with Amazon.com - they are two separate entities and they DO NOT speak to each other.

No big deal you would think but in this world of globalisation, I, like many others, have family overseas and for Christmas I was given an Amazon voucher from my relatives in Singapore.  The voucher was purchased from ".com" and it was only when I tried to add the voucher to my ".co.uk" account that I became aware of the difference.

Despite emails and online chat advice etc. neither my relative nor I have been able to arrange for a refund so that a 'switch' can be made for the voucher's value.

The customer service email address 'cs-reply@amazon.com' now bounces my attempts to contact them and Amazon advisers have been unable to assist further.

Anyone else faced with this?

powerful_Rogue

aitkegs said:

Well you can go online and see the well recognised logo and think no need to worry here I'm dealing with a global entity and any problems I have will be quickly sorted out.

But beware! Make sure that if you are in the UK you deal with Amazon.co.uk whereas elsewhere you deal with Amazon.com - they are two separate entities and they DO NOT speak to each other.

No big deal you would think but in this world of globalisation, I, like many others, have family overseas and for Christmas I was given an Amazon voucher from my relatives in Singapore.  The voucher was purchased from ".com" and it was only when I tried to add the voucher to my ".co.uk" account that I became aware of the difference.

Despite emails and online chat advice etc. neither my relative nor I have been able to arrange for a refund so that a 'switch' can be made for the voucher's value.

The customer service email address 'cs-reply@amazon.com' now bounces my attempts to contact them and Amazon advisers have been unable to assist further.

Anyone else faced with this?

Did the fact the gift voucher was showing in $ and not £ concern you?

Nope, never had this problem and have used most of the various Amazons.

George_Michael

If you have no other option  , you can go to Amazon.com and log in using your .co.uk log in details and add the card to your account there.
You can the use the balance to buy items that are available for delivery to the UK.
The postage costs can sometimes be quite cheap and the import duties can normally be paid upfront.

Either that or if you have any friends  or relatives in the USA, use the balance to buy presents for them.

aitkegs

Thanks - but I do object to the excessive shipping costs when compared to posting the same/similar item from the UK.

powerful_Rogue

aitkegs said:

Thanks - but I do object to the excessive shipping costs when compared to posting the same/similar item from the UK.

In fairness it does have a lot further to travel!

However, somethings do work out cheaper even with the shipping costs and 20% tax.

Aylesbury_Duck

You're objecting about the wrong party.  This is your relatives' fault for not checking.  I don't see why Amazon.com should have any obligation to swap funds with Amazon.co.uk any more than if your relatives had sent you, for example, a region-locked technical item you couldn't use in the UK, despite it being badged by a global brand.

George_Michael

powerful_Rogue said:

aitkegs said:

Thanks - but I do object to the excessive shipping costs when compared to posting the same/similar item from the UK.

In fairness it does have a lot further to travel!

However, somethings do work out cheaper even with the shipping costs and 20% tax.

Agreed.
I often buy goods from Amazon.com and these are either items that can't be bought in the UK or which are far cheaper in the USA.
Postage is reasonable ( normally about $6 to $8 for small items) and generally takes about 7 to 10 days to arrive.
I've not ordered anything since the low value consignment relief was removed but checking on  the Amazon website, prepaying  the VAT is easy enough. 

IvanOpinion

We have had this happen to us (quite a healthy .com voucher balance).  Normally this wouldn't be a problem because  travel to and from the US several times a year (so can order stuff and get it delivered to a colleague), however with COVID (and working for a company that cares) this isn't happening.

I haven't yet decided what I will be doing but I was hoping that if I buy kindle books or downloadable music I can at least avoid delivery and maybe duties.  That is the plan - never got round to trying it though.

aitkegs

Aylesbury_Duck said:

You're objecting about the wrong party.  This is your relatives' fault for not checking.  I don't see why Amazon.com should have any obligation to swap funds with Amazon.co.uk any more than if your relatives had sent you, for example, a region-locked technical item you couldn't use in the UK, despite it being badged by a global brand.

Not really the point to be honest - if there were any warning on either site then I would agree - but there isn't.  And what's the big deal about getting a refund - .com advisers say it's such an easy process - I wish it were when it comes to actually trying to get it.

aitkegs

Aylesbury_Duck said:

You're objecting about the wrong party.  This is your relatives' fault for not checking.  I don't see why Amazon.com should have any obligation to swap funds with Amazon.co.uk any more than if your relatives had sent you, for example, a region-locked technical item you couldn't use in the UK, despite it being badged by a global brand.

Also in reference to your comment on the logo - if I go into a MacDonalds - I don't expect to be greeted by a KFC menu!

MattMattMattUK

aitkegs said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

You're objecting about the wrong party.  This is your relatives' fault for not checking.  I don't see why Amazon.com should have any obligation to swap funds with Amazon.co.uk any more than if your relatives had sent you, for example, a region-locked technical item you couldn't use in the UK, despite it being badged by a global brand.

Also in reference to your comment on the logo - if I go into a MacDonalds - I don't expect to be greeted by a KFC menu!

However if you go into McDonalds in the UK, the menu will be different to McDonalds France, or McDonalds USA, and there is some seriously weird stuff on the menu in McDonalds in parts of Asia. Also a McDonalds UK voucher will not be valid in any other country.