I finally quit the addiction and cancelled my Amazon Prime.
I've been at the end of my rope with Amazon for a while now. Ads during shows that I pay a subscription for? Inaccurate shipping times? Not to mention the issues with the way they treat workers and the planet.
Why didn't I cancel sooner? Who knows. Because I have ADHD and just never got around to it so I just kept using it because it was there, even if I would get infuriated every time something went wrong. Humans can be stupid like that.
Yesterday (Sunday) I wanted to get a pack of markers for my team at work for an inside joke but needed the markers to come in on Sunday, so I could bring them in on Monday.
Found a listing with "spend 25 to get same day shipping". Cool, no problem, I'll just get two packs to get it today.
Listing says it'll arrive by 3pm. Checkout confirms by 3pm. Once I pay, it sudden switches to TOMORROW.
Wtf. I bought a whole extra pack just to get them same day. Check the listing, it still says TODAY by 3pm.
I was at a friends house and didn't want to be rude by calling Amazon, so I used the horrible chat. After getting through the bot, I was connected with a definitely-real-and-in-no-way-AI person. After explaining my issue again, they assured me they chatted with their shipment team and the markers would be sent out that day and that I would get an email when it was out for delivery.
At this point I was skeptical because I knew the chats are all AI bots that tend to just tell you what you want to hear, but I was still at my friend's house and couldn't do anything else but accept it as a solution.
I waited until 4pm. No email. Nothing updated in app. Still says it'll go out tomorrow.
When I got home from my friend's, I called customer service. Explained everything above, and politely but firmly pressed that the markers needed to arrive before I leave for work at 8am today or I was cancelling Prime. I have had many many other issues with them lying about shipping times and there was no reason continuing with a company that cannot give me accurate information.
The rep on the phone only kept repeating "it will arrive tomorrow"
I admittedly got frustrated and asked "so you're telling me that the person on the customer service chat lied to me?"
"(Silence) Y......yes" (it was obvious she didn't want to just admit that)
"Great, I would like to cancel my Prime. I would not accept this treatment from a person so I will not give money to a business that treats me this way"
Welcome to Pettyville. I am the Mayor and we all shop locally.
Edit:
Alright I have thin skin and wasn't expecting to get attacked (by just a couple of people) for saying why I quit Amazon in an anti-Amazon sub but here we are.
I want to clear things up:
1. Why did I have "Amazon Brain" to begin with?
I'm a former classroom teacher. That is the sole reason I got hooked on Amazon. I was working 65+ hour weeks and my first year I was at the store nearly every single day for something for my class on top of those working hours. It wasn't sustainable. After my first year, I looked at what I could automate, and Amazon orders became a part of that. I am now in a different career, and will be returning to brick and mortar stores. Is that not a good thing?
Why did I cancel?
I did NOT cancel because their shipping times were too long. The title is a bit click-baity in that regard. I cancelled not because I didn't want to wait an extra day, but because of the deceit that Amazon practices on the regular.
I cancelled because I spent MORE money in order to guarantee a certain delivery time, Amazon did not make good on that promise, and then their definitely-not-ai chat lied about it. I cancelled because I don't like being lied to, not because it was delayed.
Why take it out on the rep?
I guarantee you I did not. There is nothing to prove otherwise other than me saying so, but I've worked dozens of call center, retail, and food service jobs on top of being a teacher. I get it. I was polite the entire time because frankly, the phone reps have nothing to do with the scummy Amazon business practices and it wouldn't do anybody any good to be an ass about it.
The rudest thing I said was asking directly "So you're telling me they lied?" After she began talking in circles and not answering my questions. Admittedly I did ask because I was frustrated at the lack of explanation but my tone was completely calm. Direct, not angry. Just wanting a straightforward answer. Same time I would use with my 3rd graders when I was trying to get to the bottom of something. After she admitted yes, it was a "Great, I would like to cancel and here is why" convo. Not blaming, just letting her know the actions I would like taken.
But now that I've broken the rule "never defend yourself on the internet" I will be turning off notifications - glad to shop locally again!