That is the way it once was here, then they started this deal about going to an authorized UPS store or paying for return shipping. Their statement to me was the UPS store needs to see the damaged item and they are responsible for disposing of it. I asked others in the area and they say the same thing. It is a big inconvenience and I have to find someone going that way. Being a Prime member isn't what it once was. I avoid all dealers that aren't shipping direct through Amazon. Many of them are shipping from China and their guarantees are worthless.
We have an authorized UPS pickup spot, which is a plant nursery, but the next actual UPS facility would be more than sixty miles from here, so I'm glad we don't have to do that.
Out my way there is a company that installs cable systems, and for some reason they have a UPS Drop-Off spot on site. So I only have to drive a couple of miles if I get a pre-printed label. If not, there's a UPS store in Charlottesville (25 miles or so) where I go for weekly groceries anyway. I've only been told to keep cheap stuff, like shoe laces that were not right. Everything else got returned.
I'm considering dropping Prime this year. I seldom get any package in 2 days anymore; it's usually more like 4 or 5 days which isn't a big deal... but it's not what they promised. And as you said, their return policies have changed and not for the better. It was fun while it lasted.
Walmart seems to give way better service than Amazon does these days. I received my coffee grinder from Walmart 2 days after I ordered it (it shipped the same day via Fed Ex 2 Day), and the price was $5 less than Amazon. As an aside (and a shout-out to the USPS), I ordered a clock radio from EBay on a Sunday at noon. The Seller was in California. I got notification from the post office that it was in their possession at 1AM Tuesday (so my order got processed and shipped late Monday.) I received it in Wednesday's mail...from California to Virginia.
In my observations, Amazon began its service slide using Covid-19 as an excuse for poor service, and then they've kept it up.
Visa sent me my 2022 summary for my Amazon rewards card. I earned (and spent) $623.86 in rewards last year. Of course, that has nothing to do with Prime, but not a bad deal since I was buying the stuff anyway.
Me too. Several times they just sent me a new item. If I needed to return it, I have to pack it up, print up a label and take it to town, which is a pain but it hasn't happened too often.
I'm getting garden fever; I had QVC on all day yesterday since they had gardening stuff and plants on. I considered ordering some bush crepe myrtles but then I didn't. We have crepe myrtles but they are trees; the bush ones are supposed to stay 2 to 4' tall. I expect that our front hedges will need to be replaced AGAIN since they froze and look quite sad out there. At least 4 of my 5 pittosporum shrubs have dropped all their foliage. I think tomorrow I'm going to plant some seeds in my seed starter trays so I'll have seedlings for the raised beds next month. My cherry tomatoes in the Kratky jars are looking pretty good. I might move these to regular pots with soil because I don't know how I'll keep the jars from tipping over when the plants get top heavy. This picture looks a little blue because the plants are under a grow light. These were started from seed pods on January 10... I haven't moved the Aerogardens to the new shelf yet; I needed a new power strip so I could plug everything in and it came today. So that is also on my list for tomorrow.
This weekend is the first in a long time that I have felt motivated to get some stuff done around here. I can't believe how unmotivated I am lately. I just want to sit and read, or sit and internet, or sit and watch TV... or just sit. I want to get outside and dig in the dirt but I know it's too early. I got the Aerogarden shelf thing set up and ready to go. Did some laundry, bought some unnecessary stuff from Amazon, vacuumed the downstairs. I plan to dust all the wood blinds tomorrow so we'll see how that goes. The better half is working on a toilet at his mother's house. Apparently a bolt is broken so he's pulled the toilet to replace the wax ring and bolt. Glad I'm not over there today. His twin brother who is supposed to be helping with their mom never does a damn thing... EVER. He calls to tell my husband when something is broken, then he conveniently is "busy" elsewhere. I really think he's a jerk. I need to go put the laundry into the dryer and then hurry back to sit some more.
So I woke up at 5 a.m. with a gout flare in my right foot. I haven't had gout since the week I had my mastectomy in August 2021. (That was a fun week...not.) I have a steroid dose pack stashed for gout emergencies so I got that started, then went back to bed but couldn't sleep with a throbbing foot. My husband pulled a toilet at my MIL's on Sunday because of a broken bolt. When he got the toilet removed he found that it was sitting on a lead sleeve and not the normal type of plumbing. He said that was above his pay grade, so he cleaned it all up and called a plumber. The plumber is supposed to be there today so we'll see how that goes. I was planning to change the bed sheets today but I'll wait till my foot stops screaming when I walk on it. Good excuse to do my favorite thing... sitting. Yesterday I ordered some more seeds... different tomato varieties and some bell peppers. I am so ready for springtime.