Like many online buyers, I too regularly use amazon to shop for large and small items, nothing beats the convenience of arm chair shopping at any time of the day, that and added buyer protections offered that one is more likely to get what one is actually ordering against Ebay purchases that are more than likely to disappoint in one shape or another.

However as most regular amazon shoppers are likely already aware of that there is a huge flaw in amazons shopping experience and that is in the reliability of their delivery tracking system which just does not WORK! For as long as I can remember, at least a year, Amazon has always failed to deliver in line with that which it's delivery tracking service states to expect delivery which tends to result in failed deliveries.

Yes, occasionally for large orders there may be a text message and phone call alerting to an on the day delivery but usually not, no text or phone call instead the delivery taking place on an unscheduled day.

For instance on the morning of the 8th of December I placed orders for 4 items with amazon which following notifications of being dispatched resulted in a series of delivery tracking dates.

The first item, a small double bed was supposed to be delivered between 13th December and 17th December, instead out of the blue we got a knock on the door today, the 9th of December! Whilst the supplier can be commended for prompt, swift delivery. However we only caught the delivery by pure chance for had they called half an hour later no one would have been at home!

NO text message, no phone call just an out of the blue early delivery. Furthermore the delivery tracking status as of writing is still stating that the already delivered bed will be delivered between 13th and 17th December.

The current status (9th Dec) of the other three items ordered on the 8th of December are as follows, for which I will add updates as deliveries materialise.

9th Dec

The bottom line is that Amazon's delivery tracking system is broken, it is unreliable as deliveries DO NOT TAKE PLACE on the suggested dates instead tend to be random i.e. may be a few days early or a few days late but never on the expected delivery day.

And where text messages and phone calls are concerned, usually there aren't any and if they are on the day of delivery, then there is little point in texting and phoning the customer who may be several hours away whilst sat outside the customers home.

Amazon needs to fix their delivery tracking system, as it is likely to make shoppers less likely to buy from amazon despite the convenience and wide choice offered.

By Nadeem Walayat

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk

Nadeem Walayat has over 25 years experience of trading derivatives, portfolio management and analysing the financial markets, including one of few who both anticipated and Beat the 1987 Crash. Nadeem's forward looking analysis focuses on UK inflation, economy, interest rates and housing market. He is the author of five ebook's in the The Inflation Mega-Trend and Stocks Stealth Bull Market series that can be downloaded for Free.

Nadeem is the Editor of The Market Oracle, a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication that presents in-depth analysis from over 1000 experienced analysts on a range of views of the probable direction of the financial markets, thus enabling our readers to arrive at an informed opinion on future market direction. http://www.marketoracle.co.uk

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any trading losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors before engaging in any trading activities.

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