Amazon UK stoped selling PC Games to Europe
loyal pc gamer that fights against piracy
Now they only sell to the UK exclusively
Till a month ago they sold to all EU members but now they
simply decided to change...
This change was done very recently cause I bought some
PC Games from Amazon UK in April.
Either Amazon FR (France) or Amazon DE (Germany) do not
have the same restriction and they do continue to sell to
all Europe but unfortunately they sell localized editions
either in French (Amazon FR) or German (Amazon DE) and I
do prefer in English.
Am I the only one very disappointed with this change?
Amazon UK sometimes has incredible prices better than any
other European online merchant.
I'm really very sad by this...
simon...@acnielsen.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/502482/ref=br_ldr/026-5730443-3413213
Andrew MacPherson
> Am I the only one very disappointed with this change?
Yes.
Andrew McP
PS I'm sure European gamers can buy from many cheaper sources, including
Play.com.
Colin B.
The real question here, is this:
Have they patented this new business model?
Wolfing
internet company that wants to only sell to UK will have to pay them a
royalty :)
dangt...@netscape.net
Lukas Mariman
<dangt...@netscape.net> schreef in bericht
news:1147267707....@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Last time I checked, the U.K. is still part of Europe :)
Try telling that to the UK!
Shawk
"Lukas Mariman" <lukas....@skynet.be> wrote in message
news:4461eca4$0$32735$ba62...@news.skynet.be...
Damn straight!
Play.com are a much better supplier in the UK
Andrew
>Last time I checked, the U.K. is still part of Europe :)
Unfortunately :-(
I hate anything that links us to the country that spawned the OP, let
alone subsidising them.
--
Andrew, contact via http://interpleb.googlepages.com
Help make Usenet a better place: English is read downwards,
please don't top post. Trim replies to quote only relevant text.
Check groups.google.com before asking an obvious question.
pc games
> There web site still says it ships international!!!!
Exactly!
If you go to Help > Dispatch & Delivery > Delivery Restrictions
You will see the following:
PC & Video Games, Toys & Games and Gift items
* Amazon.co.uk: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom (England, Northern
Ireland, Scotland and Wales).
But if you go to any specific PC Game title you will see
"This item can only be delivered within the UK"
Now I hope this is just an error and they correct it as soon as
possible.
pc games
> PS I'm sure European gamers can buy from many cheaper sources,
> including Play.com.
I can't say if Play.com is better than Amazon UK cause Play.com
doesn't ship to all EU members including mine like Amazon UK did
until last month.
A year ago I emailed Play.com asking why they don't ship to all
countries in the EU but never received any reply.
As for other online retailers that I know of like Gameplay.co.uk
and Game.net I have used them both and still prefer Amazon UK.
Nevertheless Gameplay.co.uk is great to browse and probably the
best in the market, but they aren't as good in pricing.
Game.net has some great low prices but they have a much limited
selection of titles available.
Gameplay.co.uk is best for casual PC Gamers that need to browse
to look for the title they want.
Game.net is best for the bargain PC Gamer the one that puts price
above other details
Amazon UK is for me the overall best... cause...
Amazon UK has a wide selection, some great pricing, very good in
speed and the best packaging in the market.
Weak points in Amazon UK is the very weak browsing but for me
that already knows what I want to buy I really don't mind, and
not giving warning about bargains cause sometimes they have the
same bargains as Game.net or ever better but they simply don't
warn about them and only they chance we find them...
If I lose Amazon UK is will be a big lost to me.
pc games
> Last time I checked, the U.K. is still part of Europe :)
My mistake... I apologize
I meant all Europe except the UK.
Europe is better cause of the UK.
So no second thoughts intended.
And again I apologize to the people in the UK.
pc games
> Play.com are a much better supplier in the UK
I can't buy from Play.com
They don't ship to all EU countries including mine.
So I do not know if Play.com is superior.
The ones I know off besides Amazon UK: Gameplay.co.uk and
Game.net, the one I like best and prefer is Amazon UK.
Why? cause they have the best selection, pricing, packaging
and speed.
Obviously they can improve specially in browsing, but if
you are like me which knows exactly what titles to buy then
browsing is not that important.
But for casual PC Gamers I do feel browsing is important so
Amazon UK should improve in that area.
Interesting I was biased against Amazon UK cause I thought
they were mostly "name" and a known brand due to advertising
but after using them I do elect them as my choice to buy PC
Games online... until now unfortunately
If Amazon UK stops being a choice for me when buying PC Games
it will be for sure a big lose for me.
Jan Szkudliński
> * Amazon.co.uk: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
> Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein,
> Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
> Switzerland and the United Kingdom (England, Northern
> Ireland, Scotland and Wales).
Well, this still isn't the whole Europe.
Regards
Jan Szkudlinski
Lukas Mariman
"loyal pc gamer that fights against piracy" <pcgame...@yahoo.com> schreef
in bericht news:1147238083....@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
I wonder why on earth they are doing this. Surely this hurts their business?
![Alfie [UK]'s profile photo](http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjXuLw3rVLpmYdBgoQ4tF276BKAc5jR4_5HyfV3QKg5HNJwsPw=s40-c)
Alfie [UK]
<lukas....@skynet.be> wrote:
>I wonder why on earth they are doing this. Surely this hurts their business?
>
(possibly the world), they already have different localised versions of
games censored for 'extreme violence' (specifically against humans, I
know Carmageddon was originally to be banned in Germany because it
depicted humans being run over and leaving blood smears so they changed
it to zombies with green blood which was allowed) and there were moves
afoot last year to ban all games depicting 'fatal violence'.
It is most likely to do with that censorship, although not sure about
the censorship in France.
--
Alfie
<http://www.delphia.co.uk/>
A Law of Computer Programming: Make it possible for programmers to write in English and you will find the programmers cannot write in English.
Lukas Mariman
"Alfie [UK]" <m...@privacy.net> schreef in bericht
news:599762hjjb8as4etu...@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 11 May 2006 22:32:41 +0200, "Lukas Mariman"
> <lukas....@skynet.be> wrote:
>>I wonder why on earth they are doing this. Surely this hurts their
>>business?
>>
> Germany has some of the strictest video game censorship in Europe
> (possibly the world), they already have different localised versions of
> games censored for 'extreme violence' (specifically against humans, I
> know Carmageddon was originally to be banned in Germany because it
> depicted humans being run over and leaving blood smears so they changed
> it to zombies with green blood which was allowed) and there were moves
> afoot last year to ban all games depicting 'fatal violence'.
>
> It is most likely to do with that censorship, although not sure about
> the censorship in France.
You're probably right. This is a real shame though. I don't want to order
from Amazon France though, since, I'll probably get localized (i.e. French
translated/documented) games, which I thoroughly dislike.
pc games
Lukas Mariman wrote:
> You're probably right. This is a real shame though. I don't want to order
> from Amazon France though, since, I'll probably get localized (i.e. French
> translated/documented) games, which I thoroughly dislike.
Exactly with me too.
I don't use either Amazon FR or Amazon DE cause of the
localized versions.
But there is an update in regard to Amazon UK
The good news is I just received an email from them and
it seems to be an error and not a change in policy.
So it seems Amazon UK does continue to sell PC Games to
Europe.
Now I'm much more at ease although I still can't order,
and I get the same error...
They told me to wait 48 hours, cause they are still
working on the problem...
I just tried now 7 AM CET and the same error appears
Anyone else is also trying to order?
Andrew MacPherson
> I can't say if Play.com is better than Amazon UK cause Play.com
> doesn't ship to all EU members
Ah, sorry. I thought they did. Maybe they only ship to those using the
euro, which would make sense.
Andrew McP
Lukas Mariman
"pc games" <pcgame...@yahoo.com> schreef in bericht
news:1147411338.7...@v46g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
I did try it, just a few days ago. I also sent them a message about it, and
the person who wrote the reply said he'd look into it, FWIW. :-)
seafarer
"loyal pc gamer that fights against piracy" <pcgame...@yahoo.com> wrote
in message news:1147238083....@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
> Am I the only one very disappointed with this change?
> Amazon UK sometimes has incredible prices better than any
> other European online merchant.
> I'm really very sad by this...
I'm disappointed too. I live in Europe but as an English-speaker I want to
buy UK games. And I buy a reasonable amount. Amazon have shot themselves
here.
Also many Europeans buy English-versions of games before they come out in
their own languages.
Lukas Mariman
I actually prefer English games over games translated in my own language
(Dutch). Weird, huh? :-)
pc games
Yes, true.
I hoped it would be more.
But it is more EU countries than Play.com
I do not remember if Game.net and Gameplay.co.uk have more
countries to which they ship.
I wished there would be no restrictions at all and Amazon UK
would ship to any part of the world, but now the issue is an
error that is restricting the selling of PC Games in Amazon
UK to the UK only.
Nevertheless and even with this error which I hope will be
corrected very soon you can also email Amazon UK stating your
desire about they including your market.
It is really a matter of time cause sooner or later you will
also be included... I'm sure you will.
Your market if it is not already it will be for sure very
important in the future so no way Amazon can ignore it.
pc games
> Ah, sorry. I thought they did. Maybe they only ship to those using the
> euro, which would make sense.
No, not that reason... cause I use the euro.
There must be another reason but they don't disclose.
But I'm much more worried about Amazon UK not shipping to
me than Play.com
Although having Play.com as a choice would be very good
cause the more the choice the better I do want now for
Amazon UK to correct the error and start again shipping
PC Games to Europe.
But yes Play.com restrictions have been a disappointment for
me for over a year... but I guess I'm now used to
pc games
> I did try it, just a few days ago. I also sent them a message about it, and
> the person who wrote the reply said he'd look into it, FWIW. :-)
I just tried now and the error remains.
It is good you have emailed them.
I emailed them a couple of days ago, so lets hope with more
customers sending them emails the error is corrected sooner
possible.
pc games
> I'm disappointed too. I live in Europe but as an English-speaker I want to
> buy UK games. And I buy a reasonable amount. Amazon have shot themselves
> here.
>
> Also many Europeans buy English-versions of games before they come out in
> their own languages.
Totally true.
There are several reasons why European PC Gamers buy UK
editions.
1. Like you said they are released first in a UK edition.
2. Some are only released with a UK edition.
3. The pricing is sometimes more competitive.
4. English is the closest thing to a universal language
even in Europe with such important languages like the
French, German, Spanish...
But lets not lose hope cause it is an error and not a
change in policies so lets hope they do correct it as
soon as possible and Amazon UK can again ship PC Games
to all Europe.
I would also ask you to send an email to Amazon UK (it
must be using their site cause they don't have a direct
email address) so the more customers email them asking
to correct the error the sooner it will be resolved.
I've emailed them, Lukas just did the same... so the more
the better.
I hope by monday it is corrected cause I'm anxious to get
some PC Games but this error is preventing me for doing.
Alfie [UK]
wrote:
I answered this in one of the other groups, but it's probably to do with
censorship regulation.
Germany has some of the strictest video game censorship in Europe
(possibly the world), they already have different localised versions of
games censored for 'extreme violence' (typically blood splats/gibs) and
there were moves afoot last year to ban all games depicting 'fatal
violence'.
France has also tried to increase it's level of censorship recently,
although is focusing on the internet (Yahoo! France, etc) at the moment.
The bigger on-line retailers cannot afford to flout such regulation as
fines levied against them are usually based upon a percentage of
earnings.
--
Alfie
<http://www.delphia.co.uk/>
As you become a more powerful and subtle programmer, your errors, too, will become more powerful and subtle.
Jan Szkudliński
> Your market if it is not already it will be for sure very
> important in the future so no way Amazon can ignore it.
I have never had any problems with ordering books from amazon.com; they
shipped everything to Poland without any problems. It is not that easy
when it comes to used books, these cannot be shipped to the ex-eastern
block countries, even though the billing address can be in Poland :-D
Regards
Jan Szkudlinski
Gabriele Neukam
> I actually prefer English games over games translated in my own language
> (Dutch). Weird, huh? :-)
Not, if *your* Oblivion is as bad as ours. The German version was done
by a moron who left mass.o.abbr.ins.the.txt, and took a healing spell
for a fireball - literally. The Germans had to create a fan mod, only
to correct this abysmal "text"
Gabriele Neukam
--
Ah, Information. A property, too valuable these days, to give it away,
just so, at no cost.
Lukas Mariman
> On that special day, Lukas Mariman, (lukas....@skynet.be) said...
>
>> I actually prefer English games over games translated in my own
>> language (Dutch). Weird, huh? :-)
>
> Not, if *your* Oblivion is as bad as ours. The German version was done
> by a moron who left mass.o.abbr.ins.the.txt, and took a healing spell
> for a fireball - literally. The Germans had to create a fan mod, only
> to correct this abysmal "text"
In Belgium Oblivion was released in the original English version, so
thankfully we were spared screwups like that.
Belgium has 3 official languages (Dutch, French & German) so I'm guessing
there are good practical reasons for not making localized version of games
over here.
Quaestor
>On that special day, Lukas Mariman, (lukas....@skynet.be) said...
>
>
>
>>I actually prefer English games over games translated in my own language
>>(Dutch). Weird, huh? :-)
>>
>>
>
>Not, if *your* Oblivion is as bad as ours. The German version was done
>by a moron who left mass.o.abbr.ins.the.txt, and took a healing spell
>for a fireball - literally. The Germans had to create a fan mod, only
>to correct this abysmal "text"
>
>
What do you bet he'll be elected Chancellor?
--
Godwin is a net-nazi
Learn about spam: http://www.seige-perilous.org/spam/spam.html
pc games
> I have never had any problems with ordering books from amazon.com; they
> shipped everything to Poland without any problems. It is not that easy
When I wrote "Amazon" I was referring to "Amazon UK" which is
the subject of this thread... but I did not know Amazon.com
does in fact ship to your market and Amazon UK doesn't...
and it even ships some selected PC Games...
So basically to can buy PC Games (a few selected) from Amazon US
but not buy PC Games from Amazon UK which is closest and part of
the same market called Europe...
I'm very surprised and I feel it doesn't make much sense but
its probably due to the "mother" store in the US being more
experienced and matured.
Nevertheless this is another reason for me to say, it is only
a matter of time for your market being included in Amazon UK
and specially the shipping of PC Games which I feel will be
very positive to you and your fellow PC Gamers and overall to
the PC Game market in Europe.
pc games
> I answered this in one of the other groups, but it's probably to do with
> censorship regulation.
I believe that can be an issue, but I still think and HOPE,
yes I'm really hoping very much this error will be corrected
and Amazon UK will again sell PC Games to most of Europe.
The current information I have says what is happening is an
error and not a change in policies.
I repeat the info Amazon UK gave me in a reply to my email
says Amazon UK sells PC Games to most Europe but there is
an error in the system and they are working to correct it.
pc games
> Now they only sell to the UK exclusively
Knowing now this is happening cause of an error and not of
any change in policies Amazon UK did, I would like to ask the
first European PC Gamer not from the UK that manages to order
a PC Game title (any) from Amazon UK to please warn us all so
we know when the current error will be corrected.
If I'm the first I'll sure do it and warn everyone.
Thanks
Jan Szkudliński
> When I wrote "Amazon" I was referring to "Amazon UK"
That is precisely why I have written "Amazon.com", not only Amazon :-D
regards
Jan Szkudlinski
Lukas Mariman
So they mailed you back about it?
I haven't got any update so far...
pc games
> So they mailed you back about it?
>
> I haven't got any update so far...
Probably not due to the weekend...
You will get a reply today for sure... but what is important
is they fixing the error cause I got the reply but the error
wasn't fixed...
>From Amazon UK I want less emails but more action to fix the
error.
In the 8 of May I emailed them... but only in the 11 of May
did I receive this reply...
This is the reply I got in the 11 of May:
"Dear Customer
Thank you for contacting Amazon.co.uk.
I apologise for the delay in responding to your e-mail message.
Please be assured that all of us here are working very hard to provide
a thorough, personal reply to each of our customers as quickly as
possible.
Further to your e-mail on May 08, 2006 I am contacting you again to
let you know about the system error you experienced that prevented
you from placing the order.
We are aware of this issue, and our developers are working on a
resolution. Often these errors are corrected after only a short time,
so please try again shortly.
If after 48 hours you are still experiencing the same problem, please
use the link below to e-mail us so we can investigate further:
Again, I apologise for this inconvenience.
Thank you for shopping at Amazon.co.uk."
You know what I don't like about this?
It seems like a general purpose already made copy/paste reply.
Will you get the exact same email? I hope not...
It has passed more than the 48 hours since this email and the
error hasn't been corrected, but cause of the weekend I decided
to give it until today (monday).
If today (monday) the error is not fixed I will again email them.
I will email them as long as the error remains and they say it
is an error and not a change in policies.
You already email them and I bet more already did but the more
the better to put pressure on them to fix it the soonest possible.
I hope we will get some definitive progress today...
Lukas Mariman
> pc games wrote [15.05.06]:
>
>> If today (monday) the error is not fixed I will again email them.
>> I will email them as long as the error remains and they say it
>> is an error and not a change in policies.
>> You already email them and I bet more already did but the more
>> the better to put pressure on them to fix it the soonest possible.
>>
>> I hope we will get some definitive progress today...
>
>
> Just tried to order. The error still occurs, when buying from
> Amazon.co.uk directly.
I had an email from them about a day ago. They basically said it was a
software problem, and that they were working on it.
But I could order from Marketplace-shops. Not
> all sellers agree to sell to non-UK-land, though. Had to search among
> them.
>
> BTW, I got Diablo II + expansion and The Bard's Tale. ;-)
Diablo II is great, especially with the expansion pack. You're in for a
treat! :-)
pc games
> Just tried to order. The error still occurs, when buying
> from Amazon.co.uk directly. But I could order from
And me also. :(
Like I've been trying for the last days... when it comes
to the check out it give me the now familiar error:
"We're sorry. This item can't be shipped to your selected
destination."
Since May 8 it has been the same... :(
> Marketplace-shops. Not all sellers agree to sell to
> non-UK-land, though. Had to search among them.
I sometimes use Amazon UK Marketplace and is a good place
to get some older hard to get titles but nothing replaces
Amazon UK directly.
I want Amazon UK to directly let me buy PC Games from them
Not that it was been any help to me which hasn't but I
would ask you to also send an email to Amazon UK about the
error you got when you tried to order PC Games directly.
Sending emails is really the only thing we can do and I
would kind the many customers doing it the better...
Thanks
pc games
> I had an email from them about a day ago. They basically said it was a
> software problem, and that they were working on it.
I'm trying to think if what is happening with Amazon UK could
be possible in Amazon US...
Would it be possible for Amazon US to stop selling PC Games to
the rest of the United States and only sell to Washington which
is were I think they have the headquarters... and this happening
for over a week?
I want to be hopefull and believe this is really an error and it
is just a matter of time for it to be corrected...
Positive thinking... <fingers crossed>
Lukas Mariman
> Lukas Mariman wrote [19.05.06]:
>
>> Anestis wrote:
>
>>> BTW, I got Diablo II + expansion and The Bard's Tale. ;-)
>
>> Diablo II is great, especially with the expansion pack. You're in
>> for a treat! :-)
>
>
> Yes, I'm looking forward. Had a glimpse on the demo and liked it very
> much. But the player's perspective from above is very new to me. I
> played Gothic before, so I am used to have my hero in front of me and
> a good sight in every direction. But somehow this restriction gives
> more tension, because you don't know what horror is waiting for you
> beyond the brim of your monitor ;-).
>
> I also like the music. Somehow antiquated (reminds me of The Dungeon
> Master).
Hey Anestis,
By this time Diablo II is about 6 years old. The expansion pack was released
a year afterwards.
My point is, the game will by no means be "state of the art". But it *is*
damn good, especially with the expansion pack, which adds a lot of fixes,
improvements, extra features etc. I do not claim to be a Diablo II expert,
but I did play 2 of the characters classes fairly extensively for a time,
both with "classic D2 and the expansion.
*And* people are still playing it 5 to 6 years later, if that is evidence of
anything... There are at least 2 Usenet groups where people are still
regularly posting.
As for the music, if you ever get to Act 5 (one of the additions of the
expansion) you'll be in for a treat. Act 5 has an orchestral soundtrack
(think John Williams or Howard Shore scoring "Lord of The Rings").
So indeed, it's not 3D or anything - but then I'm one of those weird people
that think games don't all have to be 3D and in sensurround and
smell-o-vision to be any good. Sue me!
pc games
> I wonder, you know, if there are problems, delivery
> restrictions or system errors, why not the same problem
> for the Marketplace sellers?
Very good question and it makes all the sense.
I don't have a clear answer but I'm now starting to believe
the so called "error" is not an "error" but a planned thing
In 2 days it will be 2 weeks since I first warned Amazon UK
about this so called "error" and still they haven't fixed it
How can this be possible... 2 weeks?
I doubt very much this is an error...
Now if it is not an error what it is? Again I don't know...
> I did already. The answer was exactly the same they sent
> to you. It must be an automatic answer, then.
Great you also send them a email. The more the better even
if the problem remains it is good they get the most emails
And yes it is clear the replies we are getting are simple
"copy/paste"
> Finally: After my coming out with Diablo and Bard's Tale,
> now tell me, I'm just curious: what game is it that _you_
> want so badly from them? ;-)
Its not a specific game, but rather a situation which is
making me disappointed and uncomfortable.
For example... I also have 2 games I want to buy from a
Marketplace merchant just like you but instead of making
an order I postpone buying them... why?
Cause I'm not comfortable ordering anything from Amazon UK
until this situation is resolved...
If there existed strong competition in the European PC Game
Online Retailer Market I would have said goodbye to Amazon
UK in the day I first got the error...
Another week has passed and another week will start...
Will we next week see some improvement?
Didn't I wrote the same last week?
pc games
> doubt Amazon.co.uk would risk a loss of business with
> non-UK-buyers just because of an error, that they can't
> handle. After all, the "error" appeared suddenly within
> the last couple of weeks. So there must have been a
I've been thinking about it and you know what I now believe
We are a minority, non-UK Amazon UK PC Game customers are a
minority.
Only a minority could explain why after almost 2 weeks we
are still not able to order.
Think of being the other way around... like UK customers
not being able to order and we non-UK customers being...
Obviously in that case the "error" would be corrected in
a matter or hours or even minutes...
So if we are a minority and economically less important
then it is more easy to understand what is happening but
nevertheless I do feel Amazon UK is doing it wrong... but
who am I to judge Amazon the biggest online retailer in
the world... well but I'm sure they are wrong but what is
relevant is the economics and for sure Amazon UK is not
being very damaged economically will all this... the ones
being damaged is me, you and a few non-UK customers but
that is not what drives Amazon UK but rather the majority
of customers which are from the UK.
Amazon UK is a scale business so they make money not with
a few customers like us but with hundreds and hundreds.
I bet the percentage of non UK customers of PC Games sales
in Amazon UK is in a single digit value... probably less
than 5%... if it were more like for example 20% could we
still not be able to order? I don't believe it could.
Unfortunately we are a minority (non-UK PC Game customers
in Amazon UK) and like usually minority tend to be screwed
(sorry for the language)
> Earlier in this thread Shawk mentioned www.play.com.
> Never heard of them before. They deliver ex-UK and, if I
> understand them correctly, free of cost. Have you ever
> tried them? Actually, I'd rather pefer Amazon, so I
> understand you very well.
It is not easy for me saying this now but for me Amazon UK
has no competition, although I do feel Amazon UK has many
flaws and I'm not talking about this situation of not being
able to order but details when I do am able to order.
Now as for alternatives... I use Game.net which has some
very interesting bargains but doesn't have neither the
speed, quality of service, or the large number or titles
Amazon UK has.
I like Game.net and will for sure buy from them in the
future like I've been doing but it is not a replacement
to Amazon UK... wasn't got what it takes to replace them.
The other one I know and use is Gameplay.co.uk and again
it is a interesting online retailer but with Gameplay the
problem is again speed, quality of service but specially
the lack of agressive pricing.
Like Game.net I will for sure buy also from Gameplay.co.uk
but again like Game.net it doesn't have what it takes to
be a replacement to Amazon UK.
As for Play.com they simply don't sell to all EU members,
including my market so they can't possibly be a choice
or alternative for me.
I've emailed them a year ago asking why but never received
any reply.
I'm sorry for not being able to buy from them and try them
out to see what quality of service they have but I really
do not think too much about it.
So like you I would say Amazon UK is my preference and
although as a consumer I should simply go elsewhere I do
choose to wait for Amazon UK to again let me order... I
only hope it is the soonest possible... next week would
be great... but I really doubt it will happen that soon...
Don't ask me why but something tells me this will not
go away before May ends... which is a big shame...
Nevertheless I do intend to email them again next week...
Yes again.
PS: I wouldn't mind having Sr Bezos email address to now
directly address this issue with someone of importance in
Amazon other than a third party call center.
pc games
The title of this thread is no longer true!
Amazon UK is selling PC Games to most European countries.
After 2 weeks it was about time to stop the suffering
The error that was stopping non-UK customers from placing
PC Games orders in Amazon UK was just corrected.
Don't know if it was today or yesterday if they corrected
the error, but I was able to make my order just now
I'm happy :)
(Thread closed with fortunately a happy ending.)
Lukas Mariman
"pc games" <pcgame...@yahoo.com> schreef in bericht
news:1148448257....@j55g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Excellent news indeed!
pc games
> Lukas Mariman wrote [24.05.06]:
>
> > Excellent news indeed!
>
> Yes, but they still declare: "This item can only be delivered within
> the UK". I suppose this will prevent some buyers from ordering at all.
Yes I noticed and although it doesn't make a difference for
me cause I am able to order I agree with you, it might make
some potential buyers read it and not ordering cause they
do think there is a restriction when there isn't...
And for us the more the non-UK customers buying PC Games in
Amazon UK the better... so this incorrect information should
be corrected the soonest possible...
Lukas Mariman
> Lukas Mariman wrote [24.05.06]:
>
>> Excellent news indeed!
>
> Yes, but they still declare: "This item can only be delivered within
> the UK". I suppose this will prevent some buyers from ordering at all.
I just noticed that. That's very annoying.
pc games
> After all, our problem encouraged me to look for other
> sellers. Tried play.com in the meantime. Cheapest seller
With the errors of the past 2 weeks they can only expect
customers like you to look for other sellers.
Amazon UK should read what you just wrote.
It is a very valuable lesson for them.
> that I found for Guild Wars Special edition (17,99 GBP
> incl. delivery). Hasn't arrived yet, though... ;-)
Play.com has some very agressive pricing...
Btw and only for curiosity if when you get the package you
don't forget could you please tell me were from has it been
dispatched...
I'm asking this cause I think Play.com has such low pricing
cause they are not based in the UK or other EU country but
rather in an offshore free tax zone and that is why they can
sell at such low prices cause they do not pay the same taxes
as in any other EU country and that is why I do think they
don't ship to every place cause some EU countries simply do
not consider Play.com headquarters part of the EU.
(this is my theory and I'm not sure if it is true or not)
> BTW, the games I ordered via Amazon.uk the other day via
> Marketplace-sellers have arrived savely. Quick delivery,
> I call that.
All my experiences with Amazon UK Marketplace have been good,
and this includes quick delivery, nevertheless I do prefer to
buy directly from Amazon UK cause the packaging is usually
better.
pc games
>> Yes, but they still declare: "This item can only be delivered within
>> the UK". I suppose this will prevent some buyers from ordering at all.
>
> I just noticed that. That's very annoying.
Indeed... and again someone should email them...
I simply don't cause first my personal issue was solved and
second cause after so many emails I've sent them I am afraid
to become a "pain", specially now that everything for me is
working fine.
Shawk
"pc games" <pcgame...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1148629929.8...@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> I'm asking this cause I think Play.com has such low pricing
> cause they are not based in the UK or other EU country but
> rather in an offshore free tax zone and that is why they can
> sell at such low prices cause they do not pay the same taxes
> as in any other EU country and that is why I do think they
> don't ship to every place cause some EU countries simply do
> not consider Play.com headquarters part of the EU.
> (this is my theory and I'm not sure if it is true or not)
>
They're based in Jersey. Jersey is just off the French coast between France
and UK but it is independent of either. They pledge allegiance to the
British Crown but they govern themselves. They are not part of the EEC.
They dont pay UK tax (VAT) hence their stock is much cheaper.
http://www.jersey.com/wij/wij_en.htm
Lukas Mariman
Yes, don't make them hate your guts! :-)
Maybe I'll mail them again soon.
Shawk
"Anestis" <anestis....@gmx.com> wrote in message
news:e57gg5$jjt$1...@svr7.m-online.net...
> Anestis wrote [26.05.06]:
>
>> BTW, Shawk: Diablo: I love it! I also found the music, at Blizzard's.
>
> Oups, I meant Lukas, sorry ;-)
>
I 'was' wondering what you meant... ;)
pc games
> They're based in Jersey. Jersey is just off the French coast between France
> and UK but it is independent of either. They pledge allegiance to the
> British Crown but they govern themselves. They are not part of the EEC.
> They dont pay UK tax (VAT) hence their stock is much cheaper.
Now I get it...
But there is something I do not understand...
If Jersey is not part of the EU then you must pay custom
taxes right? its like importing from any other country
outside the EU...
So has anyone payed custom taxes with a Play.com order?
pc games
> the non-EU status. That means: Depending on the amount
> you order there your parcel may run into custom control,
> at least if it surpasses the import-limit allowed by your
> country (which may vary).
Did you pay custom taxes with your order?
You mention the PC Game you order cost 17 pounds right? was
that the amount specified in the custom declaration form in
your package? or do they put always a lower value so no one
will pay custom taxes?
pc games
> Maybe I'll mail them again soon.
That would be good you emailing them cause of the incorrect
info in each games page concerning the shipping restriction
Btw, my latest order from Amazon UK has been flawless
Wednesday morning: I made the order
Wednesday night: Amazon UK emailed confirming shipping
Friday: Received my order
48 hours after I order I got my games and I got all of what I
order and I didn't choose express or fast delivery, and like it
is usual the games arrived in perfect condition due to the very
good packaging they use.
When everything is fine I do see Amazon UK as unbeatable, but
when there are issues unfortunately they are a little slow
to correct them... lets hope no issues will happen soon...
Shawk
If you do it's built into the price and invisible. I pay the price they
advertise on the site - don't even pay delivery.
Lukas Mariman
> Anestis wrote [26.05.06]:
>
>> BTW, Shawk: Diablo: I love it! I also found the music, at Blizzard's.
>
> Oups, I meant Lukas, sorry ;-)
Ah, cool! Glad you're enjoying it!
Graham Thurlwell
> pc games wrote [25.05.06]:
>
>> And for us the more the non-UK customers buying PC Games in
>> Amazon UK the better... so this incorrect information should
>> be corrected the soonest possible...
>
> After all, our problem encouraged me to look for other sellers. Tried
> play.com in the meantime. Cheapest seller that I found for Guild Wars
> Special edition (17,99 GBP incl. delivery). Hasn't arrived yet,
> though... ;-)
For those who are wondering at Play's habit of charging £17.99 for
most of their stuff, I believe that the Duty Threshold for items
entering the UK happens to be £18. Play is, IIRC, based in Jersey
which is technically outside the UK so potentially exports from there
are liable for Import Duty and VAT above the threshold.
I've bought several games from Play in the past, and have found them
to be excellent.
--
Jades' First Encounters Site - http://www.jades.org/ffe.htm
The best Frontier: First Encounters site on the Web.
nos...@jades.org /is/ a real email address!
Graham Thurlwell
> Graham Thurlwell wrote [26.05.06]:
>
>> For those who are wondering at Play's habit of charging £17.99 for
>> most of their stuff, I believe that the Duty Threshold for items
>> entering the UK happens to be £18. Play is, IIRC, based in Jersey
>> which is technically outside the UK so potentially exports from
>> there are liable for Import Duty and VAT above the threshold.
>
> Ah, that explains why they tend to be more expensive when the price
> gets over the threshold (CoV, for example, cheaper at Amazon).
Possibly. It's been a while since I last checked the relevant section
of the Customs & Excise site, and that was before they were merged
with the Inland Revenue.
Don't forget that another reason why certain items may be more
expensive at Play than at Amazon is that the latter may get better
discounts from suppliers on account of their size.
I believe the main reason for the existence of the threshold is that
someone in C&E worked out that, below a certain item value, the amount
of duty recovered could be less than the actual cost of collecting it.
>> I've bought several games from Play in the past, and have found them
>> to be excellent.
>
> I'll keep them in my bookmarks, too.
They're generally my main supplier these days, particularly since Game
stores started to take the piss. Nowadays, the only software I buy
from real shops are Special Editions, games I want RIGHT NOW or the
occasional budget game.