Kindle replacement + return of the damaged kindle

[Harish Puvvula]

Hi all,

My kindle keyboard is bricked and amazon is rushing the replacement.
This is the second time my kindle is being replaced. However, unlike
on the first occasion, I now have to ship back the damaged kindle.
That's when things get hazy.

Amazon's stand on returns from India is ambivalent. When I chatted
with the CS, I asked them to withhold the replacement, as the
procedure appeared to be cumbersome. I agreed for replacement only
when I was assured that the replacement is hassle-free and I don't
have to pay up anything upfront.

Here is the fine print:

1) The CS rep claims that the returns are prepaid. But there is a
catch. The shipments from India are not prepaid, I was not told about
that initially. To my chagrin, the UPS cargo guys drew blank when I
asked them to accept it as a prepaid consignment. The amount is
reimbursed only when the shipment is received at the Amazon warehouse.
For the moment, I need to pay for the cargo as well as for the
insurance. Needless to say it is an expensive ordeal. ICICI charges a
hefty processing fee when I receive funds from abroad(when amazon
reimburses). Add to that, the interest I pay up till then. I loose on
both fronts. So returns are technically not free when you are in
India. Bottom line - prepaid shipping is different from reimbursement.

2) initially, I was asked not to include any accessories. To my shock,
another customer rep mentioned that I need to include accessories
shipped with the kindle.

3) UPS is the preferred courier service. The prepaid mailing slips
supplied by Amazon, don't serve the bill. At least amazon should have
customized the mailing slips based on the customer location.

Anyone in the group ever returned the kindle to Amazon? If so what is
your experience. Please share them.

Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Harish

Sent from my iPhone

[Mittal Dave]

Dear Harish,

Have faced the same issue just recently, UPS people are refusing to
accept the package citing that "no electrical goods with battery
inside in working order can be shippped from India to US."

Have taken up the issue with amazon. They say there must be some
misunderstanding. Have asked to wait for 2 working days... will keep
you posted as to what happens.

By the way, did you get the kindle shipped back? How? please do share
your experience.

Regards.
Mittal

[harish....@gmail.com]

Dear Mittal,

I shipped my kindle back to Amazon. Emails to Amazon support didn't help me at all. They came up with conflicting replies with respect to my eligibility for Prepaid Shipping Vs Reimbursement. However, they were very helpful when I called them up. I was eligible for prepaid shipment, so I didn't have to pay up.

I think the battery in the kindle should not be a problem at all. In my case, no questions were asked. In fact, UPS guys were very helpful. They even helped me pack the shipment.

You can give the UPS telephone number and the supervisor's name to Amazon and they would sort it out.

Believe me, it is absolutely hassle-free.
Keep me posted.

Regards,

Harish



Sent from my iPhone