Got Screwed by Amazon...final appeal done

Jim · 2006-08-04, 10:35 AM

Most of you might remember last year that I asked those that use Amazon for their Christmas purchases use the link on Christmas-vacation.com to donate to my wife's charity Gifts for Teens.

Well, we did really well and we were owed a little over $11k from Amazon. Payment was scheduled to come just after Christmas so I loaned the charity the money and along with the donations she gets from businesses, she bought presents for 83% of all the Teens on her lists. The best she had done since she started almost 10 years ago.

Anyway, just after Christmas, Amazon accused me of cheating. They have an appeals process and today we received the final word. They are not paying us.

Last year, many of you suggested that I put up a direct donation page using paypal and epassporte. I never wanted to do that but, this year, that is exactly what I will be doing. I am setting it up now and about a 2 months before Christmas, I will open it up for those that want to make donations.

Now, I just need a good designer, "urb" to do something for that page

pvtspanky · 2006-08-04, 10:58 AM

What made them think that you were cheating?

Jim · 2006-08-04, 11:38 AM

Because I purchased my own products through the link as well. Never did I think that would matter. I just thought they wouldn't pay me for that.

Venice · 2006-08-04, 12:33 PM

Amazon in the Uk are in a huge amount of trouble for failure to deliver christamas gifts..some are still outstanding.

I heard the other day they are looking to get into food delivery..watch the sell by dates.

Its fantastic that you guys have set up such a charity. Many teens get overlooked when it comes to Christmas appeals.

Jim · 2006-08-04, 12:44 PM

Actually my wife did it and runs it. The whole story is on http://www.christmas-vacation.com She really had to jump through hoops to make it a legal charity but, she finally did it in about a month.

She has already had inquires from schools that never participated so far. The beginning was bad...schools said they couldn't give a list of poor kids to my wife. Once they saw what she did with the kids on the lists she did get, all the local schools decided to help.

But, like I said, my wife does it all. I help out a little but, she gets the lists together, talks to parents to find out what the Teens want and does the shopping, wrapping and delivering. And she always signs the cards, "Love, Santa"

Anyway, it looks like this year she will be buying for over almost 1000 Teens. But, no donations for a few months.

Venice · 2006-08-04, 12:54 PM

Is it worth going public?

Im sure Amazon wont want yet another scandal amongst its already tumbling profit margins.

David and Goliath..bring it on!!

Erick G · 2006-08-04, 11:57 PM

Jim that sucks.. You try and do good and get fucked for it

virgohippy · 2006-08-05, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venice

Is it worth going public?

Im sure Amazon wont want yet another scandal amongst its already tumbling profit margins.

David and Goliath..bring it on!!

Personally, I think going public, or adding your voice to the mix in an already public statement, is the most responsible thing that can be done.

It's all well and good when a major corporation provides a valuable service at a discount, but goliath needs to be kept in check!

ArtWilliams · 2006-08-05, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venice

Is it worth going public?

Im sure Amazon wont want yet another scandal amongst its already tumbling profit margins.

David and Goliath..bring it on!!

With no disrespect to Jim, in today's US political climate a porn peddler would have an impossbile task in a public fight against a large multi-national corp.

Sorry to hear you got fucked over, Jim.

--art

Jim · 2006-08-05, 09:50 AM

I did everything about getting screwed that I am going to do. I just consider it an extra donation last year. At the time, I was having my land logged so, the money was not a problem. Out of all the money I have been screwed out of in the past 10 years, this was a tiny amount.

virgohippy · 2006-08-05, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim

Out of all the money I have been screwed out of in the past 10 years, this was a tiny amount.

This is why you're a porno god.

I lost $20 a month ago and my whole week was shot!

digifan · 2006-08-06, 02:10 PM

Ouch it is just terrible, somehow overlooked this earlier.. so they reward this way those who want to do something good and helpful for the kids in need, nice... not.

docholly · 2006-08-06, 11:39 PM

that sux.. i remember we did spud's whole wishlist on amazon just to be able to give some back.. sometimes corporate jockeys need to be ridden hard and put away DRY.. as in sucked dry.

Jim · 2006-08-07, 08:19 AM

They did it the right way to screw someone. They led me along actually calling me and letting me explain everything. They put me off with appeals just long enough until I forgot about it...then they sent me an email saying my appeal was denied. I had to think for a while to figure out what they were talking about.

Jim · 2006-08-07, 08:25 AM

But, I guess I did break their terms and conditions by making my own purchases through the link. If you break the rules of a program, you deserve what you get.

So anyway, this year, no screwing around. Paypal and epassporte is how we are going.

I really am happy that at the time, I had enough money to cover the donation. You guys did really well. It takes a lot of Amazon buying to get it up to $11k.

Simon · 2006-08-07, 08:25 AM

Maybe the mainstream press would be interested in a story about:

"Amazon.com Denies Poor Children $11K for Christmas Gifts"

...and how a local hero stepped up and made good with $11K from his own pocket.

Jim · 2006-08-07, 01:59 PM

We never get any press coverage for this. When my wife and a friend opened it up, I started it with $10k. We let the local press know about it and heard nothing. The very next day on the front page of the local paper was the American Legion holding a giant $500 check going to Toys for Tots

I just get no respect

Like I said, if I had read the T&Cs, I would have known not to purchase my own stuff through the account. And, if I had not broken the rules, I would be screaming at the top of my lungs..I think everyone knows that about me

But, I have done enough affiliate terminating over that past 10 years that I know...if you break the rules, you pay the price.

At least they weren't as bad as google. They terminated me a few years ago without any reason given. That wasn't quite $11k but it was a good sum of money.

MrYum · 2006-08-07, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim

We never get any press coverage for this. When my wife and a friend opened it up, I started it with $10k. We let the local press know about it and heard nothing. The very next day on the front page of the local paper was the American Legion holding a giant $500 check going to Toys for Tots

I just get no respect

Like I said, if I had read the T&Cs, I would have known not to purchase my own stuff through the account. And, if I had not broken the rules, I would be screaming at the top of my lungs..I think everyone knows that about me

But, I have done enough affiliate terminating over that past 10 years that I know...if you break the rules, you pay the price.

At least they weren't as bad as google. They terminated me a few years ago without any reason given. That wasn't quite $11k but it was a good sum of money.

Ya know Jim...it really blows that this happened

BUT, I gotta take my hat off to you for recognizing why it happened and being cool with it. Takes a damn big man to do that...and very cool that you covered the funds yourself

Jim · 2006-08-07, 03:11 PM

I covered the money before I was even supposed to get paid. I really didn't know I was screwed until January. And like I said, I have terminated enough people to know, there really isn't anything else I could do. I guess I look at it this way...I am running an affiliate program. Someone joins one of the sites several times using their own affiliate code. I would have terminated them and not paid them. That is basically what happened to me.

And, thank you guys for donating already.

But, I don't really want it to start yet so I took down the page until October.

2006-08-04, 10:35 AM	#1
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	Got Screwed by Amazon...final appeal done Most of you might remember last year that I asked those that use Amazon for their Christmas purchases use the link on Christmas-vacation.com to donate to my wife's charity Gifts for Teens. Well, we did really well and we were owed a little over $11k from Amazon. Payment was scheduled to come just after Christmas so I loaned the charity the money and along with the donations she gets from businesses, she bought presents for 83% of all the Teens on her lists. The best she had done since she started almost 10 years ago. Anyway, just after Christmas, Amazon accused me of cheating. They have an appeals process and today we received the final word. They are not paying us. Last year, many of you suggested that I put up a direct donation page using paypal and epassporte. I never wanted to do that but, this year, that is exactly what I will be doing. I am setting it up now and about a 2 months before Christmas, I will open it up for those that want to make donations. Now, I just need a good designer, "urb" to do something for that page

2006-08-04, 10:58 AM	#2
pvtspanky Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand! Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 93	What made them think that you were cheating? __________________ Promote Classic Porn

2006-08-04, 12:33 PM	#4
Venice WHO IS FONZY!?! Don't they teach you anything at school? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London...where else? Posts: 48	Amazon in the Uk are in a huge amount of trouble for failure to deliver christamas gifts..some are still outstanding. I heard the other day they are looking to get into food delivery..watch the sell by dates. Its fantastic that you guys have set up such a charity. Many teens get overlooked when it comes to Christmas appeals. __________________ Convert your traffic here !!

2006-08-04, 12:54 PM	#6
Venice WHO IS FONZY!?! Don't they teach you anything at school? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London...where else? Posts: 48	Is it worth going public? Im sure Amazon wont want yet another scandal amongst its already tumbling profit margins. David and Goliath..bring it on!! __________________ Convert your traffic here !!

2006-08-04, 11:57 PM	#7
Erick G Look maah I moved out and got my own space:) Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 555	Jim that sucks.. You try and do good and get fucked for it __________________ Exclusive Feeds

2006-08-04, 11:38 AM	#3
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	Because I purchased my own products through the link as well. Never did I think that would matter. I just thought they wouldn't pay me for that.

2006-08-04, 12:44 PM	#5
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	Actually my wife did it and runs it. The whole story is on http://www.christmas-vacation.com She really had to jump through hoops to make it a legal charity but, she finally did it in about a month. She has already had inquires from schools that never participated so far. The beginning was bad...schools said they couldn't give a list of poor kids to my wife. Once they saw what she did with the kids on the lists she did get, all the local schools decided to help. But, like I said, my wife does it all. I help out a little but, she gets the lists together, talks to parents to find out what the Teens want and does the shopping, wrapping and delivering. And she always signs the cards, "Love, Santa" Anyway, it looks like this year she will be buying for over almost 1000 Teens. But, no donations for a few months.

2006-08-05, 09:50 AM	#10
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	I did everything about getting screwed that I am going to do. I just consider it an extra donation last year. At the time, I was having my land logged so, the money was not a problem. Out of all the money I have been screwed out of in the past 10 years, this was a tiny amount.

2006-08-06, 02:10 PM	#12
digifan ...and since we know an end will come it makes our living so much fun Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: In your dreams, baby Posts: 3,835	Ouch it is just terrible, somehow overlooked this earlier.. so they reward this way those who want to do something good and helpful for the kids in need, nice... not. __________________ Webair Rocks

2006-08-06, 11:39 PM	#13
docholly Nothing funnier than the ridiculous faces you people make mid-coitus Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sin-City USA Posts: 4,973	that sux.. i remember we did spud's whole wishlist on amazon just to be able to give some back.. sometimes corporate jockeys need to be ridden hard and put away DRY.. as in sucked dry. __________________ Support Indie Porn Sites OMGoddess You know you need some Bling!!

2006-08-07, 08:19 AM	#14
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	They did it the right way to screw someone. They led me along actually calling me and letting me explain everything. They put me off with appeals just long enough until I forgot about it...then they sent me an email saying my appeal was denied. I had to think for a while to figure out what they were talking about.

2006-08-07, 08:25 AM	#15
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	But, I guess I did break their terms and conditions by making my own purchases through the link. If you break the rules of a program, you deserve what you get. So anyway, this year, no screwing around. Paypal and epassporte is how we are going. I really am happy that at the time, I had enough money to cover the donation. You guys did really well. It takes a lot of Amazon buying to get it up to $11k.

2006-08-07, 08:25 AM	#16
Simon That which does not kill us, will try, try again. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conch Republic Posts: 5,150	Maybe the mainstream press would be interested in a story about: "Amazon.com Denies Poor Children $11K for Christmas Gifts" ...and how a local hero stepped up and made good with $11K from his own pocket. __________________ "If you're happy and you know it, think again." -- Guru Pitka

2006-08-07, 01:59 PM	#17
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	We never get any press coverage for this. When my wife and a friend opened it up, I started it with $10k. We let the local press know about it and heard nothing. The very next day on the front page of the local paper was the American Legion holding a giant $500 check going to Toys for Tots I just get no respect Like I said, if I had read the T&Cs, I would have known not to purchase my own stuff through the account. And, if I had not broken the rules, I would be screaming at the top of my lungs..I think everyone knows that about me But, I have done enough affiliate terminating over that past 10 years that I know...if you break the rules, you pay the price. At least they weren't as bad as google. They terminated me a few years ago without any reason given. That wasn't quite $11k but it was a good sum of money.

2006-08-07, 03:11 PM	#19
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	I covered the money before I was even supposed to get paid. I really didn't know I was screwed until January. And like I said, I have terminated enough people to know, there really isn't anything else I could do. I guess I look at it this way...I am running an affiliate program. Someone joins one of the sites several times using their own affiliate code. I would have terminated them and not paid them. That is basically what happened to me. And, thank you guys for donating already. But, I don't really want it to start yet so I took down the page until October.