Make Amazon.com pay you!

I've been an Amazon.com user for a long time now - my first order with them was placed on June 24, 1997. I could probably figure out how much I've spent with them over the years, but I'd be afraid to. :)

But money is why I'm writing this short article you're reading. Being a long time member of Amazon, I was surprised to find out earlier this year that they have a 30 day price guarantee policy. I don't know what Amazon officially refers to the policy as, because it's not mentioned in their help anywhere (that I could find). However, if you notice that Amazon.com drops their price on something after it's been shipped to you, you can write them and request a refund in the amount of the difference, and they'll do it. It is internal, it's not like they honor a lower price anywhere (say at buy.com), but it works internally. At least that's how I understand it to work, anyway.

It doesn't matter how small the amount is (I've written in for as little as 8 cents), they'll give it to you provided it's within the 30 days (after it ships, I believe). Anyway, what you do is go to Amazon.com help area, and select the "Refunds" option in the "Returns & Replacements" section. From there, select the "Contact Customer Service by E-Mail" option, and then "Refund Inquiry" from the dropdown. From there you are presented with an interactive list of your previous orders, you find the one with the item you want the refund on, and then you are given the option to type in a message. That's where you actually ask for the refund. Make sure and mention the 30 day Amazon price drop policy.

It's a little bit of a hassle with all the clicking to ask for the refund, and you have to keep an eye on your orders for 30 days after they ship, but the way I look at it, if they're going to give me money back, I'm gonna take it - even if it is just eight cents! Make Amazon pay you! :)

I also tried this at Amazon's UK store, and it worked there; I don't know if it works universally at all their stores (amazon.ca, amazon.de, amazon.jp, etc), but it does at these two.