Oh, Amazon, you’ve done it again…
Just when you thought Amazon couldn’t have POSSIBLY another #PrimeDayFail, it appears Amazon’s second Prime Day took it two steps back.
So what happened? Here’s a brief rundown of known complaints to date:
The Add-to-Cart Debacle
Prime members hoping to score Lightning Deals were, in some cases, shut out. Earlier in the day, customers could not add deals to their cart.
When Amazon supposedly fixed the issue, customers who’d previously tried to add Lightning Deals to their carts, then tried to add them, were told they could not have the Lightning Deal because they’d already redeemed it.
Even at 10 p.m. EDT, complaints were still pouring in with the #PrimeDayFail hashtag, indicating the problem had not been solved.
Also, if a customer added a deal to the cart, then removed it, the deal could not be re-added.
Those tweeting also indicated that if they were able to reach a customer service representative, they were told the deals would not be extended due to these technical issues. Basically, Amazon customers were SOL.
Visa Coupon Code Ended Early
Visa ran a promotion in which customers spending $150 or more would earn $30 off if they used the coupon code VISA30.
By all accounts, there was no indications this would be a limited-time offer. So the complaints rolled in on Twitter once the Prime Day deal was apparently ended before noon EDT.
Bad Deals… Again
Now Amazon couldn’t fully control what its marketplace sellers were offering as Lightning Deals and other Prime Day specials. But, basically, customers complained on Twitter about Prime Day offers being a cornucopia of crap.
Unless, of course, you really have been waiting for that deeply discounted book “Raising Chickens For Dummies.”
The Top Tweets
Here are the top tweets that showed the anger, frustration and disappointment of Amazon Prime members:
Happy Add to Cart Failed Day everyone! #PrimeDay #PrimeDayFail
— Mary Nadal (@marycnadal) July 12, 2016
add to cart, but not there. #PrimeDay is a #PrimeDayFail pic.twitter.com/AE8LGmyMuc
— Avidfoodie (@avidfoodie) July 12, 2016
.@Amazon Way to advertise promotion codes that are good for 24 hours and then pull them 12 hours early. #PrimeDayFail #baitandswitch
— Alexander Fick (@AlexanderFick) July 13, 2016
So 95% of the items offered during @amazon #PrimeDay are worse than what I can find on the clearance shelf at @Walmart #PrimeDayFail
— Jason R (@bobcats9498) July 12, 2016
Hey @amazon I can’t get any of your #PrimeDay items into my cart, And no way to contact you for help????? Wow. #PrimeDayFail
— Sam Saboura (@SamStyles) July 13, 2016
ONE BLOODY PENNY! @Amazon So much for #PrimeDay More like #PrimeDayFail pic.twitter.com/ADyspEpGVR
— April McCormick (@TweetingApril) July 12, 2016
Hey @amazon, it’s hard to buy on #PrimeDay when it won’t add to cart and only lets me watch 4 items #PrimeDayFail pic.twitter.com/wlyIN2WH2F
— Stacey (@Stawojo5481) July 12, 2016
#PrimeDay is lit. #Amazon #PrimeDayFail pic.twitter.com/5ce5uNpvuP
— Jennifer (@burritosandguac) July 12, 2016
Off to a good start #PrimeDayFail pic.twitter.com/X9p07qEVgi
— Mel Gold (@pretty_velcro) July 12, 2016
Still trying to purchase but can’t add to cart @Amazon #PrimeDayFail pic.twitter.com/JlQgWvG41d
— Jenna Paglia (@jennapaglia) July 12, 2016
Had to create a second @amazon account and grant Prime access through my first account to purchase #PrimeDayFail items. Ridiculous.
— Chris Swain (@chrisswain) July 12, 2016
When the only solutions @amazon offers you is “it’s working for me” #PrimeDay #PrimeDayFail
— Chris Puglesi (@Cpuglesi) July 12, 2016
@AmazonHelp it won’t let me add to cart to see the price! #PrimeDayFail @amazon pic.twitter.com/cfUUepMaiL
— Tyler John (@Superhawks) July 12, 2016
@amazon @Chase Let’s get this fixed! I’m one hour away from losing next day shipping! #VISA30 #PrimeDayFail pic.twitter.com/7FrbaW2rgx
— Jim Maffrand (@jmaffrand) July 12, 2016
@AmazonHelp I just contacted Amazon help and I was informed that the code VISA30 had expired. Disappointing Prime Day! #PrimeDayFail
— Lauren Sutton (@SuttLaur) July 12, 2016
Deals on things you want? Fuck that, buy this ukulele.#PrimeDayFail pic.twitter.com/mBii6OKyVA
— generally unliked (@tsunderebolts) July 12, 2016
#PrimeDay Cart is empty but per @amazon“This deal is in your Cart.You have -231:-58 left to check out.”#PrimeDayFail pic.twitter.com/QHjrFM9PTZ
— Steve Nelson (@steven_nelson) July 12, 2016
@Amazon Who do I contact to give feedback when @AmazonHelp chat can’t get my name, let alone my order, right?! #Disrespectful #PrimeDayFail
— JJ (@friend4u2know) July 12, 2016
No help from Amazon email or customer service #PrimeDay #PrimeDayFail …is this annoyance is worth paying for ?:(
— Susan Ellis (@azTexSusie) July 12, 2016
Tim Parry is Multichannel Merchant’s Managing Editor, and the lead programmer for Growing Global.