NOT HOT?: AMEX and ZDNET/CNET/MYSIMON/BUYERSASSURANCE change TOS

[chanfo]

Spoke to Amex and they say they will no longer verify the website while you're on the phone. He said they used to do that but will no longer allow it now.

 

[mrb23]

Any of you guys with CNET or other services buy an item within the past week or two? I did and now i'm sad cuz I can't PM the item for the full difference, which was about $200 cheaper elsewhere... all legitimate...

Is there any way we can get them (CNET/ZDNET/MS/BA) to honor purchases up to a certain date? Perhaps if there was enough of us with a petition going we can change their minds? I just don't understand how they can change the terms of service like that without ANY WARNING OR NOTIFICATION at all. Almost seems like bait-and-switch? Cuz I'm sure lots of AT folks just signed up in the past few weeks or months with one of their services. Any legal experts out there? I don't recall in any terms of service that I agreed to that they can change the program when and how they want to, especially without telling people. I mean credit card companies change policy, but they send you something in the mail to notify you first at least.

I mean, I went to the CNET site last week, and it didn't say ANYTHING about being only $100 max per item. And I didn't file the claim last week because I didn't have the serial number of the item with me. Argh.. me no happy, as you can tell...

 

[Justincase]

>>>I just don't understand how they can change the terms of service like that without ANY WARNING OR NOTIFICATION at all.<<<

How? Well, it's been a while since I read their terms, but my guess would be that there's a clause in the terms that states: "we can change the terms of service at any time" :Q

 

[andrew123]

I just spoke to American Express, they said that yes, if the browser prints the date on the printout of an online store page containg a price, it would be valid.

 

[andrew123]

Oops! Double Post.

 

[mrb23]

from
http://www.memberspecials.com/cnet/terms_membership.asp

Communications: Member hereby authorizes WL to deliver any and all communications ("Communications"), including but not limited to membership information, procedures on use of the Service, changes in Service benefits, and change in fee to Member's electronic mail address or mailing address at WL's discretion and by any means including at WL's discretion, electronic mail. Member further authorizes WL to deliver any Communication by sending in lieu of such Communication ("the Underlying Communication"), a notice which directs Member to an address on the World Wide Web ("Web") where the Underlying Communication is posted. Member agrees that the sending of a notice of delivery by Web posting shall constitute delivery whether or not Member actually accesses the Underlying Communication via the Web. Member agrees that he/she will not, for any reason, alter any Communication delivered electronically or otherwise. WL does not guarantee Web access, however WL offers Member various ways of accessing its customer service staff.


Doesn't say anything about changing terms of service with no warning or notice whatesoever...

 

[stso]

I just called AMEX BVG and I was told the policy did not change at all ....... they will still take internet ADs.
By the way, this is 10pm here, so maybe the CSR I spoke to did not know the new policy thing.
I'll call again tomorrow to make another claim. Wish me luck.

 

[bonk102]

can anyone tell me how to sign up for cnet advantage, bc i can't find a link for it and Amex blue wont' let me get a card bc half the money i make a year is in tips and therefore non taxed

if anyone could pm me with a way, i'd be greatly appreciative, i really really want this camera, esp. for that price

 

[VaG]

<< >>>To me, it seems like they obviously want to get out of the
pricematching-to-webstores game. Its probably starting to make a dent in profits, and it is taking some time to verify all these yahoo stores people are pricematching against.<<<

I think it's safe to say that is not the case. It's more likely that one reason for this change is all of those Photoshop artistes...people have used their creativity to 'adjust' certain elements of their Web printouts to fit what they wish to be true. Amex is just cracking down on abuses.

There will be more changes, as they realize that people are fraudulently matching to refurbs and other abuses. Don't be surprised when this happens...or when BVG disappears altogether. The handwriting is on the wall. >>



First of all it doesn't take photoshop to be "creative". MS Word will do. I doubt if this is the problem because if your going to be "creative" how hard is it to add any date you want.

 

[sygyzy]

Check again. It doesn't matter that they didn't tell us (CNET). If you read their FAQ it says $100 per item. I am very disappointed. At least I am getting my $200 check soon!

 

[Jdog]

UHHH, tips are taxed by the Fed.

I just bought a ton of computer parts planning to PM. If I am SOL, you can bet Amex is going to hear about it. I too just bought a Minolta Dimage5 in the 800.com deal and I had better get the PM I was supposed to at the time of purchase.

 

[Jdog]

YEAH!! No longer true!

I was on the phone doing some BVGs and the woman paused in mid-sentence. She said they no longer had to have the date on there--they reverted back. She said CSRs were demanding raises (b/c of how badly people were taking the news) and that AmEx did the right thing and dropped it. Crisis averted! You could hear the applause in the background!

 

[lispsux]

heh good - amex blue deals are lame anyway. perhaps now people will bother to look for REAL deals - not this "find scummy internet site" hunt that has been going on for a while now.

 

[Justincase]

>>>I too just bought a Minolta Dimage5 in the 800.com deal and I had better get the PM I was supposed to at the time of purchase.<<<

LOL. 'Supposed to at the time of purchase"? Did somebody tell you at the time of purchase that you are entitled to a pricematch?

 

[Jdog]

Yes, actually American Express did. It was in fact the only reason I moved from a personal to a Gold Rewards Plus card: The Best Value Guarantee. Of the $75,000 I've run through my card in the last 4 years, AmEx gets a 2-3% cut from each sale.

You'd better believe that the BVG is a huge deal to me. I scratch their back, they scratch mine.

BTW, free cruise, here I come...thanks Amex Membership Rewards.

Oh yeah, and thanks for beating my car and homeowners insurence by $144 bucks every months too.

As you can see, I give AmEx quite a bit of my business. I do expect pricematches when I buy things.

 

[TeMpT]

<< YEAH!! No longer true!

I was on the phone doing some BVGs and the woman paused in mid-sentence. She said they no longer had to have the date on there--they reverted back. She said CSRs were demanding raises (b/c of how badly people were taking the news) and that AmEx did the right thing and dropped it. Crisis averted! You could hear the applause in the background! >>



That's AWESOME...I think we should get that in writing

 

[mrb23]

anyone upset at all that CNET/ZDNET/etc changed their terms of service? I mean, c'mon, $250 down to $100 is a BIG DEAL!!!

 

[AaRdVarK54]

<< anyone upset at all that CNET/ZDNET/etc changed their terms of service? I mean, c'mon, $250 down to $100 is a BIG DEAL!!! >>



i'm upset and disappointed. i'll probably write a letter expressing my disappointment. I don't think they'll be changing the policy back, you know what they're gonna say:

"i'm sorry to hear about your disappointment in our change in TOS. we were looking to maximize the savings of our customers so we upped the maximum discount to $2000. we hope you continue to use our services..."

right.

 

[chanfo]

<< YEAH!! No longer true!

I was on the phone doing some BVGs and the woman paused in mid-sentence. She said they no longer had to have the date on there--they reverted back. She said CSRs were demanding raises (b/c of how badly people were taking the news) and that AmEx did the right thing and dropped it. Crisis averted! You could hear the applause in the background! >>



Great. I can verify this is true. I just filed a new claim and they told me the same thing, they no longer need the date on the website itself.

 

[genericdvd]

Here is the CNet reply to a mail from me asking them about the TOS change

Thank you for your interest in Member Specials. We have received your question regarding your best buy protection.

The policy had to be changed, and effective as of yesterday, because the program was being abused. It was established as a protection for our customers, and was being used to make money on duplicate items etc.

Thank you for being a Member Specials member and enjoy all the money you are going to save! We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Sincerely,

The Member Specials Team
customerservice@memberspecials.com

 

[Justincase]

>>>anyone upset at all that CNET/ZDNET/etc changed their terms of service? I mean, c'mon, $250 down to $100 is a BIG DEAL!!! <<<

Nope. Actually, I MUCH PREFER it this way...I look for the lowest price first, in most cases, then use these services to protect me against price decreases (you know - the way these services were MEANT to be used). Most items are not going to drop in price by over $100 anyway. And with the new policy, I will be getting back double the money ($2,000 vs. $1,000) during the next year. I couldn't be happier about that.

As an earlier writer wrote, I don't care much for the deals posted here that rely on a pricematch to make sense...I can do that myself at any time and turn pretty much any deal into a hot deal (like the $150 Nikon 995 that I could have done through pricematching, before these new terms took effect). Problem with those types of deals is that if you do 4 of them at $250 PM each, you're maxed out and don't have further price protection for a whole year.

 

[Jdog]

While I see where you're coming from, I like the fact that I can go to the mall, buy something I want/need, and worry about the price later.

When they say effective date, I assume they mean that purchases, not pricematches, hereafter will be affected. Anybody know for sure?

 

[aircasper]

thanks for the update jdog and chanfo! that's great! i'm waiting to receive my camera from photoalley, and was worried about price matching it with another site. i just hope they don't revert their revert of their original policy!

 

[airduct]

Jdog,

Please turn on your PM...i would like more info about your amex card. what do you have to do to get the "gold rewards plus" card? thanks




"Yes, actually American Express did. It was in fact the only reason I moved from a personal to a Gold Rewards Plus card: The Best Value Guarantee. Of the $75,000 I've run through my card in the last 4 years, AmEx gets a 2-3% cut from each sale.

You'd better believe that the BVG is a huge deal to me. I scratch their back, they scratch mine.

BTW, free cruise, here I come...thanks Amex Membership Rewards.

Oh yeah, and thanks for beating my car and homeowners insurence by $144 bucks every months too.

As you can see, I give AmEx quite a bit of my business. I do expect pricematches when I buy things. "

 

[Optical]

Just did the claim with AMEX and it was absolutely painless. I can't say enough about their fast and courteous service. Worked as usual and didn't mention about the policy change.