I worked CS there from '99 through '02, and we did it then, too. Case by case basis, and not by pop-up, but as far as I know they have ALWAYS done this. They make incredibly good business decisions, and not having to return small items hits both the "make customers happy" aspect and the "keep costs lower" aspect.
No but recently I returned some items I got for Christmas (2 people used my wishlist and it didn't update... which it should... and so I got multiples). They deducted the return shipping from me (unopened, unused, GIFTED items).
I wrote a letter and got no reply. I've had great Customer Service from
Amazon in the past... so I am hoping this is unusual...
That's a situation where you need to chat with a CS rep. It's an outlier situation, where either there's been a problem with the Wish List (very very UNlikely FWIW) and they will want to know this, or the purchaser didn't use the WL properly (very very likely, very very common, and very very frustrating for the recipient) and they will need to make a *personalized* decision on whether or not to cover your shipping costs back.
It's not something to just fill out the online form about.
And it's not judgy or even rude to say that a problem with the WL itself is really unlikely...it's just the reality of the situation. Most WL problems that I saw were caused by the buyers simply, and innocently, doing it wrong.
I am thinking about quitting the wishlist feature (or hiding it to just be a list for myself) because of their issues. It shouldn't be that difficult. I use it because I have a lot of out of town family and try to make things easier... and it helps amazon because then they get the business. But might go back to paper lists.
People use the WL feature strangely because they don't want the recipient to see, or they are buying things for themselves, etc etc. it's just the way of the wish-list-world.
Paper lists will NEVER update automatically, LOL....
Oh crap. Guess I won't be doing that anymore. Might as well just announce what I bought him on Facebook too, lol.
He made the wish list. He obviously wants those items. There's no surprise happening when buying from someone's WL. If HE chooses to look at the list, and yes you do have to specifically click to see what's been purchased, I don't think that should change what you are doing. If you don't buy directly from the WL, then you might end up in the multiple-purchases situation and have to deal with return shipping costs etc. If he wants to ruin the "surprise" ("surprise" being dubious since he knows you know he wants those exact items) I don't see why it should change your habits.
