Buying cookbooks? Use the link to Amazon!

[Suzanne]

Ready to buy that new cookbook? Use the link to Amazon and you'll help Cheftalk, too!

If buying in Canada use this link:

Amazon.ca: Cooking, Food & Wine: Books

[Mikeb]

Does it still work if we link to an international Amazon page, say France or Canada?

[Suzanne]

I don't know, but I'll try to find out. (Sorry I didn't answer sooner; just saw this tonight.)

[lyneotto]

How does it help Cheftalk?
L

[kokopuffs]

I am totally frustrated with AMAZON. Using their $30 credit after having gotten their credit card seems like a bag of worms. After having navigated the website for over an hour to try and get the $30 discount, I unsubscribed in total frustration and I've been working with computers for 35 years. I've had it with Amazon and finally deleted my info. Furthermore, they never responded to my complaints. So much for ****heads.

[Free Rider]

I recently had trouble with Amazon too (Friday, actually). I was so frustrated with their hidden menus for getting to information that I called them. After more than an hour on the phone with their customer service, they finally gave me the info I needed. While they were fussing around, I also quit Amazon. They saw that. I changed my name to "I Hate Amazon" and deleted my info.

It's really too bad because they were so good for so long. Don't know what's happened to them lately. Perhaps they'll get back on track.

[foodnfoto]

I have to concur with the last two posts. I've been ordering books, cds and other stuff from Amazon for about 7 years. Within the past year service has drastically deteriorated. Packages are late, or missing. Wrong items, sizes are sent and I have to shell out the money for returns. Books that are said to be in stock are put on hold for later shipping-then I'm told that it will not ship at all.
I've given up on them and will not order from Amazon anymore. It's too bad, it used to be a great service, but they expanded the product line to include companies that can't meet the same customer service standards that we've all gotten used to.

[monk]

Regrettably, I feel compelled to toss in my perceptions of amazon.com's poor 'customer service', and will be direct (?)
1. During my last three purchases, two were total disasters because of errors on their part. I admit this was very atypical of my experiences with them, but it made me very concerned as it highlighted how poorly they are set up to handle problems.
2. I called 7 times to try and get direct answers - in 5 of those calls I talked to 'customer service reps' (3 Indian, 2 Phillipino (sp?) - I politely asked them their location/nationality) who did not understand English well enough to make the exchange constructive or efficient. Don't misunderstand me, it was obvious they were working their backsides off trying their very best to help, but the management did not give them the tools and information they needed to be efficient and helpful. I blame the management totally.
3. I then transferred my efforts to email - equally a disaster. I asked the same questions, and made the same requests 3 times, and each time got the same 'canned' reply, which did not answer my query. Again, the email responses were based on personnel not being given the tools they needed. I finally got the corporate mailing address, and will spend the time writing a long constructive letter on how amazon.com needs to change their obvious (?) decision to make customer service for grievances inefficient, difficult, and obtuse.
4. Having said all this, I have made many 'happy' purchases from amazon in the past, but agree they have slid downhill, so I have mixed emotions - until I am forced to plow through all their useless 'tailored' SPAM when you log in. I really don't need 'recommendations', nor 'suggestions', nor 'gold boxes' with trivial discounts, nor suggestions for things I'm not even looking for?!! Perhaps if we all write in with complaints???

Naaaah! What a waste of time, when you could be cooking for friends, or cooking with friends, and wine to boot! Tonight my friends and I are pulling a 'reefer dinner'. Each of us brings something out of their fridge to make a meal (general assignments as to course, but that's it). So far, what has shown up is frog legs (honkin' huge ones - IQF from China), diver scallops (gorgeous - but I think these just didn't happen to be 'in the fridge!'), Sicilian salt packed capers, Manchego cheese, fresh basil, and one rippin' good Sauvignon Blanc! Don't know how it will come together yet, but 4 more people need to show up, and I've got mango gelato in my machine right now! Cheers.

"Living well is the best revenge."

[kokopuffs]

The last time I ordered a book from Amazon was in 2002 and the tracking process was very complicated - enough to make me order books from other websites.

[rzn]

All I have ever ordered is books, never other stuff. So far everything has been ok, but I also don't waste my time with all acillary nonsense they have. I have noticed that some of the "buy these two books together" offers are actually more expensive lately than if you order the two books at the same time separately though...

On the flip side I ordered a cake cookbook that I had on my wish list for awhile that I saw in the bookstore the other day, bookstore $39, Amazon $26. REALLY good book too...

[Entropy]

Why not try thegoodcook.com? I used them to get some seriously expensive books for free and was satisfied with their overall service. The only thing is you must realize that they will send you a book every month unless you decline their offer, so read their emails or check your account with them on their website!! And for those of you living in NYC, I can't stress the gems at Strand Bookstore in Union Square. I bought a high-demand $60 cookbook for less then half that price!! Happy shopping

[DevilNuts]

Ordering 3 books this weekend, and using the link!

[Ninja_59]

Thank you Entropy, this is a gold mine

[senorfrank]

Post deleted by moderator

[kokopuffs]

I've since ordered a couple of items from Amazon, including the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker and ordering was a snap. Very easily accomplished.

The items arrived very quickly but the lid to the WSM was chipped. After notifying Weber's customer service of the damage, a replacement lid was FedEx'ed to me and arrived in two days - intact with no damage.