Why Amazon.com is struggling to crack Argentina

[Bharat]

I wondered why more Argentines don't use Amazon. They had free shipping offer. I wish I could use Mercado Libre but I do not have dni. In USA I used Amazon a lot. It work very good. I read this article that was interesting why Amazon has problems here.

Why Amazon is struggling to crack Argentina

The company, which recently launched free shipping to Argentina, faces major challenges from regional rival MercadoLibre and a network of smugglers.

restofworld.org

 

[Betsy Ross]

Amazon had a $5 shipping deal for a while but most things are expensive to ship here. They ended that promotion. Shipping also takes forever to get here. There is one advantage to being so far away from the entire world. It makes you think twice on ordering junk you don't need. Either it will take too long or will cost too much.

Mercado Libre works fine. Costs have come down with Amazon competition which is good.

 

[earlyretirement]

Mercado Libre has drastically improved. I've been using them quite a bit. Prices are much cheaper than in stores. The same exact product I will see in a store and sometimes it is as low as half on Mercado Libre and most things arrive the next day. I've ordered things big and small and it works well and easy to return as well.

I also found a way to get Mercado Pago credit (cash). If you order something and then cancel the order before they ship it, they refund it to Mercado Pago cash. For example, I used my American credit card to buy a refrigerator. It was about $1,000 USD and the vendor reached out to see if I wanted to buy it direct. I agreed and he canceled the order and then I got the cash into my Mercado Pago account. It seems like you can do that if you wanted.

Venders are getting smart and figuring out ways to sell things direct outside of Mercado Libre so they avoid commissions.

 

[Peabody]

Like anywhere people are willing to pay a premium to get it quickly. Amazon prices even with the eliminated import taxes still adds up with shipping and the vat tax. I ordered some stuff but it took forever to get here. My friend lets me use his ML account and stuff gets here mostly in 1 day.

 

[Larry]

Well many things are stolen from packages from Amazon. Their packages are obvious and along the way things are getting stolen. I have ordered things before from them and things were taken out. Nothing you can do. I had to dispute with my credit card. You can clearly see someone opened the box and replaced the Amazon tape with normal tape.

Mercado Libre is very easy to deal with. Returns are simple and can take it to any return location. Amazon you have to pay shipping.

Too many people stealing stuff on the way to Argentina.

 

[old fart]

Well many things are stolen from packages from Amazon. Their packages are obvious and along the way things are getting stolen. I have ordered things before from them and things were taken out. Nothing you can do. I had to dispute with my credit card. You can clearly see someone opened the box and replaced the Amazon tape with normal tape.

Mercado Libre is very easy to deal with. Returns are simple and can take it to any return location. Amazon you have to pay shipping.

Too many people stealing stuff on the way to Argentina.

It is no wonder Amazon is not doing well here. I ordered some towels and high thread count sheets for my bed as there is not good quality here and the sheets and towels were used! It was clear someone returned them but nothing I could do but also dispute it.

 

[Avocado]

Be VERY careful buy from Amazon. I ordered 2 items and both had problem. One was air fryer that did not work. It was clear they ship me used item. No plastic packaged and I could see used. It would not turn on. They want me to pay more shipping back than value of item!

I order set of sheets for my bed. I open and I can see it was also used. It was shoved in plastic and I see blood stain. I show Amazon and they deny it. They also want me to pay for shipping back. Many people have problem with Amazon!

Other people I know have package open and things stolen and one item had rock put inside!

Precios bajos pero problemas para devolver productos rotos: el lado B de Amazon en Argentina

De la mano de la apertura comercial de Milei, las plataformas internacionales de e-commerce comenzaron a seducir al mercado nacional. La norteamericana no tiene oficina en el país y hay inconvenientes para las devoluciones. El impacto en MercadoLibre.

www.eldiarioar.com