Amazon Echo Club

[KimberlyFDR]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Did Amazon ever refund you the difference?

Despite my best efforts they did not. I contacted chat customer service twice, phone customer service once, and forwarded my inquiry to Jeff as well. I received the same answer each time - you will need to return the item, get a refund, then buy at the lower price. Unfortunately, since the lower price was for a limited time, by the time I got the item it was back up to a higher price, so I was out the difference I just feel like it's bad customer service to promote using Alexa-only deals, then the next day lower it by more than 1/3 as if to penalize those who actually utilized the promoted service.

Originally Posted by KimberlyFDR

Despite my best efforts they did not. I contacted chat customer service twice, phone customer service once, and forwarded my inquiry to Jeff as well. I received the same answer each time - you will need to return the item, get a refund, then buy at the lower price. Unfortunately, since the lower price was for a limited time, by the time I got the item it was back up to a higher price, so I was out the difference I just feel like it's bad customer service to promote using Alexa-only deals, then the next day lower it by more than 1/3 as if to penalize those who actually utilized the promoted service.

They quickly responded to my email request for a refund of the difference with a big NO as well. My item was "sold by Amazon" and the more discounted item was also "sold by Amazon", so it is not like a 3rd party seller was discounting the same item. I think it is crazy that they would discount for BF then two days later discount even more but not honor the price match. But I'm not surprised as they have been jacking up prices, turning out downgraded devices, and needlessly limiting services and device functionality in annoying ways.

ETA: I just checked the price on the BF item I bought. It was $92 on BF, $79 yesterday (Sunday), and up to $97 today (Monday)! These are all prices set by Amazon because Amazon lists themselves as the seller and shipper. Someone needs to educate Amazon on what a sell means. This is ridiculous as the price keeps rollercoasting along.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I wanted a pumpkin smoothie, so I asked for a pumpkin smoothie recipe. Repeatedly. Alexa kept saying, I don't understand the question--which was annoying as hell, since on the tablet my words were transcribed exactly correct (if I'd been asking a Dot, I would've thought maybe my enunciation was poor). When I finally just said Recipes, Alexa offered to enable three different recipe skills. I didn't know which to pick so then I gave up and made a banana smoothie instead.

She understood you just fine, the problem is that she doesn't have pumpkin smoothie recipes in her knowledge base, so she doesn't know what you are asking for. I suspect that Google Home would know exactly what you want as her knowledge base is much more extensive than Alexa's.

I've a feeling that The Jeff is fully aware of that and is working hard to catch up, but Alexa is not there yet.

Originally Posted by wodin

She understood you just fine, the problem is that she doesn't have pumpkin smoothie recipes in her knowledge base, so she doesn't know what you are asking for. I suspect that Google Home would know exactly what you want as her knowledge base is much more extensive than Alexa's.

I've a feeling that The Jeff is fully aware of that and is working hard to catch up, but Alexa is not there yet.

I think you should probably get a Google Home and play with it before comparing it to an Alexa device. Do you even have an Alexa device? From what I've read in reviews the Google Home is the one that is way behind the curve at the moment. As far as that goes, I suspect both devices are way behind Siri in a lot of ways, if not most.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by wodin

She understood you just fine, the problem is that she doesn't have pumpkin smoothie recipes in her knowledge base, so she doesn't know what you are asking for. I suspect that Google Home would know exactly what you want as her knowledge base is much more extensive than Alexa's.

I've a feeling that The Jeff is fully aware of that and is working hard to catch up, but Alexa is not there yet.

Then I wish it'd said that. Or directed me to the skills for recipes--I didn't say just "pumpkin smoothie"; I asked for a "pumpkin smoothie recipe." When I simply said "recipes," it offered me the skills to enable. Seems to me that it should have been able to focus on the word recipe and do that in the first place.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Then I wish it'd said that. Or directed me to the skills for recipes--I didn't say just "pumpkin smoothie"; I asked for a "pumpkin smoothie recipe." When I simply said "recipes," it offered me the skills to enable. Seems to me that it should have been able to focus on the word recipe and do that in the first place.

As I understand it, it sounds like the skills will open a third party app. I saw someone said Allrecipes was one of the skills.
That is my go to recipe site so you might want to try it.
Because "Hey Cindy" isn't connected 24/7.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by jswinden

I think you should probably get a Google Home and play with it before comparing it to an Alexa device. Do you even have an Alexa device? From what I've read in reviews the Google Home is the one that is way behind the curve at the moment. As far as that goes, I suspect both devices are way behind Siri in a lot of ways, if not most.

Yes Jack, I have currently six Alexa enabled devices, and frequently get answers from my "OK Google" phone that Alexa doesn't know the answer to. Generally I'll ask Alexa first, and if she doesn't know I ask Google.

Google also remembers the context of the previous question which allows threaded conversations (I haven't actually experienced that so I'm relying on the reviews I've read) which Alexa can't do yet.

What I don't understand is why isn't Google capitalizing those advantages in their advertising.

Meanwhile, Amazon has had more than a year to groom Alexa, and has done pretty well, and competition from Google can only make her even better. As I have said, I am heavily invested in Alexa and have no intention of changing horses in mid stream, that doesn't mean I won't keep an eye on the competition.

Siri? Once again Apple is a day late, a dollar short and way too expensive, why should I invest in anything that I have to beg Tim to let me use like I want to?

[ApK]

I don't have a Google device to compare, but I'm quite happy with my Echo and my Dot hardware.

But I definitely find "OK Google" (via my phone) can provide more useful info and answer more complex questions than "Alexa" can, and I hope Alexa eventually improves in those regards.

BTW, just got one of the TP-Link HS100 "smart plugs" from Newegg.com (Cheaper than at Amazon today, and I have a local will-call pick-up center for Newegg).

I'm greatly amused. "Alexa, turn on the tree!" Hehe.

[Yolina]

I think I'm going to send the TP-Link back - haven't even set it up yet - as I've seen that in the UK the price has come down on some Energenie stuff and that now works with Alexa.
They do decent-looking dual wall socket replacements which is going to be so much better than the ugly white plug-in things. Though as I need a few of the ugly white plug-in things, I've ordered the kit with the bridge and 3 adapters as well as a couple of wall sockets.

Originally Posted by Yolina

I think I'm going to send the TP-Link back - haven't even set it up yet - as I've seen that in the UK the price has come down on some Energenie stuff and that now works with Alexa.
They do decent-looking dual wall socket replacements which is going to be so much better than the ugly white plug-in things. Though as I need a few of the ugly white plug-in things, I've ordered the kit with the bridge and 3 adapters as well as a couple of wall sockets.

I've got the TP-Link multicolored LED bulb. It works well, but was kind of pricey. The good thing about TP-Link stuff is that it does not require a separate hub like the Phillips bulbs and devices do. Apparently Alexa only works with one hub, so make sure you don't buy items that require their own hubs unless you only have one as multiple hubs cannot be used. TP-Link devices are bulky because they don't have a separate hub.

[Yolina]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Apparently Alexa only works with one hub, so make sure you don't buy items that require their own hubs unless you only have one as multiple hubs cannot be used.

Oh bummer, is that 100% sure? I have a Hue bridge already

Originally Posted by Yolina

Oh bummer, is that 100% sure? I have a Hue bridge already

I read it in a support forum, but cannot remember which one. Or it might have been on the Amazon reviews. So take the info with a grain of salt and fact check it.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

As I understand it, it sounds like the skills will open a third party app. I saw someone said Allrecipes was one of the skills.
That is my go to recipe site so you might want to try it.
Because "Hey Cindy" isn't connected 24/7.

I can't see the Allrecipes skill. Lots of articles about it being available for the Echo now, but it isn't as far as I can see.

I wonder if it's a US only thing

[Yolina]

Originally Posted by jswinden

I read it in a support forum, but cannot remember which one. Or it might have been on the Amazon reviews. So take the info with a grain of salt and fact check it.

I guess I'll find out tomorrow once my Energenie bridge arrives
Worst case I can still use the app to control the sockets anyway - I was looking at their stuff about a year ago, long before there was any mention of Alexa in the UK, but the price drop made it a fairly good deal this year I quite like the idea of just being able to replace my existing wall sockets.

[ApK]

I'm curious about the multiple hubs thing too. I cannot find any mention of it, and it doesn't make a lot of sense. I know you can have links to two cloud accounts for HA, like Wink, and TP-Link, so not sure what both devices' being a "hub" would matter.

I have seen forum discussions about issues with two of the SAME hubs on one system.