Amazon Echo Club

[wodin]

No, Google Assistant (the AI in Google Home) is the only context sensitive AI in the general use by the public. That's the biggest argument for Google Home over Alexa or Siri, but when GA comes to my phone and smartwatch it won't really matter. I'll just use the phone to answer questions and Alexa for everything else.

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, Siri works the same way. It's a nice feature of the Google assistant that it does keep track of what you're talking about. Makes for more natural conversations.

Alexa is rather strict on how you ask her to do things, especially when it comes to music commands and smart home devices. She does not allow a lot of flexibility. With the few smart home devices I have she is quite literal on how the commands must be worded. The same goes with listening to Pandora on her too.

[Tarana]

This month you can get two free audiobooks via Alexa. The first is performed by actress Rachel McAdams.

Alexa, read Anne of Green Gables
Alexa, read The Secret Garden

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Tarana

This month you can get two free audiobooks via Alexa. The first is performed by actress Rachel McAdams.

Alexa, read Anne of Green Gables
Alexa, read The Secret Garden

Thanks for catching it. I kept looking at the What's New page waiting for this month's offer and didn't see it. What I failed to do was scroll down. My bad

Oh, and there are three classics being offered for April. The third one is:

"Alexa, read 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' from Audible"

Free this month from Audible

Enjoy three free classics

"Alexa, read 'Anne of Green Gables' from Audible"

In celebration of World Book Day on April 23, Audible is offering a trio of timeless classics for free on your Echo device for the entire month of April.

Just ask Alexa...

"Read 'The Secret Garden' from Audible"
"Read 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' from Audible"

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Thanks for catching it. I kept looking at the What's New page waiting for this month's offer and didn't see it. What I failed to do was scroll down. My bad



Oh, and there are three classics being offered for April. The third one is:



"Alexa, read 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' from Audible"

I've read that one as an ebook, and it's a worthy addition to the lifetime count, but I'm hoping to hear both Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden before the month is out.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I've read that one as an ebook, and it's a worthy addition to the lifetime count, but I'm hoping to hear both Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden before the month is out.

I already own The Secret Garden and Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. I don't have any desire to listen to Anne of Green Gables at this time.

According to multiple news sites hackers have gained access to many seller accounts of third-party sellers on Amazon. They are posting non-existent merchandise and ripping off consumers unfortunate enough to purchase the same. A good rule of thumb right now is the old saying, "If it seems too good of a deal to be true, then it probably is." The hackers are often marking down their fake merchandise prices to a ridiculously low amount to sucker buyers into the scheme. So if you see an item listed for a fraction of its normal cost, be aware.

ETA: Last week I was browsing cameras on Amazon and stumbled across a number of listings for a Sony a7s Mark I with lenses and accessories. All the suspect listings were for $400, but this camera should be going for $2000 or more, even though it is an older model now. I thought that was odd. I also thought it was odd that the listing stated you needed to contact the seller directly. I just assumed it was an illegitimate listing and moved on. Today I searched for those same listing, found them, but now they state, "There are currently no listings for this product." So I guess Amazon shut it down. Good for Amazon if they shut it down.

[WT Sharpe]

@jswinden Thanks for the heads up!

Sent from my SM-J700P using Tapatalk

Amazon has always been a rather strange marketplace. For example, if most retailers sell an item for $100, you might expect to see it priced within a +/- 20% to 25% range, say anywhere from $75 to $125 on an average day. But on Amazon there have always been a few sellers who will list said item for perhaps $50 or so. At first it looks like a good deal, but then you see that it is an open box item with portions missing. These deals tend to be legitimate, but you have to really read the details or you will regret the purchase. However, Amazon does have a good return policy. On the other end of the scales, we used to see a lot more highly inflated prices from a few questionable dealers. For example, while most sellers are listing the item around $100 a few might inflate that up to $2500. I think this was more prevalent back when the one click purchase didn't have as many fail-safe features built into the system. I guess the inflated selling price was placed there by a questionable seller hoping someone would accidentally click on it rather than a normal deal price advertised directly above or below their listing. I see much fewer of these inflated listings these days, but they are still around.

However, these hacked listings are total ripoffs as there is no item. They just grab your money and run. Or worse, they grab you CC info and you really get screwed over.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Amazon has always been a rather strange marketplace. For example, if most retailers sell an item for $100, you might expect to see it priced within a +/- 20% to 25% range, say anywhere from $75 to $125 on an average day. But on Amazon there have always been a few sellers who will list said item for perhaps $50 or so. At first it looks like a good deal, but then you see that it is an open box item with portions missing. These deals tend to be legitimate, but you have to really read the details or you will regret the purchase. However, Amazon does have a good return policy. On the other end of the scales, we used to see a lot more highly inflated prices from a few questionable dealers. For example, while most sellers are listing the item around $100 a few might inflate that up to $2500. I think this was more prevalent back when the one click purchase didn't have as many fail-safe features built into the system. I guess the inflated selling price was placed there by a questionable seller hoping someone would accidentally click on it rather than a normal deal price advertised directly above or below their listing. I see much fewer of these inflated listings these days, but they are still around.

However, these hacked listings are total ripoffs as there is no item. They just grab your money and run. Or worse, they grab you CC info and you really get screwed over.

I'm pretty sure that third party sellers on Amazon don't have access to your credit card info, so I wouldn't be too worried about that. The listings with no product IS a concern, however.

Shari

Originally Posted by shalym

I'm pretty sure that third party sellers on Amazon don't have access to your credit card info, so I wouldn't be too worried about that. The listings with no product IS a concern, however.

Shari

Under normal circumstances that is probably true. I'm guessing that Amazon shields your CC info from the sellers. Or more likely, the contractor that handles the banking does so. However, in the case of one listing I saw, that seller, probably an illegitimate seller who had hacked a legitimate seller's account, wanted direct contact before sealing the deal through Amazon. I would not be surprised if that likely illegitimate seller wanted to get the buyer's CC info. Amazon can shield buyers through the normal processes, but not if the buyer is ignorant enough to allow an illegitimate seller to deal with them outside of the safe buying zone.

Also note that the hackers were able to hack into the legitimate sellers' CC information. That might mean they only got the legitimate sellers' CC account info into which they accept payment from Amazon, or perhaps it means something else and more sinister. I hope it means they only got the legitimate sellers' CC info and/or replaced same with their own banking account info.

[DreamWriter]

Get a $5 promo code when you order a $25 Amazon gift card with Alexa.

https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=s9_acss...de=15497504011:

Order an Amazon Gift Card valued at $25 or more using voice shopping on your device with Alexa by April 16, 2017 and receive a $5 promotional code by email, while supplies last. Gift Cards are not returnable after purchase (except as required by law). Terms and Conditions apply; scroll down to learn more.**

How to Use Your Promotional Code

• For qualifying purchases, a $5 Amazon.com promotional code will be emailed to the email address associated with the Amazon.com account used to purchase the gift card within seven (7) days of purchase.
• Add one or more products sold by Amazon.com or Amazon Digital Services LLC in new condition to your cart.
• Enter the promotional code provided in the email in the "Gift Cards & Promotional Codes" box at check out.
• Complete your order by June 7, 2017, 11:59 PM (PT).

Terms & Conditions

In order to qualify for the $5 Amazon.com promotional code, you must: (1) be the recipient of the corresponding offer (either via email or on Amazon.com); and (2) purchase an Amazon.com Gift Card valued at $25 or more using voice shopping on your device with Alexa by April 16, 2017, 11:59 PM (PT), while supplies last.

• Offer expires earlier of 11:59 p.m. (PT) April 16, 2017 or while supplies last.
• Offer is restricted to the recipient of this offer only and may not be shared.
• Offer valid on a qualifying Amazon.com Gift Card purchase via Alexa voice shopping on an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV, or Fire tablet.
• Offer limited to one per customer and account.
• Offer may not be combined with other offers.
• Within seven (7) days of purchase of the qualifying Amazon.com Gift Card, you will receive an email from Amazon that contains the $5 promotional code. The email will be sent to the account associated with the qualifying purchase and will also provide instructions on how to redeem the promotional code.
• The maximum benefit you may receive from this offer is one $5 Amazon.com promotional code.
• Promotional code expires at 11:59 p.m. (PT) June 7, 2017.
• Promotional code may not be redeemed for Amazon Gift Cards.
• Promotional code only applies to products sold by Amazon.com or Amazon Digital Services LLC (look for "sold by Amazon.com" or “sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC” on the product detail page). Products sold by third-party sellers or other Amazon entities will not qualify for this offer, even if "fulfilled by Amazon.com" or "Prime Eligible.”
• Promotional code does not apply to digital content or to orders placed through voice shopping using Alexa.
• If any of the products or content related to this offer are returned, your refund will equal the amount you paid for the product or content, subject to applicable refund policies.
• Amazon.com Gift Cards are subject to the Amazon.com Balance and Amazon.com Gift Card Terms and Conditions: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custo...nodeId=3122091.
• Amazon.com Gift Cards may be used only for the purchase of eligible goods on Amazon.com or certain of its affiliated websites.
• Amazon.com Gift Cards cannot be used to purchase other Gift Cards.
• Offer is non-transferable and may not be resold.
• Amazon reserves the right to modify or cancel the promotion at any time.
• If you violate any of these terms and conditions, the promotion will be invalid. Void where prohibited.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

Get a $5 promo code when you order a $25 Amazon gift card with Alexa.

https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=s9_acss...de=15497504011:

Those T&C make a point of you needing to be "the recipient of the offer."
Does the fact that the link works for me mean I qualify, i.e. would I get a "sorry, you don't qualify for this promotion" page otherwise?

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by ApK

Those T&C make a point of you needing to be "the recipient of the offer."
Does the fact that the link works for me mean I qualify, i.e. would I get a "sorry, you don't qualify for this promotion" page otherwise?

I saw the offer on the Alexa Voice Shopping page (scroll down to below the actual deals). As far as I know, if you haven't used the offer before it should work. I believe you would get a message if the offer wasn't valid for you.

I ordered a $25 gift card using Alexa on Saturday, and USPS delivered it the next day. I haven't received an email with the $5 promo code yet, but Amazon promised to send that "within 7 days of purchase" and it's only been a few days.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Under normal circumstances that is probably true. I'm guessing that Amazon shields your CC info from the sellers.

No need to guess. I have an Amazon seller's account. I never see any financial information about the buyer; it's all done by Amazon. All I get is the name and address of the buyer.