Hey, screw you, Amazon.

**Tyrath** · 2013-11-12 02:02

Originally Posted by jmc

Amazon signed a deal with the state of MA to start charging sales tax for amazon orders.

Too bad they forgot most residents are 20 mins away from a tax free state lol

Yeah but come on. I'd still much rather have things delivered to me than to drive up 30 mins to get tax off on stuff unless I'm making a really big purchase.

**jmc** · 2013-11-12 02:14

What I was going with, was the new tax was supposed to help small business in MA survive with the belief more people would shop with them instead of amazon.

Yet, they are completely wrong

**Tyrath** · 2013-11-12 14:16

Ah. I wasn't aware of that. I thought it was just a big initiative to get taxes off amazon sales too by slowly rolling it out across the states.

**Buffy** · 2013-11-12 18:57

Amazon's tax free status comes from something something signed in 1994 by Clinton. It expires in every state by like 2017....I doubt anyone interested in letting them continue to operate without taxes.

edit: I'm wrong, here is some relevant info.

And Here.

**Cliron** · 2013-11-14 13:20

Been having a game of 'call up Amazon and complain everytime my shit is late' for the past month. Everytime USPS is a carrier for anything I get on Amazon its consistently 2-7 days late (4 being the mean). To add insult to injury USPS send me emails the day of expected delivery saying that they tried delivering the product but couldn't. Now, I work in Manhattan and have to order tons of shit for work, and get everything sent to my work address where there is someone there from 8am-9pm Mon-Fri.

Generally, my strategy has involved me being on the phone to amazon customer service for 20minutes-> they say they'll file a complaint with the carrier-> I ask that USPS stop being the carrier (because UPS and FedEx are always great)-> They say no problem sir, they give me a voucher of some kind because I ask for it-> then next time I order something its USPS again. -> rinse, lather and repeat.

I ordered an insulating product because there is a huge draft coming in from the windows in my new apartment, and the heating hasnt been on. Its gotten really cold in NYC right now and it took 9 days from ordering to get the product.

I'm beyond annoyed because I generally like Amazon's prices and 2 day delivery (when it works). Anyone been in the same situation that can offer tips/ advice? I feel like the route of customer service-> their supervisor isn't going far enough and its being pushed aside.

**Minnich** · 2013-11-14 13:55

That's interesting because the most recent things I ordered had the exact opposite outcome. The item from USPS got delivered on time, but the item from FedEx never showed up (despite saying delivered on the tracker). I filed a report via E-Mail, got a response the same day, and then got refunded. Then the item showed up a week later.

**BaneTheBrawler** · 2013-11-14 13:59

Best I can think of is ponying up for the faster shipping, which will almost certainly not be USPS.

**Pyrena** · 2013-11-14 15:01

I am JUST having this problem now, never had an issue before. I have Prime. Ordered two items, the day after they were supposed to arrive (should have gotten there Tuesday), shipping finally got updated past the first step, but still in KY (I'm in IL). Thinking it might still show up faster than if I re-ordered, I waited. Got an email yesterday saying the package was 'undeliverable' and I was getting a refund.

I re-ordered last night, total price was $1.50 cheaper actually. Now it's shipping in TWO shipments, one piece to arrive Saturday, the other on Monday.

Edit: Shipment due Monday, is now due tomorrow.

**Boyiee** · 2013-12-01 14:31

Just got my first Amazon Sunday delivery, so awesome.

**thetruepandagod** · 2013-12-02 02:19

Who's ready for the new age of drone piracy? Be warned if your glorious packages fly over my house.

**Cayos** · 2013-12-02 02:41

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=8037720011

I'm gonna start working for Amazon next year. Definitely going to try and get switched to the drone team at some point. I've been building my own quadcopter and those things are awesome.

Definitely the future, but unless you're near one of the fulfillment centers I doubt it's going to help you much until they expand.

**Cantih** · 2013-12-02 05:00

The big if is regarding FAA approval.
The agency HAS to develop policy on commercial drone use by 2015 (congress forced them to back in 2012), but considering that it's been utterly verbottern for so long, it's likely to be very restrictive.

Originally Posted by Cayos

I'm gonna start working for Amazon next year. Definitely going to try and get switched to the drone team at some point. I've been building my own quadcopter and those things are awesome.

Definitely the future, but unless you're near one of the fulfillment centers I doubt it's going to help you much until they expand.

What do you think the range and speed would be for something carrying a package? Remember, no traffic!

If it's possible to hit 70 miles one way (Amazon could probably stand to stick charging stations around, so as to make better use of range), the San Bernadino center could hit pmuch all of LA county.

**Cliron** · 2013-12-02 12:16

Another delivery medium I can have issues with. THANKS AMAZON!

In all seriousness though, implementing a delivery method like this will involve such a huge overhaul of protocols all ready in place in a multitude of realms.

I'd liken it to how you sometimes still have to fax a signature, or take a picture of a signature because some companies don't accept online signatures, but instead of just signatures you'll be dealing with airspace laws, privacy laws (I assume those drones have cameras that are constantly recording), health and safety (can they be "hacked" and then controlled by other sources?/ local flora and fauna?/ pets? "Oh no, the amazon drone has cleaved Spot in two")....and just plain practicalities....How would a drone system work in a city? Does it just leave the package outside the apartment complex of 100 apartments?

Quirky video, love the innovative nature of it, but I would question whether or not its feasible or if it should be feasible given the tense relationship society has with drones.

**Melena** · 2013-12-02 12:20

ACLU will have a field day with this.

**Cayos** · 2013-12-02 14:14

Originally Posted by Cantih

The big if is regarding FAA approval.
The agency HAS to develop policy on commercial drone use by 2015 (congress forced them to back in 2012), but considering that it's been utterly verbottern for so long, it's likely to be very restrictive.

What do you think the range and speed would be for something carrying a package? Remember, no traffic!

If it's possible to hit 70 miles one way (Amazon could probably stand to stick charging stations around, so as to make better use of range), the San Bernadino center could hit pmuch all of LA county.

It's difficult to say exactly how far they could go. Amazon has access to a lot of things that the average multicopter builder doesn't have, i.e. unlimited money

With enough money you can build a multicopter that will go incredibly far. If they're planning on making these things navigate by GPS they will be able to go even farther since they don't have to worry about any kind of video quality. just their connection to the satellites.

This guy goes pretty far, though you can't tell how much weight is on it or what setup he has. 17.8 km = 11 miles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_AZzT7r32I

As an example, you can also buy this, a quadcopter capable of lifting up to 7 lbs, which according to their website can stay afloat for 29 minutes with a 2.1 kg load (~5lbs). Now, it won't last nearly this long since they probably did a hover test and didn't really use their full speed to go anywhere, but you can kind of get an idea for what these things are capable of.

The biggest problems are going to be navigating whatever FAA regulations are put in place and making them safe enough to land in someone's backyard. Up until now the FAA has said that people are fine to fly drones as long as it's just a hobby, but the second you start getting compensation for your flying you can get a huge fine and possibly thrown in jail. Right now you're technically not allowed to fly a drone for compensation. If you do they basically throw the book at you and charge you as if you were flying a real aircraft.

Also, if a propeller hits you at full speed you're bleeding, no question about it. (NSFW: Bleeding) It will be interesting to see how they make these safe enough to navigate a city unassisted without killing anyone.

**Ratatapa** · 2013-12-03 11:09

Texas people will be happy with their guns

Free Christmas preset for everybody!

Not 100% serious

**Laugana** · 2013-12-03 11:35

I was just talking today with my dad about that. I said they'd just shoot them down in America lol.

**The Stig** · 2013-12-03 11:44

I planned to capture the drones.

Then I will additionally capture the recon drones, assuming they send out rescue type ones.

Reprogram them. TAKE OVER WORLD!

**Ksandra** · 2013-12-03 12:23

**Jaybar** · 2013-12-03 13:45

Seems to be lots of problems people are bringing up but they seem mostly moot. Harming fauna/animals? See: trucks vs. critters. Should not be a problem compared to current issues regarding ground travel and animals not giving a fuck about pavement. If anything, migration patterns could be set up if such exist to avoid flocks. People hijacking them? Just a new form of grand theft that needs to be addressed. Gun-nuts shooting them down? Obviously a felony, just like shooting at a vehicle. Will only be fun until the first redneck is sent to prison.

FAA is going to be the biggest obstacle regarding airspace regulations. It will really only affect small-engine craft and low-elevation aircraft (like helicopters) because there is no way these things will be capable of accessing Class-B airspace near major airports. A compromise will have to be made between drone visibility and airspace access (they most likely will have to remain in Class-G and E airspace and have some kind of visibility beacon for the smaller craft that frequent those spaces). As someone who has flown very frequently, even looking for small aircraft can be difficult. Trying to find a tiny drone will be nigh impossible.

(For those that need a visual cue about how FAA regulated airspace looks, here you are)

Spoiler: show

Thread: Hey, screw you, Amazon.

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