This article – which I will update when appropriate – is a compilation of cock-ups and other misadventures in and by Amazon, in my case, amazon.co.uk.

Please feel free to vent your own.

1. I just received an email notifying me of shipment of a book. The message ends:
Your item(s) is (are) being sent by Royal Mail. Your tracking number is 1. You can track your package directly on the carrier's website.

2. I just ordered a very expensive 3-volume set, which amazon.co.uk reported that it had 2 “in stock”. The email confirmation reads:
Your estimated delivery date is:
We'll notify you via e-mail when we have an estimated delivery date for this item.
So just where is this item in stock? Mars? It showed up OK in the end, thankfully.

3. Every picture tells a story. Today is 5 May. This book was allegedly despatched last week for delivery on 1 May. But today the carrier denies having received it, although amazon.co.uk still thinks that it can be delivered on 1 May. Next year, perhaps?

It was finally delivered on 7 May, almost a week late, but which time I had ordered another copy (it being an inexpensive but essential paperback).