Why did Amazon blacklist one of its most loyal shoppers?

SELF-CONFESSED Amazon nut Greg Nelson has bought more than 340 items from the online retailer, but the “fervently loyal fan” has been black-listed.

AN AMAZON customer who returned 37 items over 15 years has been banned from the site and had his gift card balance taken away.

Self-confessed Amazon nut Greg Nelson has purchased over 340 items from the online giant, and described himself as a “fervently loyal fan” before his exclusion.

Nelson, a computer programmer, maintains he never returned a single item that didn’t have a problem with it.

He told The Guardian: “As a previously fervently loyal fan of Amazon who has been a customer since 2002, I understand that it is trying to protect its business — however I find its actions in this situation totally egregious.

“I could understand if there were evidence that I had somehow tried to abuse the system, but I haven’t.

“Of course, Amazon can refuse to serve whom it likes, but surely it cannot legally keep gift card balances and other purchased goods which have already been paid for by the customer — despite what any potentially unfair small print might say?”

When he protested his ban, Nelson says the retailer refused to reconsider his case.

Amazon’s gift card policy allows it to close a customer’s account without transferring the remaining balance to them.

All online retailers are required to accept returns made within 14 days under British consumer law.

However, Amazon seems to punish customers for exercising this right too often. It has not disclosed how many returns have to be made before a ban is considered.

The online giant refused to comment on this particular case, but told The Guardian: “In a tiny fraction of cases we are forced to close accounts where we identify extreme account abuse.

“This decision is only taken after we have reviewed the account carefully and tried to work with the customer over an extended time period to resolve any issues.”

This story first appeared at The Sun and was reproduced with permission.