Terrible Experience with Amazon.co.za - Bait and Switch Pricing, Lies, and In ti mi da tion (spacing out because it is being censored)Tactics

I placed an order on Amazon.co.za for an item advertised at a heavily discounted Black Friday price of ZAR 9,799 (as per the ads promoting up to 50% off). After I paid and the order was confirmed, the seller canceled it, claiming it was a stock shortage error. However, the same item was still listed as available with 3 units in stock on the site – but now at an inflated price of ZAR 12,900 after they realized their pricing mistake. To make matters worse, I received a phone call from the seller trying to intimidate me into canceling the order myself. They **** and insisted they didn't have any stock left, even though the website clearly showed otherwise (at the higher price, of course). When I confronted Amazon customer service (spoke to Bronwyn), they were polite but utterly useless. They admitted the cancellation was the seller's doing, initially citing stock issues but later updating it to a pricing error, yet refused to reinstate the order at the original price or hold the seller accountable. They offered to "reach out" but couldn't guarantee anything, citing their terms that apparently allow this shady behavior. This isn't just disappointing; it feels like false advertising, outright lying, and customer in ti mi da tion (spaced out because it is being censored out) to cover up their errors. Amazon.co.za should vet their third-party sellers better and enforce fair practices, especially during sales events. I've escalated this to the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud and the National Consumer Commission, providing screenshots and call logs from November 27, 2025. Buyers beware – don't fall for their "deals" if you expect them to be honored. I won't be using Amazon.co.za again.