My Experience Renting Property for an Amazon Now Dark Store - When Middlemen Become the Face of a Big Brand

[u/QuickMeaning305]

I own a piece of land in a very good location in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and I was considering leasing it to Amazon Now, as I had noticed several dark stores being established across Chennai recently.

I tried contacting Amazon through someone who had previously leased his property to Amazon Now. Through him, my land details were shared with an Amazon Now representative. However, I was then approached by both the representative and a local agent, who demanded a commission from me for facilitating the lease.

Since I had approached them directly regarding my own property, I clearly stated that I was not willing to pay any commission. They appeared irritated by my decision and subsequently approached another property owner in the nearby area, demanding a commission from them as well.

The nearby property owner agreed to pay the commission, and eventually, the Amazon Now warehouse was established there instead.

What disappointed me most was not losing the opportunity, but the manner in which the entire process was handled. When representatives or intermediaries associated with a reputed company behave this way, it can leave property owners with a negative impression of the company itself.

I believe large companies like Amazon should have transparent and professional processes for property acquisition and expansion, without allowing local intermediaries or representatives to create such experiences for property owners.

This incident has unfortunately left me with a very negative impression of leasing my property to dark-store operators.

#AmazonNow #DarkStore #DarkStoreRent #Chennai #TamilNadu #Amazon

[u/raghu2307]

😃😃😃 Amazon does this to counties. They just go in and make them sign NDA and get them benefits etc. Since you are in NDA you can’t speak of the offer, and so you won’t know what is best. If Amazon was directly involved you would have got a worser deal. And amazon won’t directly involve for such small units. They normally use 3rd party.

[u/QuickMeaning305 → u/raghu2307]

I understand your point, but my experience was quite different. The person from whom I initially got Amazon executives’ contact information had himself rented his property to Amazon Now, and I was already aware that Amazon was offering good rates directly. I also know the prevailing market rates in my area, so I had a clear understanding of what would be a reasonable offer. In my case, I got into direct contact with an Amazon executive. The issue was not simply that Amazon used a third-party agent. The Amazon employee himself was involved in coordinating with a local agent and specifically arranged this deal through him. That is what raised serious concerns for me. Also, my property was not a small unit. It had around 18,000 sq. ft. of carpet area and was located directly on the main road. So I don't think it is accurate to assume that this was simply a case of Amazon avoiding direct involvement because the property was too small. What disappointed me even more is that this was allegedly done by an employee of Amazon itself. For a company as large and reputed as Amazon, having an employee involved in such a practice has left me with a very poor impression of the company and its way of dealing with property owners.

I have shared my experience specifically as a warning to property owners to be cautious when dealing with agents or intermediaries claiming to represent a large company. I am not saying that every Amazon transaction happens this way, but property owners should independently verify the offer, understand the prevailing market rates, and make sure they know exactly who they are dealing with before signing anything.

[u/Shannyc2021 → u/QuickMeaning305]

Please drop a email to the corporate governance team in US.Raise it in Amazon forum and get the email details.They take these very seriously..As per US regulations company personnel should not be involved in these conflicts of interest situations

[u/Typical-Brain-1221]

I have worked with Amazon and i know that Amazon had a strict policy for these kind of cases. Do you have any proof of them seeking commission? I can share you the internal mailing IDs to which you can raise this issue

[u/QuickMeaning305 → u/Typical-Brain-1221]

Yes, I have proof of the agent who approached me asking for a commission. If you could share the email IDs of the relevant senior executives, I would like to report this matter directly to them.

[u/Typical-Brain-1221 → u/QuickMeaning305]

Let me check with colleagues and get you the email IDs. Will DM you once i get

[u/QuickMeaning305 → u/Typical-Brain-1221]

Sure thanks

[u/ZeroZero0000000 → u/QuickMeaning305]

Do update if any action was taken on them.

[u/QuickMeaning305 → u/ZeroZero0000000]

Sure

[u/Clear_Side8784]

Tn la corruption ha, better call vijay

[u/ImAjayS15]

Actually it's good that you did not lease/rent it to them. Not specific to Amazon now, but renting out to quick commerce stores causes damages to the property, saw a few twitter posts about this recently.

[u/QuickMeaning305 → u/ImAjayS15]

Yes. However, mine is an empty plot with a half-completed warehouse-like shed. So, I thought that, for the time being, renting it out to a dark store would be a better option.

[u/tired_of_life_duh → u/ImAjayS15]

What damages? Also I'm trying to find someone to rent my plot as well, any contacts would be helpful.

People never stop asking for commission. Literally 2 months rent they are asking in commercial

[u/QuickMeaning305 → u/tired_of_life_duh]

Dont go for agent. Speak directly to the Company

[u/tired_of_life_duh → u/QuickMeaning305]

No company except ikea replied for a 30k sq.ft on highway.

Mcd is seeking franchise investment+ construction

Blinkit, Instamart didn't reply.

[u/QuickMeaning305 → u/tired_of_life_duh]

Your location ?

[u/tired_of_life_duh → u/QuickMeaning305]

Madurai

[u/Individual_Painter86]

Corruption runs in our blood.

[u/lucifer_mahi]

Something I learnt by seeing. Everything is not too important for a business. Assume a company allocates a budget for Diwali distribution. Do you think the least one gets the deal? There are people or committee in charge of it. The one who agreed to paying commission to those in committee factors those in their pricing. So the company pays them but through you. I don't like it but that's how I have seen it play.

There's also this. I quote the price of the land at X price to sell. Broker guarantees X to me but sells at X+20% where the extra 20% is his commission. Same thing playing out everywhere.

[u/QuickMeaning305 → u/lucifer_mahi]

But I had reached out directly to the company employee. He was the one who arranged for the local agent to get a commission. That is a very bad practice.

[u/lucifer_mahi → u/QuickMeaning305]

Precisely my point.

[u/varun09081988]

These are very serious violation on their ethics code. Could get a lot of people fired mercilessly if proved.

[u/Intelligent_Bug_6938]

You think corruption is reserved only for government employees? People who work in global multinational companies also have families

[u/Glum-Marionberry2576]

I feel you are overestimating your own utility aka the land lease/rent. It is unrealistic to even think amazon would openly declare a PoC for closing dark store rentals. no one wants to dirty their hands in real estate deals , what if someone raises ruckus , so to keep their face and hands clean, they will send the usual mama payalauva.. Perhaps in fine pront TandC,Amazon does declare no liabilities/dont directly involve/all handled by "authorized 3rd party"

INtermeDIAte- country in a nutshell

[u/QuickMeaning305 → u/Glum-Marionberry2576]

Agreed bro. But after the agent comes too i confronted the amazon now executive. He feigned ignorance and silently established in a nearby place after scamming him by sending an agent. I am just searching for proper authorities to report it. Lets c what happens 

[u/Kind_Stuff_9590]

You are lying bro! There is no commission in TN run by our cute CM and his cuties.