Update Amazon UK's computer pricing went riot yesterday (and the US too - see below), judging from several email confirmation orders we've seen:

Here's one for two books, totalling £14.58.

Subtotal:14.58 GBP

Delivery Charge: 3.34 GBP
Total: 3,286,640.44 GBP

Our informant, Mark Ewart writes: When I phoned they said there was a 'computer error'. Can't imagine what the overdraft charge would have been!

However, he had little to fear. Here's another confirmation for a £19.95 book.

Other Handling Fees Including Tax: 20,297,846.05 GBP

Total: 20,297,868.75 GBP

Amazon customer and regular Reg reader Matthew Shelley reports that the book store "only charged me £22.00 but the confirmed price seems little high.

Lets hope no one with a weak heart ordered a book yesterday!"

Quite.

However, it can work both ways, as Jason and Rachel Kane found out with their Amazon books order, dispatched on May 21,

Item(s) Subtotal:
£42.00

Postage & Packing:
£5.70

Total Before VAT:
-£922,337,203,685,429.88

VAT:
£0.00

-----

Total paid by VISA:
-£922,337,203,685,429.88

"Sadly," Jason or Rachel writes. "I was just charged £47.70 instead".

Oh, the glitch appears to have spread to the US - with outrageous sales tax. And we thought VAT was bad..how do the states get away with this.

Here's an example that Gary Parker received yesterday.

Item Subtotal: $11.98
Shipping & Handling: 5.98
Sales Tax: $3,287,712.51
Total: $15.97
Paid by Mastercard: $17.96

And another, from Greg Trawinski, who was charged exactly the same sales tax for a significantly more expensive purchase. Is sales tax in the US going flat fee or something? Probably something.

Item Subtotal: $271.97
Shipping & Handling: $6.76
Super Saver Discount: -$6.76
Promotional Certificate: - $5.00
Sales Tax: $3,287,712.51
Total: $264.98
Paid by Amex: $266.97 ®