Having trouble buying something off Amazon?
If you’re a Google Fiber customer, you’re not alone.
Midtown resident Angela Dreher-Bayman was trying to access the online retailer from her family’s new laptop computer last week, but the website wouldn’t load.
“I was trying to secretly purchase some Christmas presents, and I actually thought that it was just bogged down,” says Dreher-Bayman. “It was 7 p.m., so I thought maybe it was high traffic time.”
Dreher-Bayman had just about given up on her purchase. Then she got on the family’s desktop, which has a wired Internet connection. No problem.
The next day, one of Dreher-Bayman’s friends posted a link to a Google Fiber forum where a dozen Kansas Citians chimed in with their Amazon ordering woes.
The website worked just fine when accessed over Ethernet but slowed to a crawl over wireless.
Dreher-Bayman’s reaction? “It’s not just me!”
After an informal newsroom survey and Twitter inquiry, KCUR 89.3 reached out to Google Fiber. Your best bet if you’re not able to access Amazon or any other website? Contact Google Fiber Support directly.
"We want people to take advantage of everything the Internet has to offer,” a spokesperson told KCUR 89.3 in an email. “In order to provide a fast and full Internet experience, Google Fiber doesn't interfere with Internet traffic, or prioritize one website over another.”
But since that probably won’t make Amazon load any faster, try plugging your computer directly into the router for last-minute holiday shopping.
Elle Moxley is a reporter for KCUR 89.3. You can reach her on Twitter, @ellemoxley.
