[ScottAGross]

I sent this to Jeff Bezos at Amazon:

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Dear Mr. Bezos,
Amazon was out of your new Kindle readers when my wife tried to
order me one for Christmas so she bought the Sony eBook PRS-505,
another excellent eBook reader.
Imagine my surprise when Amazon informs me that only Kindles can
read the Amazon eBooks. What the %#@*!!
Is Amazon in the business of selling books or hardware? Don't you
know that you make more money selling razor blades than you do by
selling razors that use razor blades!!!!!
I'm more than a little irritated.
Regards,
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I got this reply:
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My name is Peg Anderson of Amazon.com's Executive Customer
Relations. Jeff Bezos received your e-mail and has asked me to
reply on his behalf.

Thank you for your comments and feedback about Digital Rights
Management for Amazon Kindle content. I'm sorry the Kindle was
unavailable at the time your wife was choosing your gift. I know
that you will also enjoy the Sony Reader.

As you're aware, the Sony Reader is unable to access ebooks from
Amazon.com and conversely the Kindle may not access the ebooks
available from the Sony library.

In the best of all worlds, perhaps this will one day be a reality.
Until then, I've passed your comments on to the appropriate
department for their consideration. Although I cannot guarantee if
or when the ability may be available, we do appreciate your feedback.

Customer comments and questions help us continue to improve the
service we provide, and we appreciate the time you took to write to
us.

Thank you for writing to Amazon.com.
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Somebody earlier in this thread asked why I didn't buy a Kindle if I wanted access to Amazon's books. Fair question. First, as mentioned above in my letter to Jeff, they were out of Kindles when my wife went to purchase. It was a surprise gift so I didn't get a vote on what she bought. Second, after getting the Sony, I immediately went to amazon.com to see what books I wanted to buy. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the world's largest purveyor of books didn't have anything for my Sony. They were only selling eBooks for THEIR special reader. Was I surprised? Was I irritated? You bet.
Next thing they might start to do is to sell books that only people with accellerated 'left brain' activity can read. 'Right brainers' need not apply. This should further limit their market. Arrghh!
Obviously, I'm still frustrated by the issue. Sorry for venting.