How Amazon Makes Money or Duh

[Katsunami]

Everything I stated above about books, also holds true for many other items such as CD's and toys. The fact that it doesn't cost any effort nor any waiting anymore takes away from the experience to acquire something.

Previously, finding and getting the item was half the fun for many people.

Now you just go: "Click. Type. *Lord of the Rings* Enter. Click, Click, Click. Type. Click." Read. (The same goes for many physical items, which can be shipped overnight if ordered before 21:00; some stores even go as late as 0:00. Order at 23:47, get item delivered at 9:21...)

Faster? Yes. More convenient? Yes. Cheaper? Probably.

Still, it misses "something".

[cfrizz]

I absolutely DESPISE shopping for anything in a store. If what I want is available online, then that is where I go. Amazon is the first stop that I make for anything other than food.

I have bought towels, allergy & pain meds, batteries, my Note two, my mp3 Samsung player, my laundry sheets (the only place I can find them!) my vitamins, etc.

For my food I utilize Peapod. It's not hard to choose between pointing & clicking, and delivered into my kitchen vs trudging through aisles, then standing in line to pay then having to lug it all home w/o a car!

I miss absolutely NOTHING about having to deal with crowds and people!

[ProfCrash]

Subscribe and save. We get our favorite dry foods through Amazon.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by LovesMacs

Wow. Just... wow. And here I thought all this time that Amazon made its profit from massive sales of saffron, free apps, and banana slug shirts.

For the record, monkey does not like banana slugs. They don't taste good.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Everything I stated above about books, also holds true for many other items such as CD's and toys. The fact that it doesn't cost any effort nor any waiting anymore takes away from the experience to acquire something.

Previously, finding and getting the item was half the fun for many people.

Now you just go: "Click. Type. *Lord of the Rings* Enter. Click, Click, Click. Type. Click." Read. (The same goes for many physical items, which can be shipped overnight if ordered before 21:00; some stores even go as late as 0:00. Order at 23:47, get item delivered at 9:21...)

Faster? Yes. More convenient? Yes. Cheaper? Probably.

Still, it misses "something".

If you already know what you are getting, and for so many things that is the case, who cares about how you get it? Spending more time finding something I already know I want doesn't seem to have much purpose.

Browsing around for stuff I don't know about yet, to see if something catches my interest, well there is a point to that. But I hardly think the point is how much time it takes.

I would think it is more the excitement of the discovery of new stuff, so why would it matter HOW you discover it?

[Sregener]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

The fact that it doesn't cost any effort nor any waiting anymore takes away from the experience to acquire something.

I understand what you're saying. But it's a bit like looking at money and saying, "I see why this may be more efficient, but it takes something away from the experience of trading goats for horseshoes." It *is* different. And for people who love the shopping experience, online is probably not the way to go. The sad fact is, however, that most of us are short on time, and we want to use the time we do have for things that matter to us. On my deathbed, I want my children to be there and say, "Dad, you were always here for us when we needed you," not, "Sorry, Dad, I have to run to Walmart and see if they have a video game I've had my eye on. Just like you were always running off trying to find stuff."

The other reality is that so much stuff for sale is junk. I needed a new coffeemaker, so I looked at Target. They had several different brands and models. Now, being the savvy shopper I am, I whipped out my phone and checked reviews on Amazon. Not a single one had more than 2 stars. But, for less than all but the cheapest model, I found a 5-star one on Amazon. Buy junk from the store, or buy a good one online?

[speakingtohe]

In Canada, in my experience, it is still far cheaper to shop at the stores than Amazon. Amazon.ca is generally higher priced and with Amazon.com shipping is often more than the article itself and then there could be customs. I bought 3 of the same item once and they were shipped separately. Was charged duty on one of them and not the other two.

Recently xanthe kindly sent me a link for an Amazon.com for the deal of the day, but the shipping was $28.00 for a $12 item. IIRC the same item sold for $39.99 at Amazon.ca. I bought the same item at Staples store for $19.99.

I do shop online for electronics, but mainly at Canadian companies. Not patriotism unfortunately, but because it is almost always cheaper. I shop at Amazon.com when I can't get it any other way, and if I really want it I am not unhappy to pay extra.

For in store shopping, I probably spend 1-2 hours a week (including browsing flyers before I go and bus time). Doesn't really impact my life in a negative way. After all if I don't have it already, then I don't need it or can't afford it so why waste time gazing at it.

Helen

[tempura]

Well I did already know about this, from an interview on "60 Minutes" where the owner Jeff Bezos tells some thing along these lines himself while also unveiling Amazon Prime i.e Drones

Edit : Found the video on youtube :

[GeoffC]

Unfortunately Amazon has made themselves the number one place to shop, though I draw the line at books! I prefer to make my own choice and not have them recommend my reading, plus I don't have a Kindle and have no intention - though I admit to having a Kindle-for-PC installed, just so I can get the odd book according to price. As long as I can can get it onto my CY, I'll do the necessary....

Other than that, is this really news....?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Unfortunately Amazon has made themselves the number one place to shop

Why is it "unfortunate"? They've made themselves the #1 online retailer by being very VERY good at what they do, and providing superb customer service. Surely that's to be praised, not considered "unfortunate", isn't it?

[Ninjalawyer]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

In Canada, in my experience, it is still far cheaper to shop at the stores than Amazon. Amazon.ca is generally higher priced and with Amazon.com shipping is often more than the article itself and then there could be customs. I bought 3 of the same item once and they were shipped separately. Was charged duty on one of them and not the other two.

Recently xanthe kindly sent me a link for an Amazon.com for the deal of the day, but the shipping was $28.00 for a $12 item. IIRC the same item sold for $39.99 at Amazon.ca. I bought the same item at Staples store for $19.99.

I do shop online for electronics, but mainly at Canadian companies. Not patriotism unfortunately, but because it is almost always cheaper. I shop at Amazon.com when I can't get it any other way, and if I really want it I am not unhappy to pay extra.

For in store shopping, I probably spend 1-2 hours a week (including browsing flyers before I go and bus time). Doesn't really impact my life in a negative way. After all if I don't have it already, then I don't need it or can't afford it so why waste time gazing at it.

Helen

Amazon.ca is worthless. A terrible selection with even worse prices.

For a few items this Christmas, I actually ordered from Amazon.com and had them shipped to a parcel pickup depot near the Canada-U.S. border. One of the items wasn't available in Canada at all, and the others were discounted enough by Amazon.com to make it worthwhile drive.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer

For a few items this Christmas, I actually ordered from Amazon.com and had them shipped to a parcel pickup depot near the Canada-U.S. border. One of the items wasn't available in Canada at all, and the others were discounted enough by Amazon.com to make it worthwhile drive.

Do you have to pay GST when you take the goods into Canada, when you do that?

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why is it "unfortunate"? They've made themselves the #1 online retailer by being very VERY good at what they do, and providing superb customer service. Surely that's to be praised, not considered "unfortunate", isn't it?

OK - point taken. Though I'm sure many High Street stores would argue differently ....

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

OK - point taken. Though I'm sure many High Street stores would argue differently ....

Then let them argue before parliament and see if they'll do as the government of India did and pass laws to keep Amazon from selling there.

Business competition is "you do your best and I do mine and the consumer chooses". If a society thinks consumers shouldn't be allowed to choose, they can pass laws to prevent it. But as long as consumers are allowed to vote their wallets, the winner is going to be the player that best meets their needs, not somebody else's.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do you have to pay GST when you take the goods into Canada, when you do that?

Complicated question. If you are under your duty free allowance, usually no. I have paid it on a day trip and have more often been waved through. I haven't been recently, but there is generally a long line. You tell them what you bought and the border guy decides. There also is a self assessment form for PST if you buy in another province which may net you a tax or a refund of a few percent but few bother with or are even aware of.

Helen