How Amazon Makes Money or Duh

[fjtorres]

Here's another way Amazon makes money:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk...on-aim-2954849

ONLINE retailer Amazon are predicting record sales…on Christmas Day itself.

Instead of the traditional Boxing Day discounts, they will launch their sale a day early.

Transactions are expected to peak around 8.30pm as people log on to spend their Christmas cash.

Amazon predict gift card sales will peak at around 10am on Christmas Day as people who still have presents to buy are panicked into last-minute purchases.

And the most popular time for digital downloads is noon as new gadgets are plugged in.

Xavier Garambois, vice-president of Amazon EU, said: “The growth in shopping on smartphones and tablets means it’s more convenient than ever to pick up a last-minute gift card or a bargain in the sales.”

At least some competitors seem to be doing fine:

In Aberdeen, Union Square reported an 8.5 per cent increase in customers compared with the same period last year, with food and drink featuring highly on people’s shopping lists.

Toys, perfumes and clothing were top of the list with shoppers at The Centre in Livingston.

Meanwhile in Edinburgh, Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre in Leith also reported record crowds.

In Glasgow, intu Braehead saw their busiest spell of the year, with shoppers queuing up before many stores opened.

General manager Gary Turnbull said: “People were still shopping at midnight on Saturday.”

There's room for everybody.

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

In Canada, in my experience, it is still far cheaper to shop at the stores than Amazon.

Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer

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

Does anyone have an explanation as to why Amazon is so poor in Canada? Is it just Canada that has this problem or are their French or German shops not as competitive too?

Here in the UK I check just about everything I buy with the price on Amazon because they are so competitive on price.

Mind you, apart from clothes, I prefer to do my shopping online than in a shop, but at the same time, I'm thankful that there are plenty who prefer to hit the shops - it is all about choice after all.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Here's another way Amazon makes money:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk...on-aim-2954849



At least some competitors seem to be doing fine:


There's room for everybody.

I am sure this is the case, but don't people have better ways to spend Christmas I know many don't, but those who receive them there gift cards could perhaps have a few friends and relatives to spend some time with in one way or another.

Perhaps gift cards are the preferred gift these days, for Christmas, birthdays, wedding registries, baby showers etc. Soon we will just exchange gift cards of equal amounts. Or people will give a $50 gift card and either be annoyed that they got significantly less or embarrassed when they got significantly more. Why bother I wonder.


Helen

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

I am sure this is the case, but don't people have better ways to spend Christmas I know many don't, but those who receive them there gift cards could perhaps have a few friends and relatives to spend some time with in one way or another.

Perhaps gift cards are the preferred gift these days, for Christmas, birthdays, wedding registries, baby showers etc. Soon we will just exchange gift cards of equal amounts. Or people will give a $50 gift card and either be annoyed that they got significantly less or embarrassed when they got significantly more. Why bother I wonder.


Helen

This is why the stupidest gift I can think of is the gift card. It's practically offensive...

It means nothing, except you can't think of anything the person would like, and you might as well just give a check. That's what it is, a limited-use check. Nothing more.

What exactly is this ridiculous mystique of the gift card???

[ProfCrash]

It says what I really want is expensive and I can't afford it and you can't afford it but together I can afford it.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

This is why the stupidest gift I can think of is the gift card. It's practically offensive...

It means nothing, except you can't think of anything the person would like, and you might as well just give a check. That's what it is, a limited-use check. Nothing more.

What exactly is this ridiculous mystique of the gift card???

In Asian cultures giving money is widely accepted. Although you put it in red envelope, so that the recipient doesn't immediately see the amount. Makes a lot of sense, people can then buy what they want. Only in the West is this considered to be thoughtless.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

In Asian cultures giving money is widely accepted. Although you put it in red envelope, so that the recipient doesn't immediately see the amount. Makes a lot of sense, people can then buy what they want. Only in the West is this considered to be thoughtless.

I would consider a check to be straightforward and honest, and totally all right. It's gift cards I don't understand. It is pretending to be something it isn't, and cannot even be used outside of the store it is meant for. Even when you've never shopped in that store and still don't plan on it.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I would consider a check to be straightforward and honest, and totally all right. It's gift cards I don't understand. It is pretending to be something it isn't, and cannot even be used outside of the store it is meant for. Even when you've never shopped in that store and still don't plan on it.

Well, that is the reason stores issue gift cards, isn't it? A marketing gimmick. And perhaps the gift giver wants to introduce the recipient to something new. (Like a bookstore gift card for someone who hasn't discovered the joy of reading yet?). But it would be easy to regift the gift cards, in any case.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

In Asian cultures giving money is widely accepted. Although you put it in red envelope, so that the recipient doesn't immediately see the amount. Makes a lot of sense, people can then buy what they want. Only in the West is this considered to be thoughtless.

Considering the broad range of material and digital goods they carry, an Amazon gift card is about as liquid as currency.

Beyond that, there is the old "it's the thought that counts".
Maybe gift cards are the new ugly Christmas sweaters?

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I would consider a check to be straightforward and honest, and totally all right. It's gift cards I don't understand. It is pretending to be something it isn't, and cannot even be used outside of the store it is meant for. Even when you've never shopped in that store and still don't plan on it.

I've been known to give money before when I really can't think of anything I know they want.

Some gift cards cost more than their value. Some gift cards expire even. Imagine paying money for a form of money that is only good for 6 months. And if the store goes out of business.....

Helen

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Considering the broad range of material and digital goods they carry, an Amazon gift card is about as liquid as currency.

Beyond that, there is the old "it's the thought that counts".
Maybe gift cards are the new ugly Christmas sweaters?

There is one situation when I would consider gifting an Amazon card as "insensitive". When it is given to an Amazon hater (or a B&N employee).

[frahse]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

In Asian cultures giving money is widely accepted. Although you put it in red envelope, so that the recipient doesn't immediately see the amount. Makes a lot of sense, people can then buy what they want. Only in the West is this considered to be thoughtless.

I have a son out West. I used to ask him what he needed, and gave him the money for several computers, etc. so he could pick them out. Actually loaned him the money to buy his first car. Now days though he has as much or more money as I do, so he told me not go give him money any more, but on the other hand he didn't want me to send him any gifts because he is essentially traveling full time now and hasn't had a permanent residence for 4 months now and is keeping his possessions at a minimum. (He crossed America from East to West with everything he owned packed into essentially a large sporty car and only left a medium sized box with us.)
We negotiated and he is allowing me (and his mom) to send him a Del Frisco Steak House gift card. (You can get a discount if you buy the card.)

I am also going to slip in a neat Amazon Prime box desk calendar which he should receive tomorrow.

All the other kids, a "check please" is preferred. Less close older children a pile of twenties, the higher the better and for the little ones I have decided this year on some really great soccer balls from Amazon Prime in size 3, 4, and 5 depending on their ages.

What you going to do? You start to lose your options when they start talking. Thank God for Amazon Prime.

I am pretty much through with shopping which is good because I am not at home right now, working on a job. Again thank God for Amazon Prime. (2 day- free)

[fjtorres]

I have a couple of bookworm friends. Before Amazon allowed gifting of ebooks the only way to share a particularly good find was via print, running counter to their preferences, or via gift card and embedded link to the suggested book(s).
Times change.
Customs change.
We adapt.

[ProfCrash]

I love giving gitfts, it is my preference. But sometimes it is not easy. All the adults in our family are at a point in their lives were they don't need anything. I have my younger brother in the family gift draw and asked him what he wanted. He said for us to have good health and to see his nephew in a week.

ummmm. Sure. I can do that. We will pick up dinner one night when we are out there or his Girlfriend will let me know what restraunts they like near their house so I can get him a gift card.

My parents sent my Husband a great Tea Tree Bonsai because they know how much he likes gardening and I like tea. I am not expecting anything from my Older sibling who is recently divorced.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

My parents sent my Husband a great Tea Tree Bonsai because they know how much he likes gardening and I like tea.

Does a "tea tree" have anything to do with tea? I thought it was an Australian plant that's completely unrelated to the tea family.