Almost everything under the sun...
by knotheadusc - Written: Feb 21 '08 (Updated Feb 25 '08)
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I remember the first time I shopped on Amazon.com. It was 1998 and I was kind of new to the Internet. Somehow, I ended up on this monster sized Web site that seemed to be chock full of books. I found three books on unique subjects that I knew would not be in stock at the local book store. Books are my passion and it wasn't long until I was totally hooked on Amazon.
The next year, I went off to graduate school and needed textbooks. Like most students, I was pretty poor and needed to find books at low prices. Amazon.com eventually came to the rescue again. There, I could find the textbooks I needed, often with free shipping options and no sales tax. And of course, I could still buy books for my personal pleasure, too.
The addiction was further fueled when I started finding music on Amazon.com. Music is one of my other great passions and it wasn't long before Amazon.com became a major supplier in that regard. I loved the fact that the site allowed me to listen to 30 second samples in the comfort of my own home before I made the decision to buy. And because Amazon.com is such a huge online store, I could find a huge number of titles... even albums I hadn't seen in years. If they didn't have it new, chances are, I could find a used copy being sold by someone on Amazon's Marketplace.
Over the years, Amazon.com has gradually expanded its offerings to include just about anything a person might want to buy. It's gone from being just a book and music seller to being a virtual superstore. I have bought all kinds of things through Amazon. That's because Amazon.com has partnered with a number of other retailers, powering their Web sites. Consequently, I can buy anything from toys to electronics to gourmet food on Amazon.com. And I can do it without having to drive to a decaying shopping mall, fighting traffic, wading through crowds, or paying sales tax. In fact, since I now live overseas, Amazon.com plays a big part in keeping me and my husband comfortable, since we can use it to buy books in English. Many times, I can even preview pages of a book before I buy it.
Drawbacks to using Amazon.com
There's a lot more to shopping than just buying something. Going shopping involves getting out of the house, walking around, and actually looking at products. Shopping on Amazon.com does not require anything but a computer and an Internet connection. That means I don't get out of the house, walk around, and see other people. I don't get to pick up and feel products before I purchase them. And if I'm buying something other than an e-book or a music download, I have to wait at least several days before I have it in my hot little hands.
Also, there's something a little unnerving about a company that becomes so big and impersonal. Companies that get too big eventually stop caring as much about their customers. They also begin to wipe out smaller businesses that may offer customers a more personal touch. Many folks have seen it happen when Wal-Mart comes to town. I wonder if shopping on Amazon.com is much better in that respect.
Ordering from Amazon.com
Ordering from this Web site is too easy. It has a great search engine that allows users to find whatever they want and put it in their virtual carts. It also has a suggestive selling program, that suggests products based on a customer's prior purchases. Believe me, that's where I find a lot of books and music that I otherwise never would have unearthed. And users can submit reviews, too.
Amazon.com offers users a variety of ways to pay for their purchases. It accepts all major credit cards, of course, and even allows customers to debit their bank accounts to pay for orders. The adventurous can get a credit card through Amazon.com as well, but the last thing I need is another credit card.
Amazon.com ships all over the world, although some items cannot be shipped to some destinations. Shipping costs vary, of course. I usually have orders over $25 and ship within the United States (we have an APO address), so that means I can get free Super Saver Shipping. The free shipping option takes a little longer, but it does save me a few dollars. Also, sometimes items I buy don't qualify for Super Saver Shipping because they're being sold through a third party merchant or for some other reason. I like the fact that I can also track my orders, especially when I'm stateside.
My stuff almost always gets to me well packed and within a reasonable amount of time. This was especially true when I still lived in the United States. Now that I'm in Germany, it takes a bit longer.
Final thoughts
Amazon.com is kind of like a drug for me. I shop there all the time, even though I probably would be better off shopping locally. I find that Amazon.com's prices are generally very competitive, shipping rates are fairly cheap, and customer service is adequate. I like the suggestive selling aspect of the site, even though it's caused me to part with a lot of cash that I otherwise might have saved! On the other hand, I've also found some great products that I otherwise never would have discovered. Yep... I guess you could say I'm an Amazon.com fan... at least for now!
www.amazon.com
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? books, music. MP3 downloads
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