+1 for Amazon

[smackababy]

Who can afford amazon?

The only companies that could afford Amazon have no interest, I'd think. I mean, I would wager a company like WalMart could afford them, but the customer confidence would be destroyed, even if it ran identical to how it does now. MS, Google, Apple, etc have zero interest in getting into the retail business. Even companies that DO retail are likely not large enough to purchase Amazon.

 

[Markbnj]

I'm wondering if stuff like Amazon Prime, Echo, etc., all the ecosystem stuff, will ramp up their profits over time as people get more & more sucked into stuff like Kindle Unlimited, FreeTime Unlimited, Amazon Fresh, and so on.

But their phone was a pretty big flop, so there's that too

Yeah so is everyone else, and Bezos' magic aura has more or less insulated them from too close an examination of the lackluster performance in the hardware OEM investments (an arena he returns to over and over nonetheless).

 

[smackababy]

Yeah so is everyone else, and Bezos' magic aura has more or less insulated them from too close an examination of the lackluster performance in the hardware OEM investments (an arena he returns to over and over nonetheless).

MS and Google are the same way though. They make enough in their "main" business, they can afford to take big risks (hardware development, software, etc) and fail without it having a large impact. They understand the rewards of having that ecosystem and infrastructure in place in the event it takes off. MS isn't fighting the console war just for the TV. They are doing it so you are more likely to purchase other products that fit into that ecosystem, be it tablets, phones, or PCs. Amazon knows this, and is willing to fail on things until they get it right.

 

[natto fire]

Yeah, I'll never buy shoes online ever again, tried it with REI, got a sweet deal on some Lowa boots, but they fit terribly, and because it was a clearance item, no returns.

It is much easier to just go to my local boot shop and try on 5 pairs or so, and I can instantly tell which pair is going to be the most comfortable in the long haul. I guess REI decided to finally set up shop in this non-recreational wasteland that is Ohio, but now I don't hike, because I live in said wasteland. Work boots only for me, the past 4 years.

 

[rh71]

Another example of their making things right. I ordered a bathroom mirror for our new bathroom as my contractor was still here for another week. I'm not a prime member but I was hopeful (usually gets here between 3-7 days). On day 7 it still was "not yet shipped" for no apparent reason. I contacted them online and a guy called me right away - I explained my situation and after researching the delay he said they could overnight it "just this once". Got here in time - good stuff.

 

[Markbnj]

MS and Google are the same way though.

Both those companies mint cash like a high-speed printing press. Amazon burns it.

 

[Kaido]

Yeah so is everyone else, and Bezos' magic aura has more or less insulated them from too close an examination of the lackluster performance in the hardware OEM investments (an arena he returns to over and over nonetheless).

Yeah, but he knocks some of them out of the park - I've absolutely loved all of my e-ink Kindles, and I've been enjoying my new $19 Fire TV stick, plus the $189 kid's tablet looks great (bumper case, 2-year free replacement warranty, kid's mode, one year of FreeTime included for access to 5,000+ games/educational apps/movies/etc.), and the Echo looks like it has the potential to be the next "car in every garage" type of device for American homes if it actually performs as advertised.

Plus I just love their 2-day service...if something crosses your mind, you just order it with free shipping right on Amazon's site...whether it's canned tuna or diapers or whatever. So convenient!