Monday 14 January 2008

Fun Monday No. 1

This is my first Fun Monday post. Several blog pals participate in this and I always wondered how to join the club. Finally figured it out. So the task for this week is to write about a website that has changed our lives, that we can't live without, that deserves a MacArthur Genius grant.

This required a bit of thought. But then it was so obvious. Anyone who's read my blog will know I've mentioned this website a few times in the past. It's www.amazon.com of course.

At first I used it just for books. Then I discovered I could do all my Christmas and birthday shopping with it. Brilliant! Genius! And so easy. Some items can be gift-wrapped for you too. And if they forget to do it, as they did this last Christmas, they email to tell you and refund your money.

Its British cousin, www.amazon.co.uk, isn't quite as comprehensive, but is coming along.

Have any of you read about the founder of amazon? Jeff Bezos started it in 1994 under the name Cadabra, according to Wikipedia, but changed it because it sounded too much like cadaver. Unlike many internet companies of its ilk, it followed a slow-growth formula, not expecting a profit for four or five years. It actually made a profit for the first time in 2002. Jeff Bezos was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 1999. He revolutionized not only book shopping, but on-line shopping. And since shopping, like it or not, is something we all have to do from time to time, isn't it great that it can be so easy?

I also have to add that I have never had a negative experience in any way with Amazon. If deliveries will be delayed they tell you. They tell you when items have been shipped and approximate date for delivery. If only everything in life worked as well.


I went away after writing this and realised I hadn't said how Amazon has changed my life. I have quite a large family in the U.S. spread out from Wyoming to Florida. Although I don't buy for everyone, I do buy for my parents, stepparents, brother, sister, stepbrother, his wife, their four children, all my sister's grandchildren, and my stepsister's two children. That's a lot of presents, and the time involved in shopping for the presents and the cost of sending them overseas just kept getting higher and higher. Then a couple of years ago I thought I'd see about buying over the internet. I started with Amazon because I thought I'd buy a few books. Then I saw all the affiliates and realised I could do everyone. They make it very easy for me. They save all the addresses I have presents shipped to so I don't have to keep looking them up. Also, with the exchange rate as it is, it makes it a lot cheaper too.

29 comments:

Flowerpot said...

I've had a few hiccups with Amazon but not recently. I try not to use them too much it's very tempting!!

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Amazon is my downfall. I will go bankrupt one day because of Amazon!

Peter said...

Welcome to Fun Monday,I don't use Amazon, I'm not even sure I can in Australia? but glad to hear they give you good service.

marymaryquitecontrary said...

I cannot imagine not having Amazon at the end of a click. Postie arrives every week with something I have purchased. The service has always been exceptional.

Fianna said...

Very good pick. I adore Amazon as well. I thought once they allowed other sellers in, a la Ebay, that the quality would decline. I haven't had a problem yet, and have considered moving some of my Ebay items over to Amazon.

kitten said...

Welcome! I love Amazon also, but try to stay away, but when it comes to buying my kids school books its a lifesaver.

Keeping It Real said...

I'm not that into Amazon, myself, but it is useful when I need to know a book's title or publication date.

BTW, I finally finished my tag assignment.

Kim said...

I adore Amazon. And I'm so delighted you're playing Fun Monday! Welcome!!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

flowerpot: I think the British operation is still ironing out some kinks.

aoj: I could spend whole days just trolling the website.

Hi Peter and welcome to my blog. I don't think Amazon have conquered Australia yet.

Marymary: How did we survive before Amazon?

fianna: Hello and welcome. I'm not such a fan of Ebay, maybe because I haven't figured it out yet.

kitten: I don't know if we can buy British schoolbooks on the UK equivalent. Would be useful if we could.

Queeny: I'll be right over.

kaycie: I'll have to see what you chose now.

Sandy said...

Welcome to Fun Monday! I love Amazon for big things (UPS delivery) but I cannot convince them to ship small things the same way. I live in the sticks and the PO and Amazon just do not see eye to eye.

You are right, though. It is a terrific site!

Vi said...

Crystal just had a bad experience with Amazon, the postie threw the parcel into a bucket of water! I need to check out this fun monday thing!

Joy T. said...

First Fun Monday?? Well welcome welcome! I didn't know how amazon came to be so this was very interesting. And I use amazon quite a bit. Probably a bit too much, but I love them.

Tiggerlane said...

Welcome to Fun Monday! I agree about amazon - I do almost ALL my holiday shopping on the site. It has saved me, since I live in the middle of nowhere and have to drive 80+ miles one way for decent shopping.

the planet of janet said...

shopping! online! without getting out of my jammies!

ah. the bliss of it.

welcome to fun monday!

Michelle said...

Oh I am in love with Amazon!! I love that you can get free shipping with some things!!

Casdok said...

I love Amamzon! Too much though!

-Ann said...

My brothers got me an amazon.co.uk gift certificate for Christmas. Amazon was probably one of the first sites I ever bought from.

ChrisB said...

Welcome to Fun Monday. I agree with you Amazon is really great for shopping. My daughter in the US often buys for all of us from there as well.
I had read the story JB story before but it was nice to get the reminder.

Alison said...

Yea...another Amazon lover!!

Faye said...

I too spend time and money paddling down the amazon.com river. Like the fact that they'll even make suggestions for you based on past selections--smart.

Hope you enjoy Fun Mondays--I'm a newbie too.

Unknown said...

Yep, I'm an Amazon fan, too. Nekked Lizards

Anonymous said...

Okay, so I do like Amazon, they're reliable and usually have what I want. I don't blame them for the damaged books I received the other day. As Vi said, the delivery man left them in a bucket of water. However, I have to congratulate Amazon on their efficiency. Another white van man picked them up yesterday from my house and took them back. So on the whole, I'm happy with Amazon and will continue to use them in the future.

Crystal xx

stwidgie said...

Oooh, as an Amazon Visa card holder, I am right with you there!

Confession: Feeling snooty, I rejected the Americanized editions of the Harry Potter books and ordered each of them from Amazon.co.uk. It was a small but measurable thrill to get packages delivered marked "Royal Mail".

Pamela said...

my nephew graduated from college - and had huge education debt. Went to work for Amazon (Not using his degree, but just plain old labor)

After a couple of years he finally decided to move to Arizona from Seattle. He sold his stock options and TOTALLY paid off his student loans.

That was before the big market crash (bubble burst)

Fire Byrd said...

amazon is fab if bankrupting my purse!
pxx

aims said...

After seeing your comments in a number of the blogs I read - I thought I'd drop by - and now I know how Amazon got started! Thanks!

Swearing Mother said...

That Amazon website has a lot to answer for, especially when it tells you that you only need to spend another ten pounds to qualify for free post and pack.

You've just got to keep ordering, it would be rude not to don't you think?

Am waiting for two DVDs as this very moment. Presents for me, oh yes.

my4kids said...

I like Amazon as well and haven't really had any issues either.

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

Well, if I were Amazon, I think I'd use some of these comments to advertise myself. But maybe they don't need to. Thanks for dropping by, all of you.