Comments on: Amazon faces the challenges of its second decade

Competition from traditional retailers and discount pressures loom for the online retailing giant.

[afbcasejr]

Amazon Won't Last Alone

In 2000, I was running Gartner's eBusiness Resource Center. I predicted that Amazon would ultimately merge with one of the major retailers - either Barnes & Noble or Borders Books and Music. What has actually happened is that B&N wasted a ton of money replicating Amazon and getting sued in the process while Borders ultimately cut a deal with the online giant (www.borders.com IS Amazon).

I still predict an ultimate merger between Borders and Amazon - unless Wal*Mart steps in and buys them first.

Al Case - CEO, <a href="http://www.stamfordresearch.com>Stamford Research

[afbcasejr]

Amazon Won't Last Alone

In 2000, I was running Gartner's eBusiness Resource Center. I predicted that Amazon would ultimately merge with one of the major retailers - either Barnes & Noble or Borders Books and Music. What has actually happened is that B&N wasted a ton of money replicating Amazon and getting sued in the process while Borders ultimately cut a deal with the online giant (www.borders.com IS Amazon).

I still predict an ultimate merger between Borders and Amazon - unless Wal*Mart steps in and buys them first.

Al Case - CEO, <a href="http://www.stamfordresearch.com>Stamford Research

[bobby_brady]

I love Amazon! No taxes, free shipping

I just had to return a product last week. No questions asked, they took it back, paid for shipping and I already have my refund.

Agree, that Amazon rocks! Let's hope Congress doesn't screw it up by creating internet taxes.

[bluemist9999]

Internet Sales Taxes Coming Soon

I read on another news.com story that the states are creating a simpler sales tax system. My guess is, once that system is in place, they will lobby Congress to force all online retainers to use it.

Sales tax AND shipping costs with every purchase, yay. :-P

[bobby_brady]

I love Amazon! No taxes, free shipping

I just had to return a product last week. No questions asked, they took it back, paid for shipping and I already have my refund.

Agree, that Amazon rocks! Let's hope Congress doesn't screw it up by creating internet taxes.

[bluemist9999]

Internet Sales Taxes Coming Soon

I read on another news.com story that the states are creating a simpler sales tax system. My guess is, once that system is in place, they will lobby Congress to force all online retainers to use it.

Sales tax AND shipping costs with every purchase, yay. :-P

Amazon - best thing to happen to the net

Fast,free shipping, great customer service and lots of stuff.

On top of that, the user reviews can be really helpful in choosing the right product.

I hope they can pull through.

Amazon - best thing to happen to the net

Fast,free shipping, great customer service and lots of stuff.

On top of that, the user reviews can be really helpful in choosing the right product.

I hope they can pull through.

Former customer

I once drank the Amazon.com Kool-Aid as well. That was until I ordered a book through them from a rare book vendor named Booksquire. Amazon charged my credit card. Booksquire did not deliver and when I inquired after several months wait told me they would send me a check, which they never did. When I complained to Amazon.com, they would do nothing because more than 90 days had elapsed. After several attempts to get them to refund me the money that THEY charged me without them or THEIR merchant partner delivering anything, I canceled what had been a very active account for several years. I will not deal with companies that do not deal in good faith, and Amazon.com is one of them. No more Amazon.com Kool-Aid for me.

Former customer

I once drank the Amazon.com Kool-Aid as well. That was until I ordered a book through them from a rare book vendor named Booksquire. Amazon charged my credit card. Booksquire did not deliver and when I inquired after several months wait told me they would send me a check, which they never did. When I complained to Amazon.com, they would do nothing because more than 90 days had elapsed. After several attempts to get them to refund me the money that THEY charged me without them or THEIR merchant partner delivering anything, I canceled what had been a very active account for several years. I will not deal with companies that do not deal in good faith, and Amazon.com is one of them. No more Amazon.com Kool-Aid for me.

[Earl Benser]

No time for Amazon....

... it's a great pile of PR, but I can get better prices locally, wthout
shipping or delay, on almost anything I might buy from Amazon.
And I don't have to put up with all the 'suggestions' Amazon thinks
that I would be interested in. And there's only one way to turn off
the Amazon garbage stream - don't go to the Amazon website.
That's a relatively easy solution.......

[Earl Benser]

No time for Amazon....

... it's a great pile of PR, but I can get better prices locally, wthout
shipping or delay, on almost anything I might buy from Amazon.
And I don't have to put up with all the 'suggestions' Amazon thinks
that I would be interested in. And there's only one way to turn off
the Amazon garbage stream - don't go to the Amazon website.
That's a relatively easy solution.......