Great Store, But don't delete those Email Gift Certificates
Written: Jan 04 '02 (Updated Jan 04 '02)

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* Incredible Selection
* Fast Shipping
* Reasonable Prices
* Decent Customer Service
* Sometimes they can't get everything they think they can.
Let's see, where to start? Amazon.com has it all. And when I say all, I mean all! This site sells everything from computers to electronics to books to video games to music... Can't find that old dvd elsewhere? Try here! Looking for a video game? Book? Try it here! Huge, huge selection. Great prices, great shipping, and good service on the web site. I recommend checking for coupon codes before using this. Sites like currentcodes.com have lists of current coupons for amazon and other stores. Upon going to www.amazon.com, you are greeted with a page of recommendations. (Assuming you have created an account. If not, you're greeted with some top sellers.) These recommendations allow one to find things that amazon thinks you would really enjoy. For the most part they work. I've found several gems here that I didn't know existed. The nice part is that the ratings are customizable. At any point, you can click on the "why was I recommended this?" link to adjust the ratings. You can also rate items you own or like in order to tailor the recommendations to be more specific to you. And of course, the more you buy off of amazon.com, the better the recommendations get! Amazon's site is very, very well laid out. Most of the site is customizable. There is a place called Your Store, which contains links to several places. From the top, these links are:
Your Recommendations: This is a list of the things amazon thinks you'd like. As long as you rate items, this place is usually pretty on target.
Your Bargins: This place is where amazon lists items that are on sale that it thinks you'd like.
New for you: This is the the new products that amazon thinks you'd like.
Your Favorite Stores: Amazon's site is divided into stores.So, electronics, books, and dvds would show up in my my favorite stores. This is fully customizable,so if you don't like the books site, feel free to delete it from the favorite stores segment. Because this shows up on most pages, it is a great way to get around amazon's site.
The Page You Made: This contains items that you've looked at during this session. Great way to see that item you looked at earlier but forgot what it was.
Friend's and Favorites: This is where you can add friends to your mailing list, create a list of your own,or see which reviewers have opinions that you really respect.
Other features of the site:
Listmania: this allows you to create a list of something.For instance,if you happen to really enjoy bugs bunny, you could create a list of all the essential bugs bunny cartoons. This list would then become public.Someone else searching for Bugs Bunny items would see this list on the side of their page and could look at it to get ideas on items to purchase. People that bought this also bought: When you are viewing an item, amazon lists items that other people have bought in conjunction with this item. Very often, I have found items that I didn't know existed from this list.
Wish List: This is my favorite feature of amazon. My parents and friends are always asking for birthday and christmas lists, so I whipped up one of these.Now, when I'm browsing amazon, it is very easy for me to click "Add to Wish List", and the item shows up. No more forgetting about what I want. Plus, other people can view this list an purchase things off it.It really makes shopping for them very easy.
Customer Service: Amazon's customer service is pretty good. I haven't dealt with them more than once or twice, but each time they were helpful.
Caveats: Amazon often lists items that it thinks it can get, but often can't. Be careful when purchasing. Look for "Limited Availability" or "Special Order". Amazon does have a huge selection of items though. If I can't get it here,a lot of times, I have to get it at a speciality store anyway.
And of course, don't **delete** those emails saying that you have a gift certificate! You won't get them back! E-Commerce: Amazon's shopping cart and checkout is the model of a good web service. Easy to understand and easy to use, it really makes ordering simple. And, once you store a few credit card numbers and addresses, it gets even easier.You can turn on one-click ordering. See something you like Click the one-click button. Voila! The item is on its way. Not sure if you like an item? Read the reviews that accompany most items. Want to tell the world how great the super bouncy book you just bought is? Just review it and rate it! All in all, amazon is the best of the online sites. It is where I go first.
Side Note: Amazon also carries auctions and a rare book network.Its auction site is almost as good as ebay, although with not as much selection.It was the first to implement buy it for a price style auctions. Its rare book network I have not tested. Interestingly enough, items usually arrive earlier than they tell you, unless they are not marked "Available in 24 hours".
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Location: Nashua, NH, USA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me: 20 something married man, likes electronics, sports, and most everything.
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