[citation][nom]teh_chem[/nom]I am an Amazon user, have a fire 8.9" on pre-order (looking forward to it), but even then, I'm apprehensive about Amazon's business model. Not because it it's viable for long-term success, but because of the things I've heard about them doing in the past--such as incentivising consumers to go to physical stores, scan a barcode, and then get a discounted price if they end up buying that item on Amazon (note--a shopper isn't given the discounted price on amazon if they don't scan a barcode for the item). Don't recall what they called that program, but it was around winter of last year. I think that sucks--it essentially turns B&M competitor stores into showrooms for Amazon sales. Of course, customers have generally "shopped around" before online sales became a major way people bought things, but that's just a bit too sleazy if you ask me, especially since there are significant costs associated with having a B&M store, creating a showroom/display for items, and incurring all of the associated costs with employees and sales reps, etc. I think there's a principle difference between shopping someplace and finding a lower price or asking to price-match, and essentially Amazon intentionally out-bidding the price universally by implementing discounts on items if you scan a physical barcode in-store.[/citation]
i never buy something from a B&M if i am ever given a choice.
i do use them almost exclusively as a showroom floor for things i want.
what that program did, was just give me a discount for doing what i was already doing.