Author Topic: Amazon Fucked Up  (Read 11057 times)

zephyr911

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Amazon Fucked Up
« on: July 15, 2015, 11:57:46 AM »
Prime Day had the opposite of the intended effect on me. I'm flexing the BA muscle today and I'm watching hundreds in savings pile up.

BACKGROUND: I went through a prolonged period of turbulence and financial ups and downs at age 30-31, and then in October of 2010 I got the job I have now. And then I started making up for lost time. I was grossing nearly 110k in wages in a super LCOL with a $436 mortgage, rent-paying roomies, paid-off car, and STILL blowing everything I made. Borderline compulsive shopping, no exaggeration. And since I have never liked driving around town to get things, Amazon is where I did the most shopping, with eBay a distant second.

BABY STEPS: As I started realizing how dumb my habits were, and getting serious about using this latest employment opportunity to permanently break the cycle of debt and job frustration, I started using wish lists to delay spending on things that seemed cool, but might not be entirely necessary. They also ended up being useful for not-entirely-stupid things like educational books, work tools, hardware, and supplies. But in the end, it was still a place to go fishing if I was bored and felt like dropping some change. If all else failed, I knew there was something at least moderately interesting on the "Random Fun" or "Media" lists. And damn, did the lists ever get long. This morning there were almost 40 things between those two alone.

TODAY: Out of indignation at the sheer chutzpah of these motherfuckers arbitrarily inventing a new shopping holiday on which to push me toward high-margin dumbass purchases, I decided that not only would I buy nothing, I would start whacking away at these lists that had gone from an exercise in restraint to just another liability. I'm gonna keep the book lists until I turn the corner on this overcommitted, 3-jobs, sprinting-toward-FIRE phase of life and find time to check the library for a few of them, and then I'll start whittling away there. I'm also keeping the lists intact for hardware and lighting (I track and test new LEDs just like MMM does, and as an EE and a landlord I not only use them all but maintain useful expertise that benefits others). However, ones centered on entertainment, media, toys, and kitchen luxuries are taking heavy fire at the moment. :D

Current tally: appx 45 items worth at least $1500. Still firing.

forummm

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2015, 12:10:09 PM »
Cool! Deleting is fun.

Another Reader

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2015, 12:21:09 PM »
I find that delete keys are generally underutilized.  Becoming conscious of their locations on the keyboard and their purpose is an important first step.

zephyr911

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2015, 12:26:30 PM »
I find that delete keys are generally underutilized.  Becoming conscious of their locations on the keyboard and their purpose is an important first step.
Kind of like the "Power" button on the TV.

Bearded Man

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2015, 12:28:46 PM »
It's so funny you posted this. A website I used to buy stuff from sends out advertisement emails before every holiday, like most do. But this year I noticed something, out of all of the sites that email me, about half of them this year started making up additional sales randomly in the days or weeks after. Either that or they extend the sale even TWO weeks after the holiday has passed. It's as if people flock to the deals and their profits go up based on volume. Just the fact I see what their doing makes me want to not buy anything there ever again, even if I needed anything.

El Marinero

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2015, 12:29:39 PM »
I let my Prime membership expire this year, so I won't be paying any attention to Prime day. 

I don't have cable and I was viewing some Amazon streaming over the Roku, but found I could always find something to watch on YouTube or other free streams.

I also decided that I really didn't need to pay the annual fee to get two day shipping.  Not much that I need, and if there is either buy locally, or plan for the longer shipping time.  Amazon gets much less business from me these days.




birdman2003

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2015, 01:23:05 PM »
I should quit Amazon Prime today.  The two-day shipping has me reaching for stuff I don't really need.

johnny847

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2015, 01:37:08 PM »
I should quit Amazon Prime today.  The two-day shipping has me reaching for stuff I don't really need.
You're playing right into their hands!

zephyr911

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2015, 01:44:05 PM »
I should quit Amazon Prime today.  The two-day shipping has me reaching for stuff I don't really need.
I don't find that it does that for me anymore, though it sure used to. I still use the shit out of Prime for stuff I actually need (tools, supplies, etc). It saves me plenty of time and money, and I don't goof off much with my gov gig and 3 side jobs. Just today the clamp-on meter (recommended here) was delivered, and I'll be using it this weekend at a rental that's sucking power.

Plus, the streaming media is part of my transition strategy for weaning myself off cable (cut several months ago). We'll see if it retains its importance in the long run.

Jack

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2015, 02:07:12 PM »
I actually did the opposite: I buy stuff from Amazon fairly infrequently (maybe once a month or so), but signed up for my free trial of Prime for Prime Day. I've bought a bunch of stuff I needed, but had been putting off buying (a router, a UPS, a mouse, a bike multitool and portable pump for when I start commuting next month, and convertible top protectant for my car). Some of the things, such as the UPS and pump were cheaper models than I would have bought if there hadn't been a "deal" available. (For example, I got a $13 Master Blaster instead of the $30 Road Morph this threadhad me considering, and a "mini tower" UPS instead of the crazy-expensive rackmount one I had almost convinced myself would be worthwhile, but would have required me to invest in a bunch of other rackmount stuff.)

Admittedly, I did buy two frivolous things (a game controller for my PC and a "mason jar fermenting kit"), but I'm rationalizing it by telling myself that I'll save money by avoiding the urge to buy a Steam Controller and making tasty homemade pickled things instead of buying them...

Incidentally, when I signed up for Prime I immediately created a calendar reminder to cancel it before the 30 days are up.

Gumbo1978

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2015, 02:48:02 PM »
I bought the $45 gift card pack for the free $10 credit.  Had 2 things in my cart and let them expire.  So my shopping day netted me $10.

Paul der Krake

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #11 on: July 15, 2015, 02:53:05 PM »
In other news, I bought two items separately from Amazon this month without a Prime membership, and they both arrived in 2 days with the free shipping option. If this is the new normal, the extra membership becomes even more superfluous.

zephyr911

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2015, 02:57:46 PM »
In other news, I bought two items separately from Amazon this month without a Prime membership, and they both arrived in 2 days with the free shipping option. If this is the new normal, the extra membership becomes even more superfluous.
It all depends on location and which distribution center they use. As they add more, the average time drops for sure.

Jack

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #13 on: July 15, 2015, 03:34:09 PM »
I bought the $45 gift card pack for the free $10 credit.  Had 2 things in my cart and let them expire.  So my shopping day netted me $10.

How easy is it to use them? Once I receive them, can I just immediately type the codes in somewhere and have the credit already available in my Amazon account, or do I have to keep track of the physical card until I actually want to buy something again?

AllieVaulter

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #14 on: July 15, 2015, 05:14:27 PM »
I bought the $45 gift card pack for the free $10 credit.  Had 2 things in my cart and let them expire.  So my shopping day netted me $10.

How easy is it to use them? Once I receive them, can I just immediately type the codes in somewhere and have the credit already available in my Amazon account, or do I have to keep track of the physical card until I actually want to buy something again?

You just type the code into your Amazon account and it remembers your account balance for you.  I think Amazon also uses your giftcard balance by default, which is good so you don't forget about it.  BUT if you use your account for work & personal use, you have to double check so you don't accidentally use up your giftcard for work. 

Gumbo1978

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #15 on: July 16, 2015, 06:29:24 AM »
I think it also helped people that Amazon was basically trying to sell garbage yesterday during the "sale".  Not to mention the low probability of landing something one could consider a good deal.

MsPeacock

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #16 on: July 16, 2015, 07:05:51 AM »
My prime is set to expire (October - not sure) and won't be renewing. I just missed cancelling it last year and once it renews if you order anything you can't cancel until your term is up. Anyhow, I find that when I do order something, it is usually over $35 or whatever for minimum shipping anyhow, and I don't really care about getting stuff in 2 days (which often doesn't seem to happen anyhow). So, I am done. I don't use their video service, which seems to charge for a lot of movies anyhow. I don't use the music. I get my books for free from the library or from co-workers and friends. Not having it will help even more with minimizing impulse purchases (I'm doing pretty well there anyhow since finding MMM).

Prime day was 1) fake holiday and 2) offered deals that looked like random stuff left in a clearance bin. Meh.

zephyr911

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #17 on: July 16, 2015, 08:29:10 AM »
Kind of a tangent here, but while clearing shit off my wish lists yesterday, I found this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0016OBCTC/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

The "very good" used one at $550 is tempting, not to keep but to see if I can flip it.
The last used one went for $850, IIRC, and I think I only kept this one on my list to see if I could catch a resale opportunity. Low-volume, high-margin item, maybe. Hmmm....

Axecleaver

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #18 on: July 16, 2015, 08:41:38 AM »
Quote
I'm gonna keep the book lists until I turn the corner on this overcommitted, 3-jobs, sprinting-toward-FIRE phase of life and find time to check the library for a few of them
Keep your list, but borrow the books through Overdrive. Many libraries use Overdrive to support e-reader lending, just need a wifi connection to get it delivered. I have a Kindle paperwhite (about $70) and it uses the same Amazon interface you've been using to buy books. Except they're free.

I've been using this exclusively over the past six months and have stopped buying books. If there's something unavailable on Overdrive, I can get a paper copy through the interlibrary loan program. Takes between a day and a week to show up. I use this about once or twice a month for the less popular books.

Congrats on embracing minimalism. Less really is more.

zephyr911

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #19 on: July 16, 2015, 08:51:40 AM »
Quote
I'm gonna keep the book lists until I turn the corner on this overcommitted, 3-jobs, sprinting-toward-FIRE phase of life and find time to check the library for a few of them
Keep your list, but borrow the books through Overdrive. Many libraries use Overdrive to support e-reader lending, just need a wifi connection to get it delivered. I have a Kindle paperwhite (about $70) and it uses the same Amazon interface you've been using to buy books. Except they're free.

I've been using this exclusively over the past six months and have stopped buying books. If there's something unavailable on Overdrive, I can get a paper copy through the interlibrary loan program. Takes between a day and a week to show up. I use this about once or twice a month for the less popular books.

Congrats on embracing minimalism. Less really is more.
DW has a Kindle. I should really learn to use it.

mandy_2002

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #20 on: July 16, 2015, 10:46:45 AM »
In other news, I bought two items separately from Amazon this month without a Prime membership, and they both arrived in 2 days with the free shipping option. If this is the new normal, the extra membership becomes even more superfluous.
It all depends on location and which distribution center they use. As they add more, the average time drops for sure.

Agreed! I used the non-prime free shipping for a small box to a city in South Dakota.  I bought it on Wednesday around noon, and it arrived 7 days later.  2 days is not the norm when you're in South Dakota.

JimLahey

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #21 on: July 16, 2015, 11:25:56 AM »
My Prime membership was up on the the 11th, a few days prior to the "sale", and I chose to not renew it. It has just not appealed to me recently. Especially with B&M stores price matching. The only noteworthy shows on the video service are from the HBO backlog. I've also had a few orders recently that I have not received in two days. Plus it should keep me from making impulse purchases.

eostache

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #22 on: July 19, 2015, 02:58:45 PM »
I have an Amazon account but I do not keep my credit card information attached to it. So if I really want to buy something I have to go find my wallet and get my credit card to pay. I end up only buying stuff from there once or twice a year. I do download a lot of free Kindle ebooks. I've been building myself a digital library, I have about 400 now.

NOT wanting to shop can become a nice habit. I have even lost most of my interest in yard sales and thrift stores.

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #23 on: July 19, 2015, 03:48:28 PM »
I don't mind Prime Day, Amazon's stock went high, so it benefitted me more on that front.

zephyr911

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #24 on: July 20, 2015, 09:34:57 AM »
I don't mind Prime Day, Amazon's stock went high, so it benefitted me more on that front.
Did it *stay* up? I heard a lot of negative feedback on the selection and discounts.

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #25 on: July 20, 2015, 10:07:02 AM »
I bet Amazon wasn't banking too heavily on the sales from Prime Day.  I'd imagine they were betting on the majority of people to sign up for Prime and then forget to cancel before the 30 day free trial ended. 

FrugalTravelGal

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #26 on: July 27, 2015, 05:18:50 PM »
I admit to spending $31.93 on Prime Day for 3 DVDs!  Two of them are for gifts, and the other is a beloved movie on Blu-ray for the family. On the other hand, I had previously ordered several travel guides on pre-order, and I cancelled  all but one. I went to the library and checked out the older editions of two of the books.

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #27 on: July 28, 2015, 06:41:58 AM »

I should quit Amazon Prime today.  The two-day shipping has me reaching for stuff I don't really need.
I don't find that it does that for me anymore, though it sure used to. I still use the shit out of Prime for stuff I actually need (tools, supplies, etc). It saves me plenty of time and money, and I don't goof off much with my gov gig and 3 side jobs. Just today the clamp-on meter (recommended here) was delivered, and I'll be using it this weekend at a rental that's sucking power.

Plus, the streaming media is part of my transition strategy for weaning myself off cable (cut several months ago). We'll see if it retains its importance in the long run.

Same here
I kept Prime because for $99 per year I get a streaming service that I find very comparable to Netflix, an unlimited pictures storage in the cloud (my 5 year old PC would be full if I kept all my pictures there) and a great music selection.
Sure, it's about $9 per month, but I think overall it's worth it for me

meg_shannon

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Re: Amazon Fucked Up
« Reply #28 on: July 30, 2015, 08:16:05 AM »
I'm gonna keep the book lists until I turn the corner on this overcommitted, 3-jobs, sprinting-toward-FIRE phase of life and find time to check the library for a few of them, and then I'll start whittling away there.

Consider tracking your books on Goodreads. They do a really good job and the temptation to buy isn't so great. Next year my local library system is supposed to sync up with Goodreads so I can follow a link directly to the digital library or online hold system.