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Amazon Cash

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Re: Amazon Cash

#31

Post by [deleted] »

ryanSrich wrote: post #15
sokoloff wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The use case is that you have cash (literally folding money) in your hand and the store is the place to turn that physical cash into electronic credit in your Amazon Balance.

Maybe I'm being obtuse, but why would anyone want to do that? Could you not use a credit card, debit card, or gift card?

[deleted]

Re: Amazon Cash

#34

Post by redial »

mahyarm wrote: post #11

Why wouldnt you just buy a gift card with cash at these stores?

Bar codes are probably cheaper for Amazon, as they don't have to make a card, transport it, store it and sell it.

Re: Amazon Cash

#35

Post by codazoda »

huangc10 wrote: post #3

> Choose to receive your barcode via text message or print-at-home. Bring this barcode into any participating store and show it to the cashier to add money to your Amazon Balance. As a customer I don't really understand this concept. Why do I bring my barcode to one of the stores (CVS, etc.) to reload my Amazon Balance...?

I get that part but my local grocery store sells Amazon gift cards in $10 to $50 denominations. You can buy these with cash just fine and there is no fee that the store charges and there is no tax. A $25 card costs $25 cash.

Dunno if this varies by area.

Re: Amazon Cash

#36

Post by jccalhoun »

blastofpast wrote: post #20
busterarm wrote: post #9

The typical view of Amazon is that they're putting B&M businesses out of it. What's the value to these stores in doing this? I feel like I'm missing something obvious here.

Getting people to physically visit their B&M store, for whatever reason, is hugely valuable.

yep. foot traffic. go to CVS to do this amazon thing and pick up some candy or something while you are there.

Re: Amazon Cash

#37

Post by cbhl »

ryanSrich wrote: post #15
sokoloff wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The use case is that you have cash (literally folding money) in your hand and the store is the place to turn that physical cash into electronic credit in your Amazon Balance.

Maybe I'm being obtuse, but why would anyone want to do that? Could you not use a credit card, debit card, or gift card?

Maybe one has had a bankruptcy in the last seven years. Or is a 13-year-old. Or doesn't have an SSN.

Re: Amazon Cash

#38

Post by skookum »

wscott wrote: post #10

This is another round of the "Amazon vs Walmart" war. People without banks or credit cards currently shop at Walmart. Now it is much easier for them to shop at Amazon.

"Much easier than before" or "much easier than at Walmart"? I buy the former, but I doubt that many of the cash-only customers shopping at Walmart live in locations or lead lifestyles conducive to receiving regular package deliveries easily. I'm skeptical that payment logistics are their biggest barrier to Amazon shopping.

I suspect many of us on HN have a distorted view of how hassle-free online shopping is because we live in buildings or neighborhoods where packages can be left without signature with a high probability of making it to us and many of us have the luxury of working from home on the odd day when we need to sign for an expected delivery.

Re: Amazon Cash

#40

Post by Raphmedia »

ryanSrich wrote: post #15
sokoloff wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The use case is that you have cash (literally folding money) in your hand and the store is the place to turn that physical cash into electronic credit in your Amazon Balance.

Maybe I'm being obtuse, but why would anyone want to do that? Could you not use a credit card, debit card, or gift card?

Growing up poor meant that we never saw credit cards. That meant that we had to be very creative when it came to pay online. Something like Amazon Cash would have been amazing to have!
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