Here's [1] the official press release from Amazon.
Not sure what's up with the weird URL, I got there from Amazon's `About` page.
1: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-ne...
Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
21–30 of 34 posts
Re: Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
#22Some sort of mutant combination of a parcel locker service and Argos, by the look of it. Is there any US equivalent of Argos, actually? (Argos is a shop where you choose the stuff you want from a catalog, type its product number into a machine, and collect it from a counter a few minutes after).
The USA used to have "Service Merchandise" [1], which was a similar concept -- it was a "catalog showroom", you'd walk the isles, find the product you wanted and write down the code and then after you check out, you'd wait for your product to appear on a conveyer belt from the warehouse. They went out of business in the early 2000's. I don't know of any similar stores that are still in business. [1] https://en.wikipe…
Ikea
Re: Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
#23Why are the items in Amazon boxes? That's waste.
Because nobody has any business knowing that you're buying a new dildo.
The units are stocked with commonly sold items - like phone chargers. So I suppose it's possible that dildo sales in an area are frequent enough to justify their being in there...
Re: Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
#24Here's [1] the official press release from Amazon. Not sure what's up with the weird URL, I got there from Amazon's `About` page. 1: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-ne...
Corporate press release site.
Re: Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
The USA used to have "Service Merchandise" [1], which was a similar concept -- it was a "catalog showroom", you'd walk the isles, find the product you wanted and write down the code and then after you check out, you'd wait for your product to appear on a conveyer belt from the warehouse. They went out of business in the early 2000's. I don't know of any similar stores that are still in business. [1] https://en.wikipe…
Ikea
Ikea's a bit different, in that you collect the items yourself in a warehouse, and it's mostly furniture-centric. Argos is more like a small Amazon in a building; they sell all sorts of stuff.
Re: Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
#26I believe there are a number of entrenched players in this space already. They're called "shops".
Except for my number 1 issue with shops...there is no way to check the inventory before you go. Their websites often suck at the store level inventory and if you do call customer care - and they do happen to send someone back to check it can take 10 minutes to find out if they have it, not just in their system - but on the shelf. The elegance of Amazon is its logistics.
Depends on the shop. Target, Walmart and CVS are really good about being able to check inventory at the local store online, then buy the item online, and pick it up at the customer service counter in an hour or two.
This is the model that Amazon will have to beat. And the only way it can do that is through offering a better selection. Which should be possible since Amazon won't have aisles to stock.
Re: Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
#27Some sort of mutant combination of a parcel locker service and Argos, by the look of it. Is there any US equivalent of Argos, actually? (Argos is a shop where you choose the stuff you want from a catalog, type its product number into a machine, and collect it from a counter a few minutes after).
The USA used to have "Service Merchandise" [1], which was a similar concept -- it was a "catalog showroom", you'd walk the isles, find the product you wanted and write down the code and then after you check out, you'd wait for your product to appear on a conveyer belt from the warehouse. They went out of business in the early 2000's. I don't know of any similar stores that are still in business. [1] https://en.wikipe…
Ikea still works this way with larger items.
Re: Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
#28Article doesn't mention this, but a big selling point is painless returns. Just drop stuff off and get your money back. IMO that makes them a much more attractive option for items like clothes that might not fit. EDIT: I might be wrong here, I assumed it was talking about Amazon locations like the one that recently opened up in my hometown, but that's "Pickup Point", this is "Instant Pickup". Pickup Points do 1-day d…
Wait, there are easy return locations for Amazon? Do I have to deal with packaging? I honestly hate having to keep old boxes around on the off chance I'll need to return something, so that would be a nice change.
Honestly my biggest use case is furniture. Stores in the Bay Area are too small to hold a decent showroom selection because real estate is so expensive so everything is online. But they want insane fees to ship and return which I refuse to pay because I'm not paying $50+ to find out the photo was deceptive and the furniture build quality is crap, or the color is nothing like online.
Being able to buy online, pickup from store or have delivered to home and then free returns at a store location would be great. Right now I'm mostly limited to Target and BB&B with those criteria which stinks.
Re: Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
Except for my number 1 issue with shops...there is no way to check the inventory before you go. Their websites often suck at the store level inventory and if you do call customer care - and they do happen to send someone back to check it can take 10 minutes to find out if they have it, not just in their system - but on the shelf. The elegance of Amazon is its logistics.
Depends on the shop. Target, Walmart and CVS are really good about being able to check inventory at the local store online, then buy the item online, and pick it up at the customer service counter in an hour or two. This is the model that Amazon will have to beat. And the only way it can do that is through offering a better selection. Which should be possible since Amazon won't have aisles to stock.
I have discovered that the inventory numbers at Home Depot are disappointingly bad however.
Re: Amazon opens 'Instant Pickup' points in US brick-and-mortar push
#30Article doesn't mention this, but a big selling point is painless returns. Just drop stuff off and get your money back. IMO that makes them a much more attractive option for items like clothes that might not fit. EDIT: I might be wrong here, I assumed it was talking about Amazon locations like the one that recently opened up in my hometown, but that's "Pickup Point", this is "Instant Pickup". Pickup Points do 1-day d…
Wait, there are easy return locations for Amazon? Do I have to deal with packaging? I honestly hate having to keep old boxes around on the off chance I'll need to return something, so that would be a nice change. Honestly my biggest use case is furniture. Stores in the Bay Area are too small to hold a decent showroom selection because real estate is so expensive so everything is online. But they want insane fees to s…
Here's what I found:
> Can I return items at Amazon@StateCollege?
> Yes, we accept returns of most items that were sold by Amazon.com. You can print your return label at home or use our self-service kiosk to print a label for your return. Select ‘Returns’ on the main screen to find options for starting or continuing a return process. If you need a box or tape, we are happy to provide them.
> Can I return anything at Amazon@StateCollege?
> No. We only accept Amazon returns with prepaid mailing labels.
I thought it was more clear than that on taking returns, but now I'm not sure what they're willing to provide prepaid return labels for.