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Will Amazon Become the Wal-Mart of the Web?

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Re: Will Amazon Become the Wal-Mart of the Web?

#21
post #8

Wal-Mart is the Wal-Mart of the web. Their online holidays' sale numbers are higher than Amazon. edit: http://siteanalytics.compete.com/walmart.com+amazon.com well this shows Amazon gets 20M more traffic than Wal-Mart during peak of holiday season, but I am pretty sure Wal-Mart's sales were higher on 06

Can you give any proof about the 06 numbers? It seems doubtful.

Re: Will Amazon Become the Wal-Mart of the Web?

#22
post #16

I think that the rise of Amazon as the primary retailer leaves the delivery market ripe for upheaval. The current delivery model is kind of awkward: they do a first delivery when you're at work, and then trying to coordinate with them becomes a huge hassle. I usually end up having packages delivered to my parents' house, since they won't leave packages at my door at my current apartment (and rightfully so!) To me, it…

In Germany (where Amazon uses DHL), DHL has "PackStations" scattered around the country where you can go to pick up your package if they miss you at home delivery. I think in most cases they're within half a mile of the home they tried to deliver to. So when Amazon misses me, I just walk over with the DSL slip that says a package is there and scan the barcode on it and grab my package.

The Danish Post has installed such a system for general packages here. If they cannot deliver, they stick it in such a machine (open 24/7) and you can pick it up. But you can also put a special delivery address on your package so it will end up there right away (and you'll get a text message when it's there).

You can also supposedly send packages from them.

Re: Will Amazon Become the Wal-Mart of the Web?

#23
post #17

They will be the Wal-Mart of the web when they start throwing their weight around and 'holding wholesalers hostage' to drive down prices, forcing manufacturers to make 'cheaper' versions of the same product just for Amazon (and in some cases listing that 'Amazon-version' with the cheaper parts/build quality as the exact same model as the ones that were sent to other retailers).

i don't see a problem with using your purchasing power. but abuse can lead to larger problems, walmart is now seeing some brands not wanting to enter their stores because of potential problems it can cause.

Re: Will Amazon Become the Wal-Mart of the Web?

#24

My one annoyance with Amazon: I live in Australia, yet Amazon item pages still say, even when I'm logged in , that I've qualified for "FREE Super Saving Shiping!" A quick check of Amazon's help pages will tell you that international customers aren't eligible for free shipping of any kind. All of my shipping addresses are in Australia, but Amazon doesn't do any checking of that before saying that I've qualified. Also,…

Well, some international customers have Amazon Prime. A friend of mine in Japan claims she orders everything from Amazon with low-cost same-day delivery ($8 extra in the US). She called it "Amazon Prime", but I have not looked myself.

Anyway, I am with you on ordering everything from Amazon. I live in the US and have Prime, and it's just amazing. Going to the store is just not necessary when you can have something show up at your house the next day for $4 extra. (I still buy most food in real stores. But that's about it.)

Re: Will Amazon Become the Wal-Mart of the Web?

#26
post #8

Wal-Mart is the Wal-Mart of the web. Their online holidays' sale numbers are higher than Amazon. edit: http://siteanalytics.compete.com/walmart.com+amazon.com well this shows Amazon gets 20M more traffic than Wal-Mart during peak of holiday season, but I am pretty sure Wal-Mart's sales were higher on 06

Dude...Amazon has been the leading e-tailer for around a decade or so. Wal-Mart is not even in the top 10. Where did you get the idea Wal-Mart did anywhere near Amazon volume online? http://www.internetretailer.com/Top500/list.asp

Re: Will Amazon Become the Wal-Mart of the Web?

#29
post #14

I think that the rise of Amazon as the primary retailer leaves the delivery market ripe for upheaval. The current delivery model is kind of awkward: they do a first delivery when you're at work, and then trying to coordinate with them becomes a huge hassle. I usually end up having packages delivered to my parents' house, since they won't leave packages at my door at my current apartment (and rightfully so!) To me, it…

It seems like drop-boxes, like the ones used to return library books, could be built into the rooms in new apartment buildings. That would probably solve the delivery problem except when shipping really big packages (e.g. televisions).

Lots of mailboxes, and not just at apartment buildings, already have dropboxes: http://www.mailboxworks.com/AF_Outdoor_Parcel_Locker.html

You don't really need one for every room because not everybody is going to get a delivery every day. One for every 10 rooms would be enough most of the time.

Re: Will Amazon Become the Wal-Mart of the Web?

#30

Given that Walmart.com runs on the Amazon software, Amazon literally is the Wal-Mart of the web.

Can you cite a source that says walmart.com is using Amazon software? I'm not aware that walmart.com is running on any Amazon software.

PS: I work for Amazon and have a friend that works for walmart.com

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