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Amazon Allowance

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Re: Amazon Allowance

#31
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

10% off up to $100 per year. So about 1/4 day off. Why bother?

Doesn't that essentially mean free prime? Also... it beats the discount I got back when I worked fast food. Not saying some places don't do better, but I do fear the entitlement of my peers here.

No, prime has music, instant video, free shipping, discounts, etc. It is a loss leader that can costs Amazon way more than $100 per member. Otherwise Amazon would scrap the 10% and give all its employees prime.

On entitlement, It's not entitlement. If Amazon can't compete or doesn't want to compete on perks, that is their preprogative. Entitlement is not in Amazon's vocabulary. They have no concept of entitlement. When Amazon employees are forced to wake up at 3am to fix something it's not because Amazon feels entitled to their sleep time. It's because Amazon has devolved into barbarianism and raw power to force people to do things is all that matters there. There is no concept of entitlement because entitlement would mean some rule of law exists. The only reason a discount probably exists is because there is some small psychological benefit to the company that is greater than the (tiny) cost. So when someone feels they should get something more from an employer in that environment it is simply reciprocal hostility.

Re: Amazon Allowance

#32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If you give teenagers cash, they can't spend it online. Thanks to KYC rules and bank policies, you have to be 18 to get anything that looks like a credit card. What about those prepaid cards you can buy for cash at B&M stores? I'm pretty sure you can use those online.

sometimes those cards don't work for some online stores because there is no address associated with the card, so card verification systems may fail.

many online stores i've seen/used actively block those cards due to fraud/chargeback/etc reasons

Re: Amazon Allowance

#33
post #2

I applaud the effort Amazon is making to expand its influence, and giving kids an Amazon allowance would lock them in because it doesn't look too easy to convert that money back to real cash. But I don't think this one will stick around for very long. Prepaid cash/debit cards and automated deposits are an older and more proven way of doing this (not to mention just handing your kids $20 in cash every week). By giving…

Life lessons aside, it's alot harder to spend your $20/week on weed or booze or gambling when it's an Amazon credit.

Re: Amazon Allowance

#34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you give teenagers cash, they can't spend it online. Thanks to KYC rules and bank policies, you have to be 18 to get anything that looks like a credit card. Best plan for teenagers is a joint checking account (dedicated to the child's use) at your bank, with a debit card they can use for day-to-day spending. You can do allowance, etc with transfers, and most bankd will play ball as long as one person on the accoun…

> If you give teenagers cash, they can't spend it online. Thanks to KYC rules and bank policies, you have to be 18 to get anything that looks like a credit card. What about those prepaid cards you can buy for cash at B&M stores? I'm pretty sure you can use those online.

That's what I used in high school, but they're not very good value. You'd often need to pay a few bucks in fees just to use a $20 prepaid Visa card.

Re: Amazon Allowance

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you give teenagers cash, they can't spend it online. Thanks to KYC rules and bank policies, you have to be 18 to get anything that looks like a credit card. Best plan for teenagers is a joint checking account (dedicated to the child's use) at your bank, with a debit card they can use for day-to-day spending. You can do allowance, etc with transfers, and most bankd will play ball as long as one person on the accoun…

> If you give teenagers cash, they can't spend it online. Thanks to KYC rules and bank policies, you have to be 18 to get anything that looks like a credit card. What about those prepaid cards you can buy for cash at B&M stores? I'm pretty sure you can use those online.

Activation requires you to (pretend to) be 18, AFAIK. Also they have quite hefty fees; a checking accout is free as long as you don't overdraft.

Re: Amazon Allowance

#37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If you give teenagers cash, they can't spend it online. Thanks to KYC rules and bank policies, you have to be 18 to get anything that looks like a credit card. What about those prepaid cards you can buy for cash at B&M stores? I'm pretty sure you can use those online.

Activation requires you to (pretend to) be 18, AFAIK. Also they have quite hefty fees; a checking accout is free as long as you don't overdraft.

Checking account are free? Well, chequing accounts are not :(

Among the downsides of being in Canada is paying higher prices for anything that is not health care.

Re: Amazon Allowance

#38
post #2

I applaud the effort Amazon is making to expand its influence, and giving kids an Amazon allowance would lock them in because it doesn't look too easy to convert that money back to real cash. But I don't think this one will stick around for very long. Prepaid cash/debit cards and automated deposits are an older and more proven way of doing this (not to mention just handing your kids $20 in cash every week). By giving…

If you give teenagers cash, they can't spend it online. Thanks to KYC rules and bank policies, you have to be 18 to get anything that looks like a credit card. Best plan for teenagers is a joint checking account (dedicated to the child's use) at your bank, with a debit card they can use for day-to-day spending. You can do allowance, etc with transfers, and most bankd will play ball as long as one person on the accoun…

Why can't you use the debit card online? I had a debit card at 14 that I could use online (UK)

Re: Amazon Allowance

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Activation requires you to (pretend to) be 18, AFAIK. Also they have quite hefty fees; a checking accout is free as long as you don't overdraft.

Checking account are free? Well, chequing accounts are not :( Among the downsides of being in Canada is paying higher prices for anything that is not health care.

Sucks to be you. My checking account even gives me interest!

Re: Amazon Allowance

#40
post #2

I applaud the effort Amazon is making to expand its influence, and giving kids an Amazon allowance would lock them in because it doesn't look too easy to convert that money back to real cash. But I don't think this one will stick around for very long. Prepaid cash/debit cards and automated deposits are an older and more proven way of doing this (not to mention just handing your kids $20 in cash every week). By giving…

Life lessons aside, it's alot harder to spend your $20/week on weed or booze or gambling when it's an Amazon credit.

you can always sell it for 80%+ of it's value for cash or bitcoins... or ask your dealer what he needs from Amazon
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