The other day I ordered a fancy screen protector and a neoprene sleeve for my iPad (because you never know when you might want to take it SCUBA diving*) from Amazon. Because I order from Amazon so frequently, and because I have an unnatural love for Amazon Prime two-day shipping, I keep a bunch of small, silly things in my cart that I wouldn't bother ordering by themselves, and throw one or two in when I'm placing bigger orders. So the other day, after I ordered the iPad stuff, I threw in a book for the Bomber. Yesterday the iPad stuff arrived, via UPS, in a perfectly reasonably sized box:
When I pulled the screen protector and the sleeve out of the shrink wrap, though, I noticed the book was not in the box. So I checked my Amazon account and discovered that it has been sent separately. Okay, I know what you're saying... "so what? Amazon does that all that time." And so they do. But this was sent by FedEx Saturday Delivery, and I do not see how this:
could possibly be cost-effective. Especially when you consider this:
and this:
And that's just the surcharge, people. On top of the regular FedEx delivery charge. Honestly, with business practices like this, I doubt this company will be in business much longer.**
* I KNOW I can't take my iPad SCUBA diving, even in a neoprene sleeve. For one thing, I don't know how to SCUBA dive. And I don't think the iPad does either.
** That was a JOKE, y'all. It's AMAZON. I KNOW they're not tanking anytime soon, my $1.50-plus-$25-shipping puzzle book notwithstanding.
I love Amazon. Seriously. I'd marry Amazon if asked, absurd cost-ineffectiveness notwithstanding.
Posted by: Jacquie DeVita | January 15, 2011 at 04:00 PM
Usually a case of the items shipping from two different locations.
Posted by: Pat B. | January 15, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Clearly your satisfaction as their customer is more important than cost-effectiveness. ;-)
I'm also gonna guess that Amazon doesn't pay the rates you and I pay. Course, it's unlikely that it's less the 1.50, just the same.
Posted by: Rose | January 15, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Yes, Pat...I *understand* why it occurred. I write about it for humorous effect, see? ;-)
Posted by: Stinky | January 15, 2011 at 08:12 PM
And Jacquie, it's nice to know someone else shares my unnatural adoration of Amazon.
Posted by: Stinky | January 15, 2011 at 08:14 PM