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Last time I used digikey, they would notify me that if I bought a few more widgets I'd be eligible for bulk pricing, which would lower my bill. Sure, they would

Last time I used digikey, they would notify me that if I bought a few more widgets I'd be eligible for bulk pricing, which would lower my bill. Sure, they would move more widgets, but would receive less money. I was a little shocked and impressed. I did buy more widgets, and did indeed lower my bill.

sokoloff 5y ago
I find Amazon’s functionality of “you bought this item on March Xx, 20YY” to be similar. Sometimes I’m buying more dishwasher tablets (and the notice serves only to tell me that I’m buying the same thing), but it’s definitely caused me to not re-buy a book I already owned a few times and that left me with a very positive impression of Amazon.
- singingboyo 5y ago
  There's a flip side to this that benefits amazon, though still very useful for the customer. If I'm poking through something I maybe want but might get in person, and I find something I've already bought that fits my need again... I'm more likely to buy again than to wander over to a physical store. Especially true for things I don't buy often and then need suddenly, like casual clothing (oops, ripped it) or random felt pads for furniture (oh dear, that's going to scratch things up quick). I'm also less likely to hem and haw about it until I just buy from a physical store. (For example, "these paper towels or those? idk, decide tomorrow" and then buy with groceries the next day.) Besides, if you rebuy, then return, that's worse for them than if you just never rebought. Sure, they'll probably charge you a restock fee, but I'm not entirely convinced it covers the full cost to Amazon.
  - sokoloff 5y ago
    That’s another policy genius: almost nothing they sell has a return cost or restocking fee to the consumer (other than me having to drive it to a drop off point, of which there are many within 1.5 miles). That’s for a US Prime member anyway. I return very few things, but I’ve never been charged a penny for them. That makes me way more likely to just buy from Amazon, even if another merchant is slightly cheaper.

sokoloff 5y ago

I find Amazon’s functionality of “you bought this item on March Xx, 20YY” to be similar. Sometimes I’m buying more dishwasher tablets (and the notice serves only to tell me that I’m buying the same thing), but it’s definitely caused me to not re-buy a book I already owned a few times and that left me with a very positive impression of Amazon.

singingboyo 5y ago
There's a flip side to this that benefits amazon, though still very useful for the customer. If I'm poking through something I maybe want but might get in person, and I find something I've already bought that fits my need again... I'm more likely to buy again than to wander over to a physical store. Especially true for things I don't buy often and then need suddenly, like casual clothing (oops, ripped it) or random felt pads for furniture (oh dear, that's going to scratch things up quick). I'm also less likely to hem and haw about it until I just buy from a physical store. (For example, "these paper towels or those? idk, decide tomorrow" and then buy with groceries the next day.) Besides, if you rebuy, then return, that's worse for them than if you just never rebought. Sure, they'll probably charge you a restock fee, but I'm not entirely convinced it covers the full cost to Amazon.
- sokoloff 5y ago
  That’s another policy genius: almost nothing they sell has a return cost or restocking fee to the consumer (other than me having to drive it to a drop off point, of which there are many within 1.5 miles). That’s for a US Prime member anyway. I return very few things, but I’ve never been charged a penny for them. That makes me way more likely to just buy from Amazon, even if another merchant is slightly cheaper.