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Comment by blondin | Hacker News Reader

you mean from a well known brand like nike, adidas, etc.? why not get it from their own website or app directly? sometimes it's even cheaper and the perks you get far out-weights what amazon has to offer.

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Amazons shipping. Its the only reason I still shop at amazon. Their shipping is quick and predictable, if it says it will be at your door tomorrow it is very likely that it will be. You can actually take their delivery dates seriously and plan accordingly. I made the mistake of ordering a mobile AC unit somewhere else (reputable entity, bought my first pc there decades ago) and instead of getting it last Friday or Saturday, as stated when buying, it will come some time this week when I am at work. From looking at when the item got transferred to the shipping company its clear the original delivery date was simply wrong. Further more, the company tasked with delivery doesnt even do Saturdays. I dont think i will be buying anything important from them anytime soon. I had to many bad experiences like that with too many vendors to gamble on anything other then amazon.

I think amazon is very aware of that and is working towards their own shipping service for a reason. They are still a shitty company, but at least i dont have the hassle of running after my shipments.

Ah, yes, Newegg. I stick by them and parts-express despite my dependence on amazon for so much.

You basically never get free shipping on a pair of socks from a brand like Nike though, right? Usually you have to spend ~$50. These were ‘Darn Tough’, a more niche hiking/active brand. Amazon had the best price. I only found out they were counterfeit by doing some research when they got a hole way too soon, but just after the return window. I mended the hole and they’re serviceable for now. In the future, I’ll only buy these from either REI or direct from the manufacturer. Lesson learned. But yeah not your typical sock-buying situation, I’m way too big of a hipster for that ;)

Darn Toughs are nice enough when I left a pair behind by mistake at my hostel after a Grand Canyon trip I prevailed upon the hostel to mail them back to me for $2 for their time + postage. Thanks for the heads up about Amazon.

I know someone who buys a LOT of shoes from them (though just for himself) and they just awarded him a free pair recently.

You get a 5% rebate if you’re using an Amazon credit card. Their return policies are predictable and fairly generous. If you’re lucky enough to be in the right place, shipping is reliably 2 days or even same-day, which, if you’re using the card, is “free” as part of prime. I have more trust in Amazon’s ability to safeguard PII and payment information than I do for other companies. Except for the first one, these reasons are some of the main reasons Amazon blew up online retail in the first place.

> I have more trust in Amazon’s ability to safeguard PII and payment information than I do for other companies.

Even though I'd preferentially avoid Amazon much of the time, this is true. I wish Apple Pay for web purchase would become ubiquitous (and my credit card issuer would add support) to sidestep this issue.

That's a weird question. I mean, it may totally make sense to do what you are saying, but people tend to get used to shopping in one place, not even to mention that every sane wholesaler does everything in his power to make people used to that (relevant ads, promos, personalized discounts or bonus points, unobtrusive UI...) That's kinda the whole point of being a reseller.

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