I didn't read that anyone who went on a "shopping trip" mentioned that BFL does provide the ability to create your own personal mall. I realize that HPD said you could create your own in a folder and JT said you could create one as affiliates. But the capability is already there for those less knowledgeable.
Jon, you mentioned that there was only 1 store in each category. I did not go back to check, but I do know that if you search for an item, the system provides more than one store as a possible vendor - at least in some cases.
A little off topic, but I am baffled by HPD's remarks concerning not having received a book from Amazon that he ordered some time ago. I ordered a book from Amazon.com on Saturday of Christmas weekend and received it on Tuesday. I was amzaed by the service!! You must really be in the boonies. I might add that I went to Amazon.com thru a link on an investment site that had some suggestions on books to read concerning investing. As I recall, all it said was something like "to order click here" - no mention of Amazon - but that is where I ended up. Normally, I wouldn't go to Amazon.com at all. I am not a "reader" so the chances of my ever going to a book store are very slim.
As much as some of us may not like the way BFL works, there are those who would be quite happy to find a place like it to shop. Home Shopping used to be a joke to many people, not any more. As much as Aleta likes to "feel" the things she buys, there are a great many people who don't have that need - me for instance. I am serious. I hate shopping for many reasons and will avoid it at all costs - literally. In fact, I just came back from Sears with a new vacumn cleaner which I have been "shopping for" and really NEEDED for months! I would also like to confess that I bought my computer from Home Shopping. If I hadn't, I know I never would have bought one at all! Many people thought I was crazy (ok, still do), but I have been very pleased with it too....particularly the lifetime technical support and the one year on-site service warranty. Even more impressive was the fact that after I had it for over two years, a rep at the manufacturer spent over 3 hours on the phone with me one night helping me get it working again after I really screwed it up! Boy have I drifted off subject....
To bring it back to BFL, the most important "thing" they can provide is exceptional service and savings. They have started with guarantees and rebate of shipping charges. I believe it is more important and more significant to compare BFL to another virtual mall, rather than our own personal likes or dislikes of this type of shopping experience.
Bill |
