Actually, buying gas at a more expensive station may make some sense for some people, as oil companies have refineries, and hence are manufacturing a product, and can provide additives to differentiate from the competition. For example, Texaco's "with Techraline" comes with a "promise" that after x number of tanks, your engine will "run cleaner" etc. Some people with new cars actually take pride in buying more expensive gas, and more expensive oil. I know someone who used to have a Corvette, and he only used "MobileOne" oil, even though it was $5 a quart, whereas for example Havoline or Quaker Oil was ~$1.10 or whatever per quart.
But poor Amazon.com can't add anything to a book or a CD, because this is of course "manufactured" by authors and artists and book publishers. Nope, all Amazon can offer is a shopping experience, and who really wants to pay more for that? Not me. I get a better experience at B&N superstores, and don't have to pay shipping. However, I have ordered books online twice, for the convenience. The first time was in fall of 1996, one book from Amazon. The second time was late 1998, and I used a book shopping bot which told me that my favorite author had a new book out, and I could buy it the cheapest at books.com (so where do you think I bought it)? |
