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Technology Stocks : Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Alomex who wrote (10909)	7/20/1998 4:18:00 PM
From: Glenn D. Rudolph	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 164684

Dear Glenn, Greetings from Amazon.com! The "Buy books for a penny" special offer, which began on 7/14/98, is available only to first-time customers. Since you have ordered from us previously, you are no longer eligible for this offer. I hope you can take advantage of the other great services Amazon.com offers, such as our deep discounts, in-depth reviews and personalized recommendations. Also, if you're looking for book bargains, I encourage you to browse through our selection of value-priced items. You'll find these by clicking on the "Browse Subjects" link on our top navigation bar. Then, click on "Book Bargains" from the list of headings, and you'll be there. Please don't hesitate to contact us should you have any further questions, and thanks for shopping at Amazon.com! Best regards, Maura B. Amazon.com Books, Music and More amazon.com >To: info@amazon.com >From: "Glenn D. Rudolph" <grudolph@toolcity.net> >Subject: Three book titles for a penney >Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 18:06:36 -0400 >X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express for Macintosh - 4.0a (190) > >Dear sir or Madam: > >I see you are offering new accounts three book titles for a penney. I have >been an established account for a long time. It would seem only fair to >permit this offer for an established accounts. Please let me know if you >will permit this. > >Also, when did you start this promotion? > >Thank you. > > >Very truly yours, > >Glenn D. Rudolph > >FAX 814 337-0754 >

To: Alomex who wrote (10909)	7/20/1998 4:26:00 PM
From: Glenn D. Rudolph	Respond to of 164684

Border spent over six months trying to get their web site up and running. Either they had one programmer working on it, or there are quite a few barriers (plus borders had the advantage of already having relationships with publishers). Alomex, I do not wish to really be in the fray. I just want to mention that Borders worked on books, music, video and software all at the same time. Not sure that has any merit either<G> Glenn

To: Alomex who wrote (10909)	7/20/1998 4:51:00 PM
From: John Ke	Respond to of 164684

Border spent over six months trying to get their web site up and running. Either they had one programmer working on it, or there are quite a few barriers (plus borders had the advantage of already having relationships with publishers). Sorry to but in, but I've seen this stated a few different ways over the past couple of months. Allow me to clear it up. Borders took as long as they did because there was serious doubt amongst company management that this was a viable business model. They finally decided to go ahead with the website as a defense mechanism to maintain overall book sale market share. They do not believe anyone will ever make enough money selling books over the internet to make the venture worth while. They are only participating to protect market share! Barnes & Noble has not been as clear as Borders, but I suspect they're thinking along the same lines. The biggest barrier to entry for Amazon is that they are operating a business that will not likely ever be very profitable, not exactly a competition magnet. Low margins and getting lower. To be honest, I think B&N was quite perturbed by the "earth's biggest bookstore" debacle last year, otherwise they would have gone just as slow as Borders. John

To: Alomex who wrote (10909)	7/20/1998 5:55:00 PM
From: llamaphlegm	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 164684

Alomex: No offense, but you simply are completely unfamiliar with the terms I was using. Please get a good summary of Michael Porter's works (any of htem) on competitive strategy. There's no point in my trying to define all the terms as you probably won't believe me. Suffice it to say that while I'm sure that you think I'm all wrong, I'm fairly certain that you are. Start by understanding what a competitive advantage, barrier to entry (hint, easily replicable things are typically not, you can make the brand name argument if you like, but it's usually not taken too seriously), fragmented v. oligopolistic industries, substitution (hint it does not = competition, which you apparently think), and again, your #6 is almost silly, everything that is attractive at amzn's site is or will be replicated by the competition in due time. LP