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

To: Glenn D. Rudolph who wrote (25044)	11/8/1998 11:07:00 AM
From: Glenn D. Rudolph	Respond to of 164684

From TMF on AOL: Subject: Re: Barnes & Noble, Inc. to Purchase Ingram Book Group Date: 11/8/98 2:21 AM Central Standard Time From: <A HREF="aol://3548:Blewhill">Blewhill</A> Message-id: <19981108032100.18969.00000784@ng143.aol.com> I am quite stunned when finding about 4 messages under the Barnes and Noble moniker, while Amazon enjoys some 300 plus messages. Indeed we are in an oz like place. But before I continue, let me say that I work for Barnesandnoble.com, but own none of the stock...yet. First, Barnes and Nobles, having just entered the business not too long ago, is rapidly commiting resources to making the online unit viable. Hence the investment by Bertlesman (and forgive the mispelling) and the investment in Ingram. Barnes and Noble is simultaneouly expanding its own business while dismantling the smooth flow of operations at Amazon. And don't you believe that Amazon can comfortably continue to purchase 60% or so of it's books from it competitor online. Amazon must start redirecting its purchases pronto. And let us not forget that Amazon has no profits, and yet, for the price of Amazon's potential, one could by Borders and Barnes, both of whom are 1)profitable and committing resources to online sales. Essentially, the stand alone store profits from Barnes, as well as the considerable assets from the German Bertlesman, will allow the online division to rapidly rachet up. Take a gander over to South Brunswick and see those warehouses. Take a peak into the Princeton Packet newspaper and see who is hiring to fill positions. Bertlesman did not commit $200 million, plus an additional 100 million, to gamble. Indeed, if the justice department could pull its head out of Microsofts rear, it might discover a potential monopoly situation in the making. And yet we go on bidding up Amazon. There are the exciting tales that ..."oh amazon is selling music now..or video now...or homemade cookies now". Ok...and who is not selling music on the net..or video. Everything, from books to music, is easily doable on the net...but not necessarily doable in a profitable manner. In the same way that say, Microsoft, can use its enormous operating system profits to finance, enter, and control other areas of the software world..so too will Barnes and Noble and Berty use their profits and assets to finance growth in the online area..and they will do so till Amazon dies out, or sells out. Think about it folks. Other than porno, and finance, the only truely internet products that will immediately do well among the average joe blow buyer are books, videos, and music. Nothing else transfers so easily to being sold over the computer...aside also, from computers and software. Eventually all this will even out. Watch the sales numbers for Barnes, and how quickly they rise from month to month..that will be your key as to whether Amazon has a shot. But dont look and say.."oh Amazon sold say 118 million in the past 8 months and Barnes sold 25 million", as that is not particularly meaningful. Sales growth..and the necessary profits or assets to ratchet up that growth. That said...it is not like I am a highly placed employee as I am not. Neither do I particularly want to see Amazon get creamed. In fact..I am hoping they do well enough so that I have time to save up a little pot of money- and a little pot to me is not more than 5000-10000 dollars..not much. And then, I will take my little pot, and short the dickens out of Amazon. Because sooner or later, and especially if the economy slows, Amazon is gonna get whacked, and when it does I want to be standing by to get the cash out of its wallet.