To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (40050 ) 2/16/1999 12:52:00 AM From: Randy Ellingson Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 164684
KIS, When I made the purchase last night the final banner said I had been added to their one-click database or something like that. I dont remember the syntax exactly. I took it mean something different than just a cookie. They have had cookies since day one I believe - I thought it might mean that they were collecting facts such that they could refer me to other items as successfully as they are able to do with books. Michelle- You are right -- they do track information on customers, and were one of the first to do so. Furthermore, Amazon.com appears to do this well based on the customers-referring-customers success they have seen (according to Bezos, and quite believable considering how rarely I see or hear their advertising). And you are also correct that they would not store such (relatively) elaborate information in a cookie. They may recognize the visitor's identity and location with a cookie, but the confidential information is stored within their secure systems (and you must enter a password to access this info). The "1-Click" feature is PC-specific (meaning one can turn it on for their home-PC and not for their work PC), and when it is turned on, it allows you to choose the amazon.com site. You are immediately recognized, and Amazon.com verifies whether or not 1-Click ordering has been made active by you for this specific PC in the past). You can then immediately order a book with one click (no further credit card or identity info required unless you are shipping to an address you have never shipped to before). BTW, I sent an email to info@amazon.com and asked on your behalf about the t-shirts and bookmarks, and included your email address (from SI profile) which they cc'ed in the reply. Oh well. Randy