Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

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

To: Bill Harmond who wrote (60162)	6/3/1999 12:20:00 PM
From: X Y Zebra	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 164684

There's nothing like the sound of cracking bricks and mortar in the morning... As the houseofcards.com crumbles....? An interesting dilemma, shall intently observe... Maybe we are getting ready to observe a "Celebrity Death Match" style competition: .com -Vs- brick and mortar or Who will be the Cementhead ? @Copyright --Greystone. In a somehow parallel world, [perhaps not as dramatic comparison], the stodgy Merrill (Wal-Mart), has entered the "online/discount broker" world.... in an attempt to eat the leader's lunch, Schwab (Amazombie)... [is that the comparison ?... ugh! dread the thought !!] The positives (for Schwab)... * SCH has now become, at the stroke of a decision, and possibly a few stricken hearts, the leader of the new [combined] industry. No longer $200.00 commissions, (except for the Cementheads, as Merrill has expressed that it will still be available for them.) * SCH will gain market share, given its leadership position, and now, the labor pool for good brokers will increase, making talent less expensive. SCH can be picky to select new talent for possibly expansion in selected areas. * Growth will come primarily from extended trading hours and off-shore locations/alliances as the US securities markets "globalize" (this possibly would also give other markets larger exposure)...* When the Glass-Stegal Act is repeal/modified/whatever... allowing brokers and bankers to be in(at) each other's business (throats), Schwab's brick and mortar locations will serve them well, given the physical presence that is still required for many to trust their funds for banking needs... as many still want to "kick the tires" (and feel where their money is). As it is Schwab already has such account/set-up. Will the Amazon/Wal-Mart fight be the same ? Perhaps a "happy medium" is the answer.... Will Amazon have what it takes to compete with Wal-Mart ? I am yet to see/understand the clear advantages for AMAZON... other than financial voodoo... and the Zombies that seem to outnumber the other participants.... it seems to me that they have a mountain of cash, (debt) and advertising wizardry that has temporary dazzled the market participants... (of course, not to mention the pump... (and dump ?), by the Stock Hens... Cluck, cluck, cluck... As far as I know, unless there is profit in the picture, the long term,(no matter how altruistic the objective may be), doom is the only possible outcome.... Perestroika, (common sense in Russian), will arrive, sooner or later to the People's Republic of Amazon. How you say ? "Trust me on that" <g> But perhaps I am the pedestrian here, and this wizardry is too elevated for me to even understand that being naked is cool... never mind that one can get a cold (or worse), form not covering one's rear end. What happened to the emperor, once his peons found out... "he had no clothes" ? (as a child, I was never read the complete story... the reader had a secret desire to be a politician.....)