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Amazon’s Patented Lousy Service
Techdirt reports that Amazon has been awarded a patent for Generating Current Order Fulfillment Plans Based on Expected Future Orders. Essentially, if Amazon deems that you won’t be a long-time customer or ordering again soon, your order will take longer to be expedited.”
This comes after Amazon snuck One-Click past the patent system by changing the word “a” to “the,” and adding the phrase “purchasable through a shopping cart model.” According to Slashdot, lawyers for Amazon “apparently managed to reinstate two of CEO Jeff Bezos’ 1-Click Patent claims that were rejected a month earlier.”
Once again, Jeff Bezos is making his mark on commerce.
Amazonian Customer Disservice
If you don’t get your order on time, just chalk it up to Amazon thinking you aren’t worth it as a customer. Do you think they’re doing this to prevent other companies from providing lousy service?
About the author
Bryan Eisenberg is the co-author of New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling books Call to Action, Waiting For Your Cat to Bark and Always Be Testing. Bryan is available as a professional speaker. You can friend him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@TheGrok).
More articles from Bryan Eisenberg
- Nobody wants to read your sh**!September 21st, 2009
- Redesign? Ask The Right Questions!September 18th, 2009
- Cross-post: How to Improve a Product Page, Part 1September 15th, 2009
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November 26th, 2007
10:09 pm
Umm, maybe he is the smartest guy to patent something that most firms have been doing for years….
Many service providers already have algorithms that priortize orders on these same criteria.
The major cell phone providers will slot your order(s) based on the margin they make from the account.
Direct TV handles customers different on their equipment and monthly bill.
How about Costco with a multi-tier membership program with corresponding discounts.
November 29th, 2007
5:46 pm
So I guess this means that the converse is also true…since I get exceptional service from Sprint I can asume that I am one of their ore prfoitable accounts and am probably paying way too much for more cell phone service!
- Robert
http://www.rarfoodlife.com
February 25th, 2009
4:26 pm
I used amazon to buy Lady Gaga’s album “The Fame” as it was advertised for £3, therefore I decided to buy it, however, as soon as I had bought it the price “magically” changed to £6.49, I was disgusted and appalled, theres a recession going on, I get paid £3.55 an hour, thats when I can get any work anyway. This is totally unfair, if anyone should be conned are those who con others, not me, I earn my money fairly and truthfully. This is disgusting and shouldn’t be allowed, they’re making millions because of this.