Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Amazon Grace

Man, I always get caught up in the free shipping option at Amazon. Like for instance, I was pre-ordering a book today by Seth Godin so I could be in a membership tribe he's starting.

Now I know I don't like being in any group really, I share the same point of view on this matter as the late great Groucho Marx who said "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member".

I mean, how do you be a big proponent of individuality, creative thinking, originality, out of the box thinking, in fact no shape thinking, and form a membership group out of people who are like that? Tribes.

However, I'm a fan of Seth's, and from the books and seminars I have attended, I'm sure his Tribe will be more like the set of all non-membering sets. I'm already in the Null Set.

That's probably the only math term I remember, thanks in part to the terrifying Mr. Schudel, my 7th Grade Math teacher, who referred to the class as "ill mannered children" if any verbal response was uttered prior to a long drawn-out traditional and proper hand waving ceremony.

Anyway, I got grabbed into the vortex of wanting for only $11.99 more, to qualify for the free super saving shipping. So, I went back and ordered a book to cover the difference. As I was checking out, I thought, well, why don't I get a few more books now that I have the Super Saving Shipping - tighten the old belt and all.

Well, four other books later, I am ready to check out. I actually complete the order. Then I see it. Expected date of arrival October 27th.

Gasp. I know the pre-ordered book "Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us" (which made me think of the yam ceremonies of the Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea, Ringo Starr's drum set and that episode of the Twilight Zone "To Serve Man") would be delayed, but my other four books were now slated not to arrive for a good two months. What to do?

I found out that I could cancel my order or arrange it so I could just order the pre-order without penalty.

Now I was back at square one. Do I get one extra book I can wait for 2 months for along with the Tribe book or do I just get the Tribe book and well, not get an Amazon special?

I went back in my account and got the pre-ordered book. Then, again, I paused, went back and added another book, to make the free Shipping Super Saver.

I was about to check out when I realized I had just spent more money to save money.

That's how I grew up - my mom bought the Cheese Doodles strictly for the free Scotch tape in the bag.

A nagging voice inside of me pointed out, "you know, the shipping for the pre-order is only $3.99. You'll get the book faster without..." as the free shipping delays the book by a week - or so Amazon claims.

Maybe it was my mood, but I canceled the other book I used for the free shipping and went for broke.

Now I kind of wonder if this has to do with marketing or math. As I recall Mr. Shudel yelled a lot and didn't like ill mannered children.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Whoo Hooo Bonnie's gonna sing!

Well I'm at a 4th of July party - the annual and I found my singer! I'm so happy. Of course, Bonnie's getting a Wordpress Website - but I'll do anything to get my song sung. Ok, it's gonna get worse, well before it gets better. Happy fourth to everyone!
P.S. I ate too much. I only eat BBQ things at Glens. According to my research on eBay, I should be eating this stuff - it's very popular. Make it organic, would ya?