Written by adam on Jun 29, 2006
Amazon Opens Public Beta Test for Grocery
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Just introduced a few weeks ago, Amazon.com is now selling groceries on it's web site. It's in public beta test right now, but anyone can go and purchse from over 10,000 nonperishable items. You can choose from so many different product areas, such as household cleaners, baking supplies, breakfast foods, snacks, and even organic foods.
Who knows where this will go, but with Amazon's already stellar track record and ability to shake things up in the market, I think it might have some staying power. The cool part about shopping for groceries is just Amazon's typical functionality, like being able to see what you've purchased before, keeping track of your shopping cart and shopping list, and then the "suggested items" that we all have seen Amazon do before.
Even Amazon associates have the option to build links for grocery items. Just like the one you see to the right in this entry.
Now, if I can just get the bag boy to carry it to my car.
Responses to "Amazon Opens Public Beta Test for Grocery" ...
TheWife
Ahhh, this brings back memories that extisted before the .com bust of the mid 90's. I LOVED, I mean LOVED online grocery shopping. It started with a site that dealt with health and beauty items, an online Walgreen's of sorts. Then I progressed to an online grocery store that would deliver it to, literally, your countertop. I remember seeing their little trucks driving around town. O, the good ol' days . . . But, throw together the spread-out suburbia of Texas and the .com bust and you get no online grocery. I miss it so . . . I think there was a period of at least four months that I did NOT go inside of a real grocery store, pushing around a heavy cart with two octopi wriggling in the seat, hanging onto their ballons. Well, at least that's today's image of me in the local grocery.
It didn't matter to me that the groceries were a bit more expensive. I was, after all, saving time and energy. Heck, I shopped for groceries at 2 a.m. in my skivvies. There's a certain something about being able to do that. It seems that Amazon.com is trying to go back to that heyday, complete with slightly higher prices than the local grocery. The other drawback that I noticed is the requirement of purchasing large quantities. As in a case. As in Sam's Club packages look small. An example: All Small & Mighty Free. HEB Plus(my local grocery) - $4.29. Sam's Club - $3.63 (package of 3 for $10.88). Amazon.com - $5.22 (package of 9 for $46.99). Yes, it's more expensive. BUT, there is no shipping charge with the minimum $25 purchase Super Saving Shipper program. Plus, since it's delivered to you, you don't even have to spend money on our currently overpriced gasoline to get to the store to make your purchase. You can shop at night! In your skivvies! It keeps track of things you order for future reference. You can stock up and not have to worry about running out of something every other week. Definutely worth the little bit of extra $$. I, for one, can't wait to try this Amazon program out.
TheWife
Well, his royal highnes just informed me that I ramble too much. I guess that's why it's MEN in aprons, not WOMEN in aprons. ;)
adam
Perhaps if her highnes could spell highness correctly ...
TheWife
Oops. I suppose I, as your lovely editor, should have proofread my own words . . .
Since winter of 2004, I have been exploring the world of cooking and helping out my fellow men in their quests to better themselves in the kitchen. My name is Adam Byrd, you can learn more about me and my mission on my