Something the writer forgets (or at least doesn't mention), is the distributed system of warehouses. You think EVERYTHING from amazon is in ONE warehouse? C'mon. I doubt books and doorknobs are all in one place.

If the writer was smart, he woulda ordered another BOOK, and then it probably would have come from one place.

Another "dumb consumer". And I'm surprised Consumerist didn't realize this.

multiple warehouses for different items, anyone? anyone?

duh.

Yeah, the money for charity thing is a nice idea, but is this really worthy of a complaint?

The item is being shipped separately and the money being lost is out of Amazon's pocket ... not yours. At the end of the day who really cares?

I rather pay a little more but buy something I really need but don't need right away. e.g. stocking up on items I already use but didn't finish yet.

@KenSPT: I think the point of the Stupid Shipping posts is that it's wasteful in terms of packaging and fuel.

@unklegwar: Why would it be smarter for the customer to buy something more expensive he doesn't want? He's not paying for the shipping whether or not the two items come from different distribution centers.

That IS a great idea. .72 can really add up with Amazon's base. I, too, have found things I did not care about to get free shipping. Are you listening Amazon?

That is actually a brilliant idea. Win-Win for all involved, as long as the charity gets that money.

I'm sorry, but what I find even dumber than what Amazon did was the fact that this guy SPENT MONEY on an item he didn't need, in order to SAVE MONEY. Why didn't he just buy another book? Maybe a CD? Maybe one of the other millions of items Amazon sells? Surely they sell something he would like more than a wooden knob.

I'm sorry, but I have to blame the OP on this one.

This happens to me all the time, but I think it's a way for Amazon to bank a few more bucks, since most purchases generally average below $25.

@unklegwar: Obviously it is cheaper to buy the 72 cent item to get the free shipping than it is to buy another book you may not even want.

@unklegwar: Once again, who really cares? It's not my fuel that their wasting, nor is it my packaging.

Waste away.

I'd suggest Reader T always click the 'send in one shipment' option to cut down on waste and the needless use of resources. Combine 'send in one shipment' with the charity donation idea for a double-shot of awareness.

We heard you the first time.

We heard you the first time..

Why would Amazon have books and door knobs in the same warehouse?

@unklegwar: Yes, the customer is dumb for spending $0.70 on shipping instead of $15 on another book that he didn't want.

@clevername: That's only if the items are in the same warehouse to begin with. Send in one shipment is overridden by two items not being in the same warehouse.

the point of the free shipping is to get you to spend more. If you're giving money to charity, then how is amazon making money??

It would be amazing if his idea was something that could be done but it's missing the whole point of the 25$. Really amazon should let you donate the money to amazon because the consumer still wins. Because their products are cheaper, and free shipping.

I don't think the submitter is complaining really. He's just noting that it's sorta funny that Amazon would do this.

I've had this happen before as well, and it is really stupid. The problem is that Amazon really wants you to throw in that $10 CD or $20 DVD (prices rounded) that you've had kicking around in the cart-- not just give 72 cents to charity to get free shipping. They're already taking a huge loss, making it easier to give more shipping away would never fly.

It's a GREAT idea but sadly I doubt we'll ever see it. I'm still amazed Amazon still even offers free shipping in the first place...

@unklegwar: What a dick. What's wrong with pointing out waste? His idea of "give money to charity" is a great idea. It would save Amazon money and might make the world a little bit better.

@MagicEightBall: I agree but his suggestion to amazon defeats the point of their promotion

@Bladefist:
I am surprised it took so long for someone to mention this. I had no idea that 'itemfiller' even existed (although I will add it to my bookmarks) before today and would typically add another book or item that I could actually use, but would put the order total at least a few dollars over $25.

I can see how the "donate to charity" might work if the difference was less $1 or 50 cents, but what happens when someone orders a book for $7.99?

@unklegwar: Jeesh man, I know others have said it, but you're mean. meanie.

@ unklegwar

i dont think you got the point that the OP is making. Perhaps reading the post again will help...

What the OP is saying is this:
he was going to spend 24.74, and instead spent 25.50 (hardly a big deal) and in the bargain got free shipping. this is the smart thing to do, and many of us do it. he saved money since shipping would have cost him 3-4 bucks...

now look at it from amazon's point of view. they made an additional sale of 74cents, but to package & ship that, they had to spend 2-3 dollars, hence ended up losing money in the bargain...

what he is suggesting instead is, he would have gladly donated 26 cents to bring him upto 25 for free shipping...amazon wouldnt have lost any money, and some charitable organization somewhere benefits...

i think the idea is simply brilliant!!!

love, love this idea!

One time, I ordered a book that cost $23.xx from Amazon. I added an air freshener that cost $1.xx to get "free shipping". The book went "out of stock" and Amazon shipped me the air freshener with free shipping in a big brown box.

@unklegwar: so what. It's irrelevent how he came up with the idea-- the idea is sound. If he had just ordered what he wanted, he would still have to wait for the books. He's just saying that the filler item required it's own shipment, which feels kind of silly and wasteful.

@aaron8301: even 72 cents of waste is still waste, even if he comes out ahead.

What's Amazon's incentive to donate those monies to charity? sure its good PR, but they would rather you purchase something more than a filler item to qualify for the free benefit.

@somuch:
"He's just saying that the filler item required it's own shipment, which feels kind of silly and wasteful."

It's not silly and wasteful if he had used the service as originally intended by Amazon, that is, to get $25 or more in merchandise from them that you want. Since the item he ordered was just filler, it seems silly and wasteful, but Amazon does not know it was meant as filler. I'm with the ones who say, "Surely you could've found something you actually wanted/needed to get over $25 instead of ordering something you'll just pitch as soon as you get it."

@Landru: Thank you. You saved me a post : )

This type of discounted shipping is the result of cost calculations over a huge number of sales, not just yours. And not all of the cost is shipping.

In order to consolidate your shipment, they would not only have to pay to ship the goods to one location, but pay employees to package, receive, and repackage the order. During this time, precious warehouse space is being taken up by your books sitting on a shelf waiting for your knob.

Amazon may also have a sweet deal with the carriers that discounts shipping on shipments on the same order from different warehouses so it might not be wasteful at all.

Usually Amazon only offers free shipping for items that are directly from them. For non-book, non-DVd, non-CD stuffs, you almost always have to pay for shipping because they partner with other merchandisers to sell stuffs on Amazon. It's a no brainer.

To the "not my money" folks: It's not completely Amazon's loss as you gotta assume they're going to make that money up elsewhere, either raising a price somewhere or cutting a corner that doesn't help the consumer.

The charity's a great idea and would cost them next to nothing to do.

Wooden Knob in Discussion: [www.amazon.com]

Reading the reviews, looks like someone else has used this knob for the same purpose before.

"By Hugh Switzer "Hugh" (Centre of Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This wooden knob was a great addition to get me free shipping. Also a fun toy to play with. That is, if you have the personality of a cat."

I'm not so sure that web site works properly. I went to www.filleritem.com to see what shows up for $1 since several people have said he should have been able to find something he'd actually use.

A bunch of books do show up on the list but when you follow the link the price is always higher. For example, Zathura shows up as $1 but it's actually $4 if you get it used from Amazon.

So I'm not convinced he could have easily found something extremely cheap that he'd actually use.

Or you couldve NOT been a cheapass and just pay for the shipping and skip the wooden knob instead of trying to scam Amazon. They have this program for loyal people who buy lots of stuff to use, not for people to get around paying shipping by buying stuff they dont want. People who play games to save a few cents drive me up a wall. Just like the old ladies in the grocery store who complain because their can of corn rang up 2 cents more than the price said on the shelf. Just pay the 2 cents and stop holding up the line. Oh and start writing your check as the cashier is ringing instead of not even opening your purse until she tells you the total.

@Landru:

Its just as wasteful buying a knob that youll just throw into a landfill just so you can save a buck. Someone else couldve actually USED that knob

We all pay for waste, don't be so foolish. Limited supply of fuel...

This is the type of situation where having a Prime membership comes in handy. Pony up the cash for the membership and not buy useless junk to fill landfills or pay the shipping on items under $25.

Am I the only one amused that, apparently, they've decided that packaging the wooden knob in a 2-pack with a DVD-R spindle is a good idea?

Wow, this is such a non-story it isn't even funny. If you got your free shipping what is there to bitch about?

Here's another idea; it's not quite as socially conscious as the charity idea, but if you're between, say, $20-25, Amazon could offer its Super Saver shipping for the difference between your order and $25. You'd still save on shipping most times, and you wouldn't have to go to the trouble to find a filler item, and the additional shipping charge would be pure profit for Amazon.

Maybe he can then donate the doorknob to charity?

He could have order something from the food section instead of some knob but whatever..

I'm not sure this a "complaint". It's more like a "mildly amusing story".

They probably don't offer "give money to charity" with free shipping because there's no shipment involved and might actually cost them more money than a filler item. Gift Certificates, for example are not eligible. And they're not going to let you donate 26¢ to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

@clevername: You have to select "send in one shipment" to get free super saver shipping. Shipping rapes the environment no matter what you do. If you want to feel better, buy local products produced locally with local parts (which is reaaally hard to do).

@Gorky: I second the "don't be a cheapass" motion. I compile my cart over time and ship it once it goes over $25.