Blogging is communication, and why Amazon.com should read mine.

I wanted to say quickly how much I love the communication of blogging. As a FastCompany reader I have started to leave comments on their blog. Today I was happy to find a response to my comment posted just minutes after I had posted it myself. The interaction of the web is phenomenal for sharing information and I think having my ideas validated and responded to makes my day.

Below is what I said at FCNow, let me know your thoughts here, or at the FCNow blog.

Has anyone noticed that Amazon has changed its free shipping policy? Although its still a benchmark feature of their shopping experience, they recently (I dont know when) changed the option so that now, even if the item is in stock and ready to ship, they say they will wait 3 days before shipping the item (in addition to its "availability" time) using "free super-saver ground shipping". This is a departure from this option's original value, when Amazon would ship the item when it said it was available (24-36-72 Hours). Its a frustrating change for the customer, and one Amazon hopes will prompt customers to opt for the higher priced shipping options. I for one think its a mistake by Amazon, as 2 weeks ago it took 11 days for me to receive 2 in-stock items from their store.

Barnes and Noble however is reaching in to capture the market of customers who noticed. At Barnes and Noble.com they are guarantee-ing that orders which include free shipping will be delivered within 3 days of leaving B&N. When it comes to getting free shipping on books and media, now whose the leader? An excellent power-play by Barnes & Noble, a not so brilliant strategic move by Amazon.