While I am uncomfy at times with reports that Amazon does not treat its employees well or play nice with competitors, I cannot deny that they do a helluva job of getting me stuff I need quickly and that I almost never see a place where I can get it — whatever it is — cheaper. If I have a sudden need for, say, a Moss-Covered Three-Handled Family Gradunza, I can go to my computer, find that Amazon carries just the make and model of Gradunza I need, order it and then, twenty minutes later, a Three-Handled Family Gradunza is being delivered to my front door, perfectly Moss-Covered.
That's an exaggeration — it's also my second Dr. Seuss reference of the day here — but it feels like that's how it works. Throughout December, almost everything I ordered that was promised for next-day delivery was there promptly the next day and everything that had a longer delivery period showed up at least one day earlier than promised. A component for my new computer system (I'm assembling a new computer system) was here four days earlier than announced and at a price way below anyone else's.
I suspect, living in a major city, I get faster service than someone who lives in a small one…but even leaving speed aside, I'm impressed by the vast selection. And I've been curious as to how they get so much different stuff to different people, never mind how swiftly they do it. This video explains a lot about that. It's a bit confusing to follow and the last minute or so is a commercial for the folks who made it — but it['s worth watching. It might enlighten you, especially if you're about to order your own Moss-Covered Three-Handled Family Gradunza or even a case of Pringles…