Comments on: Decisions, decisions

By: Faith2014

Faith2014 — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 06:05:03 +0000

Keep it and perhaps add a tip jar using paypal.me? I’d probably end up giving you more on a monthly or quarterly basis than just the one or two times a year you pass the hat.

By: Oliver T.

Oliver T. — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 02:10:36 +0000

I vote to keep it. I, too, order from Amazon as little as possible, but still use it some. Your link lets people support you at no monetary cost to themselves.

Eva Marie and Ira– I contacted Amazon who assured me that we can use Neo’s link *and* Amazon Smile without cutting their contribution to either. Just click Neo’s link first and then go to smile.amazon.com after that.

It’s also nice to make Amazon support causes they don’t agree with, like the Second Amendment Foundation.

By: T-Rex

T-Rex — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 01:33:53 +0000

Keep it. Amazon is paying you, not the customer who links from your site (well, at least not directly). I still use them but now more actively seek other outlets for my purchases.

By: Garrett Crawford

Garrett Crawford — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 18:20:05 +0000

I have found numerous other sources that offer free shipping, some with a minimal order. Get out your spreadsheet and do cost comparisons; you will rarely pay more than 5% more if you shop around. Then make your book marks, so that It is easy to return. Amazon banks on the ease of purchasing and their excellent search function. Clothing is a problem, but since I am retired, I have a whole casual business attire wardrobe that I am wearing out. And I shop Costco and Walmart, being fully aware of the Chinese sourcing. But at least they do not bombard me with missives on structural racism and the like. We changed our bank for the same reason. Basically, if the company commercial website offers me any political or moral statements, I try my best to avoid shopping with them.

By: Mike+K

Mike+K — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 14:37:33 +0000

And most of my book sales are through Amazon and the Kindle eBook program, so I’d hate to cut income stream off.

When I wrote my medical history book nearly 20 years ago, I spent a lot of effort doing my own fulfillment and shipping. I finally turned it over to Amazon’s POD program and I get maybe $40 a month. I also did a Kindle version memoir. Those generate a pittance but people still buy them so it seems worth it to me. I did quit Amazon Prime after the Parler affair. I was one of their oldest customers. It is just too bad to see the megalomania now.

By: LAURENCE JARVIK

LAURENCE JARVIK — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 13:26:10 +0000

Better the money goes as a commission to you than all of it to them…they’re paying you for the advertising…so keep it…Pecunia non olet.

By: GK

GK — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:55:28 +0000

I agree… keep it.
But do place a reminder in your calendar to “pass the hat around” occasionally. 🙂

By: OBloodyHell

OBloodyHell — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 06:36:39 +0000

Some people use Patreon, or similar, to good end, to make some extra money for their writing habit.

You might consider that, Neo.

It’s a more direct asking, but it’s not a bad way to pick up some extra bucks without having Amazon eat any of it.

By: Chases Eagles

Chases Eagles — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 04:32:35 +0000

I say keep it. I live in a rural area. The largest employer in the county is the health care system. The largest private employer is the Kraft paper mill in Port Townsend (the one where Debra Winger worked in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’). There is not that much local business. For example, there is no place in the county to buy bed sheets. A lot of cannabis places though. And our very own homeless encampment. We sometimes get huge bags of dog food through Amazon, delivered to our post office box.

DNW, Amazon does sell gunsights though, from high end EOTech and Leupold to cheap no-name Chinesium.

By: Homeric

Homeric — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 03:52:21 +0000

I commented on this under a different topic and stand by that. I would only add it does create a bit of a Hobson’s choice (if I’m using that term correctly).

In that, if one believes that Amazon is engaging in an undesirable practice by banning certain books; the choice is between how much do I value the monetary gain I receive versus the effect on my conscience of possibly sending more business their way.