Don't be bashful, post a message! What do you think?

Hmmm ... this raises another interesting question: How usable (or useful) is online ordering & how much should we support it?

Sure, I enjoy the convenience and savings of accessing info online anytime/anywhere (well nearly). Recommendations of related books & feedback by other readers are very useful, too. And I particularly value references from trusted sites, such as WebWorld.

However, I have never yet bought a single usability or design book without first browsing through a 'real' copy. Thus after having found some interesting references online, I will travel to my local Borders store, check out the according books, browse through them over a nice cup of chai at the store's coffee shop & generally purchase the ones I want there and then. And take them home with me to read right away.

Sure, it'll cost me more money than ordering online. I am restricted by opening times and will have to travel considerably (in my case 40 mins into central London). But I am very happy to pay this premium for access to a printed version and a truly pleasant user experience!

(The only exception to the rule: If I know that my online purchase will help to support excellent free sites such as WebWorld or UseIt.)

I too have very recently had service difficulties with my beloved Amazon. Hopefully the litle problems will be fixed BUT more importantly I asked them IF the new "free-shipping" along with increased service problems was a signal that "the end had begun"?

This from a very early customer of Amazon.com - a real impulse buyer addicted to the pleasure of 1-click ordering. I was amazed this weekend when I reviewed my entire order history with Amazon.com. - Borders, B&N and Tower Records combined for about 15% of the total - and I buy a lot of books and DVDs. I hope it "ain't over" because I do NOT like the 50 minute drive into London.

I also am having a major problem getting Amazon.com to issue a credit for a lost $50.00 electronic gift certificate. The Amazon.com customer servive is VERY poor and it looks like they have lost some more customers!

I did have one bad experience with Amazon - after my Border's gift card couldn't get through, I had to order through its customer service. Though they knew my billing address in Indiana, they still shipped it to my old address in Arizona. It was their fault for not even ask me where to send the package. They refused to send another package until that one arrived - so I had to place another order and paid first.
I have been ordering from Amazon - their price was pretty good - almost 30% difference than if I drive to Border or Barnes and Nobles. I know I had a bad experience this time - but hopefully I'll have a better luck next time.
In conclusion - nobody is perfect - learn to live with more flexibility will make you a happier person. Besides - I think it's your fault to order gift card that late. In my case, I need the books for my class that starts in 2 weeks - I have plenty of time to rectify the situation rather than bashing the company.

Never had a bad experience with Amazon, One of the most usable and pleasurable e commerce sites out there. I suppose no company is going to be perfect and entirely reliable, maybe some discretion is required here, that email response was also slightly over the top!