Is this great or gauche?

[kgb18]

I just read an article in the Washington Post. Amazon is patenting a method for gift recipients to see what gifts are being sent to them before the gift ships. If the recipient doesn't like it, they can stop the shipment and pick a new gift, unbeknownst to the gift giver. You can even flag certain people who are notoriously bad gift-givers so their gift never ships without your approval. Here's a link to the whole article:

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/26/AR2010122601836.html?wpisrc=nl_pmheadline

What say you YMers: Is this great or really tacky?

[zibazinski]

Why don't people just ask what you'd like or even better, pay attention to them. I bought XBF's mom a lovely gift certificate from Joann's because she crafts. She did not return the favor because she is a beast and got me something she was sure I wouldn't like. Lucky for XBF, I didn't open the gift in front of her so he got my reaction. She's the one that deserved it.

[Deleted]

Great.

And i think this should be a weekly/monthly column on the new board... Great v. Gauche...

[TrixAre4Kids]

Tacky

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

So would you only be able to pick out a different gift equal to the amount of the original? I know I'd be peeved if I sent a $25 gift, but the recipient didn't like that and instead picked out a $50 gift.

Then if you choose to not accept a gift does the giver still have to pay for it or does the money never come out of their account?

I'd like to know how exactly they plan on the giver never knowing.

[Opti]

As a recipient, it might be nice. Not sure how I'd feel as a gift
giver. Interesting to see if it improves or decreases their gift sales.

[kgb18]

Well Drama, the article didn't go into a lot of detail, but it did say this:
"Most cleverly - or deviously, depending on your attitude toward this sort of manipulation - the gift giver will be none the wiser: "The user may also be provided with the option of sending a thank you note for the original gift," according to the patent, "even though the original gift is converted." (Alternatively, a recipient could choose to let the giver know he has exchanged the item for something else.)"

[Deleted]

Well if you don't like a gift and return it to the store, you know how much was spent, or about anyway... Its like giving a gift certificate really, with a suggestion... here, i'm giving you 25$... maybe you'd like to buy this book with it?... lol

[boosmom]

It's in an interesting concept. We actually don't get too many things from Amazon (as gifts received or for ourselves). But I can see both sides to it. If I don't like the gift and it's from an online place, I'm less likely to go through the hassle and cost of shipping it back. Either re-gift it or donate it. I will send a thank you note, but if the giver's intent is to have the item used, then it's a wasted gift. I feel bad for wasting someone's money. So it's great so as not to waste the giver's money.

But I can also see it as being tacky too...

so it's Great AND Tacky! ;D

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Well if you don't like a gift and return it to the store, you know how much was spent, or about anyway...

I get that, but what I want to know is since Amazon allows you to choose a new gift from the start will it only allow you to choose what the giver originally spent and/or do you have to make up the difference if you want something more expensive?

It doesn't explain what happens on the giver end should I decide I want something different.

[The J]

I think if you pick something that costs more, you have to pay.

[kgb18]

I think if you pick something that costs more, you have to pay.

I would think so too. I don't think Amazon can just charge people more than they spent.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I'd assume so but then I've never switched gifts online before.

I'd want to very carefully read their policy before I played the switching game. No way I'd want to do it and have it come back to bite me in the butt.

[alabamagal]

what if the sender is tracking the delivery of the gift.....

[Deleted]

I wouldn't want to do it without the giver knowing, makes for too many possible awkward happenings.

BUT if the sender is ok with you switching out I have no problem with it.

[8 Bit WWBG]

Its brilliant. There will always be people who think its tacky or rude or whatever, but eventually it will catch on because people are selfish.

[mudflap81]

Its brilliant. There will always be people who think its tacky or rude or whatever, but eventually it will catch on because people are selfish.

And that comment is so awesome, you just got karma. Grammar police are not happy, but karma anyways.

[Great]

This is a terrible idea! Is the receiver of the gift then supposed to lie and write a thank you for a gift that they didn't really receive because they changed it?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Amazon writes the thank you note for you so that way no one is ever the wiser.

[boosmom]

Dec 27, 2010 16:49:10 GMT -5 Great said:

This is a terrible idea! Is the receiver of the gift then supposed to lie and write a thank you for a gift that they didn't really receive because they changed it?

I don't always keep the gifts someone gives me but I send a thank you note for what was given (or in this case the intended gift). And then I return it if possible or donate it if not. I always say that their thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. I don't say what I did with the gift obviously if I didn't keep it. I guess I am a terrible person.

[boosmom]

Dec 27, 2010 16:50:04 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Amazon writes the thank you note for you so that way no one is ever the wiser.

I'd still send a thank you card written by myself.

[Deleted]

Brides have always done this. In fact, when I worked at Macy's an associate in the china department told me that sometimes they told brides to register for "less expensive" china so that they would receive "more." People have no problem spending $100 for a place setting, but $50 for a cup and saucer makes them think twice.

[mtshastawriter]

I agree that this is both tacky and great all at the same time. The down-side is people are going to spoof the email messages and people will end up feeding the spamers unknowingly, thinking they have a gift when they really don't, etc...