Shop Amazon with Text Messages

Gee, what took them so long? A new service called TextBuyIt provides Amazon customers with the ability to purchase items through text messaging on their cell phones. By sending the product name, UPC code, or ISBN number to 262966 (which is Amazon on your keypad) Amazon will send back a message allowing you to purchase the product if they stock it. You need an existing Amazon account (which is free) to take advantage of this service. Check out the details on Amazon's TextBuyIT page.

This could easily stimulate sales for Amazon. If you are shopping at an electronics store and see a camera that you like you could easily check to see if Amazon carries it at a lower price.

Discussion Questions for Students:
1) Would you use the Amazon TextBuyIt service? Do you think this is an easier way to shop than going to Amazon's web site?
2) Have you ever bought anything using your cell phone? Was it a good or bad experience? Would you buy this way again?
3) What other companies should consider offering items or services for sale by text messaging? Explain how you think this would stimulate sales.