Decaflon Thread: Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

moenkopi — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 06:18:18

I keep a wish list on Amazon.com, and to be totally honest I rarely actually order from there. I like it because I can keep a list of books I want all in one place. Then when I receive a gift card to a bookstore (which I do almost every birthday/Christmas because everyone knows I love books) then I already know which books I want. I also add books that aren't yet published, or that are published in hardcover, so that whey they're available in another format I can easily pick them up. I don't think I've ever publicized my wish list, but that's because I use it as my own personal "grocery" list.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

rickey — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:30:25

I originally made my wishlist as a reminder of stuff I wanted if I had the extra money. However, some of my readers found the list and bought off most of the DVDs I had on there as a "thank you" for giving them space to vent in my blog. One of the greatest joys of my blogging life is getting mysterious Amazon packages in the mail every now and then. Unfortunately, all that is left on my list are the expensive items, which nobody wants to buy for me.

Aside from the obvious tip of "having really grateful readers", choosing affordable items on your wishlist, like a $15 DVD helps. It doesn't break the bank, and gives your readers a reasonable option to thank you in a material sense. Also, never hard sell -- that turns people off.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

BonitainPink — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 07:32:13

I use it more for personal reminders too. But I do link to it in case anybody ever wants to buy me something. I've received some gifts from my friends on line. Not a whole lot but some yes.
It doesn't hurt to have it up there for people to see. Ya never know who might want to surprise ya.

;-)

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

isdereks — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 20:54:30

I have a running wishlist. I may not receive the items that I really wish for, but it's something to have out there for readers who get the sudden itch to give back. Just last week someone sent me a 5 lb. bag of Haribo gummi bears. I'm still working on them.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

ryanarrowsmith — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 19:32:04

I prefer Wishlistr because I can add stuff from all over the web, not just Amazon.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

daviddemchuk — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 19:09:16

I have never received anything from an Amazon wishlist--the people who should access it (friends and family) never seem to know how to, and I have never depended on the kindness of strangers--at least not the ones browsing through Amazon.

As I've gotten older, I've found that e-mailing a list of ten things to six people saying "I want these; fight amongst yourselves" tends to work best.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

webdivauk — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 17:44:37

I've been using an Amazon Wishlist for some time but it's more or less a place for me to keep a track of things I want to get.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

angelp — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 16:48:03

I usually keep one and update around my birthday, so my family has an idea of what I might like.

Last Christmas, I had my entire family use Kaboodles to coordinate our Christmas wish lists and it was a huge success.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

lindsay — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 11:24:44

If a 'net person does me a really huge favor, I always look at their wishlist (if they have one) to get them something. Or I send them a gift certificate. So I guess it just depends on who is looking at your list. ;)

Personally I keep them just for my own reference and to give myself fuel for obsession. heh.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

lisa — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 23:23:27

I do tha same as Arjan and BinaryMoon. I usually update it for me, and when a gift giving occasion comes around, I can refer various family members to it. It really cuts out the lame converstaions that occur multiple times in lead up to a birthday:

"What do you want?"
"Uh... I don't know."

At least with a wish list, I have a running list of things that I've thought to my self "I'd buy that if I had any money."

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

adam — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:40:12

Yeah, I also use it as a personal reminder - for when payday comes!

I think they're potentially useful for developers of open source apps as a payment/gratitude method, and also when my brothers forget my pending birthday and don't want to ask me what i want.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

BinaryMoon — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 13:09:42

I use it as a "things I want" list. I don't advertise it on my site, I only tell friends and relatives about it if they can't think what to get me for my birthday or chrimbo.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

Justin — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 20:51:06

I use it to keep track of things for later reference mostly, so when I have money, I know where to spend it.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

arjan — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 20:05:13

I use them and keep them updated. When birthdays or holidays or other reasons for gifts come along I point people there. They're neatly sorted and include ratings (from 'I really want this' to 'mwah, maybe'), so I think they rock.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

Scrivs — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 18:31:08

I have received stuff before, but never a constant flow of gifts, but of course I never keep mine posted or updated so it wouldn't make sense for people to continually send me stuff. If you are worthy, stuff will come your way.

Are Amazon wishlists worth the trouble?

Andrew — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 18:08:17

I've been playign with the idea of starting an Amazon wishlist, but then I thought to myself I might as well call it and Amazon Mythlist because who is going to buy stuff for me anyway?

Do you have a wishlist? Do you receive a constant flow of Amazon packages through the post? If so tell me your secrets now!