It’s happened to all of us.
We unwrap a gift and find something that defies description.
Our first thought is “Regift.”
Amazon may have another idea – but does it pass the Miss Manners test?
Holiday Reject
Amazon, the e-commerce giant, obtained a patent for preventing those white elephant gifts from even arriving.
Here is Amazon’s idea —
- It creates a digital gift conversion process
- Gift recipients have an option for flagging notorious gift givers
- It offers options for establishing rules for gifting – e.g., convert any gift from this person
- Another option notifies sender of gift conversion – or –
- Sends a thank-you note for the original (later converted) gift
No wonder Emily Post’s great (times 3) granddaughter has her tinsel in a tangle.
Return on Investment
Returned purchases (up to 30 Percent) are a major problem in retailing.
There is a huge financial incentive behind Amazon’s patent.
But, is it too tacky to be considered?
Perhaps it’s because I’m from a different era —
- I still send thank-you notes – by snail mail
- I was raised to say thank you – no matter how much it hurts
- I try to spare a person’s feelings – even after receiving the most hideous of gifts
Maybe there is a better way to handle this expensive gift return fiasco,
Eliminate the Guesswork
The longer my single life extended, I had a brilliant (in my mind) idea.
- Why not a gift registry for the perpetually single?
- All my friends received lavish gifts – why?
- Just because they were getting married
Since I believe in all things fair – here was how my idea worked.
- Individuals of a certain single age (it started at 40, then rose to 50) sign up for a gift registry
- It works like a wedding registry
- List what you like/want
- Let everyone know where you are registered
- TaDa! – you have new gifts to replace your old towels, sheets, etc.
I told you it was brilliant.
So why not a giant gift registry?
- You register
- You list what you like/want
- You let everyone know where you are registered
Eliminate the guesswork – and save the embarrassment.
So, what do you think? Do I have patent material here?
What do you think about Amazon’s digital gift conversion process?
i-Stock Photo Credit: File #: 12146441
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Hey great idea Cathy! It’s only fair!!!
That’s what I thought, Kim. 🙂