Short, mediocre interview with Jeff Bezos.

July 6, 2005

There are a couple interesting bits. USATODAY.com - Amazon CEO takes long view.

Excerpt:

Q: Where do you see e-commerce going in the next 10 years?

A: I think there'll be more change and opportunity in the next 10 years than over the last 10 years. Look at all the raw materials we use: computers, disk space and bandwidth. Every year, they get cheaper and more powerful. I love it that our raw materials keep getting cheaper and more plentiful. We have to say, "What kind of innovation can we layer on top of that, that will be meaningful for our customers?"

Q: What's Wall Street's biggest misconception about Amazon.com?

A: I think one of the things people don't understand is we can build more shareholder value by lowering product prices than we can by trying to raise margins. It's a more patient approach, but we think it leads to a stronger, healthier company. It also serves customers much, much better.

We are dedicated to the notion of, year in and year out, lowering prices and getting more efficient so we can afford to do that.

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While I feel like Amazon does a really great job at what they are doing (being a marketplace for the long tail as well as the best sellers), if they improved their customer service, they'd be evangelized like crazy. Many, many people already swear by Amazon.com, but when you get into a sticky situation where you need to talk to a person (via email, IM, IRC, chat, phone, etc), there is only is only automated feedback and people on the phones with no knowledge and who are not helpful at all.