December 17, 2011

Thanks to everyone who's used my Amazon links in the last few days.

Including the person who bought 10 $150 Amazon gift cards— which worked as a $90 contribution to this blog. It feels great to see that readers appreciate what I do here enough to express it by shopping through the Althouse Amazon portal.

56 comments:

Freeman Hunt said...

Including the person who bought 10 $150 Amazon gift cards

That person is going to have some supremely happy gift recipients.

Freeman Hunt said...

If you like to dabble in electronics there were Elenco sets of resistors and jumpers marked down nearly 70% in the toys for boys section yesterday. Still there.

Patrick said...

I tried but Amazon won't ship to a PO Box.

Paddy O said...

Patrick, that's because they use a mix of shippers. When I lived in a place where there was only PO Boxes (no USPS home delivery), I typed in my physical address, then added the +4 to my zip which is the PO Box number. That served to get it to me no matter what service Amazon used.

Of course, if you don't want to ever use your physical address (or live in a PO Box) that's a different story.

Sorun said...

I have a question. Do you know what people are buying? For example, if I purchase these, do you know I purchased these? It's not like I want anyone and everyone to know that I purchase these in great quantity.

Ann Althouse said...

"Do you know what people are buying?"

Actually, I do see a list, but not connected to any name, so if it's something embarrassing, all I know is that someone bought something embarrassing. You're only embarrassing "The Unknown Reader."

I will especially appreciate it if you show faith in my compassion by buying embarrassing things through the Althouse Amazon portal.

Ann Althouse said...

Note: If you post Amazon links in the comments thread, please make them links you arrived at through the Althouse portal.

Sorun said...

I have another question. I go to your portal for a keyword search and I see "althouse" in the url. After I select a product, "althouse" is gone. Do you become a code? How do we know you're still in the loop? (My links above were found through your portal).

coketown said...

After I select a product, "althouse" is gone. Do you become a code?

I think, but may be wrong, that she becomes a cookie on your computer that expires after a half-hour. It's frustrating because every time I buy through the Althouse Amazon portal, there's no evidence that it went through--not even a "Referred by" field in the checkout page. I just search through the portal, shop as normal, and hope it goes through.

coketown said...

And regarding sorun's first question, I still remember someone buying cock soup last year. Oh the laughs.

Susan said...

I made a donation rather than using the portal. My half-conscious fear about the portal is that Amazon will recognize me as a long-time customer who would have bought anyway, and that this little data point will help bring down the whole program.

The donation comes from my realization that yours is one of the few blogs I still look forward to reading these days. In the past, I've felt that adding to your hit count was recognition enough, but the recent brouhaha over comments and subsequent trolling has pushed me into a "Defend Althouse" mode.

The Althouse content factory is likely not going to diminish production due to a few would-be blog occupiers, any more than Amazon is going change its program due to my purchasing patterns. Still, I do want that content, and can't help feeling that a little extra effort is going into producing it lately. Glad to be able to support that production.

FleetUSA said...

this is a no brainer.

Meade said...

@Susan,

The blogger known simply as Althouse is away for the moment but I just read your comment and on behalf of both of us, I just want to say Wow! Cool! Thanks!

(And thanks and Merry Christmas to everyone who reads the blog.}

Roger von Oech said...

Just bought 3 x $100 Amazon gift certificates through you. Thanks for your delightful blog and the wonderful community of commenters it attracts.

Best,

Roger

Ann Althouse said...

Hi, Susan. Thanks for the donation.

I don't think you should worry about bringing down the Amazon Associates program by buying too much stuff. There's nothing illegitimate about using this portal to show appreciation. I've noticed that NPR invites its listeners to do all their shopping through the NPR portal. It really is the nature of the program.

What I can't do is my own purchases. If I were using someone else to do my purchases for me so that I could essentially buy discount whenever I buy, that would not be within the rules.

Ron said...

Is Meade hand delivering our gifts? Do we get a shiny new post just for us, or, if we've been bad a lump of tweets?

Ann Althouse said...

Also, to answer Sorun's question, as long as you go in through one of the links that has "althouse" in it, you can click around as much as you want, through links that don't have "althouse" in them, and as long as you buy before you go somewhere else, it will count.

Ann Althouse said...

But that last comment of mine makes me realize that it's impossible to follow my advice: " If you post Amazon links in the comments thread, please make them links you arrived at through the Althouse portal."

If you go to a new page, you wont have a URL with the code that you can send other people to.

Meade said...

@Ron,

Yes!

m stone said...

Meade will hand deliver purchases and video unsuspecting recipients in their bathrobes, then post it with riveting commentary by Ann.

Ron said...

Well, Ann, if you need to do purchases....you can use the Amazon box on my blog! I could use the coin, too, maybe more than you! :)

http://fluffystuffin.blogspot.com/

knock yourself out!

caplight45 said...

How far will Meade deliver? Is he limited to Madison? How about Kansas? And since you guys like to travel together, well, it kind of writes itself, doesn't it? Day after Christmas is fine. The wife's working Christmas Day.

Wally Kalbacken said...

Just as I had suspected from the start...it's all about the money!

james conrad said...

Question, after shopping online, wherever i go online after that (it doesnt matter where)there are ads for that very same item. For instance, i was shopping for Maxpedition gear recently, stumbled into AA blog the next morning & BAM, that very same item on ad side of blog. I assume this is done through the magic of "cookies". Thing is though, i clicked the link to purchase this item from AA blog but it wasnt Amazon, it was ebags or some such, does this count as a purchase from AA blog?

Ann Althouse said...

@james conrad That's a regular paid ad. I'm not getting a percentage on purchases, but they pay for the ad. That's part of the Blogads program, like when I have those "shocking meat video" ads that people love so much.

Ann Althouse said...

Buying through an ad like that helps the Blogads program keep going, as businesses that have good results will buy more ads.

The internet is mostly monetized through ads, but the Amazon program, it turns out, is a better deal for bloggers.

fivewheels said...

I always found those targeted ads that follow what you just bought to be supremely silly. I just bought sheets, so the last thing I need to look at now is more sheet sets, you foolish A.I.

I often forget to zip through Althouse when I buy stuff at Amazon, even though I'd like to, because I tend to use the Firefox search bar. But I'm glad I happened to remember for some of my Xmas shopping this season.

Palladian said...

I did my few meager purchases through the Althouse portal this year. Even those of us just scraping by can contribute!

Those of you interested in helping out your friend Palladian might consider purchasing a limited edition print from my website. Then, you can order yourself a frame for the print through the Althouse Amazon portal, then we'll all be happy!

Meade said...

Palladian, my friend, I want you to send me a limited edition framed print from your website so I can give it as birthday gift (by January 12). Anything will be fine. I leave it in your capable hands to do whatever you want and please write back saying how much money you want.

Anonymous said...

10 $150 gift cards... wow.

Mel said...

I don't know how many times I shopped Amazon in the last month. Sometimes remembering to go through the portal, sometimes not. What I find appalling is that my Chase Visa rewards program is giving 5% cash back to me starting now when I use Amazon, which I am completely done doing! (pisses me off)

Patrick said...

Thanks Paddy I will try that. I usually just give up when the transaction doesn't work. I walked over to a local book store and they shipped the same items fine at about $10 less. time versus ease of us I guess.

I mostly use a PO Box as I am never home during delivery hours for UPS etc and end up having to travel a few miles to the collection office.

21st century... shippers!!!! make it easier.

Patrick said...

I will buy my next set of bedroom handcuffs through the althouse portal.

Patrick said...

I bought groceries from amazon last month. I'll remember to click through. What I like about amazon is ease of use and security.

Patrick said...

The power of knowledge. Lol, I just went and bought groceries through the althouse linkage. And I decided to sign up for the Amazon Prime program and buy more and ship more in the near future. they have got me... lol

sakredkow said...

Personally I think you're overdoing it on the advertising. Maybe that's just me though.

Automatic_Wing said...

No need to thank me for buying that Andy Warhol Weather Forecasting DVD Box Set through the portal. It's quite alright.

Beta Rube said...

I love shopping at Amazon through the Althouse link. I just end up with too much stuff as I am buying for 3 adorable grandchildren and the toys and books are all so attractive. I also tend to underestimate what I have thus far, and so ordering more is the only option.

shiloh said...

"In the past, I've felt that adding to your hit count was recognition enough, but the recent brouhaha over comments and subsequent trolling has pushed me into a "Defend Althouse" mode."

Since Susan was compelled by negative er argumentative comments in the "moderation" thread, etc. to make a donation, Althouse should thank all the participants in said thread and elsewhere on her blog for swaying Susan's mind re: her gift.

Just sayin' :-P

btw, on behalf of all who participated in the bruhaha's, you're welcome. :)

My all-time fav comment in a donation thread remains: It was nothing, really!

Anonymous said...

I will buy via this site for my gifts. Of course, my gifts are to hotties who work in WH, K-street (such as Center for American Progress), DNC, NPR, and NYT.

I like to go out with Obama-Biden voters. Of course, I love GOP voters who are supporting Newt/Perry.

The Des Moine Register just endorsed Romney. But, how? He is invisible. He is bad. So, the newspaper is making a mistake. The voters will reject it. They will vote for Newt in January. Yes. I said so.

Freeman Hunt said...

Personally I think you're overdoing it on the advertising. Maybe that's just me though.

I like it when bloggers point out the sales over there. I don't want to check for sales every day, so I don't. A blogger with affiliate links has an incentive to find the good deals and post about them to encourage purchases. One reads blogs one already likes, and the bloggers make notification of the sales. Perfect.

Guildofcannonballs said...

"your" Amazon "links."

That's 1.25 retarded (as distinct from, say, half-retarded).

In other words, that's not retarded at all. I wonder if Mark Steyn understands why Americans created possibilities such as we are experiencing now?

I wonder if any unAmerican can?

This does reflect my eudse.

wv: eudse

Meade said...

shiloh,

In the comments at this blog, you have long been a pain in the neck. However, at no time have I judged you to be a pain in the neck who comments in bad faith.

And even if you were a pain in the neck who comments in bad faith, I'm sure at least one of us here would still find it in his or her heart to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Chip Ahoy said...

Amazon Prime customers can purchase a set of two yard flamingos for $15.00 with free shipping.

That means you can have an entire flock of, say, forty flamingos for $300.00

To fill out your flamingo flock you can also buy mini whirly-gig lawn flamingos for top flamingo flight action, $19.00 set of six, and that's sounds like a really good deal. Picture it: all those flamingo wings spinning around as if they are flying.

Now I ax you, who wouldn't want all that?

Meade said...

Whoa, buddy! Swing that ax over... there ↔,
how 'bout it? Thank you.

Guildofcannonballs said...

You disgusting, on your best day, wannabe mugwump, ONLY insofar as concerns your lack of friends available to cure you of this fatalistic defeatism that allows you to feel it sober to associate Dead Uncle Sam with your name.

To associate Armageddon with Mark Styen.

To associate apocalypse with Mark Steyn.

On these grounds, as I have always assumed we can all see genius, not only in output but in viewing a life filled with Buckleyness, Mr. Steyn is not getting the persuasion from people who matter enough to switch sides and start showing Uncle Sam winning.

<"http://www.steynstore.com/media/products_books/AfterAmerica" alt="A little bitching aside, boy doesn't blue suit?"/>






http://www.steynstore.com/media/products_books/AfterAmerica

Ralph L said...

I will especially appreciate it if you show faith in my compassion by buying embarrassing things through the Althouse Amazon portal
And even more faith in your honesty.

Anonymous said...

At the drinks in the K-street shindig, we discussed this topic:

Who in the GOP could scare Biden in the VP debates?

The answer that everyone in the WH feared was:

Jindal.

Then the question was why it could never happen.

If Newt wins, he selects Perry. No debate. We won re-election.

If Romney wins (an impossible scenario in GOP), he appeals to South and Church going voters. Jindal is his key. Rubio is tainted due to his birth/parent issue on leaving Cuba (see WashPost). Besdies, Rubio 's experience reminds us of Obama. The top ticket is Romney and Jindal. But, this will NEVER HAPPEN.

GOP: Your ticket is: Newt/Perry.

shiloh said...

Meade, just some meaningless clarification. Pretty sure I posted at Althouse over a 2/3 day period either Oct. or Nov. 2010. Didn't post again until the Madison union protest bruhaha March of this year. My dates may be off a tad as I've been known to come and go frequently. Took a couple mos. off maybe (3). Peeked in a few times but didn't comment until recently.

It probably just seems like I've been here forever lol. What brought me here originally was Bart DePalma had Althouse on his blog list. BDP was a long time/insufferable conservative poster at 538.com from the beginning in 2008. Obama being elected really threw for a loop. I digress.

I'm also a contrarian at liberal blogs, although I don't post much anywhere anymore. As a rule, posters at a blog are more interesting than the blog owner. Nate Silver is an exception and possibly Althouse ~ don't want to give her a big head. ;)

There's a certain creative art/passion re: regulars at political blogs, who for the most part, contribute nothing.

Much like this post lol. There are also many knowledgeable folk here who have corrected me a few times.

The yin and yang of internet blogs. At my first reality tv blog there was a clique of (20) type A, please look at me, fools who broke away to form there own hoity-toity private blog. They haven't been heard from since. :D

This is the frickin' internet people, get over yourselves.

Merry Christmas !!!

Nichevo said...

What happened to the comment/complaint thread? Was just going to go there to suggest that it be permalinked on the masthead a la:

Althouse

Who is Althouse? * View only LAW posts * Contribute * Shop AMAZON* Got a beef?

Finally searched it out and the thread is closed? Does that mean you want comments/complaints back on all threads? Or that you don't want any?


TW: Alexander Fleming may have taken the credit, but it was an Italian who discovered penatici.

caplight45 said...

Meade and Shiloh are another Festivus miracle!

Unknown said...

Quoth Chip Ahoy:
Picture it: all those flamingo wings spinning around as if they are flying.

Now I ax you, who wouldn't want all that?


Just at a guess, my HOA.

Jose_K said...

Vaclav Havel has died

Paco Wové said...

"I think you're overdoing it on the advertising."

Two words: Adblock plus.

sakredkow said...

Actually I know how to block advertising.

Peter Hoh said...

So if I haven't placed my order within 30 minutes, it doesn't count?

I would prefer that Amazon indicate a "referred by" somewhere at the checkout.