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Amazon has come up with an idea that (surprise!) some people love and some people hate: a patented way to let people exchange gifts before they've even been delivered. The Washington Post explains:
"Convert all gifts from Aunt Mildred," the patent says. "For example, the user may specify such a rule because the user believes that this potential sender has different tastes than the user." In other words, the consumer could keep an online list of lousy gift-givers whose choices would be vetted before anything ships.
The patent wasn't ready for this holiday season, and it's unclear when it will be launched, or more importantly to some, how it will be marketed, since it offends people who think the patent defies the spirit of giving gifts.
And I don't want to discount that spirit. But considering how many gifts are bought for the sake of buying a gift, and more relevantly for Planet Green readers, considering the wasted packaging and energy used to transport and process the millions of returns at Amazon (and other online retailers), the notion of getting it right the first time is revolutionizing.
The Post reports that up to 30 percent of purchases nationwide are returned, and while online retailers see savings in dollars, there's also a savings in waste: You minimize the shipping involved, which is inevitable if in-person purchases are not an option. You minimize the packaging that gifts eat up so quickly. And you minimize the chance of not exchanging gifts at all, and letting them take up space in your closet until you, someday, end up having to get rid of them to clear space for... more stuff.
Getting a gift right the first time could green an industry that has a long way to go.
More on Amazon and online shopping:
Get Free Shipping on Amazon and Cut Carbon with Stellar New Facebook App
Wal-Mart Wants to Beat Amazon by Adding Drive-Thru Shopping Option
Buying Green Online - Gasoline Saver Or Climate Bigfoot?
