I have been using Amazon for years, because I can pay less to get the same item (if I am willing to wait for a few days). Then, I started to like it less and less. The first reason was the closing down of one after another book store in my neighborhood. When we settled down in this area in 2000, there were two big book stores; then, there was only one; and finally, there is none.

Another reason for my dislike of Amazon was the way it treated its workers, according to news articles.

Still, I ordered things from Amazon from time to time. Last September, I order a paper shedder, for about $30. The size was like a small trash bin, and it was convient to have it at home (especially when I no longer go to work where there is a giant shedder). However, thing turned bad, real bad this morning. It jammed. I tried everything I could think of to get the jammed "paper ball" out of the slot, I failed miserably. I needed yoga!

At today's yoga class, I tried very hard to practice mindfulness. I succedded: I felt so much better after the class. When I came home, I emailed Amazon, to complain about the jammed shedder. The website said it would take 24 hrs for someone to asnwer my email. To my surprise, the reply came after 20+ mins. In this email reply, Amazon rep said that for this one time exception, they are willing to replace the shedder free of charge. (Their return policy is 30 days.) I was speechless!

Thanks to this kind gesture, I decided to order another shedder from them. I don't want the same one; instead, I am getting a more expensive one, and I will buy 3-year protection plan (for $3+). This way, I am happy to waste the $3, if the shedder lasts that long!