Amazon products, delivery, discounts, perceived value have all been discussed on this venue. I recently had an experience with Amazon that I would rate several thumbs up. It was a twofer involving 2 products so this post runs somewhat long. I was surprised by the outcome.

About 3 weeks ago, I bought some Crystal Light Peach Mango drink mix, 12 boxes - $39, from Amazon because it's difficult to get in stores. I didn't need it at the time so I put in my pantry.

Earlier this week I bought a 62 mm lens cap for my camera. It was to be delivered yesterday. Late in the day I checked my email and received one from Amazon saying it had been delivered with a picture of it on my doorstep. I opened the door to see, but there was no package there. Only conclusion I can draw is somebody stole it. Only satisfaction was that it only cost me $7 and whoever stole it got something that totally worthless to them. I decided I would wait til this morning to call Amazon.

When I got up I wanted to make some of the peach mango drink so I got the package out of my pantry and discovered that it was peach drink (no mango). To me, that's the same as buying a Reese's Peanut Butter cup and only getting a gob of peanut butter. So when I called Amazon, I had two issues.

I called and spoke to their automated system and after answering a few questions, was able to speak to a representative. When I related that I had received the lens cap and somebody stole it, I wondered how Amazon would treat it. To my surprise, she told me that they would replace it and was it OK if it arrived by Tuesday. I then brought up the issue of the drink mix. I said they sent me the wrong mix. She checked their records and agreed that they sent the wrong mix and would send me another one ASAP. I asked if I should return the wrong mix and she said no, keep it, donate it or give it to someone else. Both problems solved in about 6-7 minutes with a better resolution than I had expected. I made a point of telling her how impressed I was with both her and Amazon. I asked for her name so I could include it in the follow up survey that Amazon uses to improve their service.

When dealing with other companies, it can be quite a challenge and take multiple calls and a lot of wasted time just to get to speak to a real person and uncertain outcome. I think Amazon provides products and services that are well-worth the price of Prime.

(and who even cares), but for some reason unknown to me or anyone else, I feel like saying this.
It's sad!
I don't care how puffed up you are about your own excellence as a photographer, (pro or not), it can't be a good thing to downgrade someone else's work with snarky comments. You know who you are. You don't care that we know who you are.
Sometimes we admire a person simply because we admire their talent or skill as a great photographer, but when they make snarky remarks to someone who is just enjoying photos they made and so happy that they got them, they are stealing that person's joy.
This happens here too often and makes me wonder what kind of person feels good about doing a thing like that!
We may admire your work as a gifted photographer from now on but some of us will surely cease to admire you as the photographer you are, because of your pathetic attitude toward others.
That's all. I truly feel like I have not stepped on any toes that did not deserve it.
To the rest of you, I will keep looking at and enjoying your photos.

And maybe one you've had on your list, too. Given the active itinerary and travel arrangements, I decided to go smartphone-only. I have an Apple iPhone 14 Pro and sometimes enhance it with a XenvoPro wide-angle/macro lens. Posted also in the smartphone subforum.

This is Machu Picchu. My wife and I wanted to vacation there when we married in 1973. She got pregnant and the doctor forbade her from travel that distance and altitude. We never made it. But, here I am, fifty years later, now solo, fulfilling a dream.

SOOC, as this was taken only earlier today, and I'm now resting up in my hotel room.

I have to ask. What would you prefer in terms of our clocks? The current system, in my opinion, is absolutely ridiculous. Politicians are trying to decide when and if they should do something, but they don't know what to do. They seem to be leaning toward year-round DST.

This is not something that should be determined by public opinion. According to science and medical studies, permanent DST would be a bad idea. The best approach would be to live on "Normal Time." I don't think we'll be seeing that in my lifetime, though.

Opinions?