SEATTLE--Aug. 29, 2001--Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN) today announced the launch of its Computer store (http://www.amazon.com/computers), where customers can find great deals and authoritative sales help on a wide selection of new and refurbished computers.
With the latest desktops and notebooks from leading brands like Apple, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Toshiba, the new store offers computer solutions for everyone from small-business owners, families and college students to gamers, road warriors, graphics enthusiasts, technophiles and others. Additionally, the store will offer quality, refurbished computers, making it a great resource for bargain hunters.
"Whether you're heading back to school, looking for a second computer or setting up a home office, Amazon.com's new Computer store offers some terrific values," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and CEO. "In addition to great deals on new computers, you can find refurbished computers for little more than your $300 tax rebate check."
Shoppers upgrading and expanding their computer systems will also find thousands of computer components and peripherals, including memory and CPU upgrades, digital audio receivers, game hardware, graphics cards, modems, monitors, networking tools, printers, scanners, sounds cards and thousands of business, office and home-related software titles.
To help both novice and sophisticated computer users find the right computer and peripherals based on their needs and budget, the store provides customers with the following tools:
Online and phone help: Get detailed and authoritative product information online and sales help on the phone at 888/533-5659.
Buying advisor tool: Receive recommendations on the best models based on budget constraints and anticipated uses.
Advanced search: Select a computer based on its specific components and features.
Side-by-side comparisons: Compare price, speed, memory size and other features of multiple computer models side by side on a single screen. Customers can also compare the best-selling, top-of-the-line, entry-level or popular models with a click of a button.
Accessory finder: Search for compatible peripherals and software for an existing computer based on its operating system and available interfaces.
Links to rebates: Eligible rebates are linked directly to products so customers can easily access and print rebate forms for added value.
Order fulfillment for new computers sold through the Amazon Computer store will be handled by Ingram Micro, Inc., the leading global wholesale provider of technology products and services.
"Amazon.com's new Computer store is a great technology resource for consumers," said Kevin Murai, president of Ingram Micro U.S. "We're pleased to contribute our world-class technology fulfillment expertise to the excellent customer service Amazon.com already provides to its customers."
Refurbished computers in the store will be sold by established third-party sellers like Essex Technology Group, Overstock.com and TechSmart, Inc.
In celebration of the launch, the Amazon Computer store is offering free standard shipping on all new notebook computer orders through Labor Day this year.
The addition of computers completes Amazon.com's already strong selection of electronics and software products. Shoppers can now come to Amazon.com for all their technology product needs -- from new and refurbished computers to digital cameras, MP3 players, educational software, handhelds, routers and computer games.
With the recently announced Amazon.com Corporate Accounts program (http://www.amazon.com/corporate), businesses can now purchase computers, printers, fax machines, and other electronics with online purchase orders instead of using a personal credit card.
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN) opened its virtual doors on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection, along with online auctions and free electronic greeting cards. Amazon.com seeks to be the world's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online. Amazon.com and sellers list millions of unique new and used items in categories such as electronics, kitchen and housewares, books, music, DVDs, videos, camera and photo items, toys, software, computer and video games, cell phones and service, tools and hardware, and outdoor living products. Through Amazon Marketplace, zShops and Auctions, any business or individual can sell virtually anything to Amazon.com's over 35 million cumulative customer accounts, and with Amazon.com Payments, sellers can accept credit card transactions, avoiding the hassles of offline payments.
Amazon.com operates four international Web sites: www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.fr and www.amazon.co.jp. It also operates the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), the Web's comprehensive and authoritative source of information on more than 275,000 movies and entertainment titles and 1 million cast and crew members dating from the birth of film.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, Amazon.com's anticipated losses, significant amount of indebtedness, competition, strategic alliances, strategic partnerships and business combinations, seasonality, potential fluctuations in operating results and rate of growth, management of potential growth, risks of system interruption, international expansion, consumer trends, risk of fulfillment center optimization, inventory risks, limited operating history, risks related to fraud and Amazon.com Payments, and risks of new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, and all subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.