Just thought I'd take a sec to say a very sincere "Thank You" to all the people who have ordered stuff through my links for the holidays, and indeed throughout the year.
Like any e-tailer (another ugly word, that), I count on making a few bones in December. If I can't cobble together something resembling the half-decent income I could theoretically earn if I went out and took a wage-paying or salaried job in the real world, like everybody else, then I couldn't keep TOP chugging along. Got to pay my time, as they say. And there's nothing automatic about it. Ever and always a struggle. (We didn't do as well this year as last, but still well enough to justify keeping it going.)
It's getting on towards Christmas, so if there's anyone on your list you still haven't found something for, consider getting them an Amazon Gift Card—who wouldn't want that? If Amazon sold food, I would probably never need to shop anywhere else (one can't quite live off books and camera equipment. I should know). As a bonus, at no extra cost to your pocketbook, it would help keep this webby contraption called TOP clanking along throughout another trip around the sun.
For which—ending this where it began—I thank you.
All best,
—Mike, TOP Chief Fundraiser and Holiday Gladhander
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Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
I did order a few things the other day from Amazon via this site. I hopped around some within Amazon for a while... is there any way for me (or you) to know if my purchases "registered" for TOP?
Posted by: Jim Henry | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 05:18 PM
Mike,
Thanks for the site. It is the least we can do to buy through your links. Could have been a bit higher. I dithered about buying an S95 yesterday, and when I came back to do it, they were all gone! I should have known better.
Happy holidays to you.
Posted by: Dave Karp | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 05:44 PM
Your welcome.
Posted by: KeithB | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 05:58 PM
Sorry, you're welcome.
Posted by: KeithB | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 05:59 PM
Actually, they do sell food, at least in Seattle ("Amazon Fresh").
Posted by: Chuck Albertson | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 06:19 PM
Yeah. Sorry to break the news, Mike, but they do sell food, of sorts. Check out the "Grocery" department.
Posted by: robert e | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 11:39 PM
Any hope to have the recently opened "amazon.it" as one of your links?
R.
Posted by: Roberto C. | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 02:23 AM
You asked for this;
www.amazon.com/Tuscan-Whole-Milk-Gallon-128/dp/B00032G1S0/ref=pd_sbs_a_3
Partial quote from one of the amazon gourmets
"I wasn't sure what to expect from a $50 gallon of milk, but when I poured Tuscan Whole Milk, 1 Gallon on my Alphabits, they arranged themselves into the Gettysburg Address. When I put Tuscan Whole Milk, 1 Gallon, 128 fl oz on my Rice Krispies, they sang opera." (by Jeannette Gutierrez)
Posted by: Christian Kurmann | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 03:00 AM
Mike,
what about links to Amazon Italy?
Posted by: Simone | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 04:40 AM
If I can figure out how to buy Kindle books through your site, I'll do it. New Year resolution for 2012.
Posted by: Bob Rosinsky | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 05:18 AM
I have faithfully run every amazon purchase through your links all year. B&H, too. Sometimes even food I can't get locally. ;)
Posted by: Ruby | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 06:55 AM
Yes they do sell food. You can watch movies on line, buy food, sell your books and even buy soap (but who needs that if you never leave home) . Amazon does it all, except for getting a wife, maybe we still do need soap.
Posted by: David Bateman | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 07:43 AM
Amazon also sells some food-like substances. More than once I've ordered a case of Spam from Amazon.
Posted by: Dave Polaschek | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 08:00 AM
"Mike, what about links to Amazon Italy?"
I'll work on that.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 09:10 AM
Considering the ratio of good photography blogs to photographers, it seems like running a decent blog is much harder. Thanks for keeping it going!
Posted by: Karel K | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 09:30 AM
"More than once I've ordered a case of Spam from Amazon."
I get lots of spam too, but not necessarily from Amazon.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 09:33 AM
That Amazon gift card was the perfect solution to a gift problem. And one day free shipping. Whats not to like?
Posted by: Dave Kee | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 10:42 AM
You're welcome, Mike. I have my bookmark set to go through here, so the TV set I ordered for my Dad got counted.
Posted by: Tom Brenholts | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 11:42 AM
Looking towards 2012, have you considered expanding you social network as yet? I was looking at this and wondered . . .
http://www.allfacebook.com/10-facebook-pages-every-photographer-should-follow-2010-08
Season's Best!!!
Posted by: h.linton | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 12:53 PM
I read your blog weekly, daily when I can, and always make sure I access Amazon.com through your site for anything - photographic or not. But, I forget to do the one thing I do with all the people I like and respect the most. And that is to wish you a Merry Christmas.
And thank you.
Rick Wilcox
Eugene, Oregon
Posted by: Rick Wilcox | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 12:58 PM
Well, I am going to get an S95 after all, thanks to TOP. I did a bit of searching after making my post above and found that B&H sells refurbished S95s in its Used Store. Not quite as good a price as the Amazon Deal of the Day, but pretty good. I am assuming you get credit for sales made in the used store.
Mike: Do you get credit if I bookmark B&H on my browser? I seem to remember that Amazon sales work through a bookmark, but not so B&H. Is that correct?
Happy holidays to all!
And thanks again Mike.
Posted by: Dave Karp | Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 01:17 PM
May I suggest that all who appreciate Mike's blog send him a subscription donation. I did because I realized that I derive more information and pleasure from it than from any of the magazine subscriptions that I have. I would miss this site more than any of those subscriptions if it stopped. So it seemed to me to be a no-brainer to send him something to support the cause. BTW, I do not know Mike and he did not solicit this comment. Thanks, Mike, for publishing TOP.
Posted by: Richard Gonet | Thursday, 22 December 2011 at 02:19 PM
And thank you! I was so intrigued by the Piaoi tea pot that Ctein talked so highly about I bought one for my wife. Thanks for the idea! I am still wrestling with the idea of a siphon coffee pot for my self. :-)
Posted by: David Baker | Friday, 23 December 2011 at 07:29 PM
Mike, if I may, Amazon has now opened a store for Spain (amazon.es), so if you have many customers from this country you may want to include the Spanish shop in your scheme.
Posted by: Fer | Monday, 26 December 2011 at 04:50 AM