Boingboing does get “kickbacks” from Amazon, though the industry term for getting a cut is “affiliate link”.☨ However, if I want to buy a product I often prefer links to Amazon, even affiliate ones, over links to the manufacturer’s site. I like the reviews, even though I’m wary of their authenticity. Plus, prices are pretty much never cheaper on the manufacturer’s site, so cutting out the middleman has no benefit to me. And Amazon already has all of my info so it’s faster and easier to check out. I’m a Prime member, so there’s a good chance my order qualifies for fast, no-cost shipping.
I do, however, miss when Amazon used to characterize the shipping options as 3-5 Day USPS or 2 day UPS (or whatever the options where), so I knew what carrier would be used and could decide for myself which one I trusted to get to any particular address. Ordering direct from the manufacturer may be warranted if there is a counterfeiting going on, though, as Amazon still has a problem with counterfeit inventory.
☨ After you click through to Amazon via an affiliate link (they look just like ordinary links to Amazon unless you know what to look for), the individual BoingBoing writer who supplied the link gets a direct cut of everything you put in your shopping cart in the next 24 hours and subsequently purchase within 89 days.
