Are Amazon Coins a Good Idea?

[Len]

I'm scratching my head on this one so far, as well. I suspect it's a tool that app and game developers can use to promote their creations somehow. And if various sources start adding coins to our accounts it does add to the lock-in or walled-garden delights we are already enjoying through Prime, Kindle Owners' Lending Library, videos etc.

I always enjoy using Amazon freebies to buy stuff, so I'm looking forward to spending my 500 coins!

[[deleted user]]

I spent some time this morning trying to find an app on which to spend my coins. None so far. I am finding them lackluster, or maybe I have just gotten jaded. Had "pigged out" on iPad apps when I first got it. Now I realized I can do with less, now that I have a Fire. Seems to me that apps are more useful on my iPhone.

[Loren]

I think it's just a moronic move; I'll tie it into two systems that did similar. XBox 360s have microsoft points and the Nintendo Wii uses Wiipoints. The problem is that people have no idea how much something costs and few people want to even waste the time to figure out how many 'coins' equal how much actual money. I think it causes people to purchase less because instead of just clicking "buy" to purchase something they instead have to go to the Amazon store, buy coins then buy whatever it is they want. Those extra steps are just enough aggravation to cause patrons to not buy products. It's the biggest complaint with Microsoft and Wii users too.

[Garrett]

I think the coins will be fantastic especially if they do a few things

1. Volume discounts

2. Open it up to buying Kindle Books and not just apps