Amazon Offers Sales Via SMS

Amazon.com aims to increase pressure on its brick-and-mortar competitors by introducing a new service which enables shopping to be done over the cell phone. Dubbed Amazon TextBuyIt, all you need to do is text the name of the item you want, its description or UPC/ISBN to 262966 (which spells “Amazon” on the keypad), and two results will return should Amazon actually stock the requested items. Texting back “1″ or “2″ will allow you to purchase one of the first two selections, while browsing for more items is done by texting “M”. Once you have made up your mind, you will have to enter your Amazon associated e-mail address and a shipping zip code, where Amazon’s service will then call you and help you through the checkout process via an automated voice system. Shopping anytime, anywhere? Husbands, beware the credit card bill at the end of the month.