I got an oddball email today from Amazon . . .
Hello Paul Epps,
We found something we think you might like.
And what they thought I might like was the item on the right, a Breitling Navitimer 1 Automatic 38mm Steel & Red Gold – Silver Watch, which retails for $4,284.50 (free shipping included!).
I do like it — click through on it, it’s a real beauty — but “liking” a $4,000 watch and having any intention of buying one are two entirely different things.
Why they thought I’d be a good target customer for this email I have no idea. I’ve never shopped for watches on Amazon, nor have I ever made an Amazon purchase at anywhere close to a $4,000 price point.
It’s the weirdest thing Amazon’s done since the time I was browsing for a book on software development principles and they suggested that I might also be interested in a shirt from the U.S. Men’s Polo Association. I’ve never met a programmer who plays polo.
Clicking through on the watch reveals that customers who viewed the item also viewed — even more expensive watches, including a Breitling Navitimer 1 Chronograph 41 Men’s Watch for $7,999.
I wonder if they wouldn’t sell more watches by sending the ad for the $8,000 watch instead of the $4,000 watch, let the customer click through and realize “I could get a watch that looks almost as good for half the price!”