I am not experiencing the same as you’re describing here. For me, the cookie remembers my e-mail and thus, the ‘returning customer’ radio is checked. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the Big Sur story….it makes all the difference in the world when you get the impression that the waiter/waitress is being engaging yet unobtrusive! The worst thing I know is when you’re in the middle of a story and the waiter interrupt to ask for dessert or something, and totally ruin the punch line for you.

Posted by Rune on 24 February 2008 @ 2pm

I was able to produce your experience by logging in. Closing my browser (without logging out) and then clicking on “proceed to checkout” from within the cart.

Try completely logging out of Amazon first. Adding something to your cart. Then clicking, “Proceed to checkout.” You should then experience my kvetch.

Equally as bizarre (and I was gonna add this to my initial post but decided against it) is this workflow:

1.) Logout completely.
2.) Click the top link, “New customer? Start here.”

Why is “Yes, I have a password” the default radio?!!! I’m a new customer! I don’t have a password.

That said, I don’t really have a problem with this from a usability perspective because a.) I’m not a new user, and this makes my life easier. b.) they probably have more people clicking that link who are returning customers than not, and so it made sense to bend the rules and be more usable than consistent. (Just a thought.)

Posted by Ryan on 24 February 2008 @ 3pm