I feel I should point out that USPS has a lower rate for postcards (currently $0.61), so the threshold might be a bit lower.

I know that this is tongue-in-cheek and would be pretty funny to receive, but it isn't an apples-to-apples comparison. The experience of getting a little message printed on receipt paper is nothing like the experience of receiving a note or card in the mail. Through the mail you receive something physically from someone with their handwriting and some personality to it. Getting the Amazon message is more like printing out a text message on crummy paper.

Also, I don't have Prime, so it definitely isn't cost competitive for me anyway.

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hatthew 10 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I agree in general, but as a one-off thing I'd very much enjoy getting a lime with a message saying "this was cheaper than sending a letter myself"

	▲	hoistbypetard 8 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I've started sending paperbacks instead of greeting cards when someone I know needs a get-well-soon card. In stores around here, greeting cards are often $7ish + postage. I can frequently ship a paperback with a gift receipt for $5 total. I include a gift message on the gift receipt, and choose a book I think someone might like to read while they're out of commission. I guess it's a bit like postal arbitrage, if I accept the cost of greeting cards themselves as part of the cost of the activity. To the extent that anyone has commented much, those who have commented had very positive reactions to what amounts to a book recommendation and a copy of the book I'm recommending along with a little note.

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dizhn 8 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Reminds me of the old collect call trick. Rather than state your name when prompted you transmit a short, perhaps even coded, message. Then the receiving party declines the call.

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LeifCarrotson 8 hours ago | parent | next [-]

"You have a collect call from MomWe'reAtTheArcadeCanYouPickUsUp?

Would you like to accept the charges?"

	▲	intrasight 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Ahh, the 70s. Good memories.

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umanwizard 7 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JxhTnWrKYs