The free two-day shipping is a terrible temptation for impulse buyers, however, as Amazon is only too aware.

FORBES: Good News For Amazon Prime Members: 'Harry Potter' Coming Soon To The Kindle Library

These include a special site on which to shop, guaranteed free next day shipping, a VIP phone number to call for customer service, as well as an exclusive online outfit-builder tool.

FORBES: USEFUL > SIMPLICITY TRUMPS ALL

In the Sept. 12 issue of Forbes, I write about Blu Homes, a Massachusetts startup that makes green prefab houses that fold up in the factory for shipping and are unfolded on site and bolted to a foundation in a day (see video at end of this post).

FORBES: Blu Homes' Apple Approach to Building Green Prefab Houses

The privately held Las Vegas company (whose name comes from the Spanish word for shoe) gets raves from shoe lovers for its fast, free shipping--90% of orders arrive the next business day--and a 365-day return policy that allows footwear fans to order a bunch of shoes, try them on and return those that don't suit or fit.

FORBES: A Step Ahead

According to an article from Fox Business, the huge demand for roses on a single day out of the year means that rose producers have to increase volume dramatically, shipping has to occur in the same high volume, and retailers have to order ahead of time to meet the huge demand.

FORBES: The Premium You Pay On A Valentine Gift