Amazon Meets Sarbox

Working for a major manufacturer, I've seen firsthand the impact of that ill-conceived Sarbanes-Oxley law on our business. To the point that we actually have an officer of the company with the sole responsibility of getting us into and maintaining compliance with that law. My own small chunk of business has been audited twice in the past two years. By utterly clueless fresh accounting graduates now thrust into a job I hope they learn to hate. I have a staff of seven. Good intentions have lead to pernicious, overbearing and quite costly results.

So how does this relate to Amazon? Well, I'm a frequent Amazon purchaser. Mostly books that I can't find locally. In the past, I would be debited immediately upon purchase. But the last few purchases I've noticed that this is not occurring. I'm debited upon shipment. Since I'm a cheap bastard and I use Super Saver shipping, this means I'm not debited for up to ten days after purchase.

And I just put two and two together this evening. Amazon has to deal with Sarbox just like I do. Can't invoice or claim revenue or receivables until shipment. Thus the change in payment for all of the stuff I buy on Amazon.