Amazon's has been having a bit of a rough ride recently, so while we don't approve of abusing your customers' trust by selling their information or surreptitiously fixing prices, we thought we'd run with its PR stunt - which is going on even as we speak.

That's right, Valerie McCluskie is Amazon.co.uk's two millionth customer and as such she was given a couple of grand to spend online on what she wanted. But not only that, the UK MD of Amazon, one Steve Frazier, is travelling to her house (along with his PR woman) to deliver the goods in person.

And here comes the dynamic angle: she lives in Inverness! Which just goes to show how amazing Amazon really is. Just think of it - if it wasn't for Amazon, dear old Valerie would be stranded without her copy of Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King or would be unable to get down to Let it bleed or Sting's new album (not sure about that one). And it was her first ever order!

Which is amazing good luck when you think about. It wouldn't have quite so impressive if Joe Bloggs, a regular customer who lives where Amazon is based in Slough, had bought a book on fly fishing. Not that we're suggesting Valerie wasn't the exact two millionth customer, we're just remarking on the fortunate nature of it.

And those of you who remain cynical that the trip to Inverness is PR puff, we have just spoken to the Amazon PR woman Christina Smedley and she is indeed in Inverness, awaiting Valerie as we speak (apparently Valerie arranged to meet them elsewhere before they went to her home). Our only concern is that Steve and Christina will be stranded in Scotland due to the fuel crisis. However Amazon's head office has informed us that there is definitely enough fuel in the plane for a return journey. Phew. ®

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