Welcome to Amvona.

How did Amvona get started?

Here’s the short version (there is a much, much longer version); In 1999 Amvona opened its virtual doors to the world to sell custom designed photo accessories wrapped up in a social context (before the word “social networking” meant anything to anyone other than 1950’s era sociologists). We let our users share digital images back then too, in a very open fashion… long before Flickr (guess we should have expanded on that whole photo sharing idea). It was a part time endeavor for the founders until mid-2003 when the first full time team members were hired. By 2005 Alexa ranked Amvona.com amongst the 10 ten most visited online photo retailers.

In the summer of 2009 Amvona re-launched its website to focus on a simple concept – “One Deal” with the goal of creating hyper efficiency in the product life-cycle. The social aspects of amvona were peeled away at the same time and became our sister site - Flekt.com.

What is Amvona, who's the guy behind the curtain?

We have a long history (in internet years aka fruit fly years) of delivering products in a more meaningful fashion and at ridiculous prices, we've also created some pretty cool technology.  Supply chain management, just in time inventory, and different colored belts were never really our thing.   Delivering huge amounts of high quality, low cost goods is.  Needless to say, seven consecutive years of 250 + % growth offended some of our competitors along the way.

Like any good corporation, we're also interested in taking over the world – strange though our approach may be...   and yes, that is a real, live, breathing Lemelson behind the curtain.

What is Flekt and why is it all over your site?

If the whole "take over the world" thing doesn't work out with Amvona we're hoping Flekt will... so we're hedging.  We also think it's the coolest contextual search service ever, so we want to promote it every chance we get.  Upload your media there and it will show the world the tools you've been using, and a bunch of other really "neato" things.  What's cooler than that?  Our CTO made sure you can use your Amvona userid and password to login to Flekt as well.  If you had your profile on Amvona before, don't worry, it's all safely located at Flekt now.

Why do I only see one item on your home page?

2009 is an inflection point for us, it's when the “One Deal” concept came to life on our home page (although you can still browse through our extensive product categories for the time being).

If the “One Deal” product sells out, you're out of luck, products aren’t likely to be renewed in our calendar. Cruel? Maybe.

If the "One Deal" item doesn't sell out (highly unlikely) it will be replaced automatically after it's been live for 24 hrs.  Each item we sell is in stock and usually ships within 24  hours.

What does the "One Deal" calender look like?

We offer (at least) one new item every single day.  A new product is made available through "One Deal" every 24 hrs., or until the "One Deal" item sells out.   We do this 7 days a week, 365 days a year.   If a product sells out during its 24 hr. cycle, a new item will appear immediately.   There is no warning when an item is about to sell out., and there is no way to know what item is queued up next.

I missed the "One Deal" item, can I still get one?

Not likely.  At least not at the "One Deal" price.  Each "One Deal" product is discontinued after 24 hours, or when it sells out. That's it.  We may get more of a particular item at a later date, but we're not making any promises.  We allow no backorders (they're not as much fun from a customer service stand point as you might think), and we have no waiting / notification list management - that would require an interest in supply chain management, which we confess we do not have.

I want to talk to a live person, can I call?

Ummm.....No. We are crazy busy sourcing new products and building cool new web technology. Try our help desk, it's quite good.   

Can I get customer care after I receive my item?

Yes. However, if you buy something you decide you don't want, it might be smarter to sell it on eBay or Craigslist - you'll probably make money, and save the hassle of returning it.  Everything we sell is in brand new condition.  Visit our helpdesk to learn more.

How many items are available in a given deal?

Can't tell you that, it would take all the fun out of it.  Suffice to say, there is probably not enough to go around, we always try to buy a little less than we think we'll need.

Who works at Amvona?

A bunch of people who think life and work should be an adventure, and who definitely don’t have “jobs”. We drive a few fuel efficient vehicles, not during work hehe, a motorcycle (but not during winter, that would be crazy), and one SUV (but we’re working on it.) Apparently, more than one of us sings at the top of our lungs in the car (but not at the same time, that would be disturbing.) We faithfully run on Dunkin...every morning (but only because of the nutritional value). We are strongly involved in our church and community. And, we somehow fit life in between.

Where is Amvona?

The small, but interesting town of Mansfield, MA about 25 minutes outside of Boston.  You might ask, "why Mansfield?", but since we ask ourselves that everyday, we dont' think we're qaulified to give an answer.