Wishlists, what are they good for?

[Luxoria]

So, I would like to hear from people whether or not wishlists are advantageous to have for an ecommerce site.

Me personally I never use them while shopping online, I either purchase the item I want/need or move on. I perceive wishlists as a fad. The only time I use a 'wishlist' is when I purchase semiconductors (a score of different components) and even then all it's just a stored shopping cart under a name I choose.

The only reason why I am considering not using a wishlist feature because I want my site to be as minimal as possible and if it's a feature not used often or at all I would like to save on the clutter.

Please eradicate my ignorance of wishlists. Do shoppers use them? Also what about tell a friend? Is that ever used either?

BTW, I am starting a small niche store.

tyty

[topr8]

i use my amazon wishlist, however i don't offer wishlists on my site

[Rosalind]

I use my Amazon one, and I wish other stores would offer them sometimes. However it's a matter of how regularly I use a site, and its range. There's no point when it comes to a store with a very narrow focus.

However Amazon have launched a universal wishlist, so people can add items whether or not the store has wishlist functionality.

[lorax]

Think wedding registry. Obviously not all ecommerce sites lend themselves to a user predisposed to use a wish list but there are definitely markets and demand for such!

[Luxoria]

Now if there was some sort of majority used single provider service for a universal wishlist... like a facebook wishlist, where all your friends can see what you want to buy.