The official response is pretty baffling to me, to be honest, and doesn't really instill confidence. A shopping cart is a fundamental feature in the global webstore experience. Very well, add the Buy Now option to streamline the process, but to remove the most basic, understood and accepted method for people to shop online is just a decision I cannot begin to understand. Can you imagine if Amazon decided they weren't going to have a shopping cart anymore? Madness!
I recall a blog post once on UI design. In his younger years, the writer had worked at a bakery or some-such, and part of his work involved hoisting stuff up into industrial mixing vats via a chain/pulley system. One day, the company replaced the chain, and one of the links in the new one had a small, jagged edge of metal that would cut into his hand every time he happened to grab it, completely ruining his day.
Translating that lesson into user experience, the point is clear: it takes only one small-but-irritating change, one dud feature--or in this case, the removal of a much used one--to irrevocably alter the user's attitude toward the overall product. Aesthetics is one thing, most people can and will work around an undesirable layout, but when you go messing around with core usability, you'd better be damned sure the alternative is palatable. In this case? Totally not tasty. ☹️
