Investors who ignored Amazon in its early stages undoubtedly experienced a significant case of regret. The company, founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, started as an online bookstore but quickly expanded into a wide range of products and services. Today, Amazon is one of the most valuable companies globally, with a market capitalization exceeding $1.5 trillion.

There are several reasons why investors may have overlooked Amazon's potential and subsequently regretted it:

1. Industry skepticism: In the late 1990s, the dot-com bubble burst, leading many investors to be cautious about internet-based businesses. Amazon's initial focus on books made some investors skeptical about its ability to scale and compete with traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. This skepticism resulted in missed opportunities for those who failed to recognize Amazon's long-term vision.

2. Lack of profitability: Amazon prioritized growth and market share over short-term profitability. This approach led to consistent losses in its early years, which made some investors wary. For example, in 2000, during the dot-com crash, Amazon's stock price plummeted from around $100 per share to less than $10 per share. Investors who focused solely on profitability metrics may have disregarded Amazon's potential for future success.

3. Diversification and innovation: Over time, Amazon expanded its product offerings beyond books, venturing into electronics, apparel, cloud computing, and more. This diversification allowed Amazon to capture a significant share of various markets, creating a dominant position. Investors who failed to recognize Amazon's ability to innovate and disrupt multiple industries missed out on substantial returns.

4. Long-term vision: Jeff Bezos consistently emphasized Amazon's long-term vision and willingness to sacrifice short-term gains for future growth. This approach required patience and a belief in the company's ability to execute its strategies. Investors who focused solely on short-term gains may have disregarded Amazon's potential to become a global e-commerce giant.

One notable example of an investor who regretted ignoring Amazon is legendary investor Warren Buffett. In 2017, Buffett admitted that he missed the opportunity to invest in Amazon, stating, "I was too dumb to realize what was going to happen... I did not think [Bezos] could succeed on the scale he has." Buffett acknowledged his mistake and admitted that not investing in Amazon was a significant regret.

It is worth noting that not all investors ignored Amazon. Some visionary investors recognized the company's potential early on and reaped substantial rewards. For instance, venture capitalist Tom Alberg invested $100,000 in Amazon in 1995, which turned into over $1 billion by 2017.

In conclusion, investors who ignored Amazon in its early stages experienced significant regret as the company became one of the most valuable and influential companies globally. Skepticism, lack of profitability, failure to recognize diversification and innovation, and a short-term focus were some of the reasons behind this regret. Examples like Warren Buffett's acknowledgment of missing out on Amazon highlight the potential consequences of ignoring promising companies.