Are consumers ready to buy shampoo and toilet paper online? Amazon.com thinks so. The giant e-tailer just purchased Quidsi, the owner of Diapers.com and Soap.com for $500 million.

“I'm not sure which is more unpleasant -- changing diapers, paying too much for them, or running out of them," said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com, in a press release. "This acquisition brings together two companies who are committed to providing great prices and fast delivery to parents, making one of the chores of being a parent a little easier and less expensive."

According to Amazon.com, Quidsi will continue to operate independently after the acquisition. Amazon says it will also assume about $45 million in debt and other obligations as part of the deal. The acquisition is expected to close in December. In addition to Diapers.com and Soap.com, Quidsi recently launched BeautyBar.com, a prestige beauty boutique.

Launched in 2005, Quidsi has built a solid fan base selling everything from health and beauty products to household essentials and baby care items. Quality customer service has been a key focus for the company, ensuring customers overnight delivery, a wide selection of goods and fast, free shipping.

Last year, Amazon expanded its online empire with the acquisition of online shoe and apparel retailer Zappos for $1.1 billion. At the time, Tony Hsieh, Zappo’s CEO, sent a letter to his employees that read:

“This morning, our board approved and we signed what’s known as a ‘definitive agreement’, in which all of the existing shareholders and investors of Zappos (there are over 100) will be exchanging their Zappos stock for Amazon stock. Once the exchange is done, Amazon will become the only shareholder of Zappos stock…

Amazon purchased Zappos for 10 million Amazon shares or $880 million. That’s a whole lot of Manolo Blahniks.