What everyone should know about Amazon

[Thinktank]

Nothing. It's not necessary to know anything about Amazon but since you clicked, I will
tell you what I think about Amazon.

In the beginning I avoided buying anything at Amazon for years, but then around 2003 I noticed they had computer
books for about 1/5 retail price. I ordered one that said 'slightly damaged' and when I got it I saw it was
in perfect condition. So I started to think Amazon might not be so bad.

Fourteen years later, I've ordered about ten things from Amazon - all satisfactory. Saved money on most of the stuff.

Stores can't stock everything. Amazon can. I would rather buy from a store, but sometimes they don't have it.
I don't think Amazon is that much cheaper than other places, but Amazon makes it easier.

In the future I will buy more stuff from Amazon. I can't see any negative thing about that company.
Can you?



..

[Bsuds]

If you do your research then there are many things available on Amazon at good prices. Lots of things that are cheaper than anywhere else or very hard to find.

I hate to do it but agree with you on this one TT.

[dominik]

You have highlighted so pretty much anything positive in regards to online shopping. We have more choice, more selection as well as a quick way to see what previous buyers have experienced with the product.

Additionally you have the option to buy from various retailers, and utilize other benefits such as easy returns etc.

Now... That being said it isn't all sunshine and smiles. Platforms like Amazon have all the ability to destroy local businesses and cause a loss in jobs and/or worse yet pressure for stores to lower wages to compete with online retailers. In the case of Amazon there are many documented cases of employee abuse as well as slave labor work environments. (Spanish Workers in European Amazon Distribution Centers for example)

Some Examples:
https://www.ft.com/content/ed6a985c-70b ... 144feab49a
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/ama ... 00581.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/busin ... 93676.html
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ ... -warehouse
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... rk-culture

We could blame the demise of Futureshop, Sears, Eatons, Toys'r'us and other large Department Store Chains on online shopping as well however it isn't that easy. We have to also consider that most of these chains have made serious mistakes in their day to day business operations. The issue here isn't just stock but also staff, when you have staff which doesn't know their own products, cannot provide service due to the lack of resources or for that matter are pushed to sell more despite knowing that products sold do not benefit the costumer, then you paved the way for someone else to fill that market niche.

We are seeing a change in shopping (Save On for example is already operating online ordering in Alberta and other Parts of Canada), and this will (not might) result in a loss of jobs in local markets.

There needs to be a balance however it will require local businesses to one up online shopping in service, quality and product availability.