BeepAmazon BUSTED for Widespread Scheme to Inflate Prices Across the Economy— Amazon, its vendors, and competing retailers are price fixing, hiking up prices for consumer products, making Amazon richer
LoafedBurritoI’ve been telling people to stop supporting amazon for years, but everyone seems to have their reason to keep supporting them. This hopefully will be a good enough reason for people to finally stop shopping on amazon.
I haven’t bought anything from amazon in over 12 years. I find everything on the manufacturer’s website or eBay. No need to ever use amazon for anything.
I’ve found the Shop App to be a good alternative along with eBay. Shop App is basically a search engine for retailers who use Shopify, which is a ton of them. From my research it seems to be generally better for retailers.
My biggest problem is that very specific niche products and have no direct sale options from the supplier / manufacturer tend to only be available on Amazon.
Like there’s a specific caramel sauce I like to put in my coffee that is made from real caramel and not “caramel flavored corn-syrup” and the company that makes it is great and based out of the US, but they have no direct-sale option on their website nor any place that says “where to buy.”
The only place I’ve found it to be reliably sold from is Amazon, because I’m not a small coffee business. As far as I can tell, unless I order massive quantities via some sort of scheduled contract ordering agreement, I don’t think I can order direct from the manufacturer.
I hate Amazon and would rather not give them money, but they have effectively created a de-facto monopoly for certain products… whether they are the actual only major supplier that has both a web storefront and that will ship around the US… or they are the only web storefront that yielded search results for specific products when consumers are combing the web marketplace for them.
Until the US govt or other entities with regulatory teeth willing to prosecute them for monopolistic practices and maybe even break them up some day, I don’t think it’s realistic to expect even the most savvy consumers to fully remove themselves from purchasing at least some number of very specific goods form Amazon.
Your point is valid and definitely a concern.
But how are people so basic.
You hate Amazon, but just have to have your caramel syrup? Doesn’t really sound like hate.
Sounds more like you do not want to have to make sacrifices to the things you like.
Wonder why bad things continue to happen.
I use Amazon too. Not trying to be too judgy, but come on. Accept some personal responsibility for your actions.
Ah yes - the “personal responsibility” argument… 🙄
Whatever product it is isn’t really the point.
There are certain things that people either need or want and if Amazon is the only place to get them and your solution is, “well, just sacrifice” is fine if it’s a luxury good like stupid caramel sauce, but what if it’s something like vacuum cleaner bags for the vacuum you use are only sold now via Amazon?
What if it’s a specific chewable version of a vitamin your kid’s doctor suggested for your child who has a specific deficiency and can’t swallow pills and the only maker of the kids chewable of it sells on Amazon?
Should I just “take responsibility” and not give them the med?
…or maybe we should just be okay with criticizing the fucking trillion dollar company that gets to have a monopoly, and maybe think of other suggestions to give other than a “Ben-Shapiro tier” canned response. 😑
Oh gosh. Great 6 paragraph essay countering made up points I wasn’t making.
Choosing Amazon for a dr recommended medicine is definitely the same as choosing it for your coffee flavoring.
Nevermind the part where I said I also use Amazon.
My point is unless you are under duress, you are responsible for your actions.
Oh gosh. Great 6 paragraph essay countering made up points I wasn’t making.
Sorry to make you read so much?
Here…
Let me make a 4-paragraph response to that criticism specifically (since apparently when I do the internet thing of separating out some sentences to give certain thoughts some visual breathing room, that’s means it’s a big scary paragraph I guess.)
🤣 Perhaps I am mistaken, but I think (based on the other responses you got besides mine), your point seemed to be “don’t like it? Stop buying that thing b/c you don’t need it” rather than being something perhaps more prescriptive from a policy-proposal standpoint where you might accurately assign the blame to the giant monopolistic company who has a stranglehold on the space of digital marketplaces like “yeah we probably should break up Amazon” or maybe even just more helpful in a direct way like “here’s a link to a place you could buy that thing that I know about” instead.
Choosing Amazon for a dr recommended medicine is definitely the same as choosing it for your coffee flavoring.
The point I was making in response is that what the product IS matters NOT. The point was that a SINGLE COMPANY might be the only feasible place your average consumer could purchase said product - whether frivolous luxury sprinkles, or a niche but paramount healthcare need… is bad.
My point is unless you are under duress, you are responsible for your actions.
Disagreed due to poor framing. One of the reason we broke up monopolies in the past (but don’t anymore thanks to capital basically fully capturing any semblance of a working democratically elected government), was to eliminate the ability of singular entities - through the knowledge that they owned the ONLY way to get something - to exploit or price gouge on goods that consumers either want, but especially NEED.
Obviously my stupid caramel sauce is not a great example of a NEED, so you can disregard it, but my point wasn’t about stupid caramel sauce or other frivolous bullshit… it was about the fact that THERE ARE SOME THINGS NOW THAT YOU CAN ONLY REALISTICALLY FIND ON AMAZON and if THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE IT, THEY CAN FUCK YOU OVER HOWEVER THEY WANT.
“Don’t buy stuff” is a stupid fucking argument (regardless if it’s your banana slicer or your fat ass’s XXXXL diapers that your mom can’t buy anywhere else) - in the same way someone says “just sell your house if global sea rise causes it to flood there…” like how Ben Shapiro likes to do.
Assigning “personal responsibility” as a response to a SYSTEMIC problem is a stupid one.
Why are Americans fat?
Me : “Because we have more shitty foods literally lab-designed to maximize addiction, filled with additives that were made illegal in other countries, because we allow companies like Coca Cola and Pepsi to advertise to children and set up soft-drink machines in school common areas and cafeterias now have fast-food outlets in them, there is almost no public transit or walkable cities anywhere in the US nor safe biking lanes or even consistent side-walks - meaning a car is the only choice for many places Americans live - which means less traversal by foot, zero free time to cook healthy meals nor the larger incomes needed to afford things like fresh groceries, nor even access in some cases to nearby healthy food suppliers such as grocery stores vs gas-stations filled with lukewarm hot dogs and 5-hour energy drinks? All of which statistically can be linked to people in the US on average having a much higher-than-other-countries-with-similar-GDP average weight, increased rate of diabetes, and other tangential health problems.”
You : “No, stupid… it’s b/c Americans are big fat lazy cunts who love choco-bars and are unique to the world and like being fat.”
Ooops sorry - that’s like 30 paragraphs. Just forget reading it since that’s probably too hard. Probably because you hate reading… not because of any other factor. You just need to take personal responsibility.
UnderpantsWeevilBut how are people so basic.
I would like a thing. All retail commerce has been monopolized by a handful of big box storefronts. One of those storefronts sucks marginally less than the others, such that I can actually find what I want to buy and expect it to be delivered in a timely fashion.
But I shouldn’t shop there because… ???
Wonder why bad things continue to happen.
Damn, so true. We should never have quit shopping at Target Walmart Sears Wollworths. Now we live in Capitalist Hell and its all our own fault.
$1000 says you’re, at best, a college kid. Probably a teenager.
Why? People with actual life experience in this shitty system don’t make the personal responsibility argument because they’ve lived enough to know that’s bullshit.
I bet they’re in their early-20s and either are done with college or didn’t attend so they’ll respond with “HA. Wrong!”
I was going on buy some jack stands for my car and saw the exact same models from harbor freight or auto zone on Amazon. Even if you’re not trying to support Amazon, you can’t escape the slop products.
Amazon, in many cases, is not the seller. They are simply an online market. The reason you see the same products across multiple websites is because it is the same product. Doesn’t really have anything to do with shitty products although that’s what a lot of people do. They take advantage of Amazon’s monopoly on the market and sell products for hundreds if not thousands of dollars % mark ups. The reason it’s still cheaper on Amazon is because of the aforementioned price fixing.
I would like to remove the word “slop” from common speech for overuse. Sorry for your jack stand experience.
Hey pal, do not use shit stores for car work. You are endangering your life. Please get a proper jack from Napa or at least northern tool or something. Harbor freight is for pry bars and shit, not life saving equipment.
Get a carlyle Jack as well. Affordable and lasts a lifetime. Dont skimp.on anything hiding a car or an engine. I don’t care how poor you are. You will get hurt.
Okay. Here’s my story. I have been looking for a 4K 32 to 43 inch monitor for my PC. TV or monitor, I just wanted 4k 120hz minimum. Didn’t really care about IPS or VA panels. Both have their pro’s and con’s.
Si I ended up getting a Philips Google TV 43" 4K Gaming TV with native 144Hz refresh rate. The asking price from Amazon was 450 CAD. everywhere I looked online It was 50 bucks more OR they were the same price, but charged 50 bucks in shipping.
THAT’S why I use Amazon. IF I can find it cheaper elsewhere, I’ll buy it somewhere else. For me price is everything since I’m on a fixed income.
You’re not alone in that. A lot of people’s care for ethics ends where a good deal begins.
What you should know is that these companies offer these good deals for a variety of reasons, but usually involving shady or borderline illegal business practices in one way or another.
I understand you’re on a fixed income - I sympathize with that and I don’t want to be rude to a stranger - but is the deal on a particular item you want worth the cost of endorsing what these companies do and stand for?
That 50 bucks means I only eat rice for a week. I’ve done it before, but I do not enjoy it.
I don’t think I’m expressing myself clearly. I understand the fixed income part and what 50 bucks can do to a person’s living situation. No issue there.
On the front end of your decision, you’re starting with “I need X with Y and Z”. None of these variables are negotiable? The “need” isn’t negotiable? Or are they not as negotiable as the care for the company’s awful business practices?
The systemic issues are the primary concern, but it is worth thinking about and examining within ourselves. We are ill-equipped to make informed decisions prior to every purchase. However, once we know how a particular purchase supports degrading the world around us, where is the line we won’t cross for a good deal?
That’s needlessly insulting after I’ve been nothing but cordial with you. Me bringing up things that bring you discomfort to think about doesn’t mean I’m the bad guy here. Have a nice day, and enjoy your TV.
Clearly the latter. Don’t let this sour guy dampen your willingness to engage meaningfully on this platform!
I won’t let it get to me. I insist on trying to get people to question themselves and the world around them.
And to the point of the insult: I’m not on a high horse, as there is no perfectly ethical consumption under our current situation. I give money to companies who I can’t say are operating ethically. But we need to approach that and discuss that to develop our consciousness as a class. The “it was a good deal and I’m completely removed from it” is a thought-terminating sentiment that barricades us from developing our understanding of the world around us.
To their credit: there are a lot of people insulting them. Their brain views this entire thread as adversarial now. I forgive them, as they are me and I am you. Solidarity always.
No_Bark$50 is the difference between having to eat only rice for a week, but you absolutely NEED a gaming monitor thats 32-43 inches with 4K resolution and 120hz refresh rate?
The only person your justifying your continued use of amazon to is yourself, and you’re doing a poor job.
I’m not the one acting like a martyr because not buying my 4K 43 inch 120hz from Amazon would mean I’d starve and die from having to eat rice for a week lmao.
No. Your just acting like, because you’re not shopping Amazon, that makes you almost as good as Jesus.
BananaIsABerryThere’s no limit to the self righteousness of lemmy users. Common mentality around here.
Average Lemmy user 😅
Okay, but have you considered that Amazon is the reason prices are high?
Obviously, none of these other retailers had a hand in it.
Aren’t most people on a fixed income?
Is such a TV… necessary?
Have you considered saving some for a few months and then buy the TV?
Is such a TV… necessary?
Have you considered saving some for a few months and then buy the TV?
There are a lot of people online who think that 100% abstinence from The Bad is the only way to be good.
But if you can shift 10% of your former Amazon spending, do it. And keep looking for a way to get to 15%, then 20%, and so on.
Like, I’m probably never going to be a strict vegetarian. I love a good burger, or a nicely-cooked steak, or a big bowl of chicken and dumplings. But I eat vegetarian for more than 75% of my meals. And that’s good enough for me.
Aren’t most people on a fixed income?
No, most people are on broken incomes.
SnausagesinaBlanketNot to leave out they’re easy to return stuff too.
Same boat, I cancelled prime 5 years ago. My wife will activate for the holidays but I refuse to use it
I find the Amazon experience and prices to often be worse than elsewhere
Supposing the prices they charge are still less than what you would pay for the convenience of purchasing a product with no extra effort, why would you switch?
I have myself had aspirations to buy fewer things from Amazon. However. Even including stuff like this, I am happy to pay $10 extra to not have to dick around.
I hope Amazon has to pay money for this and that it hurts their business model, bit as a customer they are still scratching my itch 2 times out of 3.