Anyone here taking a dislike against Amazon?

jetsonx

Let's face it Amazon are great.

Their selection is great. Their customer service is great (not that you'll ever need it). Their prices can be competitive.

But there is a problem. Amazon seem to want to dominate e-commerce across most consumer product categories. They have become a giant industrial cash sucking vacuum of ecommerce. This cannot be good or fair to other retaillers. The platform that is the internet, in theory at least, should be the most equitable marketplace ever invented. But that's not happening.

Is there anyone else here who now takes a ABA (anyone but Amazon) approach when buying on the internet?

Eleven Benevolent Elephants

jetsonx wrote: »

Let's face it Amazon are great.

Their selection is great. Their customer service is great (not that you'll ever need it). Their prices can be competitive.

But there is a problem. Amazon seem to want to dominate e-commerce across most consumer product categories. They have become a giant industrial cash sucking vacuum of ecommerce. This cannot be good or fair to other retaillers. The platform that is the internet, in theory at least, should be the most equitable marketplace ever invented. But that's not happening.

Is there anyone else here who now takes a ABA (anyone but Amazon) approach when buying on the internet?

I love Amazon too.

It's like having an entire shopping centre in the palm of your own hand.

The only issue I have is that they always delay the dispatch for Irish addresses, but it's not an issue for me as I usually use my UK address parcel Motel.

B.A._Baracus

Sad reality of business is dominate your competition and pound them into submission. When you get up to the top tier you don't care about the little guys as there's a very wide gap. It's business.

antimatterx

I have no issue if they take over every aspect of e-commerce. It's a great service, it's usually the cheapest place to purchase something and 2 say delivery with prime is incredible.

There's some places that expect you to wait up to 10 days for a package.

Greyfox

jetsonx wrote: »

Is there anyone else here who now takes a ABA (anyone but Amazon) approach when buying on the internet?

No, only stupid people would do this.

Ubbquittious

I've bought one thing off amazon ever because I couldn't get it elsewhere but the past 10 years or so I managed to avoid Amazon completely with little bother. It seems to me that people get hooked on Amazon out of convenience but all their stuff is available elsewhere. Lots of Chinese tat being re-sold on there you can also get on ebay or ali express , not that I use those two sites much either

That fcuker Bezos has too much money and there's real risk to giving him too much power. Once the smaller sites start to succumb to the competition we're in trouble but that doesn't seem to be happening yet

jetsonx

Greyfox wrote: »

No, only stupid people would do this.

So do you think in 5 years time if Amazon is the only game in town, do you think that's going to work out well?

CelticRambler

jetsonx wrote: »

Their selection is great. Their customer service is great (not that you'll ever need it). Their prices can be competitive.

But there is a problem. Amazon seem to want to dominate e-commerce across most consumer product categories. ...

Is there anyone else here who now takes a ABA (anyone but Amazon) approach when buying on the internet?

I've placed about a dozen orders online over the last month, four were from Amazon, three from AliExpress, the rest from retailers who either offered products that just aren't available on Amazon (the main reason), or where Amazon wasn't competitive in terms of price or quantity.

I have had to use Amazon's customer service a few times, and it is great, so that's one reason why I'll regularly go there first when looking for something that I need, and especially if I need it in a hurry.

Simon201

They must be great they named a rain forest after them

If 1/10th of what is said about the way,they treat their workers is true,



how could you not dislike them....at a certain point,the wrongdoings outweigh the good benefits/convienece to me anyway

endacl

Since they started doing their own deliveries, I generally have an item arriving within two days, with free shipping, and cheaper than I can find it anywhere else. Any time I’ve had an issue with a lost, damaged or otherwise problematic item, Amazon’s automated resolution system processed a refund after answering a few short questions.

I get the arguments against Amazon, but .... see above.

harr

Nothing stopping Irish shops selling products through Amazon, I use a few and it just me being lazy stopping me ordering on the shops Irish website.
For me Amazon is just handy , prime members have free delivery which often makes the price cheaper.
For example I was ordering a camera part last week €45 both on Amazon and in Irish shops but Irish shops were charging me a tenner for delivery. Better a tenner in my pocket than an post ..

strawdog

Simon201 wrote: »

They must be great they named a rain forest after them

Yep fair they named one after them considering must take a rainforest for all the packaging they create. Our shared bins are always overflowing with cardboard now when I go to put something in them

Fuascailteoir

They are a mess for the last two weeks.

ednwireland

other companies could learn from their returns. had an issue with a av sender unit . return label emailed (freepost) . sent back money returned within a few days.

Hyperbollix

It's hard to argue with Amazon's customer service..........in that you never have to argue with them. Any time there's an issue, you just go on chat, you get a person in under 2 minutes and before you've even described the problem they've either refunded you or issued gift credit for the item.

A couple of years back I ordered the VR headset for PS4 with no intention of keeping it, just wanted to try it out over Christmas. Got it delivered around the 20th December and went about returning it due to a "change of mind" a month later. No qualms, no quibbles, refunded the price of it before I even boxed it up and sent it back.

It's bad but it's so good too!

NSAman

Obviously different situation, but Amazon are not always the best or cheapest option. In the States, coupons, discount codes etc., mean Amazon are not always the best option.

Have to admit though quick delivery is enticing.

Gregor Samsa

The fact is that they do what they do very well, so of course they’re going to be successful.

I was looking to buy something recently, but I specifically needed it in a couple of days. I searched all the Irish online retail outlets for it. All of them were offering delivery “up to 14 days”. There’s no excuse for lead times like that for domestic Irish delivery - it’s an indication of not taking e-commerce seriously. In fairness, there are exceptions. Got next day delivery on a microwave from DID during the spring lockdown - they’d be my go-to for domestic appliances over Amazon, if I wasn’t buying in a local bricks-and-mortar. But their website looks absolutely awful. Same with Power City’s. Not everyone will endure a website that looks like a throwback from 2001.

There’s also plenty of stuff I’d buy straight from the manufacturer - the likes of Apple. Sonos, Adidas and Jack & Jones.

Musical instruments and equipment, I wouldn’t consider Amazon at all - I go straight to Thomann. That’s another area Irish retailers fall down badly in. They all have an online presence, but their range and stock levels are shockingly bad - there’s no way they can complete. Photography equipment I tend to go to specialist online retailers for.

As it happens, I work for a global e-commerce company (that isn’t Amazon, or eBay). We’re doing pretty good. We’re not a billion dollar company, but we power the stores for some pretty big enterprise names, have been around for over 20 years, and are still growing. There’s a good chance you’ve bought something through us at some point without even knowing it. Big and all as Amazon is, there’s plenty of room in the market.

And just wait until Alibaba decide to make a serious move on the European and US markets. While Amazon’s revenue is 4 times that of Alibaba, and their global reach much greater, they’re only ahead in operating profit by just over a billion ($14.1 billion vs $12.9 billion).

corsav6

Had to buy all the Xmas stuff for the kids and seen pictures of large queues outside Smyth's toystore so told the wife to go online and order them. Smyth's weren't taking online orders as they were too busy so went on Amazon and saved €60 for the same stuff.
I wanted to spend more local but Smyth's couldn't handle the surge in orders and Amazon could, and cheaper too.

Gregor Samsa

Yes, Smyths are another good example of an Irish store that just don’t take e-commerce seriously. It takes more than having a website.

Greyfox

jetsonx wrote: »

So do you think in 5 years time if Amazon is the only game in town, do you think that's going to work out well?

eBay will still be around. In 5 years time if they were the only 2 places I'd be happy as both sites are miles better than the competiton. I can't help it if both websites offer a superb experience.

Varik

I ordered a jacket that I wasn't sure size wise about off Amazon, it actually cost more than the same thing in a local shop that's close to me. I bought it entirely as I could be sure they'd make a return as easy as possible rather than fighting with someone in the shop.

Even not limiting it to Amazon, in 2020 and doubly so with all that's going on I don't get why some shop (even larger ones) don't have stock and prices online.

jetsonx

Greyfox wrote: »

eBay will still be around.

You think Ebay is the answer, yeah?

Church on Tuesday

Their delivery charge has shot up over the last couple of years.

never_mind

I try to support Irish businesses as much as I can but I ordered something on Friday night and it arrived this morning. Amazon are amazing, especially if you need something small like headphones. Amazing service and the new swipe to buy service is even better!

Esse85

Customer service is excellent on amazon.

I don't find their prices great to be honest. The convenience is that it's a one stop shop.

Sellers must find it tough selling on Amazon due to their returns policy.

Many of the cheap ear buds they sell are rubbish and I'd question many of the reviews. I'm sure they can be gotten cheaper elsewhere too.

When buying books I've often compared amazon with book depository and the latter wins 90% of the time.

completedit

Competitors are not Bezo's and Amazon's enemy, time is. Look at the old behemoths such as Nokia or Polaroid. Every dog has its day. Amazon force other companies to adapt and do things better. Time is not fixed. Amazon is better as it forces better innovation and practices and in the long run, benefits us as citizens.

I don't know what it means for our society though. It seems like the current forces are pushing us towards an evermore virtual existence. How will society react to this? Will we be happy to retreat or will we want a more real version of life?

AndyBoBandy

I’d buy a fair bit from Amazon, everything from smart lights to coffee beans to toilet paper....

As has been said, their customer service is excellent.

I once bought a pair of Crocs for my brother, and they turned out to be the wrong size, so I got onto Amazon about returning them, and they gave me the refund, and told me to just keep the incorrect size Crocs anyway!!

completedit

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

I’d buy a fair bit from Amazon, everything from smart lights to coffee beans to toilet paper....

As has been said, their customer service is excellent.

I once bought a pair of Crocs for my brother, and they turned out to be the wrong size, so I got onto Amazon about returning them, and they gave me the refund, and told me to just keep the incorrect size Crocs anyway!!

Sure what's another pair of ill-fitting crocs when you just have slave labour producing them anyway

Greyfox

jetsonx wrote: »

You think Ebay is the answer, yeah?

Why not, they also offer great prices and protect buyers.

tjhook

There are specific things for which my first port of call wouldn't be Amazon:

Kitchen Appliances: DID/Power City
Books: Book Depository / Kenny's
TV/Video: Richer Sounds
Clothes (I need/want to try them on!)

For most other things, I wouldn't even think to try Irish online stores. I'm too used to the "too expensive/slow / too little choice" situation with Irish retailers. What's sad is I'm not sure how valid those complaints are now (or will be in the future), But my habits are set.

Wabbit Ears

had my first negative amazon experience. bought a halloween costume, turns out was shipped from china. Didn't end up needing it as halloween basically didnt happen so went to return it. Seller first said sure I can use ait again another year and itll take to long to return, i said I still wanted to return it so they sent me a return slip to post back to china at my own expense. Dreading seeing how much this will cost when I drop into the post office tomorrow.

So need to be more careful that its a 'fulfilled by Amazon' because their sellers don't necessarily adhere to the same standards of no questions asked easy returns to a UK warehouse.

pgj2015

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

had my first negative amazon experience. bought a halloween costume, turns out was shipped from china. Didn't end up needing it as halloween basically didnt happen so went to return it. Seller first said sure I can use ait again another year and itll take to long to return, i said I still wanted to return it so they sent me a return slip to post back to china at my own expense. Dreading seeing how much this will cost when I drop into the post office tomorrow.

So need to be more careful that its a 'fulfilled by Amazon' because their sellers don't necessarily adhere to the same standards of no questions asked easy returns to a UK warehouse.

I bought a pair of expensive football boots on amazon lately, they started ripping after 3 wears. sent them back at a cost of 21 euro, got a new pair but sports direct haven't replied to my email showing the 21 euro receipt, sent it a week ago. a lot of products you buy on amazon are poorly made crap that falls apart soon after.

Gregor Samsa

That specifically sounds more like an issue with Sports Direct, TBH.

Capt'n Midnight

CelticRambler wrote: »

I have had to use Amazon's customer service a few times, and it is great, so that's one reason why I'll regularly go there first when looking for something that I need, and especially if I need it in a hurry.

From the margins they make they easily can afford it.

From the volume they buy and the dominance in the market they can force the suppliers to suck it up and take the hit.

the_syco

Eleven Benevolent Elephants wrote: »

The only issue I have is that they always delay the dispatch for Irish addresses, but it's not an issue for me as I usually use my UK address parcel Motel.

They used to around when COVID hit, but not so much anymore. For example, I ordered something 3am on Saturday, and it'll arrive tomorrow.

Ubbquittious wrote: »

It seems to me that people get hooked on Amazon out of convenience but all their stuff is available elsewhere. Lots of Chinese tat being re-sold on there you can also get on ebay or ali express , not that I use those two sites much either

I agree, but I can get it in a few days from Amazon for maybe 5% more, rather than having to wait a few weeks and possibly have to pay customs charges if ordering from China. If it's €20 or €30 more locally, I may buy it locally, but it's often €80 more expensive locally!

NSAman wrote: »

In the States, coupons, discount codes etc., mean Amazon are not always the best option.

100% agreed. But in Toronto, shipping from a store was very easy. Got stuff from Walmart sent with ease (item was never in stock in the store).

Church on Tuesday wrote: »

Their delivery charge has shot up over the last couple of years.

Prime pays for itself if you order a few things.

Oink

My understanding of Amazon is that its single purpose is to make money by any legal means necessary. They tolerate their staff only as long as they have to, until they have automated every possible corner of their operations.
They also invest $0.00 towards CSR unless they have to.
And they may eventually kill/cannibalize a major portion of our shops.

But yeah it’s convenient as fck.


Happy to be corrected on any of the above - maybe there is a soul in there somewhere.

LeBash

Ubbquittious wrote: »

That fcuker Bezos has too much money and there's real risk to giving him too much power. Once the smaller sites start to succumb to the competition we're in trouble but that doesn't seem to be happening yet

Too late for that. Their data scaling business is way bigger than the shopping platform. Scores of times bigger.

Amazon the shopping platform isn't something that gets to the top table meetings anymore.

pgj2015

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

That specifically sounds more like an issue with Sports Direct, TBH.

what im saying is the UK companies arent the best either.

Gregor Samsa

LeBash wrote: »

Too late for that. Their data scaling business is way bigger than the shopping platform. Scores of times bigger.

Amazon the shopping platform isn't something that gets to the top table meetings anymore.

This isn’t accurate.

Amazon’s own online stores accounted for $163 billion in revenue in the past year.

Marketplace - third party sellers using Amazon as a platform - accounted for $63 billion.

Amazon Web Services accounted for $40 billion in revenue.

Then there’s ad revenue/payment services, physical stores and subscription services making up $17, $17 and $22 billion respectively.

AWS is a big business, but e-commerce is still the main one by a long shot.


https://www.visualcapitalist.com/amazon-revenue-model-2020/

steves2

I've stopped buying through Amazon unless I can't find it from an Irish retailer, I want to support Irish business especially at this time. I think a few people are trying this in the current situation.

Capt'n Midnight

Oink wrote: »

My understanding of Amazon is that its single purpose is to make money by any legal means necessary. They tolerate their staff only as long as they have to, until they have automated every possible corner of their operations.
They also invest $0.00 towards CSR unless they have to.
And they may eventually kill/cannibalize a major portion of our shops.

But yeah it’s convenient as fck.


Happy to be corrected on any of the above - maybe there is a soul in there somewhere.

It's a large corporation and IMHO for most of them "legal" means sharp practice, denying anything is illegal and pay any fines out of operating expenses until they get hit with massive PR damage or punitive fines or top management face prison.

But Amazon do seem to go out of their way to exploit those they can. I have zero expectations of them not abusing a monopoly position.

I'm tired of seeing stuff on Amazon that's multiples of the price on Aliexpress :P

appledrop

I have no time whatsoever for amazon.

Anytime I've ever tried to buy anything end up with about 20 different suppliers of the item + then I have to waste time wading though all that looking for cheapest one + one who delivers to Ireland because half the time they don't!

Thought I would have to use them during 1st lockdown as my sons birthday + all shops closed + back then Smyths didn't do click + connect.

It was going to take a full month to deliver toys he wanted!

Thankfully saved by small shop in Ireland who delivered in 3 days + I sent them a lovely email to say thanks.

You can keep Amazon not for me.

mrpdap

jetsonx wrote: »

Let's face it Amazon are great.

Their selection is great. Their customer service is great (not that you'll ever need it). Their prices can be competitive.

But there is a problem. Amazon seem to want to dominate e-commerce across most consumer product categories. They have become a giant industrial cash sucking vacuum of ecommerce. This cannot be good or fair to other retaillers. The platform that is the internet, in theory at least, should be the most equitable marketplace ever invented. But that's not happening.

Is there anyone else here who now takes a ABA (anyone but Amazon) approach when buying on the internet?

I avoid buying on the internet as much as possible preferring to buy local.
However I bought two items through Amazon recently as there were no other options. In both cases I found the product on the www but fulfillment was done through Amazon.

3d4life

Anyone with an interest in what it was like a few years ago to be a seller on Amazon might find The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell of interest

kal7

Am supporting local and Irish, and EU, not a monopoly style player in market, and avoid US companies when I can.

You may miss the local shops when there gone

Ubbquittious

If you become a seller on amazon and your product does well, amazon themselves will try to find the Chinese supplier of said product and cut you out

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-scooped-up-data-from-its-own-sellers-to-launch-competing-products-11587650015

NewbridgeIR

Last Monday I decided to order an album from an Irish retailer on Discogs rather than give Amazon the business. Partly because of guilt trip hectoring from a neckbeard acquaintance who it turns out is friendly with the seller.

Paid for the item straight after the order.
Heard nothing until Friday evening when I got an “item unavailable - cancelled by seller” notification. There was a half-hearted message “sorry man, I sold the LP on Ebay last week and forgot to update the listing on Discogs”

Flakey b*stard.

Ordered it from Amazon yesterday and it’s shipped already.

pgj2015

Ubbquittious wrote: »

If you become a seller on amazon and your product does well, amazon themselves will try to find the Chinese supplier of said product and cut you out

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-scooped-up-data-from-its-own-sellers-to-launch-competing-products-11587650015

scumbags. that is probably the worst thing I have heard about them.

I only ever buy stuff from them with e-vouchers so I never actually give them my money.

harr

Just something that happened to me this week , loads of media telling everyone to order off
Irish stores .
I ordered a child’s toy , hand made wooden toy from a .ie website even had support small Irish businesses on website. Ordered something and when it arrived it had a big sticker hand made in Devon U.K and it was shipped from U.K. .. it turns out the company here in Ireland just order from this other company in U.K. with a fairly big mark up in price.

Jimbob1977

We complain about Amazon and sweatshop practices.

Yet we still want our cheap product yesterday.