Community Chat

[NYC Susan]

---

@Moonchilde wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@Moonchilde wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@Moonchilde wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@SeaMaiden wrote:

I recently( within the last 4 months) joined Amazon Prime.... NOW  I see why it is so popular... I can find almost everything I need... at a great price .... free shipping and get  the iitem(s) the same day I order in most cases.  Why wait  7 to ten days for something you can have NOW?

.  Yesterday I ordered two things in the morning and they were at my door by 6pm! I have  got to say it is going to be hard for other companies to compete with this free same day delivery.  I think people like the get it NOW Philosophy of Amazon.... and   The $99 I payed for the year  has long been payed for with all the free shipping and services I get with Prime.  

I held out for awhile coming from the old school of Boomers... but now  I SEE THE LIGHT!   

If  you have been holding out as I was for so long.. give the free trial month a try.  Why Not?

---

I hope you also see the light that with  AMAZON taking over every aspect of retail, many businesses will go under and people will be out of work.  

---

As long as Amazon gets me what I need (and BTW they are currently hiring 50,000 people), I'm not going to angst myself to death over doom-and-gloom "what might happen in the future." 

Businesses can get with the program - having a website, etc - or not. Businesses are closing in droves due to not having mdse available online. I'm not going to lay that solely in Amazon's lap. Business has had more than a decade to catch up. When people were all "OMG, mom & pop stores are closing, how criminally shameful!" I didn't see them refusing to shop at mainstream supermarket chains because they'd rather shop at a mom & pop grocery that had less than half the stock and the prices were half again higher. 

Are people going to volunteer to drive me (and others in similar situations) around through multiple counties in a 75-mile round trip for all that Amazon provides me? Who's first up?

---

This is not "what might happen in the future," it is happening now.  Perhaps if the existence of Amazon hurts YOUR income, you might think twice about it.  We can not all work for Amazon, and Amazon can not match the pay of those who lost their jobs and businesses due to the size and scoop of Amazon.

---

I strongly disagree that "the existence of Amazon" is totally responsible for all current and past retail woes. As I said above, businesses have had about 15 years to read the writing on the wall. If they haven't done something - anything - to compete, maybe their business should close. Staying competitive in some way, to some degree falls on the business owner. But yeah, I know - far easier and simpler to place all the blame on an entity that some love to demonize :-)

You have fun now, hear?

---

Excuse me, where did I state that Amazon was totally to blame for ALL the woes of retailers?  I am not demonizing Amazon. I occassionally shop there too.  I just want people to realize that someday, sooner than you may think, brick and morter stores may be a thing of the past.  Then you won't be able to go to a store, see what you want, and then buy it at Amazon.  And what if Amazon were the only place you could buy some things?  Then what?  Ahhhh -- they could raise their prices because they have no completion.

---

There are laws in this country to prevent monopolies. Free enterprise and competition are what makes us tick and always will. I don't see that disappearing. I don't see what you see as an inevitable, 100% foregone conclusion. I've never been a doomsday person about anything. YMMV :-)

---

I agree.

Amazon being "the only place you could buy some things" is not likely to ever happen.

[NYC Susan]

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

---

This is not "what might happen in the future," it is happening now.  Perhaps if the existence of Amazon hurts YOUR income, you might think twice about it.  We can not all work for Amazon, and Amazon can not match the pay of those who lost their jobs and businesses due to the size and scoop of Amazon.

@Puppy Lips

---

Retail stores have always been in a state of change, one way of another.

Major department stores like Macys and Sears haven't been able to keep up.  Most of America has embraced online shopping.  People don't want to spend time wandering the malls anymore, it's a waste of time an energy, much easier to view items online and hit send.

You can't blame Amazon, there are way too many other giants already, like Etsy and dBay.

Stores like Walmart have caught on and are competing with Amazon.

First rule of physics: The only constant is change.

---

Well Duh, I know all that.  But there are businesses, not just stores, that you are not even aware of that are hurt by Amazon, and there is not a darn thing that can be done about it.

@Puppy Lips 

---

Well duh, I guess you missed the message about change which suggests there just may be things that can be done about it.  CHANGE.  See what other businesses are doing, not everyone is going under.  Duh.

---

I'm just not understanding the logic behind blaming Amazon.  They strive to be the best company they can be, and they are certainly accomplishing that.  Jobs have been created for many, many people by Amazon, and a flourishing economy is good for everyone.

What they should do?  Dial it back?  Try NOT to be successful?  I'm sure many other companies have observed and learned from Amazon, and made changes that were helpful toward their own continued success.  The smart ones have learned that they need to keep up with the times.  Amazon is far from the only company that is doing  well.

[NYC Susan]

---

@haddon9 wrote:

I LOVE Amazon prime!  We've been members from when they first offered it...I can't remember how many years now and it's wonderfully convenient!  It just keeps getting better and we enjoy some of the shows as well.

Most of our orders arrive within 2 days...on the rare occasion it's arrived the same day and beats the competition by a mile!

---

I love Amazon, and I don't even have Prime.  Someday, maybe, but it's working for me just fine right now.  I always get packages very quickly.  I also like being notified when items on my wish list drop in price.  I comparison-shop constantly, and nearly always Amazon is the winner.

Their CS reps have great communication skills, and clearly have been trained well.  I've been buying from Amazon for years, and can count on one hand the times I've had issues, and those have been small ones, and easily resolved with replacements arriving the next day.

I do some freelance work, and occasionally compensation is in the form of gift cards.  I always ask for an Amazon card because I know I'll definitely be able to use it.  I also give Amazon gift cards to people who are hard to buy for - People of all ages always appreciate it.  (My 89 year old Dad sends books to me from Amazon all the time.  He was jealous when I told him that I had received a gift card for a large amount because he loves Amazon too!)  :-)

[Moonchilde]

I've never been someone who will make it a point not to shop somewhere or buy certain goods because I'm not "supporting the US" or "all (and only) small business in every way, shape or form.

I don't see either the practicality or the cost effectiveness of always shopping somewhere that is less convenient and costs me more money, or perhaps not buying something at all, because it wasn't made in the US or isn't Mr. Jones stand-alone butcher shop.

If I see an easily accessible product that says "Made in the USA" I'm happy to buy it - but not if it costs $20 more than the same item made in China. It's not my mission in life to subsidize others whenever and wherever just because someone else attempts to guilt me into it - and I don't feel bad or guilty about my purchases. I buy where the price and convenience are right.

If I can buy a TV at Sears for $500 and I can buy the same TV online for $350-$400, I'm not going to buy the $500 set to keep Sears from going out of business. Sears has to compete; so do mom & pop.

[Spurt]

---

@Mominohio wrote:

I'm one of the few here that isn't all that impressed with Amazon in general, so I won't be paying for prime anytime soon.

I've had wrong orders, lost orders, trouble getting refunds on lost orders (actually delivered to another state, and someone I don't know). They tend to ship Fed Ex, which I hate, as they leave the boxes in the driveway in the rain (we have a huge covered porch just ten paces up the front walk, but they can't figure that out). And when you order from a vendor on Amazon, forget any kind of customer service in resolving the problem.

If I want fast shipping I go to Walmart now for many things. Free, within two days, and no annual fee. 

---

@Mominohio

I'm not a member of the Amazon fan club either......had my credit card hacked (I have a card I use only for shopping and Amazon was the only purchase I made on that card in 5 months),   I had a bad experience with a vendor not sending me the named brand product he advertised in the photo and in the description, Amazon did nothing about it and my negative review explaining the issue was removed.   And didnt Amazon vendors get in trouble for paying people to write good  reviews in exchange for free products/services/cash which Amazon said they would stop..............    And lately I've heard more and more people (family/friends/co-workers complaining about the increase in prices on Amazon so its a good idea for people to comparison these days.........and complaints about working conditions of their employees too..

@And to your point @Puppy Lips   And Amazon is under the microscope some say it's getting too big for it's britches and there maybe a mandated breakup similar to what happened to the Bell Telephone Systems and the thought is Amazon could be broken up into several different companies in the future in the name of fair competition in the market place.........Stay tuned

[Spurt]

---

@Moonchilde wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@Moonchilde wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@SeaMaiden wrote:

I recently( within the last 4 months) joined Amazon Prime.... NOW  I see why it is so popular... I can find almost everything I need... at a great price .... free shipping and get  the iitem(s) the same day I order in most cases.  Why wait  7 to ten days for something you can have NOW?

.  Yesterday I ordered two things in the morning and they were at my door by 6pm! I have  got to say it is going to be hard for other companies to compete with this free same day delivery.  I think people like the get it NOW Philosophy of Amazon.... and   The $99 I payed for the year  has long been payed for with all the free shipping and services I get with Prime.  

I held out for awhile coming from the old school of Boomers... but now  I SEE THE LIGHT!   

If  you have been holding out as I was for so long.. give the free trial month a try.  Why Not?

---

I hope you also see the light that with  AMAZON taking over every aspect of retail, many businesses will go under and people will be out of work.  

---

As long as Amazon gets me what I need (and BTW they are currently hiring 50,000 people), I'm not going to angst myself to death over doom-and-gloom "what might happen in the future." 

Businesses can get with the program - having a website, etc - or not. Businesses are closing in droves due to not having mdse available online. I'm not going to lay that solely in Amazon's lap. Business has had more than a decade to catch up. When people were all "OMG, mom & pop stores are closing, how criminally shameful!" I didn't see them refusing to shop at mainstream supermarket chains because they'd rather shop at a mom & pop grocery that had less than half the stock and the prices were half again higher. 

Are people going to volunteer to drive me (and others in similar situations) around through multiple counties in a 75-mile round trip for all that Amazon provides me? Who's first up?

---

This is not "what might happen in the future," it is happening now.  Perhaps if the existence of Amazon hurts YOUR income, you might think twice about it.  We can not all work for Amazon, and Amazon can not match the pay of those who lost their jobs and businesses due to the size and scoop of Amazon.

---

I strongly disagree that "the existence of Amazon" is totally responsible for all current and past retail woes. As I said above, businesses have had about 15 years to read the writing on the wall. If they haven't done something - anything - to compete, maybe their business should close. Staying competitive in some way, to some degree falls on the business owner. But yeah, I know - far easier and simpler to place all the blame on an entity that some love to demonize :-)

You have fun now, hear?

---

@Moonchilde

Its not just Puppylips that feels that way..............cant go into details because the topic isnt allowed and neither are the links...but let's just say that there are certain "entities" taking a close look and some are pointing fingers at the "Mighty A" for retail closures which may result in several saller companies emerging from one gigantic entity...............

[Spurt]

---

@NYC Susan wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

---

This is not "what might happen in the future," it is happening now.  Perhaps if the existence of Amazon hurts YOUR income, you might think twice about it.  We can not all work for Amazon, and Amazon can not match the pay of those who lost their jobs and businesses due to the size and scoop of Amazon.

@Puppy Lips

---

Retail stores have always been in a state of change, one way of another.

Major department stores like Macys and Sears haven't been able to keep up.  Most of America has embraced online shopping.  People don't want to spend time wandering the malls anymore, it's a waste of time an energy, much easier to view items online and hit send.

You can't blame Amazon, there are way too many other giants already, like Etsy and dBay.

Stores like Walmart have caught on and are competing with Amazon.

First rule of physics: The only constant is change.

---

Well Duh, I know all that.  But there are businesses, not just stores, that you are not even aware of that are hurt by Amazon, and there is not a darn thing that can be done about it.

@Puppy Lips 

---

Well duh, I guess you missed the message about change which suggests there just may be things that can be done about it.  CHANGE.  See what other businesses are doing, not everyone is going under.  Duh.

---

I'm just not understanding the logic behind blaming Amazon.  They strive to be the best company they can be, and they are certainly accomplishing that.  Jobs have been created for many, many people by Amazon, and a flourishing economy is good for everyone.

What they should do?  Dial it back?  Try NOT to be successful?  I'm sure many other companies have observed and learned from Amazon, and made changes that were helpful toward their own continued success.  The smart ones have learned that they need to keep up with the times.  Amazon is far from the only company that is doing  well.

---

@NYC Susan

There have been a few news stories about the working conditions for Amazon employees........so I dont know about this "being the best they can be".......I see them advertise for jobs all the time here for a warehouse and it seems they do give excellent benefits but there's other aspect of employee treatment they arent so good at......

[NYC Susan]

---

@Spurt wrote:

---

@NYC Susan wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

---

This is not "what might happen in the future," it is happening now.  Perhaps if the existence of Amazon hurts YOUR income, you might think twice about it.  We can not all work for Amazon, and Amazon can not match the pay of those who lost their jobs and businesses due to the size and scoop of Amazon.

@Puppy Lips

---

Retail stores have always been in a state of change, one way of another.

Major department stores like Macys and Sears haven't been able to keep up.  Most of America has embraced online shopping.  People don't want to spend time wandering the malls anymore, it's a waste of time an energy, much easier to view items online and hit send.

You can't blame Amazon, there are way too many other giants already, like Etsy and dBay.

Stores like Walmart have caught on and are competing with Amazon.

First rule of physics: The only constant is change.

---

Well Duh, I know all that.  But there are businesses, not just stores, that you are not even aware of that are hurt by Amazon, and there is not a darn thing that can be done about it.

@Puppy Lips 

---

Well duh, I guess you missed the message about change which suggests there just may be things that can be done about it.  CHANGE.  See what other businesses are doing, not everyone is going under.  Duh.

---

I'm just not understanding the logic behind blaming Amazon.  They strive to be the best company they can be, and they are certainly accomplishing that.  Jobs have been created for many, many people by Amazon, and a flourishing economy is good for everyone.

What they should do?  Dial it back?  Try NOT to be successful?  I'm sure many other companies have observed and learned from Amazon, and made changes that were helpful toward their own continued success.  The smart ones have learned that they need to keep up with the times.  Amazon is far from the only company that is doing  well.

---

@NYC Susan

There have been a few news stories about the working conditions for Amazon employees........so I dont know about this "being the best they can be".......I see them advertise for jobs all the time here for a warehouse and it seems they do give excellent benefits but there's other aspect of employee treatment they arent so good at......

---

With a company as large as Amazon, there are certain to be stories of all kinds.  And I didn't say they were perfect.  I said they strive to be the best they can be.  That's what we're discussing - Other companies need to do the same.

Amazon clearly is very big on CS and has tried to excel in that area.  And they have been very successful.  There's a reason that so many people have responded well to what Amazon has to offer and there's a reason why it's doing so well.  They aim high and they're very proactive about reaching their goal of being the kind of company that gives consumers what they want.

[Spurt]

---

@NYC Susan wrote:

---

@Spurt wrote:

---

@NYC Susan wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

---

This is not "what might happen in the future," it is happening now.  Perhaps if the existence of Amazon hurts YOUR income, you might think twice about it.  We can not all work for Amazon, and Amazon can not match the pay of those who lost their jobs and businesses due to the size and scoop of Amazon.

@Puppy Lips

---

Retail stores have always been in a state of change, one way of another.

Major department stores like Macys and Sears haven't been able to keep up.  Most of America has embraced online shopping.  People don't want to spend time wandering the malls anymore, it's a waste of time an energy, much easier to view items online and hit send.

You can't blame Amazon, there are way too many other giants already, like Etsy and dBay.

Stores like Walmart have caught on and are competing with Amazon.

First rule of physics: The only constant is change.

---

Well Duh, I know all that.  But there are businesses, not just stores, that you are not even aware of that are hurt by Amazon, and there is not a darn thing that can be done about it.

@Puppy Lips 

---

Well duh, I guess you missed the message about change which suggests there just may be things that can be done about it.  CHANGE.  See what other businesses are doing, not everyone is going under.  Duh.

---

I'm just not understanding the logic behind blaming Amazon.  They strive to be the best company they can be, and they are certainly accomplishing that.  Jobs have been created for many, many people by Amazon, and a flourishing economy is good for everyone.

What they should do?  Dial it back?  Try NOT to be successful?  I'm sure many other companies have observed and learned from Amazon, and made changes that were helpful toward their own continued success.  The smart ones have learned that they need to keep up with the times.  Amazon is far from the only company that is doing  well.

---

@NYC Susan

There have been a few news stories about the working conditions for Amazon employees........so I dont know about this "being the best they can be".......I see them advertise for jobs all the time here for a warehouse and it seems they do give excellent benefits but there's other aspect of employee treatment they arent so good at......

---

With a company as large as Amazon, there are certain to be stories of all kinds.  And I didn't say they were perfect.  I said they strive to be the best they can be.  That's what we're discussing - Other companies need to do the same.

Amazon clearly is very big on CS and has tried to excel in that area.  And they have been very successful.  There's a reason that so many people have responded well to what Amazon has to offer and there's a reason why it's doing so well.  They aim high and they're very proactive about reaching their goals.

---

@NYC Susan

Employee conditions were backed up with facts............

And they undercut their competitiors but when their competitors start to fold,then they know they are one of the few retailers left so then they raise prices.....A grocery store here played that and is quite successful....but the customers are losers here due to lack of competition .............

And I didn't have several very good Customer Service experiences, but  I guess they strive to do that too.........

[NYC Susan]

---

@Spurt wrote:

---

@NYC Susan wrote:

---

@Spurt wrote:

---

@NYC Susan wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

---

@Puppy Lips wrote:

---

---

This is not "what might happen in the future," it is happening now.  Perhaps if the existence of Amazon hurts YOUR income, you might think twice about it.  We can not all work for Amazon, and Amazon can not match the pay of those who lost their jobs and businesses due to the size and scoop of Amazon.

@Puppy Lips

---

Retail stores have always been in a state of change, one way of another.

Major department stores like Macys and Sears haven't been able to keep up.  Most of America has embraced online shopping.  People don't want to spend time wandering the malls anymore, it's a waste of time an energy, much easier to view items online and hit send.

You can't blame Amazon, there are way too many other giants already, like Etsy and dBay.

Stores like Walmart have caught on and are competing with Amazon.

First rule of physics: The only constant is change.

---

Well Duh, I know all that.  But there are businesses, not just stores, that you are not even aware of that are hurt by Amazon, and there is not a darn thing that can be done about it.

@Puppy Lips 

---

Well duh, I guess you missed the message about change which suggests there just may be things that can be done about it.  CHANGE.  See what other businesses are doing, not everyone is going under.  Duh.

---

I'm just not understanding the logic behind blaming Amazon.  They strive to be the best company they can be, and they are certainly accomplishing that.  Jobs have been created for many, many people by Amazon, and a flourishing economy is good for everyone.

What they should do?  Dial it back?  Try NOT to be successful?  I'm sure many other companies have observed and learned from Amazon, and made changes that were helpful toward their own continued success.  The smart ones have learned that they need to keep up with the times.  Amazon is far from the only company that is doing  well.

---

@NYC Susan

There have been a few news stories about the working conditions for Amazon employees........so I dont know about this "being the best they can be".......I see them advertise for jobs all the time here for a warehouse and it seems they do give excellent benefits but there's other aspect of employee treatment they arent so good at......

---

With a company as large as Amazon, there are certain to be stories of all kinds.  And I didn't say they were perfect.  I said they strive to be the best they can be.  That's what we're discussing - Other companies need to do the same.

Amazon clearly is very big on CS and has tried to excel in that area.  And they have been very successful.  There's a reason that so many people have responded well to what Amazon has to offer and there's a reason why it's doing so well.  They aim high and they're very proactive about reaching their goals.

---

@NYC Susan

Employee conditions were backed up with facts............

And I didn't have several very good Customer Service experiences, but  I guess they strive to do that too.........

---

I didn't say the stories weren't true.  That wasn't my point at all.