I am so impressed with Amazon - Page 4

Isobel Archer · ‎04-04-2015

@NYCLatinaMe wrote:
Amazon needed NYC more than NYC needed Amazon. not sure why Amazon walking away from NYC would make the op sign up for Amazon prime, wonder about the op's motivation is in making this statement. I've been shopping Amazon for years and would have been happy to have them here, but not for billions of taxpayer funds. we have better uses for the money, let soeone else subsidize them.

You do realize that your $3 billion subsidy is in return for $27 billiion in corporate taxes - not to mention the additional workers' taxes and the other revenue they would bring NYC.

And the $3 billion is NOT money you HAVE that you were going to GIVE them, but rather a discount. So how, exactly are you going to "better use" this money you don't have - not to mention all the taxes you lost?

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

@Isobel Archer wrote:
@NYCLatinaMe wrote:
Amazon needed NYC more than NYC needed Amazon. not sure why Amazon walking away from NYC would make the op sign up for Amazon prime, wonder about the op's motivation is in making this statement. I've been shopping Amazon for years and would have been happy to have them here, but not for billions of taxpayer funds. we have better uses for the money, let soeone else subsidize them.
You do realize that your $3 billion subsidy is in return for $27 billiion in corporate taxes - not to mention the additional workers' taxes and the other revenue they would bring NYC.

And the $3 billion is NOT money you HAVE that you were going to GIVE them, but rather a discount. So how, exactly are you going to "better use" this money you don't have - not to mention all the taxes you lost?

@Isobel Archer

New York (CNN Business)Amazon hasn't paid any taxes to the US government in the past two years. Actually, Amazon received hundreds of millions of dollars in federal tax credits in 2017 and 2018.

That might seem nuts, considering Amazon is the third-most valuable company in the world and earned a record $10 billion last year. But critics of Amazon's tax bill aren't accusing Amazon of doing anything improper. "This is tax avoidance, not tax evasion. US tax code allows money-losing companies to reduce their future taxable income.

Amazon (AMZN) piled up billions of dollars in losses over its two-decade history. It posted $3 billion worth of losses during its first eight years as a public company. It swung between profit and loss since 2003. Its most recent annual loss was $241 million in 2014. But Amazon's total earnings have easily topped its losses — many times over.

Last year, Amazon benefited from an accelerated tax credit for equipment purchases, which was part of the corporate tax bill passed at the end of 2017. And the company has received research and development tax credits. So Amazon's federal tax bill came to a net credit of $129 million in 2018 after getting a $137 million tax credit in 2017. The company said in its most recent annual financial statement that it still has $1.4 billion in federal tax credits available to offset future tax bills.

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

Isobel Archer · ‎04-04-2015

During an interview on “Meet the Press,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio slammed suggestions that the city was giving Amazon $3 billion in exchange for building its new headquarters in Queens.

Amazon recently announced it would be pulling out of the deal after difficulties negotiating with lawmakers. This has prompted a mixed reaction, with many left-leaning individuals celebrating it as a win against corporate greed.

However, during the interview, de Blasio explained that the $3 billion did not already exist and would have come only after Amazon boosted the economy. Host Chuck Todd pointed out it wasn’t “money you had over here, and it was going over there.”

Isobel Archer · ‎04-04-2015

@Spurt wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
@NYCLatinaMe wrote:
Amazon needed NYC more than NYC needed Amazon. not sure why Amazon walking away from NYC would make the op sign up for Amazon prime, wonder about the op's motivation is in making this statement. I've been shopping Amazon for years and would have been happy to have them here, but not for billions of taxpayer funds. we have better uses for the money, let soeone else subsidize them.
You do realize that your $3 billion subsidy is in return for $27 billiion in corporate taxes - not to mention the additional workers' taxes and the other revenue they would bring NYC.

And the $3 billion is NOT money you HAVE that you were going to GIVE them, but rather a discount. So how, exactly are you going to "better use" this money you don't have - not to mention all the taxes you lost?
@Isobel Archer

New York (CNN Business)Amazon hasn't paid any taxes to the US government in the past two years. Actually, Amazon received hundreds of millions of dollars in federal tax credits in 2017 and 2018.

That might seem nuts, considering Amazon is the third-most valuable company in the world and earned a record $10 billion last year. But critics of Amazon's tax bill aren't accusing Amazon of doing anything improper. "This is tax avoidance, not tax evasion. US tax code allows money-losing companies to reduce their future taxable income.

Amazon (AMZN) piled up billions of dollars in losses over its two-decade history. It posted $3 billion worth of losses during its first eight years as a public company. It swung between profit and loss since 2003. Its most recent annual loss was $241 million in 2014. But Amazon's total earnings have easily topped its losses — many times over.

Last year, Amazon benefited from an accelerated tax credit for equipment purchases, which was part of the corporate tax bill passed at the end of 2017. And the company has received research and development tax credits. So Amazon's federal tax bill came to a net credit of $129 million in 2018 after getting a $137 million tax credit in 2017. The company said in its most recent annual financial statement that it still has $1.4 billion in federal tax credits available to offset future tax bills.

I'm aware that many don't like the idea of large corporations having any tax benefits whatsoever. It's "not fair" etc. etc. They shouldn't get subsidies/be allowed ot offset losses/ get credit for equipment purches or R&D etc.

However, in the NYC case, the city lost - period. Amazon is not hurt by this. And as to Federal taxes, I'm gald they are here in the U.S. and not in Mexico or China.

vacationday · ‎01-29-2019

Businesses expect "incentives" to relocate and or expand in a city with the expectation of gainful employment where jobs were once lacking. It happens everywhere.

Those who caused this end result may themselves be looking for a new job.

Foxxee · ‎10-03-2014

Generally, I like Amazon, particularly for books, but fear it's becoming a shopping monopoly putting others out of business.

I found they do not always have the lowest prices, and not totally honest. Sometimes, they will show only one product is in stock. As soon as it is purchased, they show another one in stock. That's a sales gimmick to get you to buy.

I don't like how they range price at times, say for shoes, some sizes, colors, and amount in stock, lower priced, some higher for the same manufacturer and style. It never fails my size and the color I want is never the lowest priced. It looks fixed.

Walmart is giving Amazon good competition. I receive everything within 2 days. Although, Walmart doesn't have a Prime, yet, purchase $35 and shipping is free.

Walmart has excellent customer service. A previous order arrived damaged. I immediately called Walmart. The gal was so apologetic and sent free replacements immediately. Received the next day around 5:00 pm!

Walmart ALWAYS sends a "How are we doing?" questionnaire after every purchase a few days after receipt. I filled it out, explained the situation in comment section. Gave a 1 star on packing. 4 hours later, around 9:00 pm, received a call from Walmart customer service wanting to know what happened. Again, she was very apologetic. She knew where the box had been packed and shipped. Said she was going to send my questionnaire to them.

She gave me $25 to use online or in the store.

I do receive product review requests, but no "How are we doing?" questionnaires from Amazon.

Other retailers give Americans jobs, too. If they go out of business or have to lay off, it's job loss. So, I don't shop at Amazon as much as I did in the past.

Sorry for the long dissertation.

corita · ‎08-20-2012

I shop with Amazon Prime, Wal Mart and others. I buy where product price, selection, variety are best suited to my needs. I do appreciate the rapid delivery from Amazon and Wal Mart. I like Amazon's Prime Pantry and their Subscribe and Save. Both programs have worked well for me.

Foxxee · ‎10-03-2014

@Lipstickdiva

Yes, your experience with the beach pants is similar to those I had at Amazon.

I have also seen prices change in an hour. When I'm checking on prices elsewhere, I may leave the Amazon page open. Sometimes when I go back, the price is higher. They know if someone looked at an item and/or didn't close the webpage. It can't be a mere coincidence Amazon decided to raise the price during that time because it happened too often.

I haven't seen these tactics anywhere else.

NYCLatinaMe · ‎01-14-2017

@Tyak wrote:
I don't care one bit that NYC isn't going to get Amazon but what amazes me is the cluelessness of the person behind the protests. She's the gift that keeps on giving.

@Tyak i guess it is easy to have an opinion without information. Amazon did not abandon the HQ2 in nyc project for the reason you are implying. what happened was that Amazon wasnot on the same page as oficiasl in the nys board that had to approve any subsidy. no federal official was involved. the person you don't like is savvy and knowledgeable and a gift to those she represents though!

NYCLatinaMe · ‎01-14-2017

@Isobel Archer wrote:
During an interview on “Meet the Press,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio slammed suggestions that the city was giving Amazon $3 billion in exchange for building its new headquarters in Queens.

This is correct, the subsidy was being povided by NYS in exchange for hitting job targets. NYC is not NYS, but I pay both taxes and don't want to pay for corporate welfare and to further enrich Mr Bezos. it would have been nice to see such a profitab;e company support our city paying for transportation and low income housing.