General Discussion

ReverendDeuce

(1,643 posts)

54. Customers are changing as well, so don't blame Amazon...

Fri Nov 21, 2014, 01:09 PM

Nov 2014

On the Internet, I can research the product I want and make the most informed choice for myself. I can then purchase it at a competitive price from whomever I like. Frequently when I go into a local shop I suffer from limited choices, higher prices, and sales people that are bothersome and don't truly know their product. The sales people will push me into what they are selling that has the best margin for themselves.

Notice how many items on Amazon are not sold directly by Amazon, but by third parties using the Amazon storefronts. Others have the products drop-shipped by Amazon directly using Amazon's vast logistical resources.

I am surprised at how Best Buy and the like manage to stay in business. Their prices for large electronics and appliances are absurd. I have a 65-inch plasma TV I bought three years ago on Amazon because the local dealers wanted $1000 more than Amazon did. To hell with it!

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Highlight:

Amazon Is Crushing Main Street and Threatening the Vitality of Our Communities [View all] xchrom Nov 2014 OP

Walmart already screwed Main St... yourpicturehere Nov 2014 #1

There still IS a Main Street???? nt LiberalElite Nov 2014 #2

There is, but they are not selling socks and underwear. Adrahil Nov 2014 #11

small bookstores were on the way out before Amazon geek tragedy Nov 2014 #3

It ripped through an obsolete network of small retailers whose existance insured distribution HereSince1628 Nov 2014 #6

Bezos hadn't started Amazon, it probably would have been walmart.com doing this, nt geek tragedy Nov 2014 #7

Yes, remember pre-internet Sears and JC Penney cutting catalog sales??? HereSince1628 Nov 2014 #9

Good observations. Adrahil Nov 2014 #10

I gotta say... Adrahil Nov 2014 #12

and the universe of titles is only going to grow and grow geek tragedy Nov 2014 #13

Good post. cyberswede Nov 2014 #48

They certainly were! pipi_k Nov 2014 #51

I knew it had to be Alternet or Common Dreams.... brooklynite Nov 2014 #4

I also like the idea that when I shop at Amazon, yeoman6987 Nov 2014 #30

Not surprising that Latte Neoliberals brentspeak Nov 2014 #50

1) I drink cappuccino, properly made (latte is for wimps) brooklynite Nov 2014 #64

Amazon is great for the environment. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #5

Where I live pipi_k Nov 2014 #56

You can't order the tide to not come in. Adrahil Nov 2014 #8

Oh, like the outstanding online experience Sears offers? hatrack Nov 2014 #71

Of course not. You still have to do a good job. Adrahil Nov 2014 #74

Sears' problems, of course, approach the legendary at this point . . . hatrack Nov 2014 #79

Yeah, apparently required execs to read "Atlas Shrugs"... Adrahil Nov 2014 #80

Local businesses can still make a living if they give decent service. Vinca Nov 2014 #14

They Might Also RobinA Nov 2014 #20

A big amen to this. I also cannot count the number of times I've tried to Nay Nov 2014 #23

I should have also mentioned my last visit to a local shoe store. Vinca Nov 2014 #70

If you really want to look at what is killing brick and mortar businesses justiceischeap Nov 2014 #15

I remember a college friend owned a car audio shop in 1990 ileus Nov 2014 #19

Yeah, I think there are as many ways to kill businesses justiceischeap Nov 2014 #22

I think smartphones put the camera shop out of business tabbycat31 Nov 2014 #46

Thanks for helping to make my point :) justiceischeap Nov 2014 #52

I still have pipi_k Nov 2014 #57

cars killed the buggy business, the "dime" store killed the general store, GreatGazoo Nov 2014 #16

I think Walmart already took care of that - TBF Nov 2014 #17

+1 Blue_Tires Nov 2014 #39

How dare consumers shop how they want! TransitJohn Nov 2014 #18

When you have crazy people walking around carrying assault weapons into the stores Bandit Nov 2014 #21

oh my god n/t Scout Nov 2014 #26

lol. (nt) Inkfreak Nov 2014 #58

Online retailers, especially Amazon Ineeda Nov 2014 #24

i think i've only used amazon maybe 3 times for purchases. Scout Nov 2014 #25

funny article LOL, I like the ending the best- snooper2 Nov 2014 #27

You have it WRONG. As an e-seller let me fill you in on what is happening to people like myself. jillan Nov 2014 #28

Another week, another article like this Blue_Adept Nov 2014 #29

People decide these things. JNelson6563 Nov 2014 #31

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2014 #38

we liberals had to force the downtowns to do this-- librechik Nov 2014 #40

I don't think Amazon is going anywhere - but if you like having local bricks and morter stores el_bryanto Nov 2014 #32

Yes, and I heard that Video Killed the Radio Star, too. WillowTree Nov 2014 #33

And that darned horseless carriage killed the buggy whip! eom MohRokTah Nov 2014 #42

And what about pipi_k Nov 2014 #61

conveience becomes inconvenient olddots Nov 2014 #34

Get off my lawn!!! nt msanthrope Nov 2014 #35

The only thing on my Main St. is a bunch of thrift shops, lawyers, and inedible food. nt Ykcutnek Nov 2014 #36

we need a system that isn't entirely based on consuming and growth librechik Nov 2014 #37

Love my Amazon Prime. MohRokTah Nov 2014 #41

Ditto, Ditto, and Ditto. WillowTree Nov 2014 #45

Free two day shipping, yet pipi_k Nov 2014 #63

Amazon vs. Barnes and Noble XemaSab Nov 2014 #43

I personally think Amazon can coexist with Main Street tabbycat31 Nov 2014 #44

Amazon changed the way we shopped Godhumor Nov 2014 #47

Translation in Marxist terms: the bourgeoisie is killing the KingCharlemagne Nov 2014 #49

When I buy books on Amazon I usually buy used books. upaloopa Nov 2014 #53

Customers are changing as well, so don't blame Amazon... ReverendDeuce Nov 2014 #54

Between Amazon and WalMart, small business has been hurt badly. Paper Roses Nov 2014 #55

Alternate news: 1960's Bell Telephone says cell phones are killing their business. L0oniX Nov 2014 #59

People don't give a shit about small business PERIOD taught_me_patience Nov 2014 #60

OK so pipi_k Nov 2014 #67

I think it depends on the type of business tabbycat31 Nov 2014 #73

I think "main street" businesses are adapting cyberswede Nov 2014 #62

Local stores need to do a better job of getting information to customers csziggy Nov 2014 #65

Maybe it's time for Main Street to change. dilby Nov 2014 #66

Amazon allows 3rd party sellers (aka Main St). ecstatic Nov 2014 #68

I love Amazon. I love Amazon Prime. madfloridian Nov 2014 #69

Me, too. I disagree with some of their labor policies, however. closeupready Nov 2014 #72

Amazon and Etsy. And Abe Books. madfloridian Nov 2014 #75

Especially in the Holiday season. alphafemale Nov 2014 #76

Malls killed Main Street -- long before Amazon came along n/t nichomachus Nov 2014 #77

Amazon has a lot going for it, Broken_Hero Nov 2014 #78