I stopped shopping on Amazon years ago. Until Jeff Bezos pays his fair share of taxes. Instead, I flip the old practice and use Amazon to figure out what I want. Then I go to a brick and mortar store and buy it.
I think I'm gonna try using that tactic too. I don't shop in Amazon a whole lot and I am a naturally skeptical person. Whenever I see "MASSIVE SAVINGS" my brain cannot avoid thinking "Are they _really_ ? What were the prices _before_ those supposed 'savings' and how do I know you aren't price gouging me? Oh wait I can't know for certain so I'll look elsewhere. Is it really massive "savings" if I buy something that I didn't originally plan on buying just because the price seems to have gone down?" I bought a studded bike tire to get through winter and I bought from a local bike shop, they deserved my money even though I did end up spending a little more going there than if I were to get one off of Amazon. Well worth the extra $30 or so.
Sadly, it was like fining them a penny on a thousand dollar transaction. They don't give a FUGG, baby! 😂🤣😂 You cannot stop the combine of greed; everyone who isn't uber-wealthy will get ground into mulch. That's capitalism for ya. The one with the most monopolies "wins". Just like the children's game! And what a bloody terrible thing that game TEACHES kids, eh?!
@@Novastar.SaberCombatthe creator of Monopoly intended it as a warning against unchecked capitalism, and it was published with two sets of rules, the ones we play by today and one where all players benefited from property acquired and rent charged. Parker Brothers did away with the second set of rules when they began marketing the game.
how were they ever allowed to take over the phones anyway...??? those phones now they call burners, cuz ppl don't want you I'm they bee's wax...of age when didnt need (g) to make calls & text... or pre~download apps on when purchased. you would choose whatever ya wanted to, not them...🤦♀️🤨🤦♂️ only probably once a month any of these devices leave the home, only one reason. do not take these anywhere just going out, no. don't walk around the home w/ them, only in one room...too much invasion of privacy & don't appreciate it..
The part that is really annoying is that so many people in rural areas have few choices for brick and mortar alternatives. The number of times local stores have not carried what I need is endlessly frustrating.
@clarissathompson - I buy everything through eBay. I sell on eBay as well. I stopped selling on Amazon when I realized that, while I might sell a book that I originally purchased for $15.00, for $5.00, Amazon bases their commission on the *original price that I paid for the book.* Personally, I think that's unethical, deceptive and just plain wrong. Once I found that out, then I stopped selling things on Amazon. Furthermore, the many Chinese sellers are not distinguished from USA sellers so if you have a problem with a Chinese seller - well, good luck getting that resolved! While eBay has that problem as well, you can (and I have) complained to eBay about that and they mostly try to fix the problem. They don't always succeed, but they try.
@@MelissaThompson432 however, for those of us that live outside the US, frequently there are few alternatives simply because they won’t ship to our countries.
Amazon provides options that the local marketplace cannot these days, and you cannot get into an automobile accident shopping at Amazon. As someone once said about hunting wild game - Did you ever see a person accidentally shoot themselves at the supermarket meat counter? For someone who lives in Canada, Amazon provides access to products I simply cannot get locally or nationally with the certainty of a delivery date. I often order from Home Depot too rather than go to the store - its cheaper than going in person if you want to contiue working. Amazon is just a part of our culture and mannerism now.
Not going to lie- Amazon helped us out so much when we had a baby and needed diapers all the time. That being said, I am concerned by how people feel “entitled” to convenience. We’re not renewing our membership once it runs out and have gone back to buying almost all of groceries at Union supporting or local grocery stores and farmers markets instead of Whole Foods. It makes me happy that GenZ prefers brick and mortar shopping over online- a Barnes and Noble is opening near us which feels like a good sign. Thanks Robert Reich for always keeping us informed.
This could easily be called: How Walmart is Ripping You off. They use the same tactics. Eliminate all the competition within an area and then raise the prices as no one is left to compete with. Producers are forced to sell to Walmart at what Walmart deems to be their fair price or Walmart just won't sell your product.
The competition Copy/Pastes the assumed wrongly to be best example industry lead. All the Coming to America "McDowels" assume its the playbook. Its not, its familiarity and proximity to consumer. It should be a return to save up for big purchases, spend a little more for local doing it right, paying solvent wages on entire labor chain, and the money you spend, literally flows right back to your interests and the people in your own community. Best most reliable and personal service quality too. Nobody in Albequrque cares when Bugs get lost at Waxahachie. When they cant afford to live in either place.
@@jefferson92929 and there lies the problem. The people that care about employees so much arent employers. so go be an employer or shut the phuck up about what others do
@@coralie9469 there's a good blog post on this topic on the personal finance site B*tches Get Riches that includes a lot of reader suggestions in the comments for alternative retailers. Google "stop feeding Amazon" and it should come up.
I've heard that some independent sellers on Amazon also get screwed by the company making a worse Amazon Basics version of what they sell, and undercutting them out of the market. Also yeah, no online retailer should also control a game streaming service (Twitch), have its own TV/movie production studios, own another movie studio, web hosting services (AWS) and all the other things they control that give them a de facto monopoly. It should be forcibly broken up/required to sell off all of these things.
Walmart used to do the same thing ...until the consumers got wise to them. What inferiorated the shoppers is the fact that the prices at the local Walmart were raised & that they were selling items that are MADE IN CHINA !
This is what companies do! Market monopoly is the desired goal of every company. Anti-trust laws should disallow this but laws are nothing without enforcement. Anyone who uses Amazon as their only source is making a big mistake. It literally pays to comparison shop.
Thank you, Robert. As an individual in America, it is hard to see how insidious the practices of big business are. I definitely feel the need to avoid Amazon, especially after seeing this video.
The problem in rural communities is there is no place to shop. In my town Walmart ran out Kmart, J.C. Penny, and who knows what other stores, leaving it the only option. So, we turn to online shopping and while I'm sure what you are saying is true, the one thing Amazon does is make it easy to shop. I try to but other places, but on my limited income I must select the cheapest place possible. Often times, regardless of what is said, Amazon is the least expensive option.
I find Amazon to be cheaper then Walmart if with the shipping added and like you said i live in rural community and the nearest store is 60 miles away also when my brake caliper went out i couldnt drive but Amazon had it here the next day so leave them the he// alone !
Somebody is tripping. I buy photography supplies. I remember when I had run here and there to get what I needed. Wasting time, gas, etc. Amazon stopped all of that plus cheaper prices, more options, and always in stock.
I don't have any trouble avoiding Amazon. I live in a town of 1700, and I'm 15 miles from even the closest Wal-Mart, which I also don't patronize. I live on less than $1000/mo. It just depends on where your morals meet the road.
@@Childfree_ForeverA pre owned disk copy of a game is easily 15 dollars on Ebay or GameStop, whereas it is 40+ on Amazon. Also when I replaced my laptops battery, it costed almost twice as much on Amazon as it did at an electronics store nearby. Sounds like you should check out more options if you want actual deals. I see my friends wayy overpay for products on Amazon all the time
Who needed to destroy the private book store market exploiting return policies and delivery speed comparisons made through sabatoge? Amazon acts like you owe your professions value, be made socially negligent, because cheap and automation disposable labor, serves convenience that is never sated or can ever truly value human effort. Go unions. Take the means of production at advertising points.
Find another job? I don't know. That is terrible and I am sorry for you. At the same time, am I going to pay bus fair, use up massive amount of time shopping and pay more to buy what my family needs on our limited income to reduce a dollar that can be spent crushing unions. No. Sorry. If that makes me a total sh*t, yeah, sorry.
@@iche9373 Reengage Anti-Monopoly law to REQUIRE businesses to pay wages financially greater than solvency in every area business is done. If not taxed & equivocal greater than losses, fined, to no tax debt. OR City, County, State, or Fed government simply imminent domain/civil forefeiture seize properties AND copyright brand technology AND profits made that CAUSED tax debts. While simultaneously stimulating competition businesses with seized business properties AND seized tax shelters.
I’m a regular Amazon shopper bc it’s so damn convenient. We are also Prime members. BUT, here’s my frustration: When I do go to b&m stores, I often find it difficult to find products on the shelves that I used to easily find. Since the pandemic, I don’t think the stores put as much as much on the shelves. I’m not gonna drive all over town to find my fave face cream or deodorant. So even though I find Amazon very convenient and often cheaper, but not always, I would LOVE to see some REAL competition. One of these days, I think the gov (if we can maintain our fragile hold on democracy) will have to break up Amazon as a monopoly. They’ve gotten too big, too strong and too abusive in their sales and marketing practices.
Same! I’ve cancelled my prime membership only to start it again the next month. Amazon makes online shopping so darn convenient and the products I’ve come to use and love, I can’t find at my local stores. It’s a catch 22.
Why stop at Amazon though? There’s plenty of monopolies out there hurting the little guys. Once you open up Pandora’s box there’s no going back and closing it. Our Government being too involved in the regulating of the private sector could quickly turn us into the next China.
Try asking stores to start carrying the products you like. Many stores have order request and product recommendation forms. I've had some success with it; good luck!
I agree on every point but I do believe that Amazon is not the only company that is playing the Monopoly game. Walmart / Sam's club, Target and Walgreens have done the same thing but Amazon learned from their mistakes to beat them at their own game. It was always sad to watch a store close because Walmart moved in down the street receiving tax breaks that allowed them to not pay local taxes for 5 to 10 years. These companies all leech on America's assisted living programs.
Yes, all these big-name companies behave this way. The nature of a company, inherently in capitalism, is anti competitive. This is why we need strong anti-monopoly legislation, to protect competitors from being pushed out of business, especially those smaller, locally owned businesses. Capitalism unchecked will not stay capitalism as all the wealth shifts into the hands of the few. Too many people have been trained to shudder at the word "regulation", but that's part of what's necessary to fix this.
@@zoyadulzura7490 I almost agree with you 100% BUT...... I believe we need accountability. When a state leeches 98% of it's economy from the federal government, which it's party only makes up 29% of the total USA economy, than makes the comment that the government should be shrunk and stop the illegal immigrants, which contribute $11 billion in taxes and $300 billion in spending while using less than 5% of the USA resources. Illegal immigrants contribute more than the bottom 11 states do in taxes and spending which 9 are Republican states. We allow companies to go out of business and we need to do the same for states. I do believe in investing in states, Colorado 23 years ago was one of the bottom states that leeched 93% of it's economy from the federal government but is now the top 3 states for growth and is now number 14 in the bottom 25 states. Colorado only leeches 81% of it's economy. Yet we have other states that do not improve and continue to leech more than half their economies while complaining about socialism. The bottom 25 states leech a minimum of 74% up to 98% of their economies from the federal government. 21 of those states are Republican states. Every single recession, highest unemployment with more companies going out of business while growing the economy at 2.3% versus liberals 3.6%, for the last 43 years have been caused by Republicans. The highest deaths due to unnatural causes, Afghanistan / Iraq 4.5 million and COVID-19 1.13 million, and yet no one was held accountable.
I try to use Amazon as my last resort when I cannot find things in person or online at other stores. I needed to buy work slacks a few weeks ago and not one of the many stores that carry cloths had pants in my size!! And trying to see goods in person before buying them is starting to feel impossible. The prevalence of online shopping has just made a worse shopping experience all around I feel. It is great that it exists for those who aren't capable of in person shopping but it shouldn't come at the expense of consumer choice and agency.
I have become accustomed to looking on Amazon before I go to a brick and mortar store. The convenience is unparalleled. I will start making an effort to use Amazon less. The only problem is that it's not just Amazon. Every corporation is on the monopoly train and apparently our laws to prevent things like this get superseded by cold hard cash on the back end. I'm impressed that this country can make me incredibly proud to be an American, while also making me disgusted.
I have NEVER ordered anything from Amazon. I found out years ago how crappy they treat their warehouse workers and I decided to not give them my money. Why others do support them is beyond me.
They make their money from AWS (cloud computing), not online retail which loses billions for them yearly. It's basically impossible to boycott them. Nearly every single website you've visited since 2006 is hosted by AWS. Even if you never visit Amazon, you are helping give them money. They also own things like Twitch and IMDb.
You’re saving $150 a year and not feeding an evil corporate Goliath. Their competitors probably aren't better, but a lot of people offer free fast shipping if you buy a certain amount of product.
me neither. after a snarky person told me i must continue using an account of my ex spouse as they would not let me set up a separaye one after divorce. sounds like the 60s??? it was in year 2000 at least maybe later. and no i cpuld not talk to anyone else. case closed. i was told i cpuld go elsewhere or buy under prev acct. i went elsewhere 25 yrs ago. no regrets either.
I would if local stores were more accommodating and had what I wanted, especially overseas (there are Amazon marketplaces abroad) where the norm is to haggle at some cash-only establishment.
As a disabled person who can't shop in person I started relying on Amazon years ago. I wish I didn't have to. I try to buy from small businesses whenever possible but with disability poverty I also can't afford higher prices so I have to go with retailers who move larger volumes of products to get their paltry discounts. Many of the small businesses who can't offer free Prime shipping just get squashed out. Add in the "flavor-flation" of companies tweaking their recipes to use cheaper ingredients rather than raise costs (yes, this is a thing, and it's prevalent- you aren't imagining your snacks & food don't taste as good or have a different texture now), and I never feel like I'm getting my money's worth on anything. It's demoralizing. Citizens United was the worst decision for all American citizens except for the 1%. We must break up these giant monopolies and let the fair market return.
I’m in my upper 60’s and saw this becoming a problem as big corporations gobbled up all the mom and pop stores! Less competition means they can pretty much charge what they want because you can’t get it easily anywhere else!!
May i add - why doesn't anyone mention their newest tactics where you can't even find the question you posted on a product? You get emailed that nobody could answer your Q. Then, when you wish to delete and repost your Q, in the hope a new batch of informed people can help, it's nowhere to be found! That is pure socialism & subterfuge! And why did they zap the helpful comments area a few years ago? That, too, was/is socialism!
Yup. I'm an independent (and award-winning) author, but I deliberately never listed my books on 'Zon nor GR. I've been absolutely *DESTROYED* because of it. Literally dozens upon dozens of trolls, stalkers, scammers, psychos, and other wackos have attacked me, flagged me, reported me, and essentially made me nearly 100% invisible. It's been incredible to see how far humanity will go to destroy itself. The sheer irony of all this is that one of the thematic underpinnings of my entire series is none other than REFLECTION. Stay classy, humanity. :/
@@Novastar.SaberCombat I'm skeptical that people were harassing you for not listing on Amazon rather than for the content of your books or some other behavior...
I had a book regarding how Walmart moves in and strip minds the communities. All the Ma and Pa stores close and once they make "enough" money they pull up their stakes and leave. I live in a small rural community and when Walmart went super Walmart many businesses closed, now they are getting ready to close. I have been going to second hand shops for clothes most of my life. Our house style is hand me down from friends or we pick up at second hand stores.
This is true. I had to stop selling on amazon because the fees to amazon to be found and eligible for prime took all the projected profit. Some succeed, but it's brutal.
I refuse to shop on Amazon for many years now, I only buy from individuals and local stores if possible. However, sometimes the pkg comes from Amazon anyway, which bothers me greatly. And I always attempt to buy local, tho that's often a challenge bc I live in a rural area wo much access to local stores. I also refuse to support Walmart, which makes it even harder to find items locally. Amazon and Walmart are aspects of the Borg, and I attempt to not support their gobbling up all the local stores. Thankfully I don't buy much, but finding what I do need is getting ever more challenging. Thanks as always, Robert, for your clear expose.
Thank you Robert Reich…I do not shop Amazon. Have forwarded this podcast to my family members who simply would not listen up as to why they should abandon Amazon Prime etc… I’m 82 and shop local in the Napa valley where it is already way too expensive for me to survive on my small budget…Hopefully they will get smarter!!! Still voting Blue💙🇺🇸🙏✨🌞
Hats off to you, for having the drive/motivation to seek out brick-and-mortar alternatives to online shopping. We're only in our 70s, but are often too lazy to shop locally.
I live extremely rural and the only way to get things are to order them online. ALL online websites make you create an account. At least with amazon, I don't have my email clogged with 7 million sales emails.
I switched from brick and mortar to Amazon years ago, glad I did. Never had an issue returning an item, fantastic customer service. I say good riddance to crappy service, not returns, and far higher prices.
A much more egregious problem than Amazon in California is the state government there which passes all sorts of extra costs onto the consumer and costs you a lot more than Amazon ever will. So I'm not at all impressed with your boycott of Amazon since you evidently support something much worse.
The thing that kinda put me off of Amazon was their anticompetitive nature. I was looking for a certain item, and every retailer had the same price, except Amazon. The Amazon price was much lower than other retailers. So I reached out to one of the other retailers and this was the response I got: "Amazon is violating their dealer contract for selling [redacted] products below their proper price. [Redacted] will cancel contracts and fine everyone else for violating the dealer agreement, but Amazon always gets a pass. Doesn't seem right, does it?" Amazon has so much leverage that they can get away with breaking manufacturer rules. The other option is for those manufacturers to take their products off of the largest online market, which they obviously don't want to do. I asked the other retailer for a $20 discount which would have just covered the taxes on the $180 item (still more than the Amazon listing with the discount), and they did so without question. Amazon screws smaller retailers and even physical stores. I went around looking for shoe laces, SHOE LACES, and all of the stores in town, including specialty stores, had limited options, so I had no choice to buy online to get what I was looking for. Heck Amazon.
Nearly quit all Amazon purchasing. I found out I was paying for items available near my home, shipped out through this mega monopoly. The seller was less than 2-3 miles away.
Essentially, every unethical, exploitative, 'maximize profit without consideration regarding harmful consequences' decision made by company executives are REWARDED! Many people complain about BIG government but they ignore the fact that our only leverage to is keep creating legislation and regulations to mitigate the harm which they continue to do.
@@tchkvsky Consumers also have the vote and can vote for politicians who enact consumer protection policies. You don't just have to vote with your wallet. Of course people are going to choose the cheapest thing, especially when these most companies are paying people lower and lower wages (when accounting for inflation). However, if something that should cost $50 is also selling for $30, consumers have no way of knowing if the seller selling it for $50 is merely overcharging or if that extra cost is paying their employees better, following better practices for the environment, using higher quality materials, etc. Good government regulation protects companies that are trying to be good from being undercut by companies with no morals.
Sadly as more and more brick-and-mortar stores close shop there won't be any other alternative. Some people in areas already have no alternative. A few people abandoning Amazon in the U.S. is not enough to make a dent. Change will have to come via regulation or legislation.
that's my situation. The drug stores around here have mostly closed up shop, and the one still open doesn't sell much of anything. Whole Paycheck and Safeway are equidistant from us, but Safeway often has higher prices! It's a mess and needs to be dealt with by government who allowed all this to happen in the first place, not consumers.
Reich has a point about monopolization, but I don't think he's right on pricing. Amazon is successful not because they've duped people into paying higher prices, but because of the exact opposite: their prices are typically lower than other places. Not across the board, of course, and not at all times, but I've comparison shopped a ton of stuff over the past couple of years b/c I saw some things skyrocket in price on Amazon during the pandemic. Probably 90% of the time, Amazon still has the best price. Peoples' dollars, on the whole, will flow to where the greatest value can be found (where "value" isn't solely limited to "price").
@@this_epic_name that’s the point, they have the lowest prices until you have no other choice sometime in the near future if they get their way unopposed.
Should be noted, online retail isn't the main source of Amazon's profits (it loses billions on retail), it's cloud computing, AWS is bigger than Google and Microsoft clouds combined. Nearly every single website you've visited since 2006 is hosted by AWS, and lots of world governments heavily rely on it. It's basically impossible to boycott Amazon even if you never visit Amazon itself. Government action to break them up is the only solution at this point.
@@this_epic_name low price and convenience USED to be the reason to shop at Amazon. But now, with so many janky fly-by-night brands and inferior quality of goods, i'm starting to shop at specific retailers now for quality over perceived affordability. Amazon quality is like Wish or Temu now. Complete junk.
@@TheFrandall that’s the next level. But intrinsically, as soon as money enters the equation there is no purity of intention. Many people evolve around business, business everything. But not everyone. I’m glad to see there is still real altruism among some.
It's Xmas 2023 and I only started using Amazon 6 months ago, I live in Europe. I gotta say that I only buy things that I need and everything I bought there was considerably cheaper than everywhere else I looked.
The things I buy on Amazon are usually less expensive than I can get locally. The selection is far better. And the service - delivery to my door saves me far more time and money. Until that changes they have done a great thing for consumers.
I must buy what I need online because I am unable to leave my home to shop. I try very hard to shop with merchants directly rather than Amazon. Amazon has two things that they do better than others. 1. They have a larger selection, and the quality is usually better. 2. The delivery is fast and reliable.
Don't feel bad about shopping on Amazon. I certainly don't. They are cheaper, they are faster, they have just about anything we need, and they offer more services.
Items showing up at my house in a few days at decent prices is a life saver for a guy on fixed low income with no vehicle. Amazon and wal mart saved me when I could not walk at all.
They have a great business model in that sense, because it's a service that is really needed for some people. It's just that they're getting so greedy now that they have a lot of unfair practices.
@@thinking7667 it’s your fault for letting your government get taken over by Rome. Hard to blame a company operating in a country with no laws other than rich do anything they want. If we had laws and authorities we could tax their income and enforce labor regulations
Consumers are not stupid as implied here. Before an Amazon purchase is made, a common consumer looks around, finds a product cheaper at Amazon, considers time, fuel and wear & tear saved, and makes the purchase. As for the businesses selling on Amazon, well, stop selling there if they’re unhappy with Amazon policies. I’m an Amazon prime member and a business owner too. I see nothing wrong with Amazon’s business and/or consumer polices. Some of us will hunt for and find something to complain about..
To everybody saying that nobody should use Amazon - a lot of people don't have a better choice or another choice at all, which is part of the point. Delivery of essentials, groceries, items that'd be more expensive elsewhere are some of the reasons. Blanket statements like that don't take into consideration different situations that people are in.
On a related note, I find most knitting and quilting supplies on amazon are the same price or occasionally _more_ expensive than the brick & mortar quilt & yarn shops.
I used to sell as a third party merchant and the fees went up every year. Another reason prices are so high is that a third party seller has to make enough to cover the fees or will owe Amazon money. They also use your sales numbers to decide whether to carry the same products as you, and when they do, the will undercut you and destroy sales on the item. I used FBA and had entire shipments of my products stolen. For awhile Amazon was my best customer because they had to reimburse me for the items that were "lost". The trick to beating them was to create bundles because you didn't have competition, and that meant that Amazon couldn't low ball you on your lost items. It eventually got so bad that I asked for a refund of my FBA fees because of the incompetence by the warehouse, plus the fees were just outrageous and growing more unaffordable as time went on.
but amazon is my favorite store and it's so convenient, and lately they've even been beating walmart on prices. And... they have the easiest, most customer friendly return policy. And... they maintain a record of all transactions for easy lookup and warranty use. Sorry, I don't think I'll be stopping shopping at amazon anytime soon.
Good points. Additionally, the company has tax deals overseas, like in Europe, where they pay only a fraction of the tax that local companies are due. Talk about unfair competition.
I live in a very rural area. Amazon has enabled me to get products that are not available where I live. While I’m disgusted by their practices, I get more benefit by using them.
Same here. I would happily take another option if it were available. We just need the government to do some actual monopoly busting instead of just giving it lip service.
Yes, that's an aspect no one ever brings up. Some folks live in areas where the alternatives are few and far between. It's the entire reason mail-order became a thing in the first place.
Same here too. But why does nobody ever mention their newest tactics where you can't even find the question you posted on a product? You get emailed that nobody could answer your Q. Then, when you wish to delete and repost your Q, in the hope a new batch of people can help you, it's nowhere to be found! That is pure socialism & subterfuge!
@@aaronscholl9560You should contact the products manufacturers you rely upon directly, and cut Amazon out. Monopoly busting is consumer dillegence first, not simply something convenienced oriented to indifference. Whats closest to you, invest in your neighbors biz acquiring those goods and delivering them. Uber is just A ride share company. Not the only transport in town.
@@vroitwyrd If you researched and called the brand name on your chainsaw, you might have gotten it done all the sooner, without Amazon fiction writing.
I understand all your cogent points, but I have to say... most consumers (buyers) are motivated by price, convenience, and availability. When I (as most others) go on the Amazon site, it's easy to navigate, find what I want at a gret price, and have it delivered very quickly. That's the bottom line. If other companies rise to that benchmark, then I will (and do) happily patronize them (instead or also).
I remember in the 1980's the break up of Ma Bell and anti-trust lawsuits against companies for price fixing, even giving the consumer restitution. The anti - trust laws were created during the Guilded Age by public demand to break up the oil and railroad monopolies to name a few, which they did. There is a twisted "anything goes" now these past couple of decades at the consumers' expense. Free Enterprise is part of a democracy and creates a higher standard of living - you can't have a democracy without it.
@@iche9373 You don't have to nationalize it. You just have to break it up into smaller companies. The US used to do that when a house only cost twice the median yearly income. Now it 4 times, which is why we have homelessness. Break up the corporations and we will be back to being able to buy homes and goods at reasonable prices.
@@littlebitofhope1489 A state should always nationalise infrastructure like roads, trains, metro, power plants etc. Amazon is a part of the infrastructure. So You gotta nationalise it.
Don't know why it took soo long to find Mr. Reich channel on youtube.... Especially since I have known about him since his stay in pwoer during the 1990s. Ok well, glad to have found such an honest and useful source of information and knowledge.
I always try to buy directly from the retailer first, and only order from Amazon when the b&m store doesnt have it, and I can't order it from their website either. The trouble is, a lot of things I regularly need aren't sold in the store or on the store's website. So, I use Amazon for many consumer goods like my special allergenic toothpaste, because I'm allergic to mint flavoring. Or the laundry product that actually removes blood stains, or the reproduction hardware I need to replace broken knobs on furniture. Things that I can't find in stores. I really hate the way Amazon has usurped mom and pop, as well as the suppliers who make and distribute these items. But I also really appreciate the ability to order things and have them delivered instead of driving all over town, burning up gas, and wasting time looking for stuff that I already know I won't find. As with so many things nowadays, we just need for our government to step in and demand fair taxation from companies that are making trillions on the backs of workers. And then use that money for the betterment of all of us.
It would certainly help the social programs in this country if we made them pay their fair share of taxes too! Then the repubs wouldn't have the ability to continuously threaten to cut Social Security or WIC etc., and we could even have affordable Health Care, can you imagine?! Just like the Civilized Countries in the World.
Except that's not how it works. Federal taxes DO NOT FUND Federal spending. Only state/local spending is funded by taxes. The real reason to tax the everliving fuck out of evial ass corporations/rich people, is to take away their hugely inequitable share of political power, in other words, take away their ability to buy to the government.
Make them pay? Good luck when the politicians they lobby/bribe are the ones that have to do it and won't go against they're own revenue stream that pays WAY more than their federal salary. How do you think people like Pelosi become millionaires while earning a federal salary?
I live in a area where there are a number of smaller retailers, food stores. We make it a point to try and find things that we can buy there for fear that without them we are truly at the behemoths mercy.
not just that; but note too how they will use oversize boxes to ship items in; this consumes and wastes space in delivery trucks increasing the carbon cost on our environment
The economy of scale is what allows Walmart and other big chains to offer all that variety delivered to your door. A local shopkeeper would have trouble leaving the store even if their fleet was as cheap as a teenager on a moped.
Sometimes you just can't find what you see on Amazon at any store around you. Canned goods an shirts are easy to find. Specialty items that you never even knew existed until you saw them online? That's a big reason i shop on there. As well as i can't afford gas money and 2 hours of time to do a trip for house hold items. Financially it doesn't make sense for me to put miles on my vehicle or be stressed from the long trip. And yes,i realize it puts storesout of business,but money talks and i save a ton shopping online an waiting for things to go on sale as i check the site daily It is what it is.👍
@@oceanlives4915the gold standard? You don't have a clue. The gold standard means anyone in the world can exchange dollars for gold at any time. The only way you can maintain it is if you have a trade surplus. Nixon had no choice but to take us off the gold standard, because the trade surplus turned into a deficit. The government just didn’t have enough gold to support all of the dollars flowing overseas. Otherwise, he would’ve had to go to Fort Knox and put up a “for sale” sign. The place would’ve been emptied in weeks---and the dollar would’ve tanked. That’s why so many other countries have tried and abandoned it. The gold standard also doesn’t allow for enough flexibility in monetary policy.
@@oceanlives4915 Yes,i have never understood how our concept of a dollar bill being worth a dollar if we don't have any gold to back it up for each new dollar printed. Never made sense to me. Now we just print money at will.🤷♂️
I do shop around first. I look if can find used, then I look at other online sites (depending on what I need). If I need to buy from Amazon, I put it in my cart and then wait or remove it (sometimes the price will drop). As for Walmart, sometimes you can find items cheaper, but to get free shipping (it has to be $35 or higher, the total price of all items). But the price is the same as in the store, so I am saving time/money in gas/mileage on car having to go to all these stores. Overall I save a LOT of time/money shopping online. Before I would spend HOURS a week driving around to various stores, trying to find an item I needed (and I didn't have time to compare prices).
I don't buy anything online because you have nobody to take it back to if it doesn't work. Besides, by going into a store I get to ask questions and say hello to the sales person. You can generally get the catalog of almost every store online, even restaurants.
I agree with all you're saying, but I know many seniors who don't drive and can't shop out in the world, so they use Amazon for the convenience it offers. They save money driving or taking car services to shop and carry, and are too old to drive. What should they do?
Thanks Robert, I have cut my dependence on AMAZON and quit them cold turkey, due to their degradation of services and poor customer help (and the ever increasing costs). Your video puts the period on that act.
@realam......astute observation. The corrupted politicians installed in offices these day LOOK THE OTHER WAY and keep collecting corporate donor-dollars inexchange for lobbyists writing corporate friendly, pro-monopoly, congress-enriching legislation. They USED TO protect citizens, but now put profits over people.
If you live in a major urban area, you dont need Amazon Prime. Your packages will get to you way faster than dates listed for non prime free shipping. 2-3 days max if the item is not on back order.
Over half of Amazon is smaller 3rd party sellers. I run a small business and we sell 90% of our sales come through Amazon. We have a great team that’s livelihoods all depend on Amazon. They have been a blessing for us.
Personally had an experience that I’m sure many others have had. I wanted to purchase 2 pairs of work boots but bought just one to try them out before buying the 2nd pair. I received the boots, liked them and decided to order another pair. As I recall it was around 2 days later that I went to Amazon and found that the same boots were around 50% higher. I asked a friend to get on Amazon a check out what the price was on her account. She found the initial lower price. Need I say more?
A few years ago, it was cheaper to buy products from Amazon’s US store (I’m in New Zealand). It’s cheaper now to buy the same products in New Zealand from local online stores.
I cancelled my prime membership and stopped shopping on Amazon last year and have found the process of buying from local brick and mortar stores to be more fun and satisfying.
remember how hard it must hv been to pour all that tea in the ocean after its 3000 trip to boston? couldnt buy it from amazon back then. now we have monopolies.
I also noticed that items that I regularly purchased would go up in price, sometimes as much as $5 or $6. When I stopped purchasing them, the price would return to,it's lower price.
This information about Amazon and others should be broadcasted on all media platforms so consumers would make informed decisions. Congrats to Biden administration. Vote blue again.
The majority of people I've known over the past 30+ years *LOVE* 'Zon. They adore it. They'd never stop purchasing from it. Not even if their own family members were being ripped off (which they obviously have been, lol). That's just how it goes.
@JoseLopez-tk4tq Sounds like u have thrown in the towel...that is what all the corporations want...to wear us down & go the easy way out...the American spirit is broken & taking the easy way out!
I’m not saying Temu is “good,” but I’ve had to order from them enough to learn that Amazon is making a killing on most of those random Chinese products. Many things on Temu are 10% to 25% of what is charged on Amazon.
I live in a small town where there are two dollar stores and that is it. The closest Wamart or regular retail store of any kind is over an hour away, so Amazon may be ripping you off, but it is saving me.
I stopped shopping on Amazon years ago. Until Jeff Bezos pays his fair share of taxes. Instead, I flip the old practice and use Amazon to figure out what I want. Then I go to a brick and mortar store and buy it.
I think I'm gonna try using that tactic too. I don't shop in Amazon a whole lot and I am a naturally skeptical person. Whenever I see "MASSIVE SAVINGS" my brain cannot avoid thinking "Are they _really_ ? What were the prices _before_ those supposed 'savings' and how do I know you aren't price gouging me? Oh wait I can't know for certain so I'll look elsewhere. Is it really massive "savings" if I buy something that I didn't originally plan on buying just because the price seems to have gone down?" I bought a studded bike tire to get through winter and I bought from a local bike shop, they deserved my money even though I did end up spending a little more going there than if I were to get one off of Amazon. Well worth the extra $30 or so.
Just nationalise Amazon!
very smart..
Yup!! I'd rather see my goods in person.
If you have a brick and mortar store nearby. That's great.
Google just lost an anti-trust lawsuit. Amazon must be put through the courts.
Sadly, it was like fining them a penny on a thousand dollar transaction. They don't give a FUGG, baby! 😂🤣😂 You cannot stop the combine of greed; everyone who isn't uber-wealthy will get ground into mulch. That's capitalism for ya. The one with the most monopolies "wins". Just like the children's game! And what a bloody terrible thing that game TEACHES kids, eh?!
@@Novastar.SaberCombatthe creator of Monopoly intended it as a warning against unchecked capitalism, and it was published with two sets of rules, the ones we play by today and one where all players benefited from property acquired and rent charged. Parker Brothers did away with the second set of rules when they began marketing the game.
Just nationalize Amazon in the name of the commonwealth
how were they ever allowed to take over the phones anyway...???
those phones now they call burners, cuz ppl don't want you I'm they bee's wax...of age when didnt need (g) to make calls & text... or pre~download apps on when purchased. you would choose whatever ya wanted to, not them...🤦♀️🤨🤦♂️ only probably once a month any of these devices leave the home, only one reason. do not take these anywhere just going out, no. don't walk around the home w/ them, only in one room...too much invasion of privacy & don't appreciate it..
Agree!!!
The part that is really annoying is that so many people in rural areas have few choices for brick and mortar alternatives. The number of times local stores have not carried what I need is endlessly frustrating.
@clarissathompson - I buy everything through eBay. I sell on eBay as well. I stopped selling on Amazon when I realized that, while I might sell a book that I originally purchased for $15.00, for $5.00, Amazon bases their commission on the *original price that I paid for the book.* Personally, I think that's unethical, deceptive and just plain wrong. Once I found that out, then I stopped selling things on Amazon. Furthermore, the many Chinese sellers are not distinguished from USA sellers so if you have a problem with a Chinese seller - well, good luck getting that resolved! While eBay has that problem as well, you can (and I have) complained to eBay about that and they mostly try to fix the problem. They don't always succeed, but they try.
I always do an online search. I find either what I want or something I like even better.
@@MelissaThompson432 however, for those of us that live outside the US, frequently there are few alternatives simply because they won’t ship to our countries.
Amazon provides options that the local marketplace cannot these days, and you cannot get into an automobile accident shopping at Amazon. As someone once said about hunting wild game - Did you ever see a person accidentally shoot themselves at the supermarket meat counter? For someone who lives in Canada, Amazon provides access to products I simply cannot get locally or nationally with the certainty of a delivery date. I often order from Home Depot too rather than go to the store - its cheaper than going in person if you want to contiue working. Amazon is just a part of our culture and mannerism now.
@@gregorymacneil2836 Staples is also very good for speed of shipping.
Not going to lie- Amazon helped us out so much when we had a baby and needed diapers all the time. That being said, I am concerned by how people feel “entitled” to convenience. We’re not renewing our membership once it runs out and have gone back to buying almost all of groceries at Union supporting or local grocery stores and farmers markets instead of Whole Foods. It makes me happy that GenZ prefers brick and mortar shopping over online- a Barnes and Noble is opening near us which feels like a good sign. Thanks Robert Reich for always keeping us informed.
In 1990s Barnes & Noble were mega stores putting favorite indie book sellers out of business. Seems it just keeps going round.
Wait...it runs out?
@@tkomla exactly
"We have the best government money can buy." Mark Twain
This could easily be called: How Walmart is Ripping You off. They use the same tactics. Eliminate all the competition within an area and then raise the prices as no one is left to compete with. Producers are forced to sell to Walmart at what Walmart deems to be their fair price or Walmart just won't sell your product.
And the mouth breathing knuckle draggers who hate china, buy all the chinese junk they hawk at wally world. lol
I agree. Sale prices at Vons are much lower than the "Great Values" at Walmart! Plus, they have a MUCH greater choice of products.
The competition Copy/Pastes the assumed wrongly to be best example industry lead.
All the Coming to America "McDowels" assume its the playbook.
Its not, its familiarity and proximity to consumer.
It should be a return to save up for big purchases, spend a little more for local doing it right, paying solvent wages on entire labor chain, and the money you spend, literally flows right back to your interests and the people in your own community.
Best most reliable and personal service quality too.
Nobody in Albequrque cares when Bugs get lost at Waxahachie.
When they cant afford to live in either place.
I will added , if Walmart don’t get the profits . They closed the store and leave the town.
Amazon is far worse than Walmart.
Thank you, Mr. Reich. Your contributions to the betterment of the world are sincerely appreciated.
Can we get a 6 month update?
I gave up my Amazon addiction earlier this year. I don't like how they treat their employees, and now to learn about this.
why dont you hire those employees?
@@SgtJoeSmithbecause I’m not an employer
@@jefferson92929 and there lies the problem. The people that care about employees so much arent employers. so go be an employer or shut the phuck up about what others do
I have grown accustomed to the ease of ordering from Amazon. As of today - that will change. Thank you Robert.
Me too sadly, so could someone share some alternatives on the internet, please?! It seems they all take advantage at some level!
@@coralie9469 Electronics from New Egg or Microcenter.
@@coralie9469 there's a good blog post on this topic on the personal finance site B*tches Get Riches that includes a lot of reader suggestions in the comments for alternative retailers. Google "stop feeding Amazon" and it should come up.
I used to sell books through Amazon. I made about $3000 in a year or two. These were books I just had on shelves.
I've heard that some independent sellers on Amazon also get screwed by the company making a worse Amazon Basics version of what they sell, and undercutting them out of the market.
Also yeah, no online retailer should also control a game streaming service (Twitch), have its own TV/movie production studios, own another movie studio, web hosting services (AWS) and all the other things they control that give them a de facto monopoly. It should be forcibly broken up/required to sell off all of these things.
Yes bring back REGULATION for corporations!
Walmart used to do the same thing ...until the consumers got wise to them.
What inferiorated the shoppers is the fact that the prices at the local Walmart were raised & that they were selling items that are MADE IN CHINA !
@@KiraReminiec9399 they still sell items made in China, Honduras, Japan, Thailand - its all imported goods
@@BluePatriotWinner IMPROVE on the previous models weakness too because AT&T was SMALLER and better paying before its monopolization break up.
Amazon also has one of the largest cloud operations in the country and many government services are serviced by Amazon.
This is what companies do! Market monopoly is the desired goal of every company. Anti-trust laws should disallow this but laws are nothing without enforcement. Anyone who uses Amazon as their only source is making a big mistake. It literally pays to comparison shop.
Thank you, Robert. As an individual in America, it is hard to see how insidious the practices of big business are. I definitely feel the need to avoid Amazon, especially after seeing this video.
The problem in rural communities is there is no place to shop. In my town Walmart ran out Kmart, J.C. Penny, and who knows what other stores, leaving it the only option. So, we turn to online shopping and while I'm sure what you are saying is true, the one thing Amazon does is make it easy to shop. I try to but other places, but on my limited income I must select the cheapest place possible. Often times, regardless of what is said, Amazon is the least expensive option.
You are right. I don't know what he is talking about when he says Amazon jacks up prices. I have never found that to be true. Amazon is the cheapest.
I find Amazon to be cheaper then Walmart if with the shipping added and like you said i live in rural community and the nearest store is 60 miles away also when my brake caliper went out i couldnt drive but Amazon had it here the next day so leave them the he// alone !
Somebody is tripping. I buy photography supplies. I remember when I had run here and there to get what I needed. Wasting time, gas, etc. Amazon stopped all of that plus cheaper prices, more options, and always in stock.
I don't have any trouble avoiding Amazon. I live in a town of 1700, and I'm 15 miles from even the closest Wal-Mart, which I also don't patronize. I live on less than $1000/mo. It just depends on where your morals meet the road.
@@Childfree_ForeverA pre owned disk copy of a game is easily 15 dollars on Ebay or GameStop, whereas it is 40+ on Amazon. Also when I replaced my laptops battery, it costed almost twice as much on Amazon as it did at an electronics store nearby. Sounds like you should check out more options if you want actual deals. I see my friends wayy overpay for products on Amazon all the time
For me it's personal as a warehouse worker. Every dollar spent at Amazon is a dollar spent crushing unions.
Who needed to destroy the private book store market exploiting return policies and delivery speed comparisons made through sabatoge?
Amazon acts like you owe your professions value, be made socially negligent, because cheap and automation disposable labor, serves convenience that is never sated or can ever truly value human effort.
Go unions. Take the means of production at advertising points.
Find another job? I don't know. That is terrible and I am sorry for you. At the same time, am I going to pay bus fair, use up massive amount of time shopping and pay more to buy what my family needs on our limited income to reduce a dollar that can be spent crushing unions. No. Sorry. If that makes me a total sh*t, yeah, sorry.
Just nationalize Amazon in the name of the commonwealth
@@iche9373 Reengage Anti-Monopoly law to REQUIRE businesses to pay wages financially greater than solvency in every area business is done.
If not taxed & equivocal greater than losses, fined, to no tax debt. OR City, County, State, or Fed government simply imminent domain/civil forefeiture seize properties AND copyright brand technology AND profits made that CAUSED tax debts. While simultaneously stimulating competition businesses with seized business properties AND seized tax shelters.
@@smrt-appl-sauz-kid If only other vendors participated in online shopping…
Imagine if Amazon were publicly owned and had their goal to work for the public benefit rather than shareholder profits...
I’m a regular Amazon shopper bc it’s so damn convenient. We are also Prime members. BUT, here’s my frustration: When I do go to b&m stores, I often find it difficult to find products on the shelves that I used to easily find. Since the pandemic, I don’t think the stores put as much as much on the shelves. I’m not gonna drive all over town to find my fave face cream or deodorant. So even though I find Amazon very convenient and often cheaper, but not always, I would LOVE to see some REAL competition. One of these days, I think the gov (if we can maintain our fragile hold on democracy) will have to break up Amazon as a monopoly. They’ve gotten too big, too strong and too abusive in their sales and marketing practices.
> They’ve gotten too big, too strong and too abusive in their sales and marketing practices
I remember reading a similar statement in 2014
Same! I’ve cancelled my prime membership only to start it again the next month. Amazon makes online shopping so darn convenient and the products I’ve come to use and love, I can’t find at my local stores. It’s a catch 22.
Why stop at Amazon though? There’s plenty of monopolies out there hurting the little guys. Once you open up Pandora’s box there’s no going back and closing it. Our Government being too involved in the regulating of the private sector could quickly turn us into the next China.
Try asking stores to start carrying the products you like. Many stores have order request and product recommendation forms. I've had some success with it; good luck!
@@jacksparrow2351 touché.
I agree on every point but I do believe that Amazon is not the only company that is playing the Monopoly game. Walmart / Sam's club, Target and Walgreens have done the same thing but Amazon learned from their mistakes to beat them at their own game. It was always sad to watch a store close because Walmart moved in down the street receiving tax breaks that allowed them to not pay local taxes for 5 to 10 years. These companies all leech on America's assisted living programs.
Yes, all these big-name companies behave this way. The nature of a company, inherently in capitalism, is anti competitive. This is why we need strong anti-monopoly legislation, to protect competitors from being pushed out of business, especially those smaller, locally owned businesses. Capitalism unchecked will not stay capitalism as all the wealth shifts into the hands of the few. Too many people have been trained to shudder at the word "regulation", but that's part of what's necessary to fix this.
@@zoyadulzura7490 I almost agree with you 100% BUT...... I believe we need accountability. When a state leeches 98% of it's economy from the federal government, which it's party only makes up 29% of the total USA economy, than makes the comment that the government should be shrunk and stop the illegal immigrants, which contribute $11 billion in taxes and $300 billion in spending while using less than 5% of the USA resources. Illegal immigrants contribute more than the bottom 11 states do in taxes and spending which 9 are Republican states. We allow companies to go out of business and we need to do the same for states. I do believe in investing in states, Colorado 23 years ago was one of the bottom states that leeched 93% of it's economy from the federal government but is now the top 3 states for growth and is now number 14 in the bottom 25 states. Colorado only leeches 81% of it's economy. Yet we have other states that do not improve and continue to leech more than half their economies while complaining about socialism.
The bottom 25 states leech a minimum of 74% up to 98% of their economies from the federal government. 21 of those states are Republican states. Every single recession, highest unemployment with more companies going out of business while growing the economy at 2.3% versus liberals 3.6%, for the last 43 years have been caused by Republicans. The highest deaths due to unnatural causes, Afghanistan / Iraq 4.5 million and COVID-19 1.13 million, and yet no one was held accountable.
@@mral6809it needed to be said. Thanks
Blame your city leaders for the tax breaks. That's why schools are failing and property taxes go up because it's all on the backs of the residents.
It's silly to believe that 100% of corporate taxes are not passed on to consumers.
I try to use Amazon as my last resort when I cannot find things in person or online at other stores. I needed to buy work slacks a few weeks ago and not one of the many stores that carry cloths had pants in my size!! And trying to see goods in person before buying them is starting to feel impossible. The prevalence of online shopping has just made a worse shopping experience all around I feel. It is great that it exists for those who aren't capable of in person shopping but it shouldn't come at the expense of consumer choice and agency.
That's how it should be used as a last resort. Support local sellers first.
I don't do Walmart but do eBay Poshmark😊 for clothes yes amazon is convenient for me but not clothes.
I have become accustomed to looking on Amazon before I go to a brick and mortar store. The convenience is unparalleled. I will start making an effort to use Amazon less. The only problem is that it's not just Amazon. Every corporation is on the monopoly train and apparently our laws to prevent things like this get superseded by cold hard cash on the back end. I'm impressed that this country can make me incredibly proud to be an American, while also making me disgusted.
I have NEVER ordered anything from Amazon. I found out years ago how crappy they treat their warehouse workers and I decided to not give them my money. Why others do support them is beyond me.
Where do you buy @? It's almost all monopolies now.
@@kenfarley957
BE VOCAL SHOP LOCAL......
They make their money from AWS (cloud computing), not online retail which loses billions for them yearly. It's basically impossible to boycott them. Nearly every single website you've visited since 2006 is hosted by AWS. Even if you never visit Amazon, you are helping give them money. They also own things like Twitch and IMDb.
That's true. Delivery drivers and warehouse workers are treated as garbage.
I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE BRICK AN MORTOR STORES ARE ALMOST ALL GONE..!!!
Three weeks ago I cancelled my Prime membership as a Christmas present to myself. Santa came early, this year!
You’re saving $150 a year and not feeding an evil corporate Goliath.
Their competitors probably aren't better, but a lot of people offer free fast shipping if you buy a certain amount of product.
you must feel so virtuous...
Never once used amazon......
BE VOCAL SHOP LOCAL ✊
me neither. after a snarky person told me i must continue using an account of my ex spouse as they would not let me set up a separaye one after divorce. sounds like the 60s??? it was in year 2000 at least maybe later. and no i cpuld not talk to anyone else. case closed. i was told i cpuld go elsewhere or buy under prev acct. i went elsewhere 25 yrs ago. no regrets either.
I would if local stores were more accommodating and had what I wanted, especially overseas (there are Amazon marketplaces abroad) where the norm is to haggle at some cash-only establishment.
no local stores left. no malls left. you people ran them out by buying online to save a buck
The prices are cheaper than in stores
As a disabled person who can't shop in person I started relying on Amazon years ago. I wish I didn't have to. I try to buy from small businesses whenever possible but with disability poverty I also can't afford higher prices so I have to go with retailers who move larger volumes of products to get their paltry discounts. Many of the small businesses who can't offer free Prime shipping just get squashed out. Add in the "flavor-flation" of companies tweaking their recipes to use cheaper ingredients rather than raise costs (yes, this is a thing, and it's prevalent- you aren't imagining your snacks & food don't taste as good or have a different texture now), and I never feel like I'm getting my money's worth on anything. It's demoralizing. Citizens United was the worst decision for all American citizens except for the 1%. We must break up these giant monopolies and let the fair market return.
I’m in my upper 60’s and saw this becoming a problem as big corporations gobbled up all the mom and pop stores! Less competition means they can pretty much charge what they want because you can’t get it easily anywhere else!!
May i add - why doesn't anyone mention their newest tactics where you can't even find the question you posted on a product? You get emailed that nobody could answer your Q. Then, when you wish to delete and repost your Q, in the hope a new batch of informed people can help, it's nowhere to be found! That is pure socialism & subterfuge! And why did they zap the helpful comments area a few years ago? That, too, was/is socialism!
Yup. I'm an independent (and award-winning) author, but I deliberately never listed my books on 'Zon nor GR. I've been absolutely *DESTROYED* because of it. Literally dozens upon dozens of trolls, stalkers, scammers, psychos, and other wackos have attacked me, flagged me, reported me, and essentially made me nearly 100% invisible. It's been incredible to see how far humanity will go to destroy itself. The sheer irony of all this is that one of the thematic underpinnings of my entire series is none other than REFLECTION.
Stay classy, humanity. :/
@@Novastar.SaberCombat I'm skeptical that people were harassing you for not listing on Amazon rather than for the content of your books or some other behavior...
I had a book regarding how Walmart moves in and strip minds the communities. All the Ma and Pa stores close and once they make "enough" money they pull up their stakes and leave.
I live in a small rural community and when Walmart went super Walmart many businesses closed, now they are getting ready to close.
I have been going to second hand shops for clothes most of my life. Our house style is hand me down from friends or we pick up at second hand stores.
Very sad...@@dianadurr-ramsey567
Corporate profits is a real problem.
Probably the worst issue the world is facing
Just nationalise Amazon!
Government spending is a far bigger problem.
Monopolistic capitalism.
Because heaven forbid a business make money.
This is true. I had to stop selling on amazon because the fees to amazon to be found and eligible for prime took all the projected profit. Some succeed, but it's brutal.
Wow. Just wow. I have admired this man for many years. I liked and subscribed. Thank you. : )
I refuse to shop on Amazon for many years now, I only buy from individuals and local stores if possible. However, sometimes the pkg comes from Amazon anyway, which bothers me greatly. And I always attempt to buy local, tho that's often a challenge bc I live in a rural area wo much access to local stores. I also refuse to support Walmart, which makes it even harder to find items locally. Amazon and Walmart are aspects of the Borg, and I attempt to not support their gobbling up all the local stores. Thankfully I don't buy much, but finding what I do need is getting ever more challenging. Thanks as always, Robert, for your clear expose.
Wait, so you think the local store is buying from Amazon? How would that work?
Great. If 5 million people do the same it will have some effect.
It's a marketplace. Your local mom and pops sell on it, genius.
Borg-like compliance indeed. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile!
_The Dalek want to know your location_
Thank you Robert Reich…I do not shop Amazon. Have forwarded this podcast to my family members who simply would not listen up as to why they should abandon Amazon Prime etc…
I’m 82 and shop local in the Napa valley where it is already way too expensive for me to survive on my small budget…Hopefully they will get smarter!!!
Still voting Blue💙🇺🇸🙏✨🌞
Hats off to you, for having the drive/motivation to seek out brick-and-mortar alternatives to online shopping. We're only in our 70s, but are often too lazy to shop locally.
I live extremely rural and the only way to get things are to order them online. ALL online websites make you create an account. At least with amazon, I don't have my email clogged with 7 million sales emails.
You live in a expensive but beautiful place. I am not Amazon shopper either. .
I switched from brick and mortar to Amazon years ago, glad I did. Never had an issue returning an item, fantastic customer service. I say good riddance to crappy service, not returns, and far higher prices.
A much more egregious problem than Amazon in California is the state government there which passes all sorts of extra costs onto the consumer and costs you a lot more than Amazon ever will. So I'm not at all impressed with your boycott of Amazon since you evidently support something much worse.
The thing that kinda put me off of Amazon was their anticompetitive nature. I was looking for a certain item, and every retailer had the same price, except Amazon. The Amazon price was much lower than other retailers. So I reached out to one of the other retailers and this was the response I got:
"Amazon is violating their dealer contract for selling [redacted] products below their proper price. [Redacted] will cancel contracts and fine everyone else for violating the dealer agreement, but Amazon always gets a pass. Doesn't seem right, does it?"
Amazon has so much leverage that they can get away with breaking manufacturer rules. The other option is for those manufacturers to take their products off of the largest online market, which they obviously don't want to do.
I asked the other retailer for a $20 discount which would have just covered the taxes on the $180 item (still more than the Amazon listing with the discount), and they did so without question.
Amazon screws smaller retailers and even physical stores. I went around looking for shoe laces, SHOE LACES, and all of the stores in town, including specialty stores, had limited options, so I had no choice to buy online to get what I was looking for. Heck Amazon.
Nearly quit all Amazon purchasing. I found out I was paying for items available near my home, shipped out through this mega monopoly. The seller was less than 2-3 miles away.
Stopped shopping on Amazon years ago when I decided to work at one of their warehouses. That environment is the last place I want to be supporting.
Essentially, every unethical, exploitative, 'maximize profit without consideration regarding harmful consequences' decision made by company executives are REWARDED! Many people complain about BIG government but they ignore the fact that our only leverage to is keep creating legislation and regulations to mitigate the harm which they continue to do.
When big businesses control big government we have the worst of both worlds.
This is an underrated comment.
That's the nature of business. Consumers have the cash, however, and can decide to play. Or not.
@@tchkvsky Consumers also have the vote and can vote for politicians who enact consumer protection policies. You don't just have to vote with your wallet. Of course people are going to choose the cheapest thing, especially when these most companies are paying people lower and lower wages (when accounting for inflation). However, if something that should cost $50 is also selling for $30, consumers have no way of knowing if the seller selling it for $50 is merely overcharging or if that extra cost is paying their employees better, following better practices for the environment, using higher quality materials, etc. Good government regulation protects companies that are trying to be good from being undercut by companies with no morals.
You certainly have a point there. There is a lot more to this problem than meets as easy look
GREAT VIDEO!!
Thank you!!
Everything mentioned in this video 100% TRUE!!!
I hope FTC WINS THE FIGHT AGAINST AMAZON.
I hear you and I agree Robert, but all I know is...for what I buy, Amazon usually has the item, and it's usually the lowest price.
Sadly as more and more brick-and-mortar stores close shop there won't be any other alternative. Some people in areas already have no alternative. A few people abandoning Amazon in the U.S. is not enough to make a dent. Change will have to come via regulation or legislation.
that's my situation. The drug stores around here have mostly closed up shop, and the one still open doesn't sell much of anything. Whole Paycheck and Safeway are equidistant from us, but Safeway often has higher prices! It's a mess and needs to be dealt with by government who allowed all this to happen in the first place, not consumers.
Reich has a point about monopolization, but I don't think he's right on pricing. Amazon is successful not because they've duped people into paying higher prices, but because of the exact opposite: their prices are typically lower than other places. Not across the board, of course, and not at all times, but I've comparison shopped a ton of stuff over the past couple of years b/c I saw some things skyrocket in price on Amazon during the pandemic. Probably 90% of the time, Amazon still has the best price.
Peoples' dollars, on the whole, will flow to where the greatest value can be found (where "value" isn't solely limited to "price").
@@this_epic_name that’s the point, they have the lowest prices until you have no other choice sometime in the near future if they get their way unopposed.
Should be noted, online retail isn't the main source of Amazon's profits (it loses billions on retail), it's cloud computing, AWS is bigger than Google and Microsoft clouds combined. Nearly every single website you've visited since 2006 is hosted by AWS, and lots of world governments heavily rely on it. It's basically impossible to boycott Amazon even if you never visit Amazon itself. Government action to break them up is the only solution at this point.
@@this_epic_name low price and convenience USED to be the reason to shop at Amazon. But now, with so many janky fly-by-night brands and inferior quality of goods, i'm starting to shop at specific retailers now for quality over perceived affordability. Amazon quality is like Wish or Temu now. Complete junk.
Exhausting. Money corrupts absolutely.
Actually it's people chosing to be greedy that corrupts.
@@TheFrandall that’s the next level. But intrinsically, as soon as money enters the equation there is no purity of intention. Many people evolve around business, business everything. But not everyone. I’m glad to see there is still real altruism among some.
It's Xmas 2023 and I only started using Amazon 6 months ago, I live in Europe. I gotta say that I only buy things that I need and everything I bought there was considerably cheaper than everywhere else I looked.
The things I buy on Amazon are usually less expensive than I can get locally. The selection is far better. And the service - delivery to my door saves me far more time and money.
Until that changes they have done a great thing for consumers.
I must buy what I need online because I am unable to leave my home to shop. I try very hard to shop with merchants directly rather than Amazon. Amazon has two things that they do better than others. 1. They have a larger selection, and the quality is usually better. 2. The delivery is fast and reliable.
Don't feel bad about shopping on Amazon. I certainly don't. They are cheaper, they are faster, they have just about anything we need, and they offer more services.
Me too, we’ve been happy Amazon customers for years!
I would disagree on better quality overall
Robert Reich for president 2024🎉🎉🎉
I vote for that
Get this man a Shield!
So the companies could just leave Amazon and charge less? Why do they bother with Amazon if it's a net negative for them?
I don't see a problem here. If you don't like the price, shop somewhere else. Pretty simple.
I remember a sign on a bookstore that said, in effect, don't use our restroom, use Amazon's. That bookstore is now out of business.
Items showing up at my house in a few days at decent prices is a life saver for a guy on fixed low income with no vehicle. Amazon and wal mart saved me when I could not walk at all.
Right
I agree and have been in the same boat, but I've also noticed the prices getting higher and higher. Like ridiculously high.
They have a great business model in that sense, because it's a service that is really needed for some people. It's just that they're getting so greedy now that they have a lot of unfair practices.
@@thinking7667 it’s your fault for letting your government get taken over by Rome. Hard to blame a company operating in a country with no laws other than rich do anything they want. If we had laws and authorities we could tax their income and enforce labor regulations
Consumers are not stupid as implied here. Before an Amazon purchase is made, a common consumer looks around, finds a product cheaper at Amazon, considers time, fuel and wear & tear saved, and makes the purchase. As for the businesses selling on Amazon, well, stop selling there if they’re unhappy with Amazon policies. I’m an Amazon prime member and a business owner too. I see nothing wrong with Amazon’s business and/or consumer polices. Some of us will hunt for and find something to complain about..
To everybody saying that nobody should use Amazon - a lot of people don't have a better choice or another choice at all, which is part of the point. Delivery of essentials, groceries, items that'd be more expensive elsewhere are some of the reasons. Blanket statements like that don't take into consideration different situations that people are in.
On a related note, I find most knitting and quilting supplies on amazon are the same price or occasionally _more_ expensive than the brick & mortar quilt & yarn shops.
But you get the benefit of staying at home, not driving using expensive gas or your valuable time. Amazon is worth it imo
@@BigBearBloo Joann Fabrics is just as easy as Amazon, and frequently cheaper.
I used to sell as a third party merchant and the fees went up every year. Another reason prices are so high is that a third party seller has to make enough to cover the fees or will owe Amazon money. They also use your sales numbers to decide whether to carry the same products as you, and when they do, the will undercut you and destroy sales on the item. I used FBA and had entire shipments of my products stolen. For awhile Amazon was my best customer because they had to reimburse me for the items that were "lost". The trick to beating them was to create bundles because you didn't have competition, and that meant that Amazon couldn't low ball you on your lost items. It eventually got so bad that I asked for a refund of my FBA fees because of the incompetence by the warehouse, plus the fees were just outrageous and growing more unaffordable as time went on.
but amazon is my favorite store and it's so convenient, and lately they've even been beating walmart on prices. And... they have the easiest, most customer friendly return policy. And... they maintain a record of all transactions for easy lookup and warranty use. Sorry, I don't think I'll be stopping shopping at amazon anytime soon.
Good points. Additionally, the company has tax deals overseas, like in Europe, where they pay only a fraction of the tax that local companies are due. Talk about unfair competition.
I live in a very rural area. Amazon has enabled me to get products that are not available where I live. While I’m disgusted by their practices, I get more benefit by using them.
Same here. I would happily take another option if it were available. We just need the government to do some actual monopoly busting instead of just giving it lip service.
Yes, that's an aspect no one ever brings up. Some folks live in areas where the alternatives are few and far between. It's the entire reason mail-order became a thing in the first place.
Same here too. But why does nobody ever mention their newest tactics where you can't even find the question you posted on a product? You get emailed that nobody could answer your Q. Then, when you wish to delete and repost your Q, in the hope a new batch of people can help you, it's nowhere to be found! That is pure socialism & subterfuge!
@@aaronscholl9560You should contact the products manufacturers you rely upon directly, and cut Amazon out. Monopoly busting is consumer dillegence first, not simply something convenienced oriented to indifference.
Whats closest to you, invest in your neighbors biz
acquiring those goods and delivering them.
Uber is just A ride share company. Not the only transport in town.
@@vroitwyrd If you researched and called the brand name on your chainsaw, you might have gotten it done all the sooner, without Amazon fiction writing.
I've not even dropped a mouse click for Amazon in decades.
If you will just step over to aisle three and see the geezer in the blue apron we will give you your gold star
I understand all your cogent points, but I have to say... most consumers (buyers) are motivated by price, convenience, and availability. When I (as most others) go on the Amazon site, it's easy to navigate, find what I want at a gret price, and have it delivered very quickly. That's the bottom line. If other companies rise to that benchmark, then I will (and do) happily patronize them (instead or also).
I remember in the 1980's the break up of Ma Bell and anti-trust lawsuits against companies for price fixing, even giving the consumer restitution.
The anti - trust laws were created during the Guilded Age by public demand to break up the oil and railroad monopolies to name a few, which they did.
There is a twisted "anything goes" now these past couple of decades at the consumers' expense.
Free Enterprise is part of a democracy and creates a higher standard of living - you can't have a democracy without it.
No surprise, I avoid Amazon at all costs.
Just nationalise Amazon!
@@iche9373 You don't have to nationalize it. You just have to break it up into smaller companies. The US used to do that when a house only cost twice the median yearly income. Now it 4 times, which is why we have homelessness. Break up the corporations and we will be back to being able to buy homes and goods at reasonable prices.
Agree@@littlebitofhope1489
Individual actions against systemic failures don’t mean much.
@@littlebitofhope1489 A state should always nationalise infrastructure like roads, trains, metro, power plants etc. Amazon is a part of the infrastructure. So You gotta nationalise it.
And now there’s Temu! Target is my go to store! Went to Macys the other day ….which was a ghost town. I don’t use Amazon but my children do!!!
Don't know why it took soo long to find Mr. Reich channel on youtube.... Especially since I have known about him since his stay in pwoer during the 1990s. Ok well, glad to have found such an honest and useful source of information and knowledge.
I always try to buy directly from the retailer first, and only order from Amazon when the b&m store doesnt have it, and I can't order it from their website either. The trouble is, a lot of things I regularly need aren't sold in the store or on the store's website. So, I use Amazon for many consumer goods like my special allergenic toothpaste, because I'm allergic to mint flavoring. Or the laundry product that actually removes blood stains, or the reproduction hardware I need to replace broken knobs on furniture. Things that I can't find in stores. I really hate the way Amazon has usurped mom and pop, as well as the suppliers who make and distribute these items. But I also really appreciate the ability to order things and have them delivered instead of driving all over town, burning up gas, and wasting time looking for stuff that I already know I won't find. As with so many things nowadays, we just need for our government to step in and demand fair taxation from companies that are making trillions on the backs of workers. And then use that money for the betterment of all of us.
i live in a very rural area that has pretty much nothing but a walmart, so amazon is my only option for getting a lot of things i either need or want.
It would certainly help the social programs in this country if we made them pay their fair share of taxes too! Then the repubs wouldn't have the ability to continuously threaten to cut Social Security or WIC etc., and we could even have affordable Health Care, can you imagine?! Just like the Civilized Countries in the World.
Yes❣️
Just imagine what could be if......
Except that's not how it works. Federal taxes DO NOT FUND Federal spending. Only state/local spending is funded by taxes. The real reason to tax the everliving fuck out of evial ass corporations/rich people, is to take away their hugely inequitable share of political power, in other words, take away their ability to buy to the government.
Make them pay? Good luck when the politicians they lobby/bribe are the ones that have to do it and won't go against they're own revenue stream that pays WAY more than their federal salary. How do you think people like Pelosi become millionaires while earning a federal salary?
You watch way too much MSNBC/CNN. Go outside for a walk once in a while.
I live in a area where there are a number of smaller retailers, food stores. We make it a point to try and find things that we can buy there for fear that without them we are truly at the behemoths mercy.
not just that; but note too how they will use oversize boxes to ship items in; this consumes and wastes space in delivery trucks increasing the carbon cost on our environment
I don't shop Amazon and only use Walmart for groceries, I have serious mobility problems and they're the only place that delivers to me.
Most supermarkets deliver .peapod example.
Walmart isn't any better. Probably worse.
The economy of scale is what allows Walmart and other big chains to offer all that variety delivered to your door. A local shopkeeper would have trouble leaving the store even if their fleet was as cheap as a teenager on a moped.
It's crazy to think how many small businesses Amazon has forced to close over the years. Honestly, I can't understand why anyone would shop at Amazon.
Sometimes you just can't find what you see on Amazon at any store around you. Canned goods an shirts are easy to find. Specialty items that you never even knew existed until you saw them online? That's a big reason i shop on there. As well as i can't afford gas money and 2 hours of time to do a trip for house hold items. Financially it doesn't make sense for me to put miles on my vehicle or be stressed from the long trip. And yes,i realize it puts storesout of business,but money talks and i save a ton shopping online an waiting for things to go on sale as i check the site daily
It is what it is.👍
@@Robert_Reich....Impersonator scam reported.
@@oceanlives4915the gold standard? You don't have a clue. The gold standard means anyone in the world can exchange dollars for gold at any time. The only way you can maintain it is if you have a trade surplus. Nixon had no choice but to take us off the gold standard, because the trade surplus turned into a deficit. The government just didn’t have enough gold to support all of the dollars flowing overseas. Otherwise, he would’ve had to go to Fort Knox and put up a “for sale” sign. The place would’ve been emptied in weeks---and the dollar would’ve tanked. That’s why so many other countries have tried and abandoned it. The gold standard also doesn’t allow for enough flexibility in monetary policy.
@@oceanlives4915 Yes,i have never understood how our concept of a dollar bill being worth a dollar if we don't have any gold to back it up for each new dollar printed. Never made sense to me. Now we just print money at will.🤷♂️
I do shop around first. I look if can find used, then I look at other online sites (depending on what I need). If I need to buy from Amazon, I put it in my cart and then wait or remove it (sometimes the price will drop). As for Walmart, sometimes you can find items cheaper, but to get free shipping (it has to be $35 or higher, the total price of all items). But the price is the same as in the store, so I am saving time/money in gas/mileage on car having to go to all these stores. Overall I save a LOT of time/money shopping online. Before I would spend HOURS a week driving around to various stores, trying to find an item I needed (and I didn't have time to compare prices).
I don't buy anything online because you have nobody to take it back to if it doesn't work. Besides, by going into a store I get to ask questions and say hello to the sales person. You can generally get the catalog of almost every store online, even restaurants.
I agree with all you're saying, but I know many seniors who don't drive and can't shop out in the world, so they use Amazon for the convenience it offers. They save money driving or taking car services to shop and carry, and are too old to drive. What should they do?
Absolutely. Seniors. Disabled. Low low income. The list goes on. But it is pretty popular right now to hate on Amazon.
Thanks Robert, I have cut my dependence on AMAZON and quit them cold turkey, due to their degradation of services and poor customer help (and the ever increasing costs). Your video puts the period on that act.
I noticed this a few years ago. Amazon prices are higher than brick n mortar stores. I shop around. I don't trust any of them.
I always check the price of a product on multiple sites before purchasing
We know this. It’s either Amazon or Walmart. Any other merchant has higher prices. We don’t want to use these horrible companies. Our hands are tied.
But it looks like the government let it happen. And do nothing about it.
@realam......astute observation. The corrupted politicians installed in offices these day LOOK THE OTHER WAY and keep collecting corporate donor-dollars inexchange for lobbyists writing corporate friendly, pro-monopoly, congress-enriching legislation.
They USED TO protect citizens, but now put profits over people.
Walmart and Amazon have the monopoly. FTC needs to check into that BIG TIME!
If you live in a major urban area, you dont need Amazon Prime. Your packages will get to you way faster than dates listed for non prime free shipping. 2-3 days max if the item is not on back order.
I use them maybe once a year, if even that. And that only for lack of local supply.
I tell people that Amazon will own us if we don't stop letting them take over. The only time I order from them is if I've been given a gift card.
Over half of Amazon is smaller 3rd party sellers. I run a small business and we sell 90% of our sales come through Amazon. We have a great team that’s livelihoods all depend on Amazon. They have been a blessing for us.
Mr Reich,I’m sure your right ! You usually are,but Amazon changed my life,I save gas,avoid crowds,avoid traffic,delivery is fast and returns are easy
Just ordered from Burlington, Ulta and eBay. Thank you for this type of videos. 👍🏻
Personally had an experience that I’m sure many others have had. I wanted to purchase 2 pairs of work boots but bought just one to try them out before buying the 2nd pair. I received the boots, liked them and decided to order another pair. As I recall it was around 2 days later that I went to Amazon and found that the same boots were around 50% higher. I asked a friend to get on Amazon a check out what the price was on her account. She found the initial lower price.
Need I say more?
Interesting, thanks for the share
A few years ago, it was cheaper to buy products from Amazon’s US store (I’m in New Zealand). It’s cheaper now to buy the same products in New Zealand from local online stores.
as a avid Canadian amazon shopper I'll take Amazons $5 mark up and free shipping over $5 savings and $40-60 shipping from the US
As a fellow Canadian and regular Amazon shopper, I could not agree more.
That's very valuable information, thanks Dr. Reich!
Thank you for this info. I never buy from Amazon, and never will. I really like to support our local merchants.
Thing is, I can’t find anything I need in a typical store. If I’m limited to Target, I’d never get what I need.
Everyone should support and buy from local shops as much as possible.
Their Prime 2 day shipping has been a joke since Covid started. I've been ordering on Walmart a lot more when I need something quick.
I am a 20 min. walk from my local Walmart and think in some ways they care more about their customers than the topic of this video does.
Thank you Robert Reich! This video is something anyone who isn't a major Amazon shareholder ought to get behind.
I’ve noticed their prices keep increasing even on items that I’ve bought previously
I cancelled my prime membership and stopped shopping on Amazon last year and have found the process of buying from local brick and mortar stores to be more fun and satisfying.
Let's all join hands and sing, "Solidarity Forever" and a few verses of " We Shall Overcome."
remember how hard it must hv been to pour all that tea in the ocean after its 3000 trip to boston? couldnt buy it from amazon back then. now we have monopolies.
Without corporations and monopolies, some people wouldn't get rich complaining about the corporations and monopolies.
Welcome to Ronald Reagan's America ... I haven't bought anything from Amazon in 8 years ... I don't need them....
I agree 100%. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find brick and mortar products.
I also noticed that items that I regularly purchased would go up in price, sometimes as much as $5 or $6. When I stopped purchasing them, the price would return to,it's lower price.
This information about Amazon and others should be broadcasted on all media platforms so consumers would make informed decisions. Congrats to Biden administration. Vote blue again.
We can click on the "SHARE" button to spread this video to additional online platforms.
You mean the pitiful few independent news outlets that haven't been neutered by some corporate overlord doing their bidding.
The majority of people I've known over the past 30+ years *LOVE* 'Zon. They adore it. They'd never stop purchasing from it. Not even if their own family members were being ripped off (which they obviously have been, lol). That's just how it goes.
@JoseLopez-tk4tq
Sounds like u have thrown in the towel...that is what all the corporations want...to wear us down & go the easy way out...the American spirit is broken & taking the easy way out!
We should all share this!!
I’m not saying Temu is “good,” but I’ve had to order from them enough to learn that Amazon is making a killing on most of those random Chinese products. Many things on Temu are 10% to 25% of what is charged on Amazon.
I live in a small town where there are two dollar stores and that is it. The closest Wamart or regular retail store of any kind is over an hour away, so Amazon may be ripping you off, but it is saving me.
I only shop online when it's the last resort and even then I try to stay away from Amazon