Ethically, Amazon is worse than Walmart

[micrometers]

For all of the complaints about Walmart, at least it--

1. employs lots of workers. Amazon employs fewer people
2. pays sales taxes to local governments

Amazon does not do this. Also, it might be arguable that working conditions in amazon warehouses are worse than working conditions in walmarts.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/tech...-working-conditions-are-only-temporary/46426/

Also Walmart has taken the lead in more progressive causes, like more organic foods, as well as cheap generic prescription drugs.

 

[waggy]

it does not matter if you are right. Amazon good walmart bad.

same with costco and target. shrug

 

[EagleKeeper]

#1) What does that have to do with anything - companies are different sizes based on their models. Better comparing the volume that Amazon does/worker to Walmart distributional centers
#2) Not valid comparison
Walmart has to pay the taxes to the local governments - they have a presence in the state - part of their business license


You are comparing apples to oranges in both cases.

 

[DaveSimmons]

1.) Why is keeping people busy standing around a good thing?

1-b.) Amazon offers a unified storefront and order fulfillment services to thousands of small business offering niche products, and lets those businesses set their own prices for the items.

2.) I pay sales tax on all of my Amazon purchases. Amazon is not against collecting sales taxes, they just want the current mishmash of laws unified and a level playing field for all online vendors.

A more interesting question is: which one is better for the environment?

Con: Amazon does ship items to you, wasting resources like boxes and gas for the UPS truck.

Pro:
- They keep you from wasting gas driving to and from the store.
- Centralized distribution saves the resources used to send items to a bunch of stores.
- No resources wasted maintaining all those stores and having stock sit unused at those stores.
- Focus on digital books, music, video saves resources by not shipping anything anywhere, with no trees or dinosaurs used to manufacture the digital goods.

 

[Howard]

Organic foods are "progressive" how?

 

[gevorg]

Organic foods are "progressive" how?

 

[Bateluer]

Organic foods are "progressive" how?

I don't think what Walmart sells really qualifies as 'organic' either.

 

[Double Trouble]

I guess now that Amazon is hugely successful like Walmart it's their turn to be scorned by liberals.

 

[Slew Foot]

Amazon rocks because awesome people like myself shop there. Walmart sucks because people like that domestic violence trailer trash guy shop there.

 

[Dulanic]

Amazon is successful for one huge reason. Their customer service can not be beat. Every issue I have ever had was solved beyond my expectations.


As for your comment...apples and oranges.

 

[Karl Agathon]

Amazon is successful for one huge reason. Their customer service can not be beat. Every issue I have ever had was solved beyond my expectations.


As for your comment...apples and oranges.

Amazon is always my first choice for almost anything.

 

[Craig234]

Amazon customer service.... good not perfect. For example, I recently got a game on an imnpulse buy for $25 lightning deal. Changed my mind within 5 minutes and did a 'cancel request'. They later responded 'had already shipped, too late'. The day it arrives, the price has dropped to $20. 'No price matches whenever the price drops'. Not really anything wrong with that, just not 'better than expected' either.

As for Amazon vs. Wal-Mart, it's tricky - both have their good and bad. Wal-Mart actually does seem to have made various improvements.

In comparing them to Amazon - where Wal-Mart pays a lot of rent and local employees Amazon doesn't - there's a lot to look at.

One issue is just 'the benefits of local employment' versus 'the benefits of online shopping efficiencies'. Nice to save the expenses; bad to lose the employment.

Part of this comes down to policies - if we as a society value the local stores, we should have incentives saying so - rather than the opposite of 'no tax collected by Amazon'.

I think each will have a list of pros and cons. I still boycott Wal-Mart as I have for many years for problems with them, but it's a less strong boycott now.

I did cut back on spending at Amazon - painful - over the sales tax issue but ended that when they made an agreement with CA.

There's something remarkable about being able to order a $2 item online, and two days later have a person drive to my place and hand it to me.

 

[micrometers]

I'm just astonished though at the mismatch between the anti-walmart activism and the lack of anti-amazon activism. Though anti-walmart sentiment has tamped down recently IMO, still, amazon probably deserves more scorn.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'm just astonished though at the mismatch between the anti-walmart activism and the lack of anti-amazon activism. Though anti-walmart sentiment has tamped down recently IMO, still, amazon probably deserves more scorn.

Because?

Your points above have been refuted.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Wal-Mart is a much easier to presence to rally against. Amazon operates a few large warehouses in a few states; Wal-Mart has gigantic superstores in multiple locations in every state. A big complaint against Wal-Mart is that they move in to an area, offer better prices than small businesses in the area, drive out the competition and hire up the people who used to work at the small businesses; you can't really make that claim about an online presence which is accessible from anywhere but can't take employees from small businesses unless they happen to be very close to one of the warehouses. I agree that Amazon has some shady business practices, but given Wal-Mart's overall size (the largest private company in the World) and presence (locations EVERYWHERE), I can see why it attracts more complaints than Amazon.

 

[Nintendesert]

Amazon customer service.... good not perfect. For example, I recently got a game on an imnpulse buy for $25 lightning deal. Changed my mind within 5 minutes and did a 'cancel request'. They later responded 'had already shipped, too late'. The day it arrives, the price has dropped to $20. 'No price matches whenever the price drops'. Not really anything wrong with that, just not 'better than expected' either.

As for Amazon vs. Wal-Mart, it's tricky - both have their good and bad. Wal-Mart actually does seem to have made various improvements.

In comparing them to Amazon - where Wal-Mart pays a lot of rent and local employees Amazon doesn't - there's a lot to look at.

One issue is just 'the benefits of local employment' versus 'the benefits of online shopping efficiencies'. Nice to save the expenses; bad to lose the employment.

Part of this comes down to policies - if we as a society value the local stores, we should have incentives saying so - rather than the opposite of 'no tax collected by Amazon'.

I think each will have a list of pros and cons. I still boycott Wal-Mart as I have for many years for problems with them, but it's a less strong boycott now.

I did cut back on spending at Amazon - painful - over the sales tax issue but ended that when they made an agreement with CA.

There's something remarkable about being able to order a $2 item online, and two days later have a person drive to my place and hand it to me.

That sucks for you, but when the S95 was $299 I bought one for my dad for Christmas. The next day it's on sale for $229. Amazon responded by saying they usually don't price match but since it was such a significant change they would. So they refunded me the $70.

All the other issues I get a response in an hour or so with no hassle and a great resolution. I wish more companies would operate like that.


As for the sales tax issue. /shrug. It's not constitutional for states to tax interstate commerce. So when the inept Congress finally does something on the federal level I'll be all for it. But who knows, they're too busy on dumb shit like SOPA instead.

 

[Dulanic]

Amazon customer service.... good not perfect. For example, I recently got a game on an imnpulse buy for $25 lightning deal. Changed my mind within 5 minutes and did a 'cancel request'. They later responded 'had already shipped, too late'. The day it arrives, the price has dropped to $20. 'No price matches whenever the price drops'. Not really anything wrong with that, just not 'better than expected' either.

As for Amazon vs. Wal-Mart, it's tricky - both have their good and bad. Wal-Mart actually does seem to have made various improvements.

In comparing them to Amazon - where Wal-Mart pays a lot of rent and local employees Amazon doesn't - there's a lot to look at.

One issue is just 'the benefits of local employment' versus 'the benefits of online shopping efficiencies'. Nice to save the expenses; bad to lose the employment.

Part of this comes down to policies - if we as a society value the local stores, we should have incentives saying so - rather than the opposite of 'no tax collected by Amazon'.

I think each will have a list of pros and cons. I still boycott Wal-Mart as I have for many years for problems with them, but it's a less strong boycott now.

I did cut back on spending at Amazon - painful - over the sales tax issue but ended that when they made an agreement with CA.

There's something remarkable about being able to order a $2 item online, and two days later have a person drive to my place and hand it to me.

They will waiver on that price match issue. I have previously called and said... "So you would prefer I send back the item, costing you and me money and causing a inconvenience to your customer and then I just reorder anyways? They credited right away.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

For all of the complaints about Walmart, at least it--

1. employs lots of workers. Amazon employs fewer people
2. pays sales taxes to local governments

Amazon does not do this. Also, it might be arguable that working conditions in amazon warehouses are worse than working conditions in walmarts.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/tech...-working-conditions-are-only-temporary/46426/

Also Walmart has taken the lead in more progressive causes, like more organic foods, as well as cheap generic prescription drugs.

There is no ethical wrongness in their differing business plans. Everyone in the market finds a method and manner to reach their targeted demographic via a business plan that reduces the cost of their products so as to be affordable to as many people as they can target. Honestly this is nothing more then a thinly veiled anti-capitalist post.

Edit: Also anyone who has worked as a temporary seasonal worker during the holidays for retailers understands that it will be a testing period of sorts. There will be plenty of work to do because sales are at their highest during this period. One of the earliest jobs that I worked at when I was younger was working for Macy's in their stock room during the holidays. While it was a temporary position I worked my butt off to make an impression with my supervisor and was eventually offered a permanent job while most people were let go. Temp seasonal jobs are perfect opportunities to try to get your foot in the door if with a businesses if you are so willing and you really want a job. However that doesn't always mean you'll always get a job by doing so but you can still work toward getting a good referral which can also lead to other job opportunities down the road.

 

[amish]

I'm just astonished though at the mismatch between the anti-walmart activism and the lack of anti-amazon activism. Though anti-walmart sentiment has tamped down recently IMO, still, amazon probably deserves more scorn.

why would anyone scorn a business with a great business model? were you part of the OWS crowd?

 

[DucatiMonster696]

it does not matter if you are right. Amazon good walmart bad.

same with costco and target. shrug

I agree this is stupid reasoning because each business has a entirely different group of people they try to cater too. Costco's generally open up in areas with a demographic of people who earn more money while Walmart goes for that untapped market of individuals who earn less and they to provide goods and services to them that they can actually afford. Each business has ways of reducing costs to earn the dollars of their customers and generally each are operating on pushing out large volumes of goods and services by using what amounts to as razor thin profit margins per the sale of each goods or service sold. So in essence they make money by having a high rate of turn over on their respective shelves. This all generates to larger profits at the end of year vs say someone who sells expensive hundred thousand dollar cars but has only a few sales year long that in turn puts them at the same spot profit wise as the other two retailers mentioned who rely on volume.

 

[Deeko]

For all of the complaints about Walmart, at least it--

1. employs lots of workers. Amazon employs fewer people
2. pays sales taxes to local governments

Amazon does not do this. Also, it might be arguable that working conditions in amazon warehouses are worse than working conditions in walmarts.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/tech...-working-conditions-are-only-temporary/46426/

Also Walmart has taken the lead in more progressive causes, like more organic foods, as well as cheap generic prescription drugs.

1) Of course Amazon hires fewer people...they're a much smaller company. But I bet Amazon hires a lot more software engineers and other technical fields, its not like they don't employee anyone.
2) I pay sales tax on everything I've bought at Amazon.
3) Conversely, read this article...yes, they work hard, but they get paid well for it: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204058404577108821485438232.html
4) AmazonFresh has a large selection of organic food available.

They're both big companies that do what's in their best interest...which is what they are required to do. Realistically, neither is "unethical", and both of them employee a lot of people and bring a lot of low priced goods to the masses. Sounds like a win win.

 

[Strk]

You're comparing apples to oranges. One is a job at a DC, while the other is a retail job. You'll find similar situations if you compared Wal-mart's DCs to Amazon's DCs.

 

[JockoJohnson]

Amazon customer service.... good not perfect. For example, I recently got a game on an imnpulse buy for $25 lightning deal. Changed my mind within 5 minutes and did a 'cancel request'. They later responded 'had already shipped, too late'. The day it arrives, the price has dropped to $20. 'No price matches whenever the price drops'. Not really anything wrong with that, just not 'better than expected' either.

As for Amazon vs. Wal-Mart, it's tricky - both have their good and bad. Wal-Mart actually does seem to have made various improvements.

In comparing them to Amazon - where Wal-Mart pays a lot of rent and local employees Amazon doesn't - there's a lot to look at.

One issue is just 'the benefits of local employment' versus 'the benefits of online shopping efficiencies'. Nice to save the expenses; bad to lose the employment.

Part of this comes down to policies - if we as a society value the local stores, we should have incentives saying so - rather than the opposite of 'no tax collected by Amazon'.

I think each will have a list of pros and cons. I still boycott Wal-Mart as I have for many years for problems with them, but it's a less strong boycott now.

I did cut back on spending at Amazon - painful - over the sales tax issue but ended that when they made an agreement with CA.

There's something remarkable about being able to order a $2 item online, and two days later have a person drive to my place and hand it to me.

It's a little off-topic but I love newegg.com. I was too impatient and thought the credit card screen locked up when I purchased a router. So, I placed two orders. By the time I went to cancel,they had already invoiced and shipped. Customer service just told me to not accept the one box and it will automatically return to sender and they remove the charge. No hassle, easy to talk to and understandable of me being an impatient idiot.

@Craig: You should have been able to place an order for the item when it was $20 and been able to refuse the package of the first one ($25). I guess Amazon works different.

Back on topic, don't know how ethical it is to pay taxes that you aren't required to collect. Like the other thread about Amazon and taxes, I am all for a law that fixes that situation but right now, they don't have to pay them.

 

[glenn1]

Ethically, Amazon is worse than Walmart

Holy shit, another criteria progressives use to determine where to shop. Now it's companies with "unethical" practices, along with those not paying living wages or supporting unions sufficiently, not selling "fair trade" products, selling "genetically modified" food, not supporting minority groups or gays well enough, donating to Republicans, and probably scads of other criteria I've forgotten. How the heck do you find a place to shop, or time to do so after keeping all these lists and cross-referencing every store on them?

 

[micrometers]

Holy shit, another criteria progressives use to determine where to shop. Now it's companies with "unethical" practices, along with those not paying living wages or supporting unions sufficiently, not selling "fair trade" products, selling "genetically modified" food, not supporting minority groups or gays well enough, donating to Republicans, and probably scads of other criteria I've forgotten. How the heck do you find a place to shop, or time to do so after keeping all these lists and cross-referencing every store on them?

This is more about a disparity is perception. I think walmart gets an unfair rap.