I only use Amazon for buying stuff that I wouldn't pay standard retail cost for. Therefore the bricks and mortar stores don't lose out, because I wouldn't have bought their stuff anyway.
Quote from: 50ft-trad on May 24, 2017, 11:15:45 PMI only use Amazon for buying stuff that I wouldn't pay standard retail cost for. Therefore the bricks and mortar stores don't lose out, because I wouldn't have bought their stuff anyway.Unless Amazon didn't exist, which I guess is the case with Australia. Sounds like it could be a pretty big upset there.
Quote from: WoodsDuck on May 25, 2017, 11:51:55 AMQuote from: 50ft-trad on May 24, 2017, 11:15:45 PMI only use Amazon for buying stuff that I wouldn't pay standard retail cost for. Therefore the bricks and mortar stores don't lose out, because I wouldn't have bought their stuff anyway.Unless Amazon didn't exist, which I guess is the case with Australia. Sounds like it could be a pretty big upset there.Perhaps I should rephrase....The stuff I've tended to buy cheap from Amazon, is stuff that I would manage without if it wasn't sold so cheap there. For example, I bought some oils and white beeswax from there, so I could buy my own 'tache wax and beard oil. Pre-made beard oil and tache wax can stop on the shelf as far as I care. I'd simply not bother rather than pay the regular price for them. I have bought DVDs and box sets cheap from there too, which I would have put back on the shelf anywhere else at full price. I don't buy essentials from Amazon, unless as Smashie says, I can't easily get them anywhere else.
Its a tough question, but it is nothing new. Walmart killed the mom and pops. Amazon is killing Walmart (although it won't be to the same degree). The fact is that Amazon is doing the job better than anybody else. My problem? I need something. There are numerous solutions--buy it online, buy it in the store, or go without. The best price is usually amazon. The most time efficient way to get it is almost always amazon. Good or bad, they solve problems better than anyone else right now, so the argument doesn't matter--people will use them, and they're not going away. I still try to support local shops as much as I can, but when they're charging me double of Amazon... I just don't have the expendable income yet to do that.I think the real folks that need to be worried are UPS, FedEx, and USPS. I mostly get my prime deliveries from Amazon carriers.
Quote from: mtn on May 25, 2017, 04:00:59 PMIts a tough question, but it is nothing new. Walmart killed the mom and pops. Amazon is killing Walmart (although it won't be to the same degree). The fact is that Amazon is doing the job better than anybody else. My problem? I need something. There are numerous solutions--buy it online, buy it in the store, or go without. The best price is usually amazon. The most time efficient way to get it is almost always amazon. Good or bad, they solve problems better than anyone else right now, so the argument doesn't matter--people will use them, and they're not going away. I still try to support local shops as much as I can, but when they're charging me double of Amazon... I just don't have the expendable income yet to do that.I think the real folks that need to be worried are UPS, FedEx, and USPS. I mostly get my prime deliveries from Amazon carriers.I figured that Amazon is helping USPS and UPS. They are the one who deliver all Amazon packages around here. I wonder if it is regional thing?
Worth it?
I think the real folks that need to be worried are UPS, FedEx, and USPS. I mostly get my prime deliveries from Amazon carriers.
By culling the sick and weak vendors from the herd, the entire species is made healthier and stronger. Its the circle of life.
In fact I don't think it's just Amazon most of the things I find myself wanting or needing aren't in stock at any of the B&M stores. I needed toner for my laser printer last night, no stores within 20 miles of me have it on the shelf ready to buy. Amazon just delivered it. Unfortunately B&M stores just can't compete and it's their fault for being complacent when Amazon arrived.
The fact is that Amazon is doing the job better than anybody else. My problem? I need something. There are numerous solutions--buy it online, buy it in the store, or go without. The best price is usually amazon. The most time efficient way to get it is almost always amazon. Good or bad, they solve problems better than anyone else right now, so the argument doesn't matter--people will use them, and they're not going away. I still try to support local shops as much as I can, but when they're charging me double of Amazon... I just don't have the expendable income yet to do that.
This is getting a bit philosophical now, so feel free to ignore it -Are you happier for next day delivery? are you happier for getting what you want through staring at a screen, clicking a few things (probably don't even have to open your wallet, your Credit Card details have been saved for your convenience...)?More things faster + cheaper isn't necessarily the key to a good life. Sometimes making eye contact and receiving a service from a professional (uhh?) is well worth the extra pennies.What did you do with the time and money you saved?I could just as easily replace all of my things all of the time - but I don't. I buy expensive gear, I buy expensive tools, and I repair as I go - Lots of money and time, arguably wasted if I wasn't enjoying the experience....
The sick and weak vendors still need to put food on the table - when they can't afford it through sales, they'll get it through welfare paid for by my taxes.
Or, they can go find another job just like you and I do when we need to eat.
Amazon employs 341,000 people around the world. People who also need to put food on the table.
Amazon did open up a massive facility on the edge of my town and provide a lot of jobs for locals
Quote from: Sea Monster on May 24, 2017, 10:58:12 PMWorth it?Absolutely. I do much or most of my purchasing on Amazon. Most of my SAKs, MTs, lights and Man Sacks come from Amazon unless I find a better price on eBay. Three minutes of clicking, and the merchandise shows up in 2 days. Many items are same day delivery. The time and money saved by buying on Amazon is totally worth it for me. I could put wear and tear on my car, burn up some gas and waste 45 minutes go buy XYZ at a brick and mortar store, but the time saved is worth the price of admission.Honestly, I'm don't have any empathy for bricks and mortar vendors. They too are trying to beat the competition. Amazon is just much better at it. By culling the sick and weak vendors from the herd, the entire species is made healthier and stronger. Its the circle of life.