is Amazon good for us?

[cardboardbox]

http://nypost.com/2017/04/25/amazon-is-great-for-consumers-but-is-it-great-for-america/

In March, MarketWatch estimated that Amazon will destroy 1.5 million retail jobs in the next five years. And with its push into self-driving trucks, drone delivery, automated grocery stores and more, the site said the total number of lost jobs would likely be more than 2 million, concluding, “Could Amazon actually kill more American jobs than China did? It’s quite likely.”

How many of you buy a lot from Amazon? I rarely do because their prices range from somewhat competitive to complete ripoff. I will go out of my way to buy from Best Buy or Target locally to support my community.

[DMT]

I've cut way down on my shopping there, the Walmart of the Internet.

[umjewman]

We buy a lot from Amazon, largely because we have 2 young kids and both work. Getting to a brick and mortar store is often just not feasible, so Amazon is a life saver for us.

[Redbirds Fan]

I buy a lot through Amazon. I have found their prices to be unbeatable, and if I need something badly I can often get it delivered to my door the very same day.

I'm not sure how they are the WalMart of the internet. I know WalMart and how they work. Amazon allows you to buy direct from third party vendors, which I do quite often. You don't always get that 'prime' free shipping, but you can find just about anything in the world.

[Redbirds Fan]

Too funny. I just noticed that cbb's link was to the New York Post. Is there a rag in the country which has been more consistently outspoken against the efforts to raise the minimum wage?

But give them a chance to stick it to Jeff Bezos and you'd think Norma Rae was on the masthead.

[GwynnInTheHall]

Love it, use it pretty much for everything.

[chancellor]

Use it for some things, especially electronics. I have not found them to be at all competitive on household goods, but expected growth in that area is projected to be huge.

[GwynnInTheHall]

Use it for some things, especially electronics. I have not found them to be at all competitive on household goods, but expected growth in that area is projected to be huge.

They're exceptional when it comes to organic/all natural things. My wife has skin sensitivities which means she makes all her own skincare, makeup and bath products from scratch. Finding all the ingredients in the real world is not only difficult, but expensive. Amazon brings all the options out there to one place and usually ships free (prime) and in 2 days.

Hell I even got the Forecaster cheaper than you can online or in the stores off Amazon.

As for household goods, I'd have to say--I shop around for pretty much every purchase and I've found that if you look on more than one occasion, what you want eventually goes on special somewhere and Amazon will have it.

[swampdragon]

But the coal industry revitalization is going to save us all

The retail industry is changing drastically and many many jobs are being lost through automation and technology.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/17/o...tter.html?_r=0

Does this make Amazon and technology progress bad?

and by the as far as delivery drones we discussed in my class and 200 out of 200 8th graders thought the same thing about delivery drones "I am pretty sure that I could/would knock that drone out of the sky"

[billbuckner]

We're going to see the death of Capitalism as we know it in our lifetimes. Should be a fun ride.

[TranaGreg]

But if a business can provide services more efficiently than other businesses, how is that a bad thing? Isn't this the same as what Henry Ford did with the assembly line a hundred years ago?

[swampdragon]

But if a business can provide services more efficiently than other businesses, how is that a bad thing? Isn't this the same as what Henry Ford did with the assembly line a hundred years ago?

I teach this kind of thing and find the juxtaposition of these clips fascinating

100 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXkxl8dSXb4

7 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82w_r2D1Ooo

[cardboardbox]

We buy a lot from Amazon, largely because we have 2 young kids and both work. Getting to a brick and mortar store is often just not feasible, so Amazon is a life saver for us.

yeah I can see that scenario, but have you found Amazon to be any cheaper than ordering on other websites like Target or Walmart?

[cardboardbox]

I buy a lot through Amazon. I have found their prices to be unbeatable, and if I need something badly I can often get it delivered to my door the very same day.

really? Ive found their prices to usually be average to awful. I can beat their prices on household items very easily at my local Target/Walmart or by ordering online from either of them. If I need something badly I can take a 5 min drive to Target/Walmart but I know not everyone is that close to one.

Too funny. I just noticed that cbb's link was to the New York Post. Is there a rag in the country which has been more consistently outspoken against the efforts to raise the minimum wage?

But give them a chance to stick it to Jeff Bezos and you'd think Norma Rae was on the masthead.

I started a non-political thread.

[cardboardbox]

Use it for some things, especially electronics. I have not found them to be at all competitive on household goods, but expected growth in that area is projected to be huge.

If I find a rare occasion that Amazon is cheapest on electronics, I'll just go to Best Buy and pricematch and have it immediately.