The middleman from hell is always waiting, ready to screw you over for their own benefit.

Amazon is known for its anti-competition practices. While they aggressively charge you for every sale you make, they also get to see all of your sales data; valuable information to have if you want to launch products. Even better if you plan on launching copycats! In more than one way, just by selling on their platform, they get you to pay them…to do their market research.

  •  gk99   ( @gk99@beehaw.org ) 
    1•1 year ago

    To be honest, if the product is easily replaceable by the AmazonBasics knockoff for a few bucks cheaper, maybe it’s just not as good of a value as originally thought. Price is far from the only factor for a reasonable consumer, and I know anything I’d be willing to spend a premium on isn’t going to be sufficiently supplanted by an AmazonBasics knockoff, because I’m spending that premium for a reason.

    The article rightfully criticizes the ethics of Amazon’s information collection practices, but unless I need cheap low-quality trash, I’m not buying Amazon brand. I’m doing research, I’m finding what a good brand or product is, and I’m searching for that in particular.

    •  AnAngryAlpaca   ( @AnAngryAlpaca@feddit.de ) 
      4•1 year ago

      The point the article makes is that amazon doesn’t have to spend money on consumer research, product design, setting up production chains, advertising etc. All the cost YOU have to price in to be profitable, but Amazon doesn’t.

      It’s basically product piracy, same as branded knock off clothes from a market in south east Asia…